Stephanie Phung

Originally written on July 12, 2007:

Back in January I accompanied my husband Michael on his trip to Miami to cheer him on as he completed a goal he had been preparing for since October 2006; the ING Miami Marathon. Once we arrived, the excitement was so overwhelming, that on a whim, I decided to join in, and I signed up for the 1/2 marathon. I knew good and well that there was no way I'd be able to do much more than walk most of it, however I still participated and crossed the finish line with a time of well over three hours.

The experience of participating in the half marathon in Miami changed my perspective on my own physical endurance. As I pounded the pavement through the Art Deco District of South Beach, with the early morning sun the sun breaking through the clouds, and the ocean breeze cooling me, I felt a calming presence around me. I looked up at the clouds above me and all I could think of was how much my mom would love this moment. How beautiful everything around me was and how excited she would be to know what I was doing. It was at that moment that I was inspired to keep doing it.

As you may know, in March 2003, my mom, Betsy McPhail, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. For many days after my mom received her diagnosis, I spent at least an hour on the phone with her each night. It seemed that the physical distance between us was too great and no amount of time talking could heal it. The truth of the situation was beginning to sink in and I began to realize that her illness could be fatal. There was one conversation we had that continues to stick in my mind: "Mamma, I don't want you to die."

She said to me, "Sweetie, Idon't want to die either, but if it's God's plan to take me, at least I will go down fighting. I will try everything possible. Even if the doctors can't save me, maybe something they learn from me will help find the cure for someone else. Maybe that is what God meant for me."

As it turned out my mom went through many new and experimental treatments including conjugated monoclonal antibody treatments. These treatments would not have been available to her if it were not for the research, information, and patient services provided by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Since 2003, I have been involved in raising money and volunteering for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. When I returned home from my trip to Miami, I began researching opportunities to continue participating in activities with the Society and incorporate my new found inspiration in long-distance running. As a result of my research I found that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society coordinates a half-marathon in VirginiaBeach every fall; in addition the Society offers their program Team inTraining that is the number one endurance training program in the country. In exchange for valuable funds raised for the Society, TNT provides participants with a comprehensive training program led by experienced coaches who train runners, walkers, cyclists, skaters, and triathletes to complete events in exciting locations around the world.

For the past month and a half instead of sleeping in and enjoying waking up to the warm noon-day sun streaming in my bedroom window, I wake up at 7:00 AM to join my Team in Training teammates for our weekly group run. Last week, I met the 6 mile mark for my training, which is almost half-way for the half-marathon in Virginia Beach. We also had a special picnic after our run in which we met our honored teammates, and I shared with my pace group the story and memories of my personal honored teammate, my mom. It was at that time that I made a commitment to go all the way with my commitment and I will be, in addition to running the half marathon in Virginia Beach on September 2, 2007, running the full Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, DC on October 28, 2007.

This may seem crazy to some of you, but in reality, running 26.2 miles is nothing compared to what patients with blood related cancers go through on a daily basis. By signing up to run the Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon and the Marine CorpFull Marathon, I have committed myself to run 13.1 miles plus 26.2miles, and I have pledged to raise $3,300 for the Society. I will be running in memory of my mom, as well as for the other honored teammatesin my local area.

My official training website:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/smphung (Click the green arrow to watch the slide show)

My official trainingspace:

http://www.myspace.com/mcphails1



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The Reasons Why We Run

Thanks for visiting my website. I hope you will contribute to my effort to raise money to fight blood cancers.

While this is a personal mission for me -- my grandmother died of Leukemia when I was very young -- my loss feels so small compared with the stories I hear from the folks I run with every Saturday.

I wanted to share some of these stories with you on this blog. I hope you will read them and realize the great need to defeat these terrible diseases that afflict so many people every year.

Chuck

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Ethan Avery

Originally written October 31, 2006:

We thought it was strange that Megan, our 3 1/2 year old, preferred to stay home on Halloween instead of trick or treating in the neighborhood despite my offer to carry her the whole way. She laid on the couch complaining of knee pain and hadn't walked for the three previous days. After a barrage of doctor's visits leading up to Halloween we had ruled out just about all possibilities. Then she developed a fever Halloween night and tested positive for Strep. Our doctor commented that some rare forms of Strep include joint pain. We were relieved to hear this and started her on Amoxicillin. Well, her joint pain worsened and the amoxicllin had no effect on the fever for three days - out parental instincts were telling us something was amiss.

