The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

In the 2009 season Steve & I took a trip with Dr Marc Read and his wife Eileen and stayed with Harry in Jackson Hole.  It was great because we got to see and spend some time with Suzy Kneeland and her brother Drew and friends.  I truly love that area, the mountains and wildlife are amazing.  I remember the morning right after breakfast watching a mother moose walk right through the front lawn.  The snow was glorious, we took a day trip to Grand Targhee with the crew and got the full affect of enjoying the view of the Grand Tetons.  There is an easy trail down from the top of the high speed quad leading you to these trails respectfully named the Good  - the Bad - and the Ugly.  The trails have meaning to me as I love to ski the steep and gnarly stuff whenever I can.  I remember when I first visited Targhee and having my photo by the Ugly sign. It was a VERY tough trail to ski for me back then... :)  But this time I skied it with strength and ease....  and with my sweetheart who has coached me to be to strive and be the best I can be.

All great memories, with my sweetie and our great friends we meet where ever we go.  So now, that I am "skiing" the steep stuff -- below is my current interpretation of what I am going through...  

Photo below:  Schuyler - J5 race at Willard Mountain 3/2010

The GOOD

So... getting on to the real meaning of my post --- today was a GOOD day!  We went to the doctor for the check up after getting the PET scan yesterday to hear the great news that there is only minimal evidence of cancer in my body.  The spleen is back to normal size, blood count is down below 11 (which isn't so good - but ok)  --- but this is such great news!  The notes from the doctor interpreting the scan was that I am showing TREMENDOUS response to chemotherapy and making great progress.  I am strong.  I am running.  My training is still strong and Chicago is 24 days away!  Laura is making our costumes ---- Wonder Woman will be wearing a red lycra running singlet with WW monogram & a 12 inch circle skirt and a little red cape!  BatGirl will be in all black singlet & skirt with monogram and ears with the cape (of course).  We have our tickets, hotel and can't wait to see Judy & the Fearless Foursome from Boston!  Chicago Here We Come!

The BAD

As of last week, my eyes are all swollen, feels like conjunctivitis with swollen eyelids and sty in each eye.  It isn't conjunctivitis (just a reaction).  They hurt and water up to the point where I can't focus (the computer HURTS! Which is a BAD thing!).  Then this week I broke out in hives all over my body.  Benedryl and more steroids is the help on the way --- but in the meantime I am not a happy camper.  And exhausted (which may be some of the cause here too).  In addition my fingers are feeling that tingling feeling mentioned as a side effect (it hasn't effected anything except perhaps my typing.  :))  The plan is to get more sleep.  

The UGLY

OK - yesterday was a bad day - so bad I started to get ugly (and no I don't have my period).  I headed to the hospital to get my PET scan and just really didn't start in a great mood.  It was 2 days in a row that we missed the bus and Schuyler honestly hasn't been easy to get to bed or get out of bed and it is all just getting to me.  My patience on everything has been wearing thin.  Lots going on at work and pressure has been building --- at the same time I have only been running 2-3 miles a day this week and  it hasn't actually been enough to keep me sane.  Longer is better, believe it!  The tech came out and walked me to the room (left Steve behind -she said there wasn't enough room, although the last time he was allowed in for the first part of the testing).  Then she gave me a hard time for using my iPad and wanted me to stay "quiet" so there wouldn't be any muscle showing on the testing.  The signs in the little closed space were glaring and shared CAUTION, BEWARE, RADIOACTIVE (all unsettling images) and then after she "yelled" at me the second time for sneaking my iPad out - she asked if I wanted music... and then turned on this top 40 crap.  Talk about NOT relaxing music!  I was pretty pissed at her so the next time she came in I told her to turn off the music.  You could say I was a little moody, because she had me in tears.  The last time I was here they left me in that room in the scanner and didn't hear me when I called (I let her know that too -- and she took offense right from the beginning).  I guess this is hard to explain to give you the full effect, but the last piece was when we asked for the CD of the imaging and she asked us to wait.  After 10 minutes I was streaming down tears and wanted to RUN away from that place.  

