More 3-Day Walk D.C.

My sweet friend and teammate, Rene put together this moving slideshow that recapped our walk beautifully. Hope you enjoy.

Also, here is a link to Leonard Pitts' article. He walked in the DC walk in memory of his Mom and we stalked him, found him on Saturday, and got to chat with him about his experience. He wrote a great recap. Maybe if I learned to write like him, someone would be paying me for this blog.

The Walk

So, I think that most of you know I recently walked the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure and all I can say is WOW. It was truly an incredible experience.

A group of my teammates and I drove to DC on Thursday. We arrived in time to enjoy some great pizza and a walk to Georgetown for a cupcake. We split one that night, and bought others to enjoy the next morning for our pre-walk breakfast.

Mmmm, cupcakes.

After a somewhat restless night for everyone, we got up early to catch our 5am shuttle that took us to the opening ceremony location. As soon as we checked in, I knew it would be emotional. The signs on people's backs in honor or memory, the opening ceremony itself, the survivors circling a flag of remembrance. I truly felt lucky that I had the ability to walk 60 miles. Throughout the next 3 days, I would often think that this was way easier than chemo. Or losing a breast. Or losing a loved one.

Our team at the opening ceremony.
(The guy with the pink beard behind us is actually not a part of our group!)

One of my favorite signs.

Then we walked. And walked. And walked some more. On Friday, we did 20.5 miles throughout D.C., even stopping for a moment as the Prime Minister of Jordan passed by us and his Secret Service made us stop. We headed into Georgetown, and made it to Maryland. All along the way, they have pit stops where you can grab a snack, refill your water bottle, stretch, use the porta-pottie, etc. The event logistics are amazing to me, and must take a dedicated staff and incredible volunteers. After we had walked on Friday, we were bussed to our campsite for the weekend ... a huge farm in Maryland.

Part of our row of tents, complete with appropriate decorations.

There we could pick up our luggage, set up our tent, enjoy a hot shower via mobile shower tractor trailer units, and eat dinner. One important note ... plastic utensils make steak very hard to eat, but I enjoyed every bite. The campsite has a 9pm lights out policy, but I think everyone is so tired by the point, it is an easy rule to enforce.

Saturday, our schedule was 24 miles and this time we actually started the walk to camp and no buses were involved. This day we stayed in Maryland and had great support from cheering sections, and also just people set up in parking lots. I almost cried at every large cheering station as the people are thanking you for walking for their Mom, Wife, Sister, etc.

This was one of our favorite cheerleaders and he was out on the course all weekend, cheering on his wife. She is a survivor and had done many Komen walks and was walking in 3 walks this year! Plus, he had chocolate and a cool wig.

On Saturday night, Nancy Brinker (Susan G. Komen's sister) who started the foundation in honor of her sister spoke and it was such an inspiration to hear her story. Again, lights out at 9pm and I found that chicken was easier to cut with plastic.

We were up at 5am on Sunday so we could take down our tents, put our bags in a truck, eat breakfast and hit the road. We were bussed to another area of Maryland and we walked to DC. The Dupont Circle cheering section was great and we got to see some of the sights ... complete with a walk past the White House.

Day 3, still smiling, and ready to go!

Our team nearing the end of Day 3, in front of the White House.

As we finished the walk, we were cheered on by crew members, volunteers, onlookers, other walkers ... you name it. There was music, cheering, clapping. It was incredible and emotional. Our team linked arms and came in together. We started together and that's the way we wanted to finish. Each and every one of us walked every single step and our feet showed it. Lots of blisters, but you literally could feel the strength of all of us combined.

We stayed in a holding area until all of the walkers were in, then we all lined up together to walk to the National Monument. This was exciting to have the entire 2,000+ people together since we had been spread out most of the weekend. The survivors followed us, wearing special pink tee shirts.

The closing ceremony was just as emotional as the opening, with good speakers, music, and of course the survivors raising a flag. One of our team members who is a survivor was asked to be on stage! Even though we couldn't see her from our point, we were thrilled that she got to have that special experience.

The one shoe salute for all of the survivors as they walked into the closing ceremony.

At lunch on Day 3, our team captain asked if someone offered to donate the amount that we had raised if we would walk again the next day, and I can definitely say that I would. I really felt like I had made a difference, and it was incredible to witness it. Individually, I raised over $2,800; our team raised nearly $27,000; and the D.C. walk raised $5.3 million. Incredible.

With our team captain and my tent roomie!

A huge thank you to my family and friends for their love and support throughout this amazing journey.

I'll be walking

and walking, and walking some more.

It's almost time to leave for the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for the cure and I'm still amazed that it's here.

I was scared that I couldn't meet my fundraising goal, but I did.

I was scared that I wouldn't have time to train, but I did.

I've been amazed at the generosity of friends, family, and friends who I've never met, but have gotten to know through blogging who have supported me. Whether through financial donations, or through emails and talks, I know that I will be carrying the love of many people with me and that is why I know I can walk 60 miles.

Our team has raised a collective $26,000 for breast cancer research and community programs and I am inspired by each and every member.

