Tuesday, September 7, 2010

THE COUNT DOWN HAS BEEN RESET

It has taken me several days to be able to write this, as many of you know along with training for a 60 mile walk I have been dealing with a serious ankle injury that continues to flair its ugly head. My last blog was felt so good I had accomplished 16 miles in two days I had even accepted/decided that I would walk whatever my ankle would allow if that was 6 miles or 60 miles I was walking in this year's event!!!!

With lots of cyber voices in my head to listen to my body because I know it best with a reluctant spirit I went in to the Dr when out of the blue my ankle swelled so bad I almost could not drive myself home from back to school shopping with my daughter. I was told that the joint fluid is seeping out of the holes were the screws were at. Which is what is causing the swelling and nerve pain. I will be having yet another surgery to fill in the remaining holes that have not filled in naturally on their own.

Meaning with only 58 days until the Dallas Fort Worth 2010 event I will not be ready. This has been a major disappointment especially since the first time I signed up in 2006 I was unable to walk due to the unknown of my Thyroid Cancer. The good news is that the SGK group has reviewed my case and under special circumstance is allowing me to roll over to the 2011 event.

So instead of 58 days to get ready to walk I now have 414 days......I am pretty sure that just means I have lots of time to train. I plan on being one heck of a cheerleader though during this event!!!!

Standing Firm, 

Tanya

Monday, August 23, 2010

Perspective

So last Wednesday was a pretty rough day but I kept trying to flip the script and remind myself that in order to have the battles I had things in my life to battle. Then I went to church that night and guess what the night was about??? You guessed it Perspective! So I really have been working on my perspective this week.

This weekend I was able to get all 16 weekend training miles in and my body didn't even hate me when I was done but it didn't start out so great. 

Saturday I planned on getting up before the sun in hopes of beating the Texas heat but I fell asleep Friday night and didn't set my alarm plus I had to stop by the church, so I was finally free to start walking at 9:15. I decided to walk around a very small city lake thinking it would be boring but at least there would be shade. So I finally get there and start walking only to find out that my ipod wasn't working. My first thought was UGH!!! I am going home, but I didn't and what do you know my perspective on the day was changed. At the end of my first lap a friend I haven't seen in almost a year caught up to me and we walked another lap together.  She left as she had already done a few laps so here I was back to boring little 1/2 mile laps. Wrong again I was entertained by 100's of ducks of all kinds being feed by lots of giggling kiddos.  One little boy that was about 6 was feeding a duck when the duck decided he needed more so he starting coming closer to the boy when the boy pointed his finger and yelled NO...Totally I said NO. He just kept repeating it louder and louder until the duck backed off. It really was priceless. Several laps later this VSOM (very sweet old man) who was just enjoying the day stopped me to ask me how many times I was going to walk around the lake, I just giggled and told him my plan was 20 times for a total of 10 miles. I explained what I was training for and was blessed by him for what I was doing. I ended up flip flopping the days and did 6 miles Saturday and 10 Sunday but my perspective was so changed I decided to go back on Sunday for my 10 miles. 
                                                   These two ducks are doing hand stands
                                           This is how you beat the Tx heat hide in the water.

So all in all I have to say that I have been successful in changing my perspective on things. As the miles get longer in the coming weeks instead of thinking about how hot it is outside I will be focusing on the joys and beauty all around us. I will be thinking about the ladies and men that would gladly trade spot with us. Who knows I may just leave the ipod at home.

Standing Firm, 

Tanya

Sunday, August 15, 2010

I will NOT be defeated!!!!!!!!

Like most newbies I started the 3day eager and so overly excited, for me it wasn't just a walk it was my way of taking a stand and fighting back so that no one has to hear the words "you have cancer" again. I know medically speaking the type of cancer you have makes all the difference. The treatments are different the effects are different the outcomes can be very different but emotionally as a human being in that exact moment when the Dr says those words it is all the same for ever life changing. So although I am four years clear of the "easy" Thyroid cancer I knew I still had to make a difference.