Needless to say we left before getting the disc.  My patience was wearing thin and at that time my eyes were swollen twice the size from crying so much.  

Then we went to Post Office to send some clothes back that I packed after buying them online and I didn't like them - they are all too big!  :(  So we got there and the guy says that it is going to cost me $10.   Twice as much as it would have cost if I went with the home pick up UPS option.  I was ready to walk and he offered me an envelope could pack and it would be $4.  So I emptied the box repacked it and went to the other lady.  She weighed it and asked for $6.  I told her that I swore he said $3.95 and she snapped "NOT IF IT IS IN A PRIORITY ENVELOPE!" --- I snapped back "YOU DON"T NEED TO BE NASTY!" (my negotiation skills were not kicking in so well today) and gave the cash and walked out crying again!  ARGH ---- Poor Steve..... he had to put up with my inpatience all morning and just gave me a hug.  

I totally needed to go home...  I vented.... I got better.... and then when I got the great news today --- it's all good and I feel great once again.  They say it can be irritation and moods caused by the steroids (Prednisone)....  so watch out! :)

So that is my update --- I have been on a high from all the amazing comments on my video posted below.  It was truly an amazing experience.  I am on a high now from the results of the PET scan. 

Next week I start treatment again on Monday - - meet the new doctor that is going to be handling the Methatrexate portion of my treatment at Baystate on 9/23.  Hoping to have a great weekend on the boat, get in a couple long runs, and maybe a little golf, get my brakes fixed, work on the rock and get ready for Schuyler's birthday.  :)

Sharing a couple of my latest favorite quotes below: 

"I love Tuesdays, almost as much as Wednesdays, better than Mondays, not as good as Thursdays, thinking you can't beat Fridays --- until you hit the WEEKEND! :) Enjoy each and every day!" 

-- Nancy Cook, on Life!

'If you have a task to perform and are vitally interested in it, excited and challenged by it, then you will exert maximum energy. But in the excitement, the pain of fatigue dissipates, and the exuberance of what you hope to achieve overcomes the weariness.'  - Unknown

Thanks for stopping by --- please leave a comment!

Bald appearance brings on standing O at the NEDIV Relay U!

Here it is -- I am posting the video of my presentation at the NE Division Relay For Life University.

 It wasn't easy, telling my story for the first time.  I had a tough time practicing it, with the tears welling up in my eyes and having a hard time finding a flow for a 7 minute --- "let me tell you my life and stress" - presentation.  Although Steve is quick to remind me that I do like to talk about myself.  :)   I had all kinds of great ideas, all kinds of wonderful thoughts, humorous thoughts and had my written notes and bullet points there to get it down so I could get it out and hopefully be well received.  I was thinking that I wanted more audience participation (so they don't fall asleep - kidding), but you never know how that is going to go, so I built it in and even if it went off just a little I thought it would be good to have that interaction.  But then it was about the story and the humor.  So again, here it is, I didn't get in as many as the fun things as I had hoped and rushed the beginning, it was a little all over the place, but as Steve said when we watched it later, as soon as the hair came off - - I seemed to relax and it got better from there.  :)

I hope you enjoy the presentation --- Personally it is pretty funny to watch yourself speak and see the shake in my voice and hands --- but it wasn't too bad for the first time EVER  sharing my story with around 400 people, a few I know, most I don't know....  I know there are quite a few things I will change for next time, and I am sure it will be a much smoother presentation and hopefully I will get in more of the pertinent points and not wander so much and get into the details that may not be needed.

It was so great at the end with such great people giving me hugs and encouragement.  Sue Ann was fabulous in her position as VP of Relay in New England putting on such a great Relay U.  She was there for me a midst all of the craziness of coordinating the successful event  -- I thank her for that and for asking me to share and hopefully inspire others.


