LEA WEDGEI was diagnosed on 1/10/06 with CML leukemia and it was the biggest shock of my life. I was diagnosed in an OB/GYN’s office after a routine blood test.  I was 32 years old at the time and my husband and I wanted to start a family together.  I had been a TNT participant in the past and a newlywed of 6 months.  I was diagnosed with white blood cells at 311,000 (normal range is between 5-10K) and a spleen 5 times the size it should be. At that time I thought there was a chance I could die.I was immediately put on Gleevec but after meting with a CML Specialist, Dr. Druker in Oregon, my Gleevec was increased.  As of November 2006 I lost my response to Gleevec and was switched to a new drug called Sprycel.  We had a bone marrow biopsy on June 21, 2007 and 20/20 cells were still PH+ (leukemia cells).After 18 months of “sub optimal” results we decided (with doctors and family) that I needed to have a bone marrow transplant- which is a risky procedure but the only known “cure” for CML.  Drug therapy did not seem like a possibility for long term survival.  The trouble is you need a “match”- a perfect match increases your odds of survival.  My only brother was already tested and was not a match for me.  I needed to rely and hope I had a match out there from an unrelated donor in the world.We finally found a match (anonymous) using the National Bone Marrow registry- a perfect one at that!  My husband and I decided the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center was the best treatment center for me so we needed to pack up our lives for over four months and move to Seattle for this bone marrow transplant.  I was in patient for almost a month of that time.My official “birthday” from transplant is 12/12/07.  I am currently leukemia free but am still on close to fifteen medications and have many side effects from the treatments and medication.  Needless to say, I am very grateful to be alive and have the chance to move forward in my life.  I won’t return to my “normal” pre cancer days but I am working on a “new normal” which makes me feel quite hopeful.This journey has not been traveled alone. My husband Billy has b een there every single step of this with me. There really is no break from cancer and he has never asked for one. This disease has tested our marriage and our love and we truly are closer and more connected than ever before. My mother and my brother are my sounding board and support. My little yellow dog, Kimo has been with me since diagnose and has been a true companion.  Friends continue to stick by me although it has been a long three years!But if it were not for people like you raising money for the LLS through HOURS of dedicated work I would not have had a chance at life again.  Bone marrow transplant survival statistics and registry awareness has improved dramatically because of the LLS support.   So, GO TEAM GO!!!!!