(for those of you who haven’t been here in the past 24 hours, start with the post below called “corn”)
it’s not over,
but there are times in the past 24 hours when it feels like it is.
sometimes it feels like leanne had tetanus or rabies or pneumonia,
and they just gave her a few shots and it’s all taken care of.
but it’s not.
it’s not taken care of for leanne.
(she has chemo again on monday, and for the next three months as well. and scans and more scans. and so on.)
and it’s certainly not taken care of for so many people.
since this has happened,
so many of you have asked what you could do.
a few of you we’ve asked to bring dinner or help with lydia or pick someone up at the airport,
but for most of you, we’ve only asked that you think lovely thoughts about us.
and you have.
and for all of this we thank you.
but here’s something:
i’ve committed to raising $4200 and biking 100 miles around lake tahoe on june 3rd (basically the day that our child was supposed to come into the world) for the leukemia and lymphoma society, for those affected by blood cancers, for leanne and me and lydia and all of you and so, so many more. i’ve never asked for money before. never done one of those walks or races or dance-a-thons, so i’m a virgin at this. and, to tell you the truth, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. but i’ve always given to the walks and races and dance-a-thons that my friends and family have committed to doing. and it’s right.
so, here’s your turn, if you want a turn.
if you want to bike with me (i’m biking already with carley and kevin from colorado), come bike.
if you want to not bike, give here, support here, throw a punch yourself:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntrm/kmcabee
or
http://www.active.com/donate/tntrm/tntrmCMcAbee
…just to be totally honest with you, what strikes me as striking (how about that?) is that the drug that possibly is saving leanne’s life right now, the clinical trial drug epratuzumab, is probably in her body right now because of money that the leukemia and lymphoma society has raised.
so, there’s that.
23 Comments
March 2, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Yes! Great! Great idea.
June 3rd… school will be out and we’ll be there with bells on to cheer you across yet another threshold of hope and a cure for all.
March 2, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Need any company for the 100 miles? We have a 26 mile race tomorrow, a 70 miler in April, and a 100-miler in June would fit right in to our 7th year anniversary plans for June 3rd…..Ryan would be happy to have you stare at his ass for 100 miles (or vice versa) if it was all for Leanne! We are behind you all – no pun intended! – 100%!!!! You are ???$$$ closer to your goal!!
March 2, 2007 at 5:13 pm
You can’t really believe that we won’t all keep constantly coming back to check on you and Leanne and Lydia.
My brother is a leukemia survivor. After he was well – normal – he ran a marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training . Your 100 mile bike ride and the money you raise for this very important organization will be a wonderful way to celebrate Leanne and to honor the memory of your child.
Keep us posted on how your training is going.
March 2, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I’m sure you realize by now that there are strangers reading. And caring. Thank you for giving us something that we can do to help.
March 2, 2007 at 7:29 pm
We’ll be happy to donate for you. It’s a beautiful way to support Leanne and to remember your child. In fact, we’re glad to have someway to help.
And don’t worry as long as you keep posting, we’ll keep checking in. Keep going for a hundred percent.
Good luck training.
March 2, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Count us in. I will either ride and/or help with funds. You and all those who go thru a variation of your efforts are worth every penny. Come on, everyone let’s get this Leukemia/Lymphoma Shit.
March 2, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I’m glad there’s something that those of us who are strangers to you can do to help with your fight. Won’t be able to ride, but will be able to financially support.
Good luck with your training!
March 2, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Dan, this is a wonderful idea and I’m proud to make a donation.
When you’re a cancer survivor (we caregivers are survivors, too, don’t forget that) it’s hard to know who to thank when you’ve been given the gift of a return to good health. We did what you’re doing–after Tim got better we held a fundraiser at a local bar in his honor, with proceeds going to the LLS. It was mostly our friends who came, a bunch of 20-something’s living paycheck-to-paycheck who came to booze and schmooze. We didn’t expect to raise but a few hundred dollars, but you know what? We raised $1,500 for the LLS in one night, and people even put a couple hundred bucks into another jar that a friend set up to help Tim pay his own cancer bills. It was really overwhelming to see be on the receiving end of such generosity.
So many people did it for me, and I am happy to have an opportunity now to return the favor. Best of luck on your ride, and always…
March 2, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Team in Training ahh..know it well!! Did two walks and was an honored hero for a those from Michigan who ran a few years back in Hawaii. It was one huge blessing to be part of all of it and give back. LLS is pretty awesome in what they do for all of us!!
