Leukemia

My wife was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia January 31st 2007. She underwent months of treatment, including a bone marrow transplant in August. She fought continuously, without complaint and ultimately could not defeat the illness passing away on April 14th, 2008. Her courage and attitude throughout was inspirational to everyone, including our two daughters.

Leukemia is a very insidious disease. Her doctors felt she contracted the disease through environmental means. Benzene is a known chemical carcinogen used in a multitude of common products and for years had been illegally disposed throughout the country. Several sites have been identified and labeled as "Super fund sites" by the government in an effort to 'clean' them up. Unfortunately, this process comes too late for many, including my family. Here is a website my wife used during her diagnosis and treatment to keep family members and friends updated on her situation. Feel free to read the details and post a comment in the guestbook
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/barbaracoffey

For those of you who have been diagnosed with leukemia, continue the fight. Be faithful, positive and look forward. A positive attitude is so beneficial to recovery and your health. Count on your family, friends, coworkers, medical staff... and people like myself who you may have never met but support you. I wear an orange leukemia bracelet to show my support for those afflicted with leukemia and to raise awareness for those who ask what the orange bracelet is for. I started listing the bracelets on ebay when my wife was diagnosed to raise money to offset medical bills but now I list them to get the message of support out as much as I can. In the last year I have sold hundreds of bracelets around the world. It's sad that I sell any...I make a few cents profit on each one but I would rather make nothing as there would be no need. By the way...my donations to the Leukemia Society exceed any profit I make BY FAR.

For those of you with a loved one afflicted with Leukemia. The need for your support to them is just as important as any medical treatment. Love, patience and compassion. Do not waiver. Do not give in to negativity. Be a constant pillar of positive support.

This was my first blog ever... I probably won't blog on the same issue repeatedly but I might blog about the same issue occasionally as the mood strikes me. I chose this topic as the 1st because it has become such a huge part of my life.

Closing out with the words written on my bracelet, "SAY IT, FIGHT IT, CURE IT"
From this page to God's eyes....

Steve