Comments on: War Zone

By: Hannah Neumaier

Hannah Neumaier — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 07:36:02 +0000

Hey Ben,
I also don’t know you but I’ve been reading your blog since it was mentioned on the SU2C Website. My two grandfathers died from cancer when I was little so I didn’t experience it. But my dad is a researcher (who also worked in City of Hope for two years) and I’ve been in contact with cancer and it’s treatments from a young age.
This summer I’ll fly over from Germany, where I live and shadow the researchers in CoH, so that’s a great opportunity. But what I wanted to say was that some days ago my aunt got diagnosed with breast cancer. We don’t know how bad it is yet but I can finally really understand what your family must be going trough and they have my greatest respect.
You, Ben, created an amazing blog with such positive energy that it makes me happy to read about what a fighter you’ve been. Cuck Fancer! I know that you can.
By the way, I’m only 16 years old and I had a group created for you and SU2C in a very large german network that’s called schülervz.net. We have 47 members and I bet they’re all reading your blog.
So please know that your story has spread over to even Germany and that you are in our thoughts.
With the best wishes,
Hannah

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 07:22:40 +0000

Hi Ben

I came across your website while trying to look up info about my transplant Im due to have in a few weeks. I’m 23 and from England, and I totally empathise with your situation, and can say with complete honesty that I do know largely how you feel. I was diagnosed nov 2009 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. After months of chemo I’m now weeks away from a stemcell transplant, probably sharing the same concerns and fears that you have.

I like your war analogy, and have uses it to explain this to my family (I’m a bioscience student and so unfortunately understand what’s going on all too well). I also will have a war going on, except my body will be taken hostage as collateral because I’m having a donor’s stemcells and they are going to attack my body a little bit.

I just wanted to let you know I wish you the best of luck – hope it went/is going well.

All the best

Jamie

By: Michelle McKenzie

Michelle McKenzie — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:48:00 +0000

Ben,
.
You are in our heart, thoughts, and prayers. You are an inspiration to all of us Ben.
All of our love,
Mrs. McKenzie and your friends at Hale Middle School~

By: Kerri S

Kerri S — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:37:22 +0000

Ben, I just saw your blog through a link on our lymphoma forum – just wanted to say GOOD LUCK man, you can do this! You’re attitude is amazing. I’ll say a prayer that you get outta there in record time. Until then…chin up! Fists out! Fight like hell.

From one lymphoma survivor to another – CUCK FANCER!!!!!!!!

Kerri S from ATL, GA

By: donella meade

donella meade — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:25:11 +0000

ben, keep your chin up. every yucky day is one closer to this nitemare being over! you can beat this! all our love and prayers for the next 25 days…….x x

By: Ginny Weisman

Ginny Weisman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:55:33 +0000

Hi Ben,
I’m CJ’s grandma. As you know, I had a stem cell transplant at City of Hope 3 1/2 years ago. No two experiences are alike. I totally understand your concerns (fears, worries). I have to say I especially understood your comment about the Hickman Catheter and my happiest day was when they took it out. It was, as you said, a daily reminder of your cancer and it wouldn’t let you forget for a minute what was going on. BUT, you WILL get through this and little by little you will get back everything you have temporarily lost. I was in COH 19 days. When I came home Pam and Linda each spent one night with me and then I said I was okay to go it alone, except for food runs. Within a few weeks I was driving to the grocery store for myself and it’s been uphill ever since. You will have what I best describe as really YUKKY! days after they give you your stem cells but they work really hard to ward off all of the medical problems they have told you about. I suggest that, you need your own tooth brush, not the foam thing they give you. Have several extra pairs of jamies. Ask constantly for ice. You need to drink alot of water and it’s better cold. Eat your sorbet first when it’s served at dinner ’cause it’s already half melted. Your appetite will be really off because your taste buds are totally shot but they will moniter what you don’t eat and give you intravenous feedings if necessary. They moniter your weight like crazy. Try and sleep as much as you can. I couldn’t wait until 9:00 when I got my sleeping pill. I used earplugs too. Leave your door open. Walk as much as you can and when you can’t do it anyway. You’re going to be fine. Oh, no pain……just really YUKKY! Hard to talk for any length of time so sometimes I asked a caller to tell me what’s going on in their life cause I just didn’t have the strength to talk. I’m praying for you everyday. And did I mention I’m in remission 3 1/2 years now and off all drugs for my Multiple Myeloma. God Bless You and your family.
Ginny

By: Shari Himmelman

Shari Himmelman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:07:22 +0000

Sweet Ben,

Your strength and determination will be the light that guides you through the next 25 days.

One day at a time my sweet, precious friend.

You, Ben Teller…are my hero.

I love you,
Shari

By: Joe Goedereis

Joe Goedereis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:20:34 +0000

Ben,

You also don’t know me, but I have spent many hours reading your posts. You were an inspiration to me when I was first diagnosed with Stage IIIbe Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma back in October in 2009. I found you from the StandUp2Cancer web site and you immediately became a bookmark in my browser. Your style of writing and your humor made me laugh while I spent over 34 of the darkest days in the hospital in reverse isolation due to Neutropenia, and then 5 months of pure friggin’ hell while in chemotherapy. I am now happy to report that I was just declared to be in remission as of February 26, 2010 and I can, in part, thank you for helping me to get there through your writings and your inspiration.

Know that we are all pulling for you and sending prayers, good vibes, and hope your way. You will beat this mother – I’m sure of it. If there is anything I can do to help you in your cause, please let me know. I’m buying some bracelets tonight and sending all my friends to your site as well.

In Solidarity,

Joe Goedereis
Port St. Lucie, Florida

By: Zé, Nena & Fabio

Zé, Nena & Fabio — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:07:51 +0000

“ctrl+alt+del” and do it!
We are waiting for the pictures from Vegas.
We’ll be in touch.
Cuck it harder!!!

By: Brian Smith

Brian Smith — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:32:40 +0000

Ben, You don’t know me, but I feel as if I know you. Your mother and I have been friends for more than 30 years. I just want you to know that if I could take your fear, pain and illness away, I would do that for your mother, and you. As you endure the next 25 days, and all it has to throw at you, please know that I am in your corner, along with all of your friends and family, praying that you have an easy go of it. Maybe you can think of yourself as a role model for all of us, and show us how to conquer this disease, as you have to this point…with dignity and class.

God speed Ben.

Brian Smith
Diamond Lake Resort,
Owensboro, Kentucky