While training and fund-raising I have battled the same ups and downs that most have. An event not going so well, a friend not being as excited as I am, sore feet, scrapped knees from a sidewalk jumping up and biting you, the sunburns from forgetting the sunblock, but the one that has almost defeated me was the ankle surgeries. When I started out in February my family all worried about my ankle. For those that don't know I was in a major car wreck three years ago and had to have my ankle rebuilt fourteen rods and two plates. Up to a few months ago I had had no problems with the ankle but then one day after a five mile training walk it happened.....the screws started moving causing problems, surgery would fix it. Wrong, that only led to more problems and another surgery. Several weeks went by and I thought all was good but NO... the ankle had other plans and a couple of more trips back to the Dr. 

Then this week at church we had an event we call Wake Week, it is prayer and fasting, and to be quite honest there was very little praying about the ankle. But don't you know that we serve an amazing God and when we put others needs first and listen to the desire of God's heart he is gracious and takes care of the desires of our heart.   

After not doing any real training for about a month (don't get me wrong there have been a few walks in there) and in the last two weeks I couldn't even get a tennis shoe on my foot without major swelling! Friday I said self it is time to get back on the horse with only a little over 80 days to go or you have to give into defeat and walk away. You still have fund-raising to do which has been a little slow since I have been so bummed with the ankle. I have never been one to give up very easy so after a long talk with God Saturday morning I got up and walked 8 miles with little to know problem. 

Everyone has said this walk is about so much more than 60 miles it is life changing and that everyone deserves a lifetime. They are so right I just never knew how right they were. I think I understand a little bit better the idea of fighting for what you believe in. I think I understand maybe just a tiny bit the struggle so many of us have to sit still sometimes. I think I understand how to listen to my body a little bit better. So now that I know I won't be defeated I am off to pick up my daughter and go walk 6 more miles today.


Standing Firm, 
Tanya

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

T MINUS 100 DAYS

WOW....100 DAYS UNTIL THE SUSAN G. KOMEN 3DAY WALK FOR THE CURE DFW 2010 EVENT!!! 

When I signed up back in February, November sounded so far away I remember thinking that is almost an entire year away there is no way I can't be ready with that kind of time. Then this past weekend as I read Facebook, Twitter, and blogs from all the Boston walkers I remember thinking MAN, there is only a little over 100 days will I really be ready to walk 60 miles in 3 days?

                                                          Boston walkers having lunch

My daughter and I have been talking about the 100 day mark coming up and thought it would be cool to do something like they do in school to mark the 100th day. 

Fun Facts
A football field is a 100 yards.
In the next 100 days I am scheduled to walk 410 miles. 
To this point there are over 100 words in this blog.


Serious Facts
40,610 deaths from Breast Cancer in a year, that is 111.2 a day, that means in the next 100 days before the walk 11,120 people will die in the USA.
192,370 Invasive cases of Breast Cancer in a year that is 527 new cases a day, that means in the next 100 days before the walk 52,700 new cases of  Invasive Breast Cancer.
62,280 Non invasive cases of Breast Cancer in a year this is 170 new cases a day, that means in the next 100 days before the walk 17,000 new case of non-invasive Breast Cancer.
That is a total of 69,700 new cases of Breast Cancer in between now and November 5th. 

I pray that your wife, daughter, sister, niece, friend, or cousin  is not one of those new cases won't you help me fight to bring those numbers down. By clicking on the pink button and making a donation to my Susan G. Komen account helping me reach my goal of $2300.00.  Together we can get to a day were we count the days without Breast Cancer.




 Standing Firm,
Tanya

Monday, July 19, 2010

T MINUS 16 WEEKS OR 108 DAYS

First let me say a huge "thank you to everyone" for all the positive words and pick me ups along this journey especially when the ankle was not playing nice BUT and that is a BIG BUT the last surgery seems to have worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was able to walk this weekend outside and in a shoe with out to much pain or swelling when I got done. As I have said I will be changing my "official" training schedule to the 16 week since I just don't feel like I was able to stick close enough to the 24 week training to feel successful. 

With my new job (which is going great) so close to the house I plan on walking to and from work or at least to for now. The Texas heat is at 100*F + at 5:00pm with a heat index of about 110*F so I will just have to play the walk home by hear. I am so excited to get back to training I just giggle when I think about it because way back in February when I signed up I never thought I would really enjoy training!!

I have even put my training schedule on the fridge and have my daughter working as my accountability partner I am not sure I should give my daughter the "go ahead to raz me" but I did wish me luck with that......lol

Monday = rest
Tuesday = 3 miles
Wednesday = 0 cross training
Thursday = 4 miles
Friday = 15 minutes cross training
Saturday = 5 miles
Sunday = 3 miles

Guess I just put it out there for all of you to be my accountability partner. Happy walking be safe out there!