I'm way behind on blogging, but promise to do a big post with photos and a recap when it's all over.

I will tell you know that my PINK LL Bean duffle is almost packed and I've probably never packed more pink clothes for one weekend in my whole entire life. See you next week!

Hey, is this thing on?

Yes, I'm really here ... just not here.

Life is good. I went to Portland, OR last week for a Junior League conference. Portland was great. We were able to squeeze in an epicurean walking tour of the city. If you go to Portland, please try the Pearl Bakery's fresh croissants and Hot Lip's pizza. Both were wonderful, in my book. The tour didn't take us there, but we did try VooDoo Doughnut. It's definitely a hole in the wall, but not my favorite doughnut ever. It probably is worth a visit to check out their off color menu options.

Also while I was there, I took two very scary public speaking workshops. I know they are good for me, but I don't know if they were good for my blood pressure.

So, I'm back from the trip and trying my hardest to get back on EST.

Lately, my life has been consumed with:

• Junior League meetings
• Work, and going through a merger
• More Junior League work
• Getting ready to walk 60! miles next weekend
• Pulling out pumpkins, witches, and ghosts ... oh my!
• Fun and adventures with two 2 year olds. The latest, a meltdown on the playground today because the swing that Libby wanted wasn't available. She had the choice to pick a new swing or go home, and when she practically threw herself on the ground, we decided to go home. I think I have officially become "that Mom" at preschool.
• Slightly obsessing over a pair of Dansko boots.
• A dead battery in my camera. I've heard it's cheaper to replace the camera, so I may be shopping tomorrow.
• A desperate need to buy shoes for my children.

That is all ... I'm around and checking your blogs, just ignoring my own. I promise I'll be back.

Wednesday Ramblings

Oh, my posts just keep getting fewer and further between.

So, here are today's rambling thoughts ...

1. I surpassed my minimum fundraising goal for my upcoming Komen 3-Day walk. My latest donation pushed me over the $2300 mark! So excited that the "hard" part is done ... now to walk 60 miles!
2. I lost my third toenail of the year. It's always the same toenail that I lose and I just went up another half size on my shoes. I can't figure out what is causing it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the toe"nail" underneath is a pinkish shade, so it almost matches the rest of my painted toes.
3. I started this blog almost 4 years ago! Can you believe it. Here's my very first post. Obviously, I had no idea what I was doing back then either. It's funny that some things remain the same ... Hubby's still cooking dinner, we're still running, Zeus and Zoe are still around, and I'm still volunteering with the Junior League.
4. My Mom cracked me up today. By the way, she is doing well ... she's done with chemo, is now halfway through radiation, and will continue to receive another anti-cancer drug every three weeks until April. I believe that she will do another scan after the radiation to check things out. Oh, and how she cracked me up ... She told me that her hair was coming back, but unfortunately her facial hair was coming back as well. Nice and coarse, Mom told me. She's always made me promise that I won't leave her in a retirement home with whiskers coming out of her chin.
5. I had my mammogram yesterday and talked with my OB about a lot of different things ... possibly having genetic testing to see if my Mom had the Braca gene and possibly passed it on. It is the gene for breast or ovarian cancer. That is something that I'm not even able to wrap my head around and think about right now.
6. Note to self: When you eat cake three nights in a row, and Feeney's twice in one weekend, and you hop on the scale on Monday morning, don't question where the extra 4 pounds came from. Apparently running 15 miles DOESN'T give you the ability to eat anything you want!
7. Oh, I found blue crayon marks on the sofa. Joy. Thank God for washable crayons and washable slipcovers. Too bad it's on the body of the sofa, so the whole big slipcover is going to have to come off.

ending with cake

Yesterday, I worked, came home and did Mom duties until 6:30, then went to a meeting at 7pm that lasted until after 11. So, I got home around 11:30, read for a few minutes and tried to go to sleep as quickly as possible.


I woke up about 5:15 to walk 5 miles with some teammates at 5:45, came home at 7am, showered and got ready for work. I worked, came home and did Mom duties, and did enjoy 30 minutes of light dozing while Hubby read books and played with Maddy and Libby.


I am exhausted and ready for bed. It's only 8:34 PM. Plus, I have to get up a little before 5 to meet my running girls for 6 miles at 5:30. This is the point in the training that I am over it ... especially these early morning runs 3 days a week.


But do you know one good thing? Both days ended with cake. Yummy cream cheese frosting, strawberry filled cake. Carb loading, right!?
More days should include cake.

Random Thursday Ramblings

Maybe that's what I should rename by blog, since it's all pretty random, isn't it?

* A little update on Mom ... some of her blood work levels were off last week so they didn't give her a chemo treatment, but she did have a treatment yesterday. 4 down, 8 to go! She is also on a blood pressure medicine that lowers her sodium levels. Even though low sodium sounds good, it's not when it comes to chemo. So her Dr. is trying to manage this so she can still take her meds, but also receive chemo. Mom said that she is starting to lose her hair and when it was windy on Tuesday, she said it was actually blowing away in the wind. A sweet friend gave me scarves that her Mom had used and I mailed them off to my Mom yesterday. It was great to be able to recycle these, and my Mom hopes that she can do the same.