The evening of November 2, 2006 at 7:30pm, my wife and I learned that the mysterious symptoms of our 3 1/2 year old was start of ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Since then we've been inpatient for 4 weeks, had 13 spinal taps, 6 marrow aspirates, MRI's, CT scans, bone scans and countless clinic visits. That first night in the hospital the nurses warned us not to touch Megan's urine due to the toxicity levels of the chemo in her veins. She had to revert back to diapers since any movement to her joints was excruciating. Ironically, going back to diapers appeared to be harder to endure for a proud, potty trained young lady than the effects of the chemo.

I'll never forget the feeling when my wife, Christina, and I returned to the curtained waiting area at Shady Grove ER to see Megan again after being told she has cancer. Despite our best efforts to compose ourselves, Christina and I were sobbing, both of us kneeling beside Megan's bed making feeble attempts to explain to her what was happening. Megan began patting our heads telling us it would be all right. I had never felt more alone and scared. On top of this Megan was asking if we could go to the park the next day since she feeling better. Little did she know earlier administered Morphine taking her pain away temporarily. We then told her the park would have to wait.

As we entered into the uncertain world of cancer, I was struck by the number of positives that sprang from this Hell. First, I experienced a depth of love from my family and friends I never knew existed. Also, Megan has continued to impress us with her fight and resolve to lick cancer. After the shock of the news, I started realizing my network of support grew exponentially. Neighbors we hardly spoke to, except for an occasional wave, came over to share their cancer stories and offers of support. Relationships with family members from around the globe have been rekindled in the face of this challenge. I've told those people around me how much I care for and love them - something I know I wouldn't have done had this not happened.

As of this writing, we are almost 8 months into a 30 month treatment. We've had several scary moments and days-long periods in which we are waiting anxiously for test results to rule out yucky, potentially life long side effects of her treatment. There are way too many people to thank here for helping us get to this point. We are uncertain what is in store for Megan. When doubt creeps in, I recall a lyric from Elton John's song Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters - "I thank the Lord there are people out there like you". We are so grateful for the people we have found, including TNT. When I go out to run, Megan will occasionally ask "Are you and your friends running to beat cancer?" and I respond, "All of us are." Then on one occasion before I walked out the door she said with a furrowed brow "It's showtime baby!" Inspiration is not an issue!

I'd like thank all of those involved in TNT, coaches, team captains and runners, that give people a resource to fight back against blood cancers. It's very empowering and has both mental and physical benefits.

Ethan Avery, proud father of Megan Avery!

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Reid Winkler

Originally written June 28, 2007:

This summer my older brother celebrates 15 years in remission from Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was originally diagnosed when we were both in college - we knew that enlarged lymph nodes in his neck making it wider than his head and night sweats were not good things. Radiation therapy had him in remission for about a year before it all started again.

The second time around earned him 6 months of chemo while trying to finish his senior year of college. He did, and his graduation present was an autologous bone marrow transplant! He never complained - he was so strong and determined.

Unfortunately I was young - my level of maturity and strength were in no way comparable to his. My way of dealing with things was telling myself everything would be okay and burying my head in college studies. I just wasn't there for my brother the way I should have been. I know I can't go back and change that, but I have long wanted to find a way give back to the people, the researchers, and the organization that supported my brother when I fell short.

I first joined TNT in 2001 and ran the Rock n' Roll Marathon in San Diego. It was the most wonderful experience of my life. Educational and military commitments have kept me from a repeat performance until now. I just thought it would be a great way to celebrate my brother's milestone of being "cured" now three times over.

I see the benefits of the research the Society supports. I know patients being treated by a protocol similar to my brother's no longer have to spend 5 weeks in a laminar flow room and 3 months living at home with out going out in public. He can tell you that's a good thing. I'm proud that TNT and I are making a difference. I know my brother is too. That (and all the other honored teammates) is why I'm here.

Share if you like.

All the best,

Reid Winkler

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Kristen Procida

Originally written June 18, 2007:

When I was contemplating running a marathon I did a Yahoo search for Marathon training teams and the first hit I got was for TNT. It sent chills up my spine because my mother has Leukemia. I figured if that wasn't a sign, I don't know what was! I would have felt guilty if I didn't run! My mom is without a doubt my hero. It was my senior year of college that my mom was diagnosed with leukemia and she went to the doctor by herself because she didn't want to worry my sister and me if it was a false alarm. By far the worst day of my life, and I've seen quite a bit in my day.

