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On the Eve of the One Year Anniversaryof My Bone Marrow Transplant

Imprima English

Jeff Cohen
Ultima Vez Modificado: 1 de noviembre del 2001

Copyright © 1998, Jeff Cohen

Dear Friends,

I find myself typing this email on the eve of the one year anniversaryof my bone marrow transplant, searching for the right words to thankeverybody for all of the things they have done for me during the past year and ahalf. It is amazing to think that it has been 18 months since mydiagnosis, that treatments are behind me, and that life seems to bereturning to normal now. Yeah, I still have a ways to go with myimmune system, but marrow wasn't built in a day.

At some point of every day I find myself reflecting on everything thathas transpired, and I realize that I am better for having experienced this.

By"better" I mean that I have a greater perspective on what is important,have a greater recognition regarding how to lead my life, and I have aMUCH greater appreciation for all of my friends. Everyone on this emaillist and countless others have far exceeded any expectations I could havehad.

Your support, cards, gifts, calls, prayers and kind thoughts haveplayed a very large part in my recovery. Its funny, several times I have heardsomebody say to me "Jeff, you really have had a great attitude towardsall of this" or words to that effect. I find that to be funny because mycommitment to getting healthy is in very large part because people gaveme so many reasons to live. I couldn't help but notice so many people atMayo that simply did not have the support structure necessary to survive.Friends and family offer hope, love and strength. I consider myself tobe the luckiest person in the world to have had and continue to have somany of you there for me. I can never repay you. I can only thank you.

THANK YOU.

As for you, Alice, you'll always be one of my favorite sisters, despitethe fact that I now have allergies, am now grumpy in the mornings, and havehad to change my blood type from an A+ to a more modest A-. I guess its a package deal. Thanks for the stuff!!!

My very best wishes to you all.