I am now up to date...

... I have enjoyed sharing my Life with Leukemia with all of you the past 5 months. I have squeezed my past 3 years with Leukemia into 5 months of blogging.

... I will continue blogging about my Life with Leukemia going forward. My type of Leukemia does not really have a cure. People who have Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive just hope to live as many years as possible.

... As I have said in the past, the chances of me living ten years with this deadly type of cancer is about 35%. I hope to beat the odds. I have been in touch with the Leukemia Society and they cannot even find me one person who has survived 10 years. That can be scary and sad for me at times.

... However..... I have always been a positive person and believe through the grace of God, I will be around for a long time. I really love life and people. I want to be around to enjoy my life, family & friends.

... I will continue blogging because I want to encourage and inspire people. I also love making people laugh or just smile. Sometimes I think about being a motivational speaker or writing a book. Maybe one day I will.

... Anyway... Thank you for following my blog and I hope you will all continue to do so. I have been blessed as well with all of your positive feedback. I love you all and God bless you all...
... P.S. See you at my next post... :-)

... P.S.S. The picture above is of my wife and I...

It was 3 years ago this month...

... It was November 2006, when my world was turned upside down. Life was going great. I was loving my life, my family, my friends and had a great business, when all of a sudden..... I began having severe pain in my lower back and fever with night sweats for a few days. I then decided to go for blood work.

... My Doctor called me "Thanksgiving Eve" at about 8pm and asked me to come to his office. He also asked me to have someone drive me there. I knew I was in trouble. I asked Isabel to drive me to his office. The Doctor looked at me and said: I'm sorry Lorenzo, you have Acute Leukemia. I fell face down on his desk and felt like my life was over.

... All I could think of was my 3 children who I loved so much and needed me so much. How could this happen to me ? Why me ? I was a good guy. Why, Why, Why me ? I guess its true what I learned a long time ago, no one on Earth is guaranteed a Rose Garden, we are only promised an Eternal garden if we have faith and believe.

... I was suppose to have Thanksgiving Day at my home... however... I spent Thanksgiving Day calling hospitals and crying. I originally called Sloan Kettering... however... they said there was no room and that I should call NY Presbyterian Hospital. NY Presbyterian told me to come in the next morning and get admitted.

... NY Presbyterian turned out to be a great hospital with lots of great people. I was very blessed to have been admitted there. They helped save my life. I will always give thanks to God first. I had lots of faith and prayed all the time.

... I want everyone out there to know this: Do not take anything for granted. You're lives can also be turned upside down at any time. Enjoy your life and health while you have it. Live, Laugh and Love. Always forgive and move on. I personally believe and have faith in almighty God. I cannot tell you to do the same. I can only tell you what God has done for me and I hope you too will also believe and put your faith and trust in God.

...Its been 3 years and I'm still here. Although medically I only have about a 30-35% chance to live 10 years, I know with God, I have a 100% chance to live 10 years.

... I'll go with God's odds. :-)

..... God Bless You All and have a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving.......

..... Remember: We all have something to be Thankful for... :-)

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...

... In October 2009, I did my first fundraiser ever. It was called: "Light The Night Walk". I was never one to ask people to donate in the past. Then I said to myself, self.... just throw it out there and see what happens. The response was amazing and I raised over $ 3,000.00 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

... Just for the record... I do not get any money from that. I did it for the Society. Thank God I am financially secure and do not need any fundraisers for myself. However... I also know there are people out there who do need fundraisers for themselves and that is fine if its truly necessary.

... I know that many people have different organizations that they donate to and cannot donate to everyone who asks. However... if you are one who doesn't donate to any group and can afford to, I do hope you would find which organizations touch you personally and that you would make donations to them.

... In the past, I have donated to: Save the Children, The Red Cross, Diabetes foundation, Autism, The local Police & Firemen, My Church and a few other organizations. If you cannot afford to donate... that's understandable. If you can.... do it.
Remember: "It is more Blessed to give than to receive". I believe we have a moral obligation to help those in need.

... Any amount of money you decide to donate is better than nothing. Sometimes people think it has to be a large size donation to have any meaning. That's not true. For example: I have 500 friends on Facebook , if everyone donated just $ 10.00, that would have raised $ 5,000.00 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Everyone should give according to their financial ability. Also note that: "God loves a cheerful giver". (I read that in the bible).