I deployed to Iraq in 2005 for a year and saw how much the stress affected my mom and her health, it broke my heart, but as patriotic as she was, she wouldn't have asked me not to deploy, and I couldn't turn my back on my mission with the military. No matter how rough it gets, my mom will always say she is fine in a convincing fashion and do it with a smile and a sparkle in her eye.

I'm running for my mom and for everyone else out there who has a loved one with the disease and for those strong individuals themselves. As a friend of mine told me in a card when my mom was diagnosed, "in the end, everything will be ok, if it's not ok, it's not the end" and "times don't get tough, people do." Thanks again for all you do...... Feel free to share the story, I'm doing it for my mom, to get out what an amazing woman she is, is a great thing for me.

Thanks,

Kristen

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Kevin "Stenny" Stenstrom

Originally written June 1, 2007:

My father died of leukemia in June, 2005. I had done 3 events with TNT in his honor prior to his passing because he is a true hero of mine, and I wanted him to know the effect he had on me and help him in his fight the best way I knew how.

Since his death, I have run 2 TNT events in his memory because he had such a positive influence on my life and TNT is a positive organization. The stories I have heard from others have reminded me that all the leukemia/lymphoma statistics are very informative but the personal connections really bring it home.

This attachment was the eulogy I gave at my dad's funeral. We all know people like my dad who fight so positively throughout theirlife. I thank God everyday that I have people like my dad in my life, and it is a great reminder of why what we are doing through TNT is so important. Please use as you see fit. GO TEAM!!

Stenny

'Reflections of Dad'

My dad's 75 year journey reminds me of the Frank Capra film' 'lt's a Wonderful Life'. By society's standards, Dave Stenstrom's life was not a success story.' He was not famous and he was not rich. But, he touched everyone he knew or met. ln fact, I would bet that everyone in this church today has been touched by my dad. Our lives have Dave Stenstrom's imprint, and l think that is the true measure of success. We were and are blessed to have had him in our lives l think today, right now, we should celebrate that. So, I would like to share with you some thoughts from our family on my dad.

He was a man of many talents: Runner (a few years back), skier, golfer (albeit slow - more like the Art Carney ol golf), artist, musician (he liked the more obscure intrumenls like the accordion and fife); jokester (the king of puns); dancer (preferably ballroom or swing); superior whistler.
As kids growing up and even as adults, he was our biggest fan. He never forced us to do anything, yet let us try everything: baseball, football, soccer, kayaking, herpitology, acting, dancing and many more. Once l was in middle school, l was singing in a barbershop quartet chorus. My dad practically became a groupie, taking me to barbershop quartet concerts and buying albums of nationally known quartets. ln fact, his love for this music prevailed through the years. Just a few years ago, he was at a festival in Atlanta with my sister and brother-in-law that happened to have barber shop quartets singing. He planted himself in front ofthe stage and ended up talking to the singers as if HE had produced their albums. Dad could strike up a conversation with anybody.

When my brother and I were on the high school gymnastics team, mom and dad did not miss a meet. This could end up being a little embarrassing because in the deafening silence of concentration just prior to beginning your routine, you would hear a cheer from my dad, as if he had a megaphone strapped to his mouth, "GoMike!" And, when the routine was over, no matter if you had fallen off the pommelhorse or high bar a thousand times, you would hear, 'Good routine, Kevin, good routine.'

Before we entered college, the only college football games I can recall Dad walching were Michigan games (Go Blue!). Once we were in college, though, his favoite teams became the Universities of Massachussetts and New Hampshire, Boston College, and Holy Cross. My parents would travel every weekend, it would seem, to one of our school's games - supplying us with the best tailgate party on the field. lf any of our schools played each other, they would sit on one side of the stadium for a half and then switch to the other side for the rest of the game.

One summer, after I had returned from my annual ROTC training, l jokinglyasked him if he had figured out the fall's football itinerary. He said, "Come out to the porch and I will show you - Sept 1, we will be at UMASS, Sept 7, we wil be at BC" ... I had returned from ROTC training around June 24 - more than 2 months beforefootball season began. Like I said, our biggest fan.
Even when our interests did not suit his tastes, he went along. My brother Mike has aptly described our dad as more or less a "city guy'. Yet, he took the time to takeus fishing as young kids, which started a love of the outdoors that has carried to this day for my brother. Being a city guy, you would think he would have regretted this. No, he embraced it, even to the point of my parents joining my brother in a duck blind on a cold November dawn in Maine. Once again, our biggest fan.

