A Final Entry But Not Goodbye
Mort and I are deeply saddened that this blog has come to an end. For over a year now, many of you have shared your joys and sorrows, your setbacks and your successes, and we have been deeply moved by each of you. When we began writing, I don't think either of us had any idea that this blog would have such an impact on patients. At first, those of you who wrote to us wondered what radioimmunotherapy was all about, but as the months passed, some of you learned enough about it to approach your doctors. We know that a good many of you have avoided transplants or successive chemotherapy treatments because of what you learned here. In fact, two patients contacted me this past weekend trying to find doctors who would discuss RIT with them. And last week, another reader made an appointment with an RIT specialist because of what he learned here.
So how we can leave you? We can't. We are hopeful that Healthology can find another sponsor soon, but in the meantime, I set up another blog this past weekend so that we can continue to share information with you. The site is located at http://www.lymphomablog.blogspot.com. Because this happened so quickly, the new site has been set up under my name because Mort and I have not had the time to figure out how to continue jointly, but I suspect he will be adding his thoughts under the comments section, at least for the time being.
And so as I write this final entry on this site, I'd like to summarize the suggestions that we've made during this past year. First and foremost, be proactive. You are in charge of your health. Learn all you can about your illness and your treatment options. As we have said repeatedly, you may have to find a hematologist/oncologist who is an expert in radioimmunotherapy if you think you are eligible for it, just as several of your fellow readers have done - with great success.
Be good to yourself. If you've ever wanted to skydive or become a redhead, don't wait. Do it now. You deserve it!
Stay positive. No matter what news you get, no one can predict your lifespan. My mother outlived every doctor's prediction for over 15 years. She passed away 26 days shy of her 96th birthday and took care of herself quite well until a month before she died, much to every doctor's disbelief.
So forget the statistics. Statistics are only numbers and you are not a number. Keep hope alive. Love like there is no tomorrow, but plan for an eternity of tomorrows.
Finally, I want to thank Biogen Idec for supporting the blog for as long as it did and thanks to Healthology for hosting it and supporting Mort and me when we had questions. I especially want to thank Mort for his valuable input. We didn't know each other before we started writing together, but I feel incredibly lucky that our paths crossed, for he is one of those very special people with an enormous heart who would reach out and help anyone who needs it.
And to each and every one of our readers, thanks for following our blog. Connecting with you has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and one that is quite humbling. And so as we move to a new home, only temporarily I hope, I hope that you will come along.
Sending you all healing hugs,
Betsy