  It was good to see and meet some amazing volunteers there too.  Dick, Laura, Gordon, Ben, Mark, Mary Kate, Lynn, Bob A, Dan, Susan and more!  To be there and feel the passion of all these volunteers making Relay a HUGE success in New England is truly and inspiration to me!


Please don't forget to leave a comment if you stop by!

Some other photo highlights from the event below: 

Me with Don & Peg (CEO & COO of NEDIV)

Sue Ann, Judy, ME and Kelli

Steve & I on stage after the presentation 

(note Steve holding onto my hair that I inadvertently left on stage)  :) 

NEDIV Speaking Notes: "I am a Survivor"

EMCEE:


When it comes to the fight against cancer not all of us have been hit directly by cancer; however, we all have taken the stand that we will rise above cancer until it is defeated.

In the words of Vince Lombardi, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.”

And now someone who has done just that …Nancy Cook... a team captain from the Quabog Relay in Western MASS, National Director of the National Corporate Team Program, whose 16 year career with the Society began in New Hampshire.

ME:
Thank you everyone.

As a top competitive master athlete in the New England area being on the top of my game is something I am very proud of…. I am poised to fight back. I pride myself on listening to my body in training. When I found a lump in my stomach in mid June my body fat was right around 16% and you can feel everything! My amazing husband Steve pushed me to go to the doctor and by the time I went in for the biopsy my spleen had doubled in size and at that time we were told that I had cancer. It was crazy. I had just placed 3rd in my age at the USAT New England Trail Running Championships, and was racing every weekend. Before that in in 2007 I was 7th master at the Boston marathon finishing in 3 hours and 5 minutes. And in 2009 I won my age group at the Marine Corps Marathon. I was the healthiest person I know. You don’t want to piss me off! My family, my friends, my co-workers were all floored when I told them the news – it was stage 4 Lymphoma. And me – I was in denial ---- with my daily routine of running long miles, balancing my family life, my work and all our sporting activities, there is no time for cancer.


I am a survivor.

It hit me hard and I was full of questions – Is it curable? What did I do wrong? Will I die? What is chemotherapy anyway? Can I work? How long before the cancer is out of my body & how long before I am bald? How will my eight year old son Schuyler react and cope with a sick bald mother? I did know one thing - I don’t like being sick.

You may wonder what is like not having hair. I sure did. It was scary and I had tears in my eyes as my husband shaved my head right around the 2nd chemo treatment - after pulling out clumps of hair it was definitely time. But I am now sporting the Olympic swimmer look as I water-ski and appreciate the aerodynamics when I run. I just hope it doesn’t come back gray! And fun times ahead if it comes back blonde!  My colleagues asked that I have photos taken of me at the “wig salon” with all the different styles of hair so they all could vote! We all had many laughs looking at the Nancy show! I miss the sweat absorption properties of hair and the extra padding. One day while trail running I hit and bruised my head on a tree branch... came up with some great quotes that day, but OUCH!


I am a survivor.


Now in the middle of it all I am in the midst of fighting back. I am ½ way through my chemotherapy treatment. OK – almost ½ way there…. But I am counting the days! Fighting back through inspiration, hope and humor…. I look for hope everywhere – after facing that moment that my life could have been taken away & having to share that scary feeling with my family – it IS all about HOPE. And once you have HOPE you can share hope and if you inspire others, they can in turn inspire you. The doctors gave me HOPE that I could still “run” the Chicago marathon, which will be my 27th marathon. I had signed up and am raising money for ACS through DetermiNation. Doc Mullally did say it is a little freakish – but seeing my fitness level and drive, he says it is possible – of course that was right after he called me a “beast” (in a nice way of course).. So now it keeps me going – keeps me pushing – and in my intense way of doing things – keeps me fighting back - strong. I am running in a Wonder Woman costume, alongside a friend who will be dressed as Batgirl – if not just to make a statement, but for inspiration and crowd appeal. I will run that marathon. I will finish.