* We almost had a pink eye episode yesterday. One of Libby's teachers noticed that her eye looked a little red and swollen. It looked better after her nap, but I called the nurse anyway. She didn't think it was pink eye based on what I told her, but just to keep an eye on it and flush her eye with warm water in case she had gotten dirt lodged in her eye. With as much pollen as we've had lately, I wouldn't be surprised if if it was just a reaction to all that's blooming.

* To run or not to run. A girl from my running group sent an email about a Friday morning 5:30 run. Ugh. I ran today at 6AM and am trying to decide if I want to do a long run tomorrow and get it out of the way before the weekend.

Pros: It's going to be in the 90's over the weekend and I would have it over with before it's hot.
Cons: I would have to get up at the crack of dawn to leave my house by 5:15.
Decisions, decisions.

* I haven't technically started training for the 3-Day. I actually start a half marathon training program on Monday, so I need to ask my Coach how to include some walking and transition to all walking before the 3-Day. I know one thing I'll need are at least 2 pairs of shoes to do the walk in that I can break in before the event. I've heard different theories about how to do this, but most have said that they trained in one pair, but had 1-2 other pairs that they wore that weekend. I love Brooks for my running shoes, but used to wear New Balance for walking. Look at these awesome Lace Up For the Cure shoes and clothing that they carry! They even have personalized ones so you can let everyone know who you're walking for.

KFC Pink Bucket campaign

When I first saw a commercial promoting this, I thought it was a little crazy. But, you have to give credit for a company willing to donate 8.5 million dollars to Susan G. Komen. Plus, you can get a bucket of their grilled chicken and not get the fried stuff, even though those little crispy bits of skin sure are good.

I know they've caught some slack from the press about promoting fried chicken to support breast cancer, but their donation is quite generous. So, I say, get a bucket of grilled and support the cause.

Role reversal

My Mom is starting chemo today, and I am flying in the opposite direction of the country to attend a conference. I know she doesn't technically need me to be there, but I can't help feeling like I should be there. Have I reached the point in my adult life that I'm the caregiver and not the care-receiver? Probably not, but it just feels like it today.

She was happy to receive a little care package that I put together for her. Nothing too exciting because my Mom is extremely practical, but I sent her some good hand lotions, chapstick, a book about cancer that a friend of mine gave me, some anti-cancer recipes, and of course, two pictures of the lambs, AKA Maddy and Libby, and a homemade card from them.

So, now we wait. She's ready to get started and ready to get it over with. Twelve weeks of chemo to hopefully fight this thing and win. I usually hate to wish a summer away, but this will be three months that I think we will all be glad when it's over.

Before she's done with chemo, I'll start training for the Komen 3-Day. I really feel like it's the least I can do along with support and prayers. What would be better than to see that a cure is found?

So, happy thoughts all around tomorrow and I'll update you next week.

Update

I really appreciate all of the sweet comments about my Mom. All I can say is that I have truly seen how resilient and tough she is. She was painting shutters the weekend after her lumpectomy, all without taking a pain pill.

She met with her Surgeon on Monday and found out that the cancer is in Stage I-B and it is invasive, but her lymph nodes were not affected. We had never heard of the "B" part before, but after talking with Mom and doing a little googling, I guess it's pretty common. Not perfect, but pretty good in terms of a diagnosis.

It's amazing how much information is out there and I've learned a lot in the past couple of days. Invasive basically means that it's left it's initial site and spread into the breast tissues.

Now more waiting ... she goes back in 2 weeks to meet with her Oncologist that will outline her treatment plan. I know this part will be the hardest on her, both mentally and physically, and probably on my Dad, brothers, and the rest of our family. Luckily, she has lots of good people at home to look after her and I'm trying to figure out a good time to go visit when I will be most helpful. If I go now, I'll be stuck painting shutters and ceilings at their rental house, but if I go later, I can help drive her to chemo, cook dinner, pick out wigs, and hopefully help her to feel as normal as possible. After all, what is more fun ... Mother/Daughter girly shopping or Mother/Daughter spackle and painting?

I was contacted by a good friend of mine who lost her Mom in 2008 to breast cancer and she is heading up a group of ladies who will be walking one of the Komen 3 Day walks for breast cancer. So, do you know what I did?

I signed up to walk 60 (!!) miles over a 3 day period in October, sleep in tents, and fund raise all in the name of finding a cure for breast cancer. I know I'll be talking a lot more about this decision and how I'm so scared about so many parts of it.

But, I was scared enough after seeing this happen to my Mom, my own scare last year, knowing a Mom of 2 who is only 40 having a double mastectomy and chemo, losing my Aunt, and watching other friends lose their Mom's to try to do something about it.

I know that the amount I will raise is just a small drop in the bucket when it comes to research dollars, but what if my little donation was the dollar that made a difference?

All I can think about is what if Maddy and Libby would only know breast cancer as one of those diseases that has a cure. How great would that be? That is my hope.