My mom's cancer: Help!

[redacted]

**********************
Required disclaimer: The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 10/17/06, and the moderators have been notified.
**********************

Hi Everyone, :hi:

The Bad News

Last February, my mom found a hard lump in her neck. It was a swollen lymph node. It didn't go away. It kept growing.

And yes, it turned out to be cancer. So since March, Mom's been treated at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. They're a world-class facility; my Mom received incredible medical care there.

The Good News

Last week her doctor called. The cancer is gone, and her prognosis is excellent!

But during her treatment I felt compelled to do something, anything, to help. Of course. I'm not a doctor, a researcher, or someone who's even thought much about cancer before.

So I signed up with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. Through this program, I'll be supporting an organization that is dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, along with improving the lives of patients and their families.

In exchange for my work on behalf of the Society, they've helped me train for 109 mile bike race in Tucson on November 18th, provided coaching and medical guidance, and put me on a team of riders with similar skills--which when I started in August was NO skills at all!

However, last weekend I completed a 50 mile ride in Napa County, climbing around 1,800 feet total and 1,000 feet in a single 5 mile stretch. After this achievement, my mind thinks the goal is attainable, even though my thighs might not be so sure.


Help!


I need to raise $5,000 by November 1st. I'm desperately behind on my fundraising -- several pledges I had did not come through (client businesses of mine worried about the economy). Your help is needed and very much appreciated. Go to: http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/annstringer to make an online donation. Or you can PM me for an address to mail your donation. All checks should be made out to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Before you close this message--consider these facts:

• Every five minutes someone in the United States learns that they have a blood cancer.
• Every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer.
• Leukemia is the number one disease-killer of children under 15.
• Lymphoma is the leading disease-killer of adults under 35.
• Over 75% of your donation will go directly to research and patient services.
• Research in blood cancer treatment moves us closer to a cure for all cancer.
• The money you give today could benefit someone you love.


Feel welcome to forward this post along to your colleagues, friends and family as well.

Thank you for your support! Let's keep this kicked. Come on DU'ers you have good hearts and I know you can do this.

redacted

[yellerpup]

1. Kickin' for you!

Best wishes to you and your mom. :kick: :hug:

[redacted]

3. Thank you!

[redacted]

32. Just realized, we should be doing this for Alarcojon he died of leukemia.

[redacted]

70. Riding in honor of Alarjocon: link to donate below.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/annstringer

[lcordero2]

2. It might help if you investigate a product called

yuccalive and cessiac

[redacted]

4. hmmm....won't help me fundraise, but I can look it up for Mom. Thnx.

[bigwillq]

5. K&R

:bounce:

So glad to hear the good news about your mom.

Good luck with the fundraiser.

[redacted]

7. Thank you!

[devilgrrl]

6. Best wishes to your mom.

:hug:

[redacted]

8. Thank you very much.

[nam78_two]

9. k&r/nt

[redacted]

10. thnx

[ismnotwasm]

11. Kick and recommended

Very worthy cause.

[redacted]

12. Thank you.

[redacted]

13. Ok I've gotten a 5 dollar donation, anyone want to match that?

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/annstringer

[ismnotwasm]

16. I'll match it and raise a bit

Like I said, very worthy cause.

[redacted]

17. Thank you!

[ismnotwasm]

20. You're welcome

(shameless kick!)I work on a transplant unit, and one of the side effects of immunosuppression can be similar cancer. I have friends who work in oncology as well, and I know what a joy it is for everyone involved when cancer is beated! Good luck on your run, your thighs will thank you! (eventually)

[redacted]

22. You are right though LLS is great the Honorees seem to really

appreciate the support the society gives them.

I think cancer patients (maybe many patients) feel very alone. They are not themselves, and those closest to them do not truely understand how they feel. No one does, but other survivors.

[ismnotwasm]

33. There is that

Sometimes we get breast reconstruction patients who have been diagnosed, had bilateral mastectomies and the reconstruction in the same operation.

I know we focus on what we call "flap checks" (the type of reconstruction) and often forget that this is a cancer patient, often a cancer surviver. I've learned to address that, as far as they are willing to talk.

LLS is a frightening cancer as are all cancers, but any type of lymphoma has such a high rate of metastasis, that I can imagine that it's a very lonely, frightening experience.