Standing Firm, 

Tanya 

Thursday, July 8, 2010

T minus 18 weeks

SSSSHHHOOO.....

The last two weeks have been a whirl wind of days. I finally got thru the surprise party for my Grandmother. I was really starting to think the big day would never get here. 200 people, 600 chicken kabobs, 50 lbs of roasted potatoes, ice sculpture, decorations, more food, a rain storm that had the streets steaming from the sudden drop in temps. However the look on her face and the tears of joy and love were a huge payoff for me. It made all the anxiety so worth it and reminded me that if this lady can have a successful business for 50 years with the odds against her I can walk 60 miles in 3 days with so many people on my side!!!!!

                                                          Dannyelle, Grandma, Cierra


I had a job interview and landed the new job, which is only 2 miles from my house so I will now be walking to work and still get home in less time than it took me to get home from my previous job. Then to top it all off I had to go back in for surgery last Thursday the day before the party. My silly ankle just would NOT heal. They found two stitches that did not dissolve which allowed Stap to set in. 

                                               Notice the pink flip-flops and ace bandage

In one of the few down moments I have had I set down with the 16 week training schedule for the 3-day and with reluctance finally decided I am going to start following that plan. Although I have been working in training as much as I could with the ankle I just don't think I have been able to stick close enough to consider the 24 week plan a success. Dr Medlock agreed that would be best he still believes I will be able to successfully complete the DFW walk in November.  So although I "officially" have this week and next without training I have kept doing a little on the treadmill again and hopefully next week will be allowed to get back outside. 

I also need to get back to fun-raising the team still has a bit to go to reach goal. My soldier nephews want me to try another car wash and say they will come out in uniform holding signs that say: "Soldiers support the Boobs" which totally cracks me up!!

 Standing Firm,
Tanya 


Ps. If you haven't donated to a 3day walker yet get busy the first event is less than a month away which means every event is getting closer.  It's easy click the pretty pink button on their blog, facebook, twitter or goto www.the3day.org and look them up by name.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

PIT STOPS

Now as a newbie 3day walker and one who's training was interrupted there are moments that I have felt like I didn't have much training advise to offer.

Sunday all that changed I went on my longest walk to date, a 6 mile loop from my house to my boyfriend's family shop and back to the house. There are a couple of stores and if needed my ex-mother-in-laws house, or my gradmothers just a block or so off the route. In my mind I was ready to go. I had decided although I normally walk with two water bottles and my 3day backpack I was going to go light this time since it was my first outside walk since surgery. I only took 1 bottle of water and no backpack with snacks.

My plan was to turn around at the shop it was the 3 mile marker

I thought I can stretch there and go to the restroom....wrong! Did I mention it was Sunday?!? No one was there to get inside the restrooms. Let me just say I learned a whole new meaning for the "pee-pee" dance.

Thank goodness one of those stores I mentioned was only about a mile back towards home. Luckly they were not one of those stores that say "no public restrooms". So I was able to splash my face with water...since it is Texas and was well of 80 degrees at 7-8 a.m. I bought me a bottle of smart water a package of nuts and finished the walk.

This was also the point that I realized why all the veteran walkers say take the time to pit-stop and stretch. I did take a minute at the turn around point to stretch but after getting a fresh,cold drink of water and a little on my face I spent a couple of minutes really resting and strecthing those legs.

I never realized that a few minutes and a cold drink of water had the magical powers to make you feel like a new person.

Then as I got to the end of my street I drank the last drink of water. I know some would say at least I made it home before running out. Maybe its the years of youth sports but no water makes me nervous. The what "ifs" have a way of kicking in.

The moral of my tell is small or long walk be prepared. Think about the day you are walking and make sure you know for sure that business you plan on using as a pit stop are open and public friendly.  Take your liquids with you don't take short cuts it could be your health at risk.


Standing Firm,
Tanya

Ps. With all the "event cities" in full training mode and some as close to the event date as 4 weeks. If you haven't donate to a 3day walker please do so. It's easy just click on the pretty pink button on their facebook, blog or goto http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name. We are doing the hard part by training and walking 60 miles won't you help us save the boobs by donating????