... Anyway... I love everyone whether they donate or not. I just believe its nice to find which organizations touch us personally and then we should try and help.

... May God Bless us All. Especially those less fortunate...

My Friend Debbie's last post before she died...

... This is my friend Debbie's last post before she died. Debbie died May 18th, 2009. Debbie had the same rare and deadly type of Leukemia as me. Debbie was a few years younger than me. She died within 5 years of being diagnosed. I wanted to post it for all to see and I hope you really appreciate your lives.
... Here it goes :

... Deb's Last Blog Post:

I am writing this blog post to say a more proper goodbye to all the interweb peoples who have helped me keep it together. Who have given so much support to me through the years. Who are my friends and family. Who were strangers who became friends.
In my blog, I often give assignments for people to do. Here's the ones that are on my mind....

1. Appreciate everything. Even stupid stuff. Since I've been sick, I've communicated with a number of service members abroad. We understand each other well because we both know how much we miss just the normal stuff that most people take for granted. Driving. Driving in traffic. Complaining about stupid stuff is for people who have no idea how good they have it.

2. Be a force for good. There's enough bad stuff in the world without adding to it. Forgive people and leave grudges for others. Do kind things just because. Figure out what you are good at and do good with it.

3. Seek a higher power. I believe Jesus Christ is my savior and this gives me comfort. As it takes faith to believe, it takes faith not to believe. I believe God doesn't want us to live our lives on an island, and that finding a community of faith that is uplifting and supportive to you can make a huge difference in your life. If you have that cool. If you don't, consider it. But don't wait until you are looking death in the eye because you will miss out on some neat things.

4. If you have kids, squeeze them. And then squeeze them again. Give yourself a pat on the back if you are responsible and work hard to give your children a good life and better opportunities. Sometimes you don't give yourself enough credit. If you have people in your life that you love, tell them that. Often. Don't save your I love you's for a rainy day.

5. Take care of yourself. I understand more than most that there are injuries and illnesses that you can't prevent by eating well and moving, but that doesn't mean you should be fatalistic. Nothing like being hooked up to a respirator to make you appreciate just getting going, doing and breathing. Treat yourself at least as well as you treat your car--you put the right type of fuel in your car and you drive it safely most of the time--you are more important than a car so treat yourself that way.

6. Enjoy life. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and as long as it isn't hurting yourself or others, go for it. Bring joy to others. Find passions in your life that make you want to get out of bed in the morning, unless your passion is sleeping and then go ahead and sleep in.

7. Be open to new things. Listen. Doesn't mean you have to change your mind, but who knows, you might learn something.

8. Support sensible health insurance reform. I'm not sure what that ends up looking like, but injuries and illnesses shouldn't fate people into a life of insurmountable debt and bill collectors. I spent the last healthy months of my pre-hospital stay, worried and scrambling to find insurance because my COBRA insurance ran out. Patients should be able to focus on getting better and not crushingly large mountains of papers telling them that their credit is forever screwed.

9. Ask for help. This is a hard assignment. For a lot of people, it isn't easy to ask for help when you need it. But what I've discovered is that it is a part of the human condition for people to want to help those in need. People enjoy helping others. Sometimes you get help where you don't really expect it. So if you need help with something, go to the appropriate people and get it.
I sometimes think that the bad stuff that happens in life is one of the few things that bring people together. It still sucks, but maybe it sucks a little less.
There are too many people to thank for the help they gave me and my family over these difficult times. I would list you individually but am afraid I would leave someone important out. My last days have not been easy at all, but it has been a great comfort to know about all those who gave me prayers and love.
In my life, I've looked for love in a lot of wrong places, and as I die, it is nice to know I am surrounded by love.

10. Last assignment. There is no last assignment. You create your own assignments every day. Choose wisely.
However, my last assignment that I give to you is to take care of my 9 year old daughter Zoe the best you can. I love Zkat from infinity and beyond. I just am trying my hardest with what I can do from this stinkin bed to help her. I know she will be taken good care of in a house full of love, but I feel pain that I can't be physically with her any more to prepare her for a happy, long and healthy life.

... God Bless You Debbie.... Rest in Peace... Your friend... Larry