Quote of the Day: “There is no way to explain the feeling properly. It’s one of those rare feelings that cannot be told to anyone who hasn’t been there. It’s simply the best feeling I’ve ever experienced.” Mark Osmun, after finishing his first marathon.
Exercise Log: So today Jen, Kathy E. and I met at Oly Hills tennis courts and walked 4.19 miles (+2.97). The temperature was so perfect- it felt cool but yes perfect. For 85 days days I have averaged 5.1 miles with 2.97 extra. That makes my grand total 436.47 miles which equals 16.66 marathons! I seriously have worn out my 3 pairs of running shoes that already had a few miles on them. Tomorrow, I will be ordering new shoes. I am grateful to Sue O. for suggesting this goal. It’s because of this commitment to the blog that I felt like I had to get those miles in every day, including Sundays. I believe that this exercise has kept me strong- emotionally, mentally and physically. I am so very indebted to all the people who made this possible. I couldn’t have done it alone. I was looking through my pictures of days we walked and most were really cold, sometimes snowy and most definitely dark. I couldn’t have done it alone. Think of all the great connections made through spending this time together- If you figure that 5.1 miles takes about 1 and 1/2 hours thats 127.5 hours. Now, sure that time could have been spent catching up on sleep, but think of the blessings of getting up, getting out that door and feeling satisfied getting that heart pumping and connecting with friends.
One more, last has finally come and it’s been an emotional day and emotional ride. I have a picture that Maggie drew me that I posted on my wall which I could see when lying on the couch. It says “Get well soon, Grandma Joanie”. I think I am ready to take it down and have her make me another picture with a positive saying for the future. Jen, Ella and I headed to the Cancer Center today @ 8:45. They came with me to the doctor visit and then visited while they connected the port and started the preparations for infusion. Ella is my darling niece who is 11. She is beyond cute! I’m sure that it was hard to watch this but I love that she was there. She and Jen took off for Ella’s screen-printing class at the “U ‘ and I forgot to get a picture of them so that will come tomorrow. Lori Hogue and Linda came and I loved visiting with them. Linda knitted while we talked and it made me want to start a project with my hands. Alex and Joe arrived around 10 and Mike and Nate a bit later. We moved into the private room because we were taking over the area. Mike and Alex took the BRCA 1 gene test and so results in about 10 days.
As soon as I arrived to the chemo infusion room, I was given the warmest welcome. Immediately, nurses acknowledged that this was my last day and I gave Michelle a hug. She was my first nurse and I loved having her take care of me. When the infusion ended, they brought me a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne and I got to say good-bye to everyone and then ring that bell. I rang it with gusto!!! I heard on the nurses say “That was good bell ringing form”. It was so great to have my family there. I loved watching my boys interact and support me. So, you may be wondering what is my next step with the oncology department. They will see me after radiation and then again every 3 months and then every 6 months and then probably every year. I don’t think mammograms are in my future but definitely MRIs. I know that people wonder when you will know that you are completely cured and with cancer treatment, you really don’t know. There are cells that can travel and linger and may not surface until later but they could be in any one of us so really there aren’t any guarantees and that’s why we must live life to the fullest every moment and make ourselves concentrate on making sure those whom we love know that we love them and that we place our priorities in the correct order. One thing about Triple-Negative breast cancer, it’s very aggressive, so if it doesn’t show up in 7 years, it’s not coming back.
After chemo, my darling running, walking, tennis, and neighborhood friends threw a Tea-Party- the brain child of Sue B. She planned the party including the most darling invitations and the food was incredible. Pasta salad, gorgeous fruit platter, orange rolls, mozzarella and bread salad, spinach salad and chocolate mint brownies. Oh, how delicious. Everyone was dressed in retro clothes and hats. Tomorrow, I will write more about it and include pictures. Later, Mary and Nate planned a celebration in the canyon. They made all the food and it was wonderful. More details tomorrow. I can’t believe how fortunate I am to have all these wonderful people in my life.
Susie Eichers and husband stopped by for a visit. She did her last chemo the day after I did my first one- March 22 and look at her hair and eye-lashes. She looks beautiful!
Lori and Linda came for chemo-visit
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