I MADE IT ALL 60 MILES!
Zipedeedodah!!!


It was an incredible three days!! First, I thought I'd share the photos I took (just double click on the middle arrow...do turn your sound on too!).

This link is for a slide show format: http://picasaweb.google.com/LadyFMN/BreastCancer3Day ''s

I should also take a moment to explain the lamb. Her name is F.A.I.T.H. and it stands for Friends Always In The Heart. Dr. Elizabeth Jekot of the Elizabeth Jekot Breast Imaging Center here in Richardson gives one of these special lambs to each patient she diagnoses with breast cancer. And, this is actually my 2nd lamb. She gave me one in 1999 when I got my first breast cancer diagnosis. But, I gave that one to a friend who was diagnosed around 2004 or so. This Faith came into my life a year ago when Dr. Jekot diagnosed my breast cancer recurrence.

Dr. Jekot's imaging center is state-of-the-art and you know it is a very special place from the moment you walk through the front door. It is easy to see that it was designed with the patient in mind. And, her imaging center was listed as one of the top five in the country this past year. Dr. Jekot is also a breast cancer survivor (along with two of her sisters and her mother), so she understands the disease from both sides.

Anyway, I decided from the start that I would take F.A.I.T.H. on my three day journey. She rode all 60 miles with me.... what a trouper. And, I did tell Dr. Jekot via cell phone that I was keeping the Faith!

Last Thursday, I went to Southfork to rehearse the opening ceremonies (a.k.a. the drama club :o) Even though it didn’t take long, I was glad we did a run through. After leaving there, I drove straight to Gilda’s Club to listen to my breast oncologist, Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy speak about the latest information on breast cancer treatments. It was the first time I’ve heard her speak and believe me, she really knows her stuff. I learned so much that evening; I was taking notes as fast as I could write. It was one of the times I wish I knew shorthand!

Thursday night I felt a bit anxious about the 3 Day. It seemed like I had trained forever (well, maybe not forever exactly, but 8 ½ months!) and now it was time to get out there give it my best shot. I wondered if I could really do this and it was now time to find out. You know, “walk the talk” as they say.

Friday morning, I got up before the roosters… around 4:00 a.m. I wanted enough time to shower, eat a hot bowl of oatmeal, pack my back sack and leave for Southfork by 5:30 a.m. Since I was part of opening ceremonies, I sure didn’t want to be late!

Opening ceremonies are a fond, yet emotional memory for me now. There were words of remembrance, encouragement, purpose and camaraderie. And, another survivor and I led the entire field of walkers (around 2,400) off to start the event. We truly felt like the Pied Piper ~ what a “WOW” feeling when looking back over my shoulder to see the endless stream walkers behind me.

Our 3 Day route took us through Murphy, Parker, Plano, Richardson, Dallas and Carrollton. Throughout all three days, there were pit stops about every 2 or so miles. It didn’t take us long to realize why some of the seasoned 3 Day walkers called this the “60 Mile All You Can Eat Buffet”!! At each stop waiting for us was water, Gatorade, chips, animal crackers, power bars, carrots, bananas, oranges, peanuts, cookies, cheese and more.

All along our route, we were cheered, applauded and photographed. Strangers photographed us and we photographed each other; the Kodak moments were endless! We passed homes where people sat in their yards waving, passing out candy, singing, clapping, blowing bubbles and yelling “thank you for walking!” at us. Oh yes, there were also a zillion dogs along the route in all shapes, sizes and colors (kinda like us walkers :o)

There was one black lab in particular that would bark every time his master clapped. A real hoot to watch. Wonder how he trained him to do that?

And, as I was apt to often say in many of my blog postings "training still makes cents"... I found 3 pennies on my walk. Let's see three pennies found on the 3 Day... coincidence? I think not! That makes a grand total of $1.66 since I started training last February. I did give one of my 3 Day pennies to my 3 Day coach, Cindy Donovan just after finishing all 60 miles. She has been a great coach and was always there for me. Cindy, you're the greatest!

And, the port-o-potties were, at times humorous too. Teammate Alice says she saw a woman come out of one saying “this one doesn’t flush” and was serious! Ahhh, what a sheltered life she must lead. I was in one when I heard a cell phone ringing in the one next to mine… that seemed kind of odd. And, I also remember seeing a lady come out of one with a can of air freshener in her hand (now who’d have thought to pack that!).

I have to share with you that it only took a matter of minutes for me to feel connected to ALL of the thousands of walkers. Without hesitation, we shared stuff from our back sacks like sunscreen… when we needed an extra hand to hold something, one was always right there. Want to take a group picture? Not a problem…. Everyone was so willing to do whatever. I have to say that on the route, I heard over and over walkers asking other walkers if they were OK, how were their feet doing, etc.

In the photos, you'll notice a young Marine sitting with his gear. He and another buddy walked in honor of their family members who had various cancers and for a friend who was finishing chemo for her breast cancer. I have to say these guys are TOUGH. They carried 65 pounds of gear on their backs the first day (20 miles) to camp. The second day, their load was less with the stuff they left in their tent, but was still heavy at 30 pounds each. And, the third day, they toted their 65 pounds of gear the final 17.5 miles to the finish line. I caught up with them on Day 2 and asked one how his feet were holding up in those boots. He said "you don't even want to know". I overhead others saying how they had seen the two men at the medic tents quite often and that their feet were in pretty bad condition. Now, that is beyond determination to me.

The hardest part for me was the last dozen miles. More than once, I fought off tears as I watched walkers in front of me give it all they had to finish all 60 miles. I saw knee braces, taped ankles, taped toes and even taped up feet in flip flops determined to make it all the way. I even walked with one fierce woman who not only had blisters covering her feet, but she also lost a toe nail the day before, yet onward she went.

At closing ceremonies, I led a special group of breast cancer survivors to the special survivor’s podium. Then I was honored to raise the flag signaling the end of the Dallas 2007 Breast Cancer 3 Day. And, yes we hugged and we cried.

Our message was loud and clear. Together, step-by-step, we are moving closer to a cure.

I also have some great news. The 3 Day was casting for a new TV commercial during the event. And, I interviewed actually twice on film. But, I figured with the hundreds of people they probably talked to, I had a slim chance of being considered. Well, guess what? They called last night and so it looks like I’m off to Los Angeles this Friday through Monday to tape a commercial along with 12 others! At least they didn't ask me to WALK to Los Angeles!

So, once again, stay tuned….