--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "eloeher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Mark - > Interesting topic. > Like Mary K, I am another one for whom CML is the secondary cancer. > (I used to think I had already paid my cancer dues, but apparently > like the rest of life, cancer isn't fair either). I was dxed with > Hodgkins exactly 10 years ago. The radiation treatment probably had > something to do with my CML, but the docs still maintain that they > are two separate and unrelated cancers. So yes, I definitely think > that my immune system is the culprit. And therefore, I have made > some major lifestyle changes to try to improve the strength of it. > For me, I think the way I naturally handle stress uses up too much > of my body's cortisol, which is the same hormone used to fight > disease in the body. I have always been a stressed-out/worry- > wart/over-acheiver type, and I am very conscious of that behavior > now. Plus, since my CML dx, I moved out of the city, tele-commute > instead of sit in traffic, avoid getting caught up in office > politics, practice yoga, drink green tea, eat whole foods and take a > lot of deep breaths before getting all worked up, which usually > allows me to put it all in perspective. But Cheryl-Anne is right, > you can only do so much, and ultimately que sera sera. > Erin in MI > dx 12/01, CCR since 5/02, PCRU since 9/02 >
Hi Erin, Wow. Your post really hit home for me. For the past 6 years leading up to my CML dx. I've had an extremely busy and stressful job managing a team of 30 engineers or so in the telecommunications field. This job was both extremely stressful in having to deal with personality conflicts while also having to deal with the pressures of always being overcommitted schedule-wise while not having enough resources (people) to get the job done. 60 hour work weeks have been the norm and during one 3 month period I worked 7 days a week. I've always been a friendly easy-going type person but I had to become this really driven, type A, over achiever type person to succeed in my career. I've found that the word stress is often overused and I didn't know the meaning of it until I was thrust in the middle of some intense conflicts both with some of the difficult personalities on my team as well as dealing with customers and upper management. I really became (to borrow your phrase), "a stressed- out/worry-wart/over-acheiver type". I've also had to throttle back and completely re-examine my lifestyle and I'm looking at other avenues career-wise. I have no doubts that constant stress for 6 years was enough to compromise my immune system and lead to CML. I'm curious if other people feel this way or if their CML, "just came out of the blue". Anyone feel like sharing? Mark Petersen San Diego, CA dx'd 4/27/04 (w/ 20/20 100% ph+, 332,000 WBC) Currently 400mg Gleevec (and doing well!) ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/8zSolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. Apply anytime at http://realestatezoo.com CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Support List) --------------------------------- Part Of CMLHope.Com An International Community Of CML Patients For more information: http://cmlhope.com Post Message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To No Mail/Web: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Digest: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CML Group Web Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
