Hope for all--- maybe just 2-3 years away

I first heard about Mr Kanzius form my forum.. As I understood the story, Kanzius also has CLL. After 30+ rounds of chemo, he came across the idea to use radio waves to target and kill cancer cells. He talked to his doctor, Dr Keating of MD Anderson--most of CLLers know him very well, numerous times about his idea. Dr Keating finally sent him to talk with another cancer specialist who was using another method to do surgery. This surgeon said, "Show me a way to target the cancer cells and we'll talk." Kanzius got the idea to use nanotubes. Kanzius then was sent to talk with Dr. Smalley, who also had CLL, and who had received the Noble prize for his work on nanotubes. From there, antibodies specific to the cancer cell is attached to the nanotube, which then attaches to only the cancer cell. They expect clinical trials to start in 2-3 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvk6PlUHqiI

The art of "rolling"

Our mileage every other week keeps going up. One Saturday at Barton Springs, we walked 10 miles and had our very first cold morning (about 30 degrees). The walk went well..it's usually sunny here in Austin even if it is cold. But a common problem for us warm weather runners/walkers is that the first blast of cold air is such a shock. And it really makes your legs ache when you finish. It was very lucky for me that we also had a workshop after this run. The workshop had to do with post work-out recovery. (For me it's -will I be able to get out of the car after I drive home - recovery workshop) Anyway, they showed us how to get the knots out of our legs (the source of most of the pain at this point) by sitting and rolling on a styrofoam tube. Man, do you look and feel kinda stupid doing it but it really feels good afterwards.

Others after the walk decided to swim/wade in Barton Creek instead of driving home to sit in the ice bath. Barton Springs is a natural spring with naturally cold water ( a constant 52 degrees). A very popular spot in the summer for swimmers..and a year round spot for all the distance runners. The cold water or even the ice bath at home reduces the swelling in your legs so you aren't as sore the next day. Actually look forward to some of the ice baths lately!

"The Gift of the Magi" -CLL style

(I belong to a Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia forum called www.cllforum.com. It has been a life saver for many of us. We can get info about the disease to help us understand what we have(trying to figure out what’s going on by yourself ,at first, is so over-whelming), the latest on treatment and personal experiences with treatment, doctors and clinics....and loads of emotional support. It’s a place to ‘share’ with others that are going through what we are going through...I thought this story was sooo sweet!) Jenny writes:
Hey all-
Tom is the emcee for the Houston Cattle Baron's Ball tomorrow night. Even though this is a fund-raiser for The American Cancer Society, it is nice for "us" that Tom talks about CLL while on stage. It is a major fund-raiser in Houston and just wanted all to know that Tom will be speaking CLL and research and money, etc.

Tom and I just arrived at the Coast, so now I can update. Last night's Cattle Baron's Ball in Houston was a great success for raising money for the American Cancer Society. But, (and I know you won't believe me), I forgot to take my camera when I changed out purses. DANG! OK-here's the other part. At the tables were cards that you could donate money in honor or in memory
of someone. I thought, "Gosh, wouldn't it be sweet and loving for me to fill this one out in honor of Tom (this is Jenny’s husband , who has CLL) for CLL and donate a little money." So---I filled out the top part with Tom's name and his CLL and all and then I read where the minimum donation is $1,000.00. With not so much of a "heavy" sigh, I just threw down the donation form on our table. And the evening goes on... Tom does his emceing, I look around...blah, blah.
When it was time to go, Tom said to me, "I found a card on our table filled out in my honor and I was so touched but I guess the person forgot to donate so I donated the minimum amount."
I died laughing and gasping for air--(a grand is a lot of money after paying for Rituximab).
When I told Tom that I was the one who had filled it out originally, he said, "Well, here's your gift for ‘donating’. And he gave me a long stem Red Rose. That's what they gave everyone who donated $1,000. I have cradled this expensive rose all the way from Houston to Austin----filled the hotel sink with water last night so it wouldn't die and now it is in a home made container here in Port Aransas, TX.