I am a survivor.

I recently attended the UTC East Hartford Relay For Life and had the opportunity to walk in my first survivor lap – and wear my first sash & purple shirt! It was more amazing than I ever imagined. Needless to say I love Relay more than ever.. My husband Steve in his caregiver sash remarked that “we” have not finished chemotherapy, so are you a survivor yet?” My response? I lived to see another day right?


Yes – I am a survivor!

So just remember:

No one can hold you back from doing all the things you want to do. Just keep your goals in sight, listen to your body and take one day at a time. Some days will be better than others, but every day is a blessing – so make each day the best it can be.

I am a survivor.
I am fighting back.

Telling my story --- >>> Take 1

Not sure how many may see this post as it is a rehearsal for my presentation on Saturday for those that may be attending the Summit in Springfield....  but for the most part I think I am safe, not knowing the traffic to my site from local Relay leadership.   

This is a practice of my speech --- which really didn't go so well in my mind. 

 But it is a first try, so I hope to get better.  Gotta love Photo Booth!  :)  

I wish I could be just a little funnier.....   :)  I will keep practicing. :)  It was hard to do and honestly I was fighting the tears when I watched it back --- so try try again.

My notes for NEDIV Relay U Closing

Celebrate Birthdays 

Audience Participation =  Fight Back

My 46th Birthday

Lump discovery

Athletic Achievements

Cancer Diagnosis

Hope plus Humor = Healing

Quote:

 "It IS all about HOPE... and once you have HOPE 

you can share HOPE and if you inspire others, they can in turn inspire you."

Losing your Hair

Being Bald

Many Looks  - The Pirate Cap

Don't stop - keep pushing, keep running

Chicago Marathon

"Freakish"

Survivorship

UTC Relay

Caregiver

Quote:

"No one can hold you back from doing all the things you want to do.  Just keep your goals in sight, listen to your body and take one day at a time.  Some days will be better than others, but every day is a blessing. - so make each day the best it can be. "

Playing around with Photo Booth this morning --  some self portraits getting ready for my rehearsal.  :)

  

Have hope. Find hope. Take control.

This past week someone close to our family was diagnosed with cancer.  Where do you start?  How do you advise someone --- cancer is so big --- so many diagnoses, so many treatments, so many different types of insurance and lack of insurance.  Working for the American Cancer Society I would advise that they should call the 800-ACS-1234 (800-227-2345) number and our call center is equipped to handle all calls in all situations and can direct you to an answer that meets your needs at the time.  They are amazing.  I have visited the National Call Center 3 times in my 15 years to see the training, the Quitline and how many calls they handle 365 days / 24 hours a day.  The other ultimate resource for answers is www.cancer.org which has just been changed for easier navigation and updated --- these are resources for everyone, all the time and are so phenomenal -- you need to see it for yourself.  

But - when you actually have cancer, you don't really know what you need to know, what you need to look out for or what you need to ask.  So many people face this disease alone, without a true caregiver or someone to help and guide them along the way.  I am so fortunate with my background in the Society and having such an incredible supportive husband, colleagues, friends and family -- well I am set up for success in so many aspects.  But most are not.  Family will be there and try to help - and yet, they may not know where to start.  

Ask - what type of cancer, what is the diagnosis, the prognosis and be sure that you get the best care.  Find out what your insurance allows to be aware of the financial burden and be sure that you get all that is "covered" for your plan and you follow the guidelines that they have set so that you get the maximum benefit without the stress of trying to back track with rebuttals and more paperwork.  For someone who never gets sick this was huge for me to understand the process.  Call the insurance company, get to know your case worker and nurse if they assign you one.  Make sure that they are getting the information they need to be able to move forward, especially when you are trying to make this all happen fast.  Keep track of what is approved, denied, and paid.  Then keep track of any bills that may come in after.  This has been so hard for me -- I have a notebook and was real good at first, but keeping it all organized it tough.  Be sure that when you go to a doctor "out of plan" that it is approved and if possible have the letter in hand of what from that treatment is approved.  It takes the stress out later -- believe me.  

