Friends,

It has been a month since my last update! I can’t believe it. A lot has happened in the last month, of course, but not from a medical perspective. I have not seen a doctor or dentist professionally in the entire month. Hey! I might start getting used to this!

Highlights of the last month include starting my new job on September 23. It was a relief to get started again on work. It took a couple of weeks before I was able to really figure out something useful to do, so that last week I was busy finally doing a project. This is the first time in 3 years that I have had to actually go to work every day, so the first couple of weeks were a little difficult from a physical perspective and I was exhausted by Thursday and Friday each week. I am getting better at it now. My major challenge now is the flight of stairs, which seem to be long and hard every day. My job is also interesting because my boss is a lymphoma survivor suffering through horrible side effects of his treatment. We have only chatted briefly, but we have a lot in common.

I have been doing a lot of speaking to companies for the United Way/CHAD on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. That has been fun and a couple of the companies have asked me to come back again. I enjoy that and it is very satisfying to continue to help fight for all of the causes of United Way/CHAD in addition to LLS.

Yesterday was my third, third birthday. For me it was a time of celebration but also reflection on the struggles I have had over the last three years. I actually read some of my updates from over the years. They brought back some sad and chilling memories. I remembered John, Alexis, Mary, Linda, Michelle and so many more. I called my brother and thanked him for giving me these years and more.

Menchie and I have been doing a lot of cycling lately as I try to get back into shape. Yesterday, we went on a 32 mile ride with friends, Jennifer and David. David is also a cancer survivor, and he was towing his 2 year old daughter. Menchie and I rode hard and fast the first 23 miles of the ride. At one point after about 20 miles we raced about 1/4 mile and hit speeds of over 22 mph. Menchie pulled ahead at the end and won by a wheel. For the first 23 miles we averaged about 15 mph on the road. The last third of the ride was slower because we were cycling down the San Diego waterfront for a few miles on a windy sidewalk/bike path. We ate lunch at the Coronado Burger King, and Jennifer put one of those BK paper crowns and gave me a piece of pie. About 20 people eating there joined in singing happy birthday to me! They asked how old I was and I shyly held up 3 fingers. We had a great time! Menchie and I took a nap when we got home. It was a great day!

I am planning to start training for the Lavaman Triathlon again in November. I will be fundraising for that event to help find a cure for Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. I am hoping that some day, nobody will have to go through what I have been through. I hope you will consider helping again to destroy these diseases. I actually signed up for this event last year at this time, but when training started I went into the hospital instead of training. My failure to even start training was caused by a side effect of my treatments. I hope to complete the event successfully this year as a symbol of my own personal victory over disease as well as a symbol of the struggle to find a cure. I hope you will help me find the penny I am looking for that will take us over the line to a cure.

My next scheduled doctor appointments will be in December.

Take care!

Ted and Menchie Wilcox

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