There is a movie called "Wit", with Emma Thompson,(?) I believe that is based on a play. In the movie she is diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. The movie follows her medical course as well as her emotional one. It's one of most profoundly moving movies I've ever seen, although I don't recommended it for anyone with cancer. It hits very close to home.

[OzarkDem]

14. Glad to hear of your mom's good news!

MD Anderson is a good cancer center.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is one of the cancer charities who does provide assistance to patients and their families, something many don't do. They also do pretty good lobbying.

Good luck in your race!

[redacted]

15. Yes MD is great and I had to fight (along with her doc) to get Aetna

to pay. It was a nightmare. They are awful. But Kelsey Seybold felt her chances at MD Anderson were good, and poor with them.

They were right.

[Change has come]

18. K&R

Best of luck with your race and your Mother's good health.

:kick:

[redacted]

19. Hey I've raised $55 so far. Let's keep it coming!

Give up tomorrow's latte and give a few bucks to a good cause!

[Infomaniac]

21. I donated.

I'm glad your mom's doing well and I hope you make your goal.

[redacted]

23. Thank you!

[EFerrari]

24. I can kick in $25. The site is loading a little slowly right now

but here's a kick and I'll be back.

What a great project.

:hi:

:kick:

[redacted]

25. Ok the DU-a-thon count is $105 raised so far. Did you know that . . .

the research done by the leukemia and lymphoma society helps to cure all cancers.

I don't know a single person who hasn't been affected by cancer in some way.

[redacted]

26. Shamless kick: give up your latte tomorrow and donate to cure cancer!

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/annstringer

[ismnotwasm]

27. Have to keep it going

For the folks getting off work on the west coast. I can never can keep track of time differences around here...

[redacted]

28. Thanks

[calimary]

29. Let's keep this up top.

For a nice long time, too, 'eh?

[redacted]

30. Yes I'd love to see it at the top of the greatest page!

[redacted]

31. Ok we are at $130 for the DU-a-thon, we can do better. Come on.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/annstringer

[bluedeminredstate]

34. I have to wait until tomorrow

I forgot to make my deposit at the bank today and I don't want to tax my debit card tonight as my forgetfulness left me cutting it close... I put your site in my Favorites and I'll do a donation tomorrow. It won't get you to your goal, but it's a little help along the way there...
:)

[redacted]

37. Thank you thank you thank you!

[qanda]

35. I just finished up the neighborhood drive in my community

for the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society. I raised over $100 and that is three times the goal they had set for my block. I would give further if I had the funds however I will continue to do my part to raise awareness and money for this worthy cause. I'm very glad to hear that your mother is doing well. Good luck.

[StraightDope]

36. I've got quite the collection of hard lymph nodes in my armpits...

Sometimes they disappear, only to come back bigger than before. I sure hope that I don't have the same thing that your mom had, but I don't have health insurance, so... :shrug:

Only in America...

[qanda]

38. I don't have health insurance either

I'm facing a biopsy, ultrasound and blood tests for some problems that I'm having. I have to suck it up and pay out of pocket for now. I just can't let my health go with two little kids to raise. I have over $10,000 worth of hospital bills just from this year alone. It makes me want to cry just to think about it. I hope you can find a clinic or something to go to and get yourself checked out.

[redacted]

39. You should have it checked out, but . . .lymph nodes swell up all the time

That's what they are supposed to do. It's when they don't go down that you have to be weary of. . .

But by no means am I a doctor.

[annabanana]

40. sent you a bit. . . . n/t

[redacted]

41. Thank you!

[redacted]

42. $155 and counting. Let's do this.

[EFerrari]

43. Kick

[redacted]

45. Thanks SF.

[EFerrari]

46. Sure!

I can barely do 20 minutes on my exercise bike! You must have great legs.

lol

[redacted]

58. not great legs, but rather large ones now. They just keep getting bigger.

From the muscles. You wouldn't want me to kick you in a dark alley ;-)

[Ilsa]

44. I just gave to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in our

neighborhood fundraiser. I wish I could help you with funds, but I'm tapped out with my son's needs. I wish you the best in getting the money together, your athletic achievements, and especially, to your mom's continued progress. My sis had thyroid cancer diagnosed four years ago. She is doing pretty well.