Bottom line -- this is my advice ...

1. Take control of your care.  Be sure you are happy with your doctor and feel that you are getting the right care and direction.  Hopefully have someone at your side to help you!

2. Get a second opinion.  Get the right diagnosis.  Get all the tests done early and wait for a diagnosis and not jump into a treatment plan.  Once they start it is more difficult to make any changes if at all possible. 

3. Clinical trials?  If there is a clinical trial available you need to get some phone calls in early to see if you are a candidate.  This needs to be decided right away.  Not all cases of cancer have clinical trials associated with them.  But if you are a candidate this is another source of HOPE.

4. Find and have hope.  Seek support and guidance.  Ask for help.  You are not alone.

AND

Celebrate you -- celebrate your friends and your family.  Live each day to the fullest. Care for others that care for you.  Be a friend. Celebrate your community.  Celebrate life.

Remember that every day is a blessing.  Remember those you may have lost to cancer or who have had influence on your life and your health.    

Fight Back.  Take charge of your health.  Make the first step today.  Be healthy.  Get started on an exercise plan  Make a difference in your community.  Relay For Life is a great support system...  there are more than 5000 events nationwide.  

Celebrate.

Remember.

Fight Back. 

RCHOP #3 - 1/2 way point!

Late on posting this experience, maybe because I am exhausted....  getting ready to balance Schuyler starting school, soccer practices & work deadlines... even though I have really paced myself and everyone is so understanding, the treatments are starting to wear on me.  I love the time getting Schuyler ready for school in the morning - although I am the drill sargeant mommy pushing to get him out of bed and ready.... and going to soccer is such a joy, watching him play and have fun with the friends he has grown to get to know and connect with here in Belchertown.  I love my life.  I love my community.  I love my family.  I am SO blessed.  


Vitals:  (all good)
117/60 - BP -- NORMAL
11.2 Blood Oxygen Levels (still good)
141 lbs (although I got down to 137 on our scale this week!  A little on the skinny side for me) 
63 pulse


So RCHOP #3 was a quickie (or maybe just felt like it because I slept through it!) --- they were able to get the drugs into me faster because I had no reactions the first time.  Our Dr. appointment was with Dr. Rockwell, with Dr. Mullally out of town on vacation.  She is awesome too.....  we love this place --- and would recommend it to anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis.  The office is beautifully decorated, comfortable and relaxing.  The docs are #1!  Dr. Mullally is just such a real person, smart, dedicated, caring and knowledgeble.  At the same time keeps you on target and is so encouraging.  We couldn't be happier --- crazy to say, when faced with cancer --- the sanctity of having a great doctor behind you is SO important. 


Treatment started with some Benedryl which made me drowsy and blurry -- so I couldn't work or blog or think for that matter.  Next thing I knew I was out!  Sleeping like a baby in the chair!  I haven't been sleeping well for various reasons, so maybe I really needed it this time!  Once awake I got to my Itunes, and my farming and a little work too.  :)  I take it all in small bites.  My neck gets cramped up when I am at the computer too much or I would be here more  :)  I need Karin for a massage and hopefully next week we can get that together!  :)


Before you know it it was over - 3 pm and I am out the door. The second day is the shot that has some latent side effects and we are working with Aleve & Tylenol to keep the pain away. I had all my appointments and to do list ready.  Managing the care and the multiple doctors and scans and bloodwork for the next couple weeks is a job in itself.  I have a repeat PET scan to see where we are with getting rid of this cancer -- can't wait to see those results!  Health insurance has denied our need to go to Mass General so we have been spending time with Dr. Mullally to work with his doctor contacts at Bay State to arrange my next Methatrexate treatment.  It will be inpatient and we need to set up time to consult with Dr. Mertens at Baystate Cancer Care.  We are happy that we don't have to switch all our care to Baystate and can stay with Dr. Mullally --- that was a huge concern for us!  Stress on so many levels getting this all together.  But we are "on the road" so to speak to getting it all done and... 