I think its a great thing your doing in behalf of Leeann & your Baby. Also the rest of us with lymphoma those who are walking right with ya..in all of this.
I love this blog I really do..it gives me great hope on getting the word out about this dam disease.
always Hope
March 3, 2007 at 12:33 am
i would bike with you, but i’d have to bike an awfully long way just to get to the starting point.
so i sent you a little something instead.
i’m so happy to hear your good news, and i hope it keeps on coming.
you guys are inspiring.
i know that it stems from a scary and bad place, but the glimpses you’ve given me into your lives have restored my faith in love.
i hope the good news keeps rolling in…
March 3, 2007 at 1:00 am
Danny, my sad little English debit card won’t work …do you have a paypal account?
March 3, 2007 at 1:47 am
Count us in! We are with you every step (or pedal) of the way. Best of luck training (it may be good to focus on something positive and proactive over which you have the power when so much around you can make you feel powerless, huh?). Lots of love to the three of you — Jen, Fred, Alexi and Julia
March 3, 2007 at 7:53 am
So happy to be able to put our money where our prayers and thoughts are! Best wishes on the training, Dan, and hugs and kisses to you all.
March 3, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Dear Danny and Leeane,
Don’t you feel badly for asking for money — end of story. It gives all of us moral supporters out here in blogland a way to feel helpful and useful. I haven’t written since the very beginning of your ordeal, but I have been checking in regularly ever since. As an acquaintance, and friend of Lee’s sister, I have been deeply moved by how many total strangers are out there, praying for you. A musical on Broadway called “Avenue Q” has this hilarious song called “The Internet is for porn,” and is all about how, well, how the internet was created specifically for people to watch porn, it’s even funnier since Muppets are the ones who sing it. Maybe that’s true, but I now believe it was created for this purpose — to unite people around the world to pray and send their healing thoughts to people they don’t know and offer their support. Kinda cheezy, but it’s a nice thought, no?
p.s. I am waiting to hear back from the Lymphoma Society whether I can send them a check, rather than use a credit card, because my father and I have such an account specifically set up in my mom’s name for giving to such causes…so you will be getting a check from me. Good luck training and more kick-ass vibes to your lovely wife.
Alix
March 3, 2007 at 6:41 pm
OK Danny, I did my part. The rest is up to you. I only mean the biking part.
I’m still excited for you guys. Oh, and I will be back even when you are done with this blog about cancer. I’ll be reading about how the babies are growing. You can have a “Dad” blog then. ;)
March 3, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Awesome. A lot of people have asked me how they can help you guys- I’ll post the link to the donations page in a day or two and hopefully that’ll help. :)
March 4, 2007 at 2:41 am
So happy to hear the good news.
We own a vacation home in Lake Tahoe. It’s about ten minutes from where the bike ride starts. I’d like to offer it to you and your family for the time that you will be in Lake Tahoe. It sleeps between 8-10 people. Please email me and we can pin down the details. I’d be honored to give your family a place to rest your heads while you raise money for such an important cause. My Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last summer and is, at this point, cancer free. I am thankful and grateful and want to share the love!
March 4, 2007 at 4:54 pm
ooops, my email is
kathleen (at) the scriptgirl (dot) com
March 4, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Danny, we have talked many a time about going for a ride. How ’bout we actually do that sometime! Amy and I will certainly contribute. Amy is even pondering the idea of heading to Tahoe herself to do a lap around the lake.
March 5, 2007 at 9:56 am
Danny, I live in Scotland so joining you on the bike ride won’t work. I am however running my first ever race this year – a 5K in Edinburgh – and I am raising funds for Cancer Research, a big charity here in the UK. My race is on 3 June too. Part of the deal with this race is that we wear big signs on our backs that tell people who we are running for – it could be for relatives who have succumbed to cancer or the names of friends who are fighting it. Leanne’s name will be on my back and I’ll get as much cash as I can into Cancer Research over this side of the Atlantic.
March 6, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Wow. I’m blown away!
Hope you got through yesterday’s chemo OK.
March 7, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Good for you! Team in Training is an awesome thing, I’m on my 6th triathlon with the Seattle chapter. It’s great to be able to DO something, even if it’s a small thing. Not that the Tahoe ride is a small thing! I have two words for you: butt padding.
March 7, 2007 at 9:31 pm
GO TEAM!!
I ran a half marathon in January with TNT and it was one of the most amazing experinces of my life. We all carry the people we run or cycle for in our hearts but the one thing that will knock you sideways is the number of people who will simply show up and scream their heads off for you simply because you’re in The Purple Jersey.
You guys are amazing.