I lost a friend to leukemia in 1989. He held the record for his type of chemo for along time.

[redacted]

47. Yeah I know how hard it is. Thank you for giving to LLS.

[proud patriot]

48. K&R

:kick:

I hope you have a great time riding in the race :hi:

[redacted]

49. Thx let's push this thing to the top of greatest for morning back east.

[tblue37]

50. Donated and kicked. (eom)

[redacted]

52. Thank you!

[GardeningGal]

51. Just made a donation......good luck. n/t

[redacted]

53. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

[roguevalley]

54. My sweet precious Dad beat lung cancer, strokes and lymphoma.

it was pneumonia from radiation that killed him this July. I have donated $100 in his memory for you and your mom. I am so very happy for you, honey. Remember, you are riding for more than just your own when you go. My Dad will be with you.

[redacted]

55. Thank you. Post his name and I'll put it on the bracelet I'll be wearing

during the race.

[redacted]

56. You could PM his name as well or I will email you. But thank you so much

[redacted]

57. The total so far is $315. The DU-athon is on it's way.

[sce56]

61. Congratulations I only managed to get my sister $25.00 here a few weeks ag

Good Luck

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2237964&mesg_id=2237964

[calimary]

59. Kick again.

If I can't afford to donate at the moment, at least I can kick this.

[photogirl12]

60. K&R n/t

[Longhorn]

62. Okay, $25 headed your way and my best to your mom!

Good luck on the ride! :hi:

[redacted]

63. Thank you Longhorn!!!

[Lochloosa]

64. Kick and 25 coming to you tomorrow.

I get my allowance from the wife on Thursdays....

:evilgrin:

[redacted]

66. thanks and a morning kick.

[EFerrari]

65. Morning kick

[redacted]

67. The DU a thon is up to $340 this morning. We can make $500...kick...

[EFerrari]

68. $5, $10, whatever can be spared. It adds up! We've seen that.

:)

:kick:

[redacted]

69. absolutely. I say: give up your latte and cure cancer!!!!

(this might have been a completely shameless kick)

[redacted]

71. let's keep kicking.

[redacted]

72. . . .

[redacted]

73. ..

[Hissyspit]

74. done n/t

[redacted]

75. Thank you!

[redacted]

76. ..

[redacted]

77. ..

[redacted]

78. ..

[EFerrari]

79. kick

[redacted]

80. ..

[redacted]

81. ..

[redacted]

82. ..

[redacted]

83. ..

[redacted]

84. ..

[redacted]

85. ..

[redacted]

86. ..

[redacted]

87. WHOA! BIG THANK YOU to the anonymous DU donor who just chipped in

a few minutes ago!

It's surprising to see how many DUers give money discreetly, even theough they're not posting in this thread that they just contributed. Thanks so very much to each and every one of you!

Certainly, whether you let other DUers know you donated or not, your contribution is VERY much appreciated by all of us!

[redacted]

88. ..

[redacted]

89. ..

[redacted]

90. ..

[redacted]

91. ..

[redacted]

92. ..

[redacted]

93. ..

[redacted]

94. ..

[redacted]

95. ..

[Suich]

96. Kick!

Check your inbox.

:kick:

[redacted]

100. Big thanks Suich!

:yourock: :headbang: :yourock: :headbang:

[Red Right and BLUE]

97. I can't donate right now, but KICK! nt

[EFerrari]

98. Thanks!

:hi:

[redacted]

99. Thanks RRB

[redacted]

101. ..

[Hissyspit]

102. Well, I was just gonna kick it, but never mind!

:P :)

[Suich]

103. Donated, and a little...

:kick:

[redacted]

104. Suich, thanks for the BIG DONATION, AND BIG KICK!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[flamingyouth]

105. Kick

& donated too :)

[redacted]

106. Thank you!!!!

[ismnotwasm]

107. Kick

:kick:

[EFerrari]

108. I have to go on my Walk for Individual Sanity but I'll

check back in later this p.m.

:hi:

:kick:

[oldtime dfl_er]

109. Just donated

Thanks for posting! I just donated on behalf of my small company, Scarebaby Design.

[redacted]

110. Thank you!!!!!