Hi all... I have a special request to make. Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, my stepmom was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). She went to the ER on Thanksgiving evening due to having an increasingly difficult time with a sinus infection that was getting worse, despite being on antibiotics. At the ER they told her that her sinus infection had turned into severe bronchitis... they also told her something was wonky with her blood... and they thought she may also have blood clots in her lungs... so she was admitted to the hospital for further testing. Friday the diagnosis came back as AML. Needless to say, this was quite a shock. I suspect most people don't go into the ER for a sinus infection only to find out that they may likely be a terminal cancer patient instead... The weekend was a little rough for everyone, but things are better now that the shock has worn off. Now comes the long fight to get ahead of this leukemia and attempt to beat it into submission... remission. Her leukemia was caught very early, increasing her odds to win this battle... but it's still an uphill battle. Survival rates for people with AML over all are not very good. (About 20% of AML patients are alive 5 yrs after diagnosis...) My special request of you, if you choose to do so, is to help in an effort to keep my stepmom's spirits soaring. It is likely she will be spending the next 1 to 4 months in the hospital... that could wear down anyone's reserves, I think. And I do believe that a positive outlook is key to overcoming cancer. If anyone who's interested/able could send her a card or note with words of encouragement, I think that would really go a long way toward keeping her spirits up. Pat Meyers Box 266 Waverly, NE 68462 Thanks. Tammy & The War Weasels! ~~~~~ "But we in it shall be remember'd; we few, we happy few, we band of brothers For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother..." [Posted in FML issue 5077]