My dad was also the consummate optimist. He had one of the most positive attitudes of anyone I had ever met. When mom and dad came to visit us in Hawaii inMarch, he was already having to rely heavily on a cane for balance and support. But, every time we past a beautiful Hawaii golf course, he would say, 'Boy, I hope I get to play golf again!" And, all of us kids witnessed these past few months dad planning a trip to Switzerland, if only he could convince mom to go. His optimism lasted until the end. A couple of weeks ago, just prior to having his pacemaker put in, he reminded me that he wanted me to send him a ukelele. "Now remember', he said, "don't forget to send instructions on how to play it.' The man had diabetes, a blood disorder, non-hodgkins lymphoma, had undergone quintuple bypass surgery, survived congenital heart failure, and was about to receive a pacemaker, yet still was ready to learn a new instrument. Now, THAT is positive thinking!

On another note, dad was annoyingly methodical. The man researched everything - from buying cars to toenail clippers. He was infamous for reading every word on every plaque on every monument or in every museum. While visiting theSmithsonian Museums as kids, dad was at least 5 exhibits behind us in every museum. lf we hadn't pulled him along, I think he would still be there.

He was a measure twelve times, cut once, kind of guy. As new homeowners, every one of his children was subiected to his drawn-to-scale graph paper landscape designs for our property (and, secretly we loved him for it).

Once, while visiting Nate and Beth in Atlanta without mom, Dad offered to paintdoors and trim in their recently purchased home. Nate and Beth returned from thestore a couple of hours later, expecting that the doors and maybe some of the trimwould be complete. What they found instead was one perfectly primed door with no signs of even one drop of paint landing anywhere but lhat door.

Finally, we loved my dad's laugh because he loved to laugh. He was a connoisseur of Red Skelton, Jonathan Wnters, The Muppet Show, and RoadRunner/Wle E. Coyote cartoons.

Dad was our hero for the way he lived his life. He was our quiet counsel- a man of true honor and integrity, who didn't need to boast about it. He walked the walk instead of talking the talk
His spritiual compass never wavered and always pointed to true north. His prayer life was one of the strongest I had ever witnessed. As Marsha, my sister-in-law, observed, "He's connected." In a conversation I had with him just a couple of days before he died, he said he was content - everyone has to go sometime and this is his time I said "And you know where you are going?" He said, 'That is what I am praying for.'' I think everyone in this church knows where dad went - straight up.

My dad touched us in so many ways, each time leaving a blessed indelible mark. Just like in the Frank Capra film, he has changed the world for the better by touching so many people's lives. His spirit will live within all of us I can't think of amore beautiful gift I have ever received from my dad.

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Karl Kaufmann

Originally written June 7, 2007:

Dear Teammates:

My name is Karl Kaufmann and in January 2005 I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and there is no recognized cure for the disease.

Although I was diagnosed in January 2005, I did not need to begin treatment until November 2005. I am fortunate enough to participate in a clinical trial which is testing the use of two antibodies to treat the lymphoma. One of the antibodies, Rituxan, has been commercially available for about ten years. The other is Galiximab and is still in the investigational stages. Basically, evidence has shown Rituxan to be an effective treatment for follicular lymphoma, but about half of the patients treated only with Rituxan will relapse within about 3 years, and virtually all will relapse at some point. Most who receive Rituxan for treatment will also receive some form of chemotherapy, which increases the likelihood of remission and the duration of remission. Doctors want to see if the use of two antibodies (without chemotherapy) will be more successful than existing treatments. I quickly achieved a complete remission as part of the treatment, and here’s to hoping it lasts for many years. A benefit to antibody treatment, as opposed to chemotherapy, is the lack of noticeable side effects. To put it in perspective, I was running 16 and 18 miles during my November treatments and completed a marathon in January 2006 (withTeam In Training, of course!).

I became connected with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through use of their website after my diagnosis and also through Team In Training. I have trained for six events with Team InTraining over the past two years, and am currently part of the Team for theMarine Corps Marathon in October2007. The reasons for my initial interest in the Society are obvious. But theTeam In Training program is so amazing that I cannot imagine not participating in it. Hopefully you will feel the same and come back again and again.

Thank you for participating in Team In Training and raising money to help cure blood cancers. As I mentioned above, there is no recognized cure for follicular lymphoma. It is treatable for a time, but ultimately the effectiveness of repeated treatments tends to decline. But with the help of people like you, breakthroughs are around the corner. Please know that each of you has my heartfelt appreciation. Good luck with your training—and I hope to see you out on the trails!!

Sincerely,

Karl Kaufmann

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