Monday, June 28, 2010

T Minus 19 Weeks

I started out last week rocking and rolling I was finally able get Tuesday's 3 miles done with shoes on even if still on the treadmill. So I had planned on attempting to do Thursday's 4 miles outside. For some unknown reason by Thursday mid-day I couldn't hardly step on my right foot, every time I stepped down I felt this weird pull on my Achilles tendon I'm sure it has something to do with the ankle but decided I wouldn't push my luck and gave up on Thursday's miles.

With the weekend approaching I was more than a little worried because the weekend called for a total of 10 miles. Not only is my ankle still on IT'S on schedule but I am planning a huge surprise party for my Grandmother who has been in business for herself for 50 years. How was I going to get it all in training, and starting the final preparations for the party which is this coming weekend.

Saturday dawned and closed with no training walk but there was 13 straight ours of rolling flatware, making centerpieces, making brochures, scanning pictures and a few more small projects. I was NOT going to let the entire weekend get a way from me so Sunday morning I was up with the birds and out the door. Yes, I made it outside. Not sure how far I would make it (since this was the first outside walk since surgery)  I had a planned route for 6 miles or 4 miles. I later found out that my boyfriend didn't think I would make it to the end of the street since I was still a bit if-y with the way the shoe was rubbing on the ankle.

I am totally stoked to say I made it all 6 miles and felt...GREAT!! Well maybe proud is a better word because there were a few times I wasn't sure about going on. Then I decided to talk to the person who talked me into this 3day thing in the first place. God. I was like ok...You told me to do this several years ago and this was to be the year I was to walk. Now you know I have to train for such a HUGE, BOLD, CRAZY task so please Lord help me get my mind off the "rubbing" and "self", help me to get focused on the training and the reason I am doing this in the first place. To change lives!!!!!!!!!!

After a little back and forth just like always the grace of the Lord was at hand and 6 miles was done. I did learn a few things about pit stops but I will post that later this week.

Fundraising is at a pit stop right now since I have to finish this party but after the holiday weekend I will get back to meeting goal.

Week 19 calls for a total of 21 miles. I am diffently going to have to do some planning if I am to get them all in. I am truly in awe of the vets that have learned to juggle life and 3day.


Standing Firm
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated to a 3day walker yet, you know the drill click on one of the pretty pink buttons on their facebook, blog, or simply goto http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

Over the last month I have gone from the little train that "thinks she can" to the girl that was feeling totally defeated and allowing that crazy and annoying voice in my head to start questioning "what am I doing", "is the 3day really in my future?"

Not because of money although I, like all newbies, have been a little FREAKED over $2300.00 but I am happy to say that with the donations I still need to send in from fundraisers we have had.  I am less than $200.00 away from the minium goal.

Because of this dang ankle and the long process to heal. So much for day surgery and walking on it that night. But and its a big BUT last night I do believe was the turning point I was able to walk 3 precious miles with a shoe on!!!!!!!!!

Now in Texas we don't really like shoes after March because when it's 100 + degrees in the afternoon and 80 at 6:00 a.m. you'r flip flops become your best friend but (again with the buts) to train for 60 miles you need to be in shoes that support your feet and ankles which flip flops don't do. 

With last nights victory I am aiming to do Thursday's 4 miles outside. I know...I know I just said the temps are out of control but the treadmill seems way harder to me. I don't know if it because you aren't moving or if I don't have something set right. But my legs have always hurt after the big bad treadmill. But I have to get thru tonight's 15 mins of cross-training first.

Wish me luck with both.


Standing Firm
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated yet to a 3day walker...What are you waiting for??? Get busy click the pretty pink button on their facebook, blog or goto http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name.


Monday, June 21, 2010

T Minus 20 Weeks

With father's day this past weekend we watched lots of baseball at our house and I couldn't help but laugh when I thought about how the 3day resembles baseball.  We are fighting to save second base and we track everything!  We track miles walked and not just walked but how many miles are on each pair of shoes. We can tell you how long our favorite path is, which stores allow potty breaks. Heck I even applied for a job near my home and before I even went in to visit with them I had clocked the mileage thinking I could work it in to training.