Anyway, no photo's because I forgot the camera. You just got this ridiculous story.......about the most expensive Rose I have ever received.
jlou

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!

By the light , of the Silvery Moon....

Well I’m still getting up every Saturday at 5am so I can eat and then head out to a training session. Our Saturday training sessions start at 7Am. And as the winter season approaches, ..it’s very dark and cold at 7 Am. Since I’m not a morning person (and have never been) getting up at that time on a Saturday is a bit of a challenge. I also have to eat about an hour before I run. I’ve never have been a breakfast person either. So having to eat pasta at 5Am is probably harder to do than driving to the workout area and standing around in shorts when it’s 50 degrees outside. (I know, I know... us southerners are such wimps when it comes to cold weather...I think it’s been in the 30's up north already)

This Saturday we ran in a very popular area for the runs (probably because it is part of the marathon route). It’s especially nice because it is in a very old part of town with very cute and expensive bungalows. Most of the little homes have been re-done and are as cute as can be. It makes for interesting run.

We had an easier Saturday....we only did 6 miles that day!

Light the Night event-----

Light the Night event

My youngest son, Trevor, and I did the Light the Night event together. It was fun and lovely at the same time. There was live music, free food and lots of free give-way stuff. Trevor wore the white shirt and carried the red ‘support’ balloon and I wore the blue’ survivor’ shirt and carried the white balloon. What made it extra special was that I got to meet one of the fellow CLLers, John Wagner, from the forum that I’m on. Trevor and I walked with him and his lovely family.

It was a beautiful clear night the lighted balloons looked great. There was also a lighted hot air balloon there as well. Lots of supporters were present and many ‘survivors’ ( one ‘blue shirt survivor’ was a little 3 year old wearing a surgery mask..sooo touching and so cute). I believe there were about 3-4000 people there.. Another little supporter was a 13 year old who was raising money for her best friend who was sick with leukemia...she managed to raise $15,000...to help her friend....what a great story!

It was a night to remember.....

So it's Root, Root, Root for the Home Team ...

I belong to a Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia forum called http://www.cllforum.com./ It has been a life saver for many of us. We can get info about the disease to help us understand what we have(trying to figure out what’s going on by yourself ,at first, is so over-whelming), the latest on treatment and personal experiences with treatment, doctors and clinics....and loads of emotional support. It’s a place to ‘share’ with others that are going through what we are going through. Since this forum is also an international site...some of the exchanges are quite amusing.
************************
A post from Maddog23 who lives in the USA entitled "Continuing with activities while in treatment"--

I was diagnosed in 11/07 and by the beginning of softball season (04/08) discussions were already underway about what treatment I needed to undergo. I began treatment 06/10/08 and am in the middle of FCR. I continue to play softball throughout treatment and my team has qualified for 2 national championships. I am leaving Thursday to go to Columbus, OH to participate in the ASA National Softball championships. I am going to attempt to attach a picture of our team. If you look very closely you will see a "Root for the Cure" CLL patch on the right sleeve.
************************************************
Reply from Richard who lives in NEW ZEALAND:

Hi Maddog, A question about your post entitled,"Continuing with activities while in treatment."

I was just wondering what activities you are continuing??

In NEW ZEALAND - "to root" is a slang expression for sexual intercourse!!

Baseball or whatever.... enjoy!!

CheersRichard

***********************************************************
~~~Hmmmm... interesting fund-raising possibilities!~~~
****************************************************************
So if YOU want to "Root for the Cure" (the USA definition) and make a donation go to :
: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ctx/austin09/akingdpckk

(Thanks to Maddog for letting me use his story on my blog)

Team in Training-- the movie

IF YOU CAN'T JOIN A TEAM... SUPPORT ONE! BE PART OF MY TEAM BY DONATING TO:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ctx/austin09/akingdpckk