I am HALF way there!  

 #3 of 6 treatments means I am 1/2 way! 

 Yay!

Photo above:  Steve is so incredible.  At my side every step of the way, fueled with snacks, water & coffee!

This week has been challenging for me.  Running has become really tough after treatment, just exhausted and my legs feel like they weigh 100 pounds each.  My stomach is in knots and I am having a tough time breaking a 9 min / mile.  UGH. Maybe it is the predisone keeping me up not letting me sleep or just the side effects period.  : ( I have been getting out there though, and happy I have, but still getting really tired, and hope next week is better.  Chicago is less than 40 days away!  Need to make flight arrangements and my sister is putting the final touches on our costumes.  I am going to do it!   I have made my first fundraising goal of $1000 and raised that goal to 2010 -- just because it is 2010 and I think I can!  :)  So please support me if you can.  I really am so thankful and blessed for all my friends and family support.

Photo above:  Me & My Love

Photo below: 

I continue to wear

Inspirational shirt:  Mt. Washington Road Race - 7.5 miles to the top of Mt. Washington (2009)

Inspirational jacket:  Marine Corps Marathon (2009)

Ok - yes the Dr. said it is a little "freakish" pretty crazy for attempting to do this, but I am driven and all your comments and support have been so good for me to keep going.  My friends on facebook and daily mile have been so encouraging.  It really has been a virtual support system for me across the country.  

Thank you all who have sent cards and your handwritten thoughts to me.  I really really appreciate them and appreciate you all so much for thinking of me and supporting me through this craziness of a journey in my life.  

UTC East Hartford Relay For Life - "I am a survivor!"

Steve and I traveled to East Hartford on Saturday for the United Technologies East Hartford Relay For Life.  This is the second corporate Relay that UTC has hosted, sponsored and provided support in volunteers, location & overall support.  We were able to attend last year's event and take photos & attend the dinner for the survivors and caregivers.  It was an amazing and beautiful celebration.

This year, I have been having a couple slow weeks, recovering from treatment and new side effects with Methatrexate that have just been making me so tired and unmotivated.  I got the great news from Wendy last week that UTC Relay was above goal and raised more than $100K.  Their team numbers are up and we were expecting a great weekend.  Terry, Carson & Turner came to visit to go to a Motocross National Competition in Southwick, MA -- so we headed to the UTC event in the morning as they traveled to the event.

First when we got there I brought Steve over to the Survivor Registration tent.  It was with pride that I filled out the registration and got the huge smiles and congratulations from the volunteers.  I got my first PURPLE tshirt with the word "survivor" on it.  Steve said "we aren't done with chemo yet"....  my reply "I lived another day..... I am a survivor"  :)  And YOU are my Caregiver -- the best one ever!  I helped him on with his sash, and he helped me with mine.  Pretty special moment, hard to explain the feeling but it was truly such an honor.  Then at the Opening Ceremonies I do my usual with the camera, catching as many faces and emotions of the event as possible.  :)  But now with my survivor sash -- people were smiling at me with warmth and care.  It was "different" than before, they were all connecting with me.  If they were a survivor, caregiver and all those around because that is why they are here, to celebrate survivorship and to honor those they may have lost.  It was amazing.

