Same Race Different Year
Kelly and I walked this past Saturday’s 2008 Komen Houston Race for the Cure. What a difference a year has made for me.
Last year at this time, I was in the midst of breast cancer treatment. By October 2007’s Race for the Cure, I was well into chemotherapy (round three of FEC to be exact). I received treatment the Friday night before the Race and was lucky enough to side effect free on the morning of Race Day. With the amazing support of Team Millenbah and all of you, I walked and finished the 5K.
A year’s passed, and the 2008 Race for the Cure came under a different set of circumstances. The Tuesday before Race Day, I went in for another three-month visit at MD Anderson. My early morning appointment included an ultrasound of the right breast, the area where lymph nodes were removed, right side of my neck and the area between the breasts. ALL CLEAR!!! Afterwards, I had my blood drawn and analyzed. By 2:00 that afternoon, I was smiling with Nat and Dr. Cristofanilli after hearing that my blood work came back ALL CLEAR!!!
Kelly flew into town on Friday evening to walk with me on race day. Saturday morning we were up and out of the house by 6:30 and down to the event by 7:15. I’m glad we arrived early enough to watch the crowd build. By 8:50, Kelly and I started off among some 30,000 other participants. Even given that this past Saturday welcomed the largest turn out ever for a Houston Race for the Cure, I could not help but notice that the overall tone of the event was rather quiet (at least that was my impression). Of course there were many who smiled, laughed and celebrated, but there seemed to be an undercurrent of seriousness.
Could it be that the race against breast cancer has not yet been won? Could it be because there were survivors, like me, who were happy, grateful and relieved to BE at the race, and we were quietly thanking whoever needed to be thanked for our good health? Could it be that there were some determined to walk the event even though they were still in treatment and they were using whatever energy they had to make it to the finish line? Or could it be that others were quietly reflecting as they participated in memory of a mother, sister or wife?
I walked down the Survivor’s Lane at the finish line glad to be strong, healthy and alive. I am proud of my accomplishments - for finishing Saturday’s Race for the Cure and making my way through the rigors of breast cancer and its treatment.
Lots of love, Lisa
-MESSAGES-
I'm proud of you girl. I know the race you have run over the past months has been the most important in your life so far. YOU ARE A SURVIVOR!!! I always knew you had a lot of spunk. Well done! Always know even though I haven't seen you for quite some time, you are so very present in my prayers. Love always, M. H.
Hurray! What a difference a year makes! Too bad that Nat couldn't celebrate with you and was home with a case of the awful awfuls! Congratulations, love to you both Prue and Ami
I am so proud of you! You are an inspiration to so many :)
Lisa, thanks for being such an inspiration. You Go Girl!
Your message made me cry.....with joy.... for your blessings!!
You need to write a book as you are an inspiration to all. Great news! D. T.
Dearest Lisa I am so thrilled for you and your family. You look beautiful and I'm assuming feel as good as you look. Wait until another year goes by and you feel even better than now. You put up with hell to get here. Bravo to you, your family & friends and your doctors. Love, E.
Dear Lisa, Kelly and All: So happy to hear from you again. We are so happy that all is going so well for you and this year you could do the race with a much lighter heart. Keep up the great attitude and we hope there are many, many more years of participation for you. Take care and it was so nice to see you this past Summer--you looked wonderful---hope to run into you again soon----Holidays are coming!! Our love and prayers to you!! A. S.
Your voice rings so clearly through your writing, and your joy and reflective questions bring tears to my eyes too. You have to write a book!
Dear Lisa I just wanted you to know I have followed your journals all through your illness and I cannot express how you touched me with your courage, strength and wisdom. Your faith in yourself and the medical staff was amazing. Your experience with cancer was a lesson in life. No one will be able to stand in your way ever because you are an amazing strong, gracious lady. You allowed us the chance to share your pain and showed us how to stand up in the mist of adversity . I am glad I finally took the time to write to express my feeling. May God's blessings continue to flow upon you. K. B.
We're proud of you too!!!!! Much Love, P. W.