So we walked the "Lap" -- I took photos of people SMILING - HAPPY - CELEBRATING!  I took photos and walked on the outside to the front and then back on the outside on the other side of the track.  People must have thought I was crazy with my fancy camera bouncing all around the lap!  :)  It makes me laugh thinking about it.  Watching Steve's smile and love always fuels me, like I am not crazy, but just that I am me, and I continue to be me.  The one thing that I noticed more than ever was the support of the caregivers around their survivor.  The 2 girls in pink were so cute --- they laughed and smiled -- "SHE is my caregiver!"  :)  It was all around you - the love and caring people have for eachother.  And I can relate to them in my own way of being a cancer survivor, although all cancers and treatments are different, it is an experience that all these people have faced, and won, or are still fighting.  It truly made me proud.

From the lap all the survivors and caregivers got on air conditioned transit buses and were driven to the top executive level where you can overlook the football field at Rentschler Field.

 It was a beautiful setting with lots of windows.  It was a catered yummy luncheon with strawberry shortcake for dessert.  :)
The survivor speaker recently had moved to this area and was a friend of one of the committee members.  She had participated in the Virginia Beach Relay (One of our top Relay events in the country!) and she was so excited to be invited because she wouldn't miss a Relay.  Her speech was short and sweet, poignant and clear.  She is a SURVIVOR.  She celebrates because SHE IS HERE.  She fights because the gene she has for breast cancer could be passed down to her beautiful daughters and potentially her son's children.   I wish I could remember all her words, because it was so well said --- and it meant so much to me.  I don't know if I hear all these words differently because I have cancer, or she was just so great (I think it is for BOTH reasons)--- She encouraged us all to talk to eachother, share our stories, offer support and be strong.   I have a great photo of her and her family below.  Such a sweet woman and a great family.  I felt truly blessed to hear her speak that day.

  So great to see friends and colleagues.  I had the opportunity to speak with Don Gudaitis, the NE Division CEO - he has been so supportive since my diagnosis, offering any assistance...  and we also were able to stop by their table and speak to the CFO of UTC -- it was so nice to hear Steve tell the story from the beginning with pride to Don and the CFO.  I really enjoyed talking to the CFO's wife (so sorry I forgot their names --- can I blame chemo brain? :)) She was so caring and just really great to talk to....  It was a very special experience all around.  

We gave hugs to all those we met at the luncheon - "real hugs" of care and concern and hope.  It was truly HOPE full to be in that room with all that inspiration all around.  I walked up to the woman speaker and asked her if she had wrote her speech down, it was that good -- told her she really needs to write it.  I was inspired by her words.  I can make a difference.  She is making a difference, and all those there will go out and make a difference too.  We got a beautiful purple flower centerpiece from the center of the table and walked out smiling ear to ear.  

When we went back to the Relay, we decorated my luminaria bag, played a little football, entered a raffle (or 2 or 3..... :)) One was for these handmade wooden replica helicopters, so beautiful!  It was a fantastic event and it was so great outside rather than inside to enjoy the fresh air and get some really great photos of the participants walking the track, (although being in the airplane hanger last year was awesome too).  

 We got to spend some time with Wendy and her beautiful family (I got some great impromptu family portraits) and wish Schuyler was there with us to experience it all - because he LOVES Relay and all the fun and happy people that are there.  I am sharing a link to all the photos I took from Saturday -- hope you enjoy them.  I will remember this Relay in my heart as my first Relay as a survivor --- it will truly be a special one for me --- as all 5000 plus Relays mean something to all those that participate.  If you haven't been to a Relay, please consider finding a Relay in your area and sign up, join or start a team...  it is something you can do to make a difference, to so many of those of us with cancer and for our future of finding a cure.  

We will have our Cub Scout team again this year --- already working on promoting it early and planning our fundraising for the year!  At that time it will be one full year of cancer survivorship for me and I will definitely be celebrating!

Celebrate.  Remember. Fight Back.  

Link on the photo below for the whole set of photos that I took that day.  All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

Thank you for stopping by --- Please please please leave a comment if you can.  Thanks for thinking of me and supporting me through this journey.  Remember to celebrate life everyday.....