Now for most of you veteran walkers this is not new and have probably thought similar things but I have never been a huge baseball fan to my father's disappointment and more than once have I laughed at all the things they count. I suppose those giggles will be a little less now that I am a counter.

The ankle is still giving me problems and I am not totally back to the training schedule but I AM finding was to out smart the ankle.

Wednesday = 1 morning mile outside with shoes on
Thursday = 1 mile on the treadmill (a special thanks to my honey for moving into the bedroom for me)
Friday = 1 mile on the treadmill
Saturday = 1 mile on the treadmill with shoes and 3 more without. Now I did have break in between each mile to let the nerves calm down.

Now the total mileage for last week was 16 and I only got 7 but hey that is 7 more than I had the last 4 weeks since surgery. I am very hopeful that all that pre-official-training since February when I signed up for the 3day will pay-off. I didn't get in any cross-training and I am really working on myself about that.

There are times that 20 weeks seem like a forever distance/time away then there are times that I think to myself with "ONLY" 20 weeks left before the 3day I still have so much to train and prepare for. So my goal for this week is to stick to the training schedule as much as the ankle will allow.

Monday = is suppose to be a rest day but I think I will do a couple of miles to have them in incase I am lacking at the end of the week.
Tuesday = 3 miles (my goal is to do this with shoes on the entire time)
Wednesday = 15 mins of weight training ( I am pretty sure once I dust the dust off I have a weight bench in my den)..lol
Thursday = 4 miles
Friday = 30 minutes of cross training (maybe I can find a pool to beat this Texas heat and still call it training)

Saturday = 6 miles
Sunday = 4 miles

That's a total of 17 miles and 45 minutes of cross training now I am not sure how well the ankle will play but I do know that I will give it all I've got and along the way I will try to remember what a friend told me last week " defeat is not trying"!

On the fundraising side of things I have to plan another "something" I just have not decided what it will be yet. I have a few ideas swirling around but they may have to wait until after July 4th weekend. We have alot planned for the next two weeks.

Until then Standing Firm,
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated to a 3day walker yet please click on the pretty pink button on their blog, facebook or goto http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name. Remember we each have at least $2300.00 to raise and without the help, love, and support of folks like you we wouldn't have to train because there would be no walk. No way to kick breast cancer booty!

Monday, June 14, 2010

T MINUS 21 WEEKS

So I was hoping that after my release last week to start training I would at least have a couple of miles to report today. Didn't happen (insert sad face here) I tried putting my training shoes on and my foot YELLED back don't do it! Not only did I hear my foot but I heard almost in chorus all the wonderful 3day vets that have said over and over again listen to your body. With my best sad face on I took my shoes off and decided I would give this silly ankle of mine a few more days. I am happy to say that last night I was able to get my training shoes on and wore them for about 30 minutes. There is still swelling but the nerve pain seems to be lease often. By George...I believe we will call that progress! Who knows I just might get some miles in this week. My goal was to be back to full speed by week 20. I still have time.

On the fundraising side of things we had our Topless Carwash Saturday and let me start off first with two words SUNBLOCK and LOCATION!!!!!!!!!!

If you are going to be in the Texas sun for any length of time let a lone 5 hours you would think one would remember sunblock. Well I suppose after all these years I will have to find another reminder because my kids put on their on sunblock now. You would think after all that I do for them they would offer Mom some sunblock...lol

Really though ladies and gentlemen it is not a laughing matter skin cancer is as real as breast cancer or any other phrase that ends in cancer...tie a ribbon around your finger, put the bottle at the top of your bag, set a reminder on your fancy phone whatever you have to do but remember the sunblock. In the short run it keeps you from whinning for days because you are burnt and down the road you won't have to worry about skin cancer.

Now for location it is everything when doing a fundraiser that depends on the public. As I have mentioned a few times I was involved in youth sports for 14 years. Which means I have done several carwashes I am very sad to say this was one of the most unsuccessful in terms of money brought in. We handed out lots of flyers, we had lots of signs and used every social media we could think of. But the building we were at was a little set back from the road therefore not allowing the passer-by to see all the fun and carrying on. 

Leason learned make sure you can be seen. Overall we had fun it just means we need to find another great idea to get us to goal.


Standing Firm
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated to a 3day walker please click on their pretty pink button located on their blog, facebook page or goto http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What an Amazing Day

Yesterday was an amazing day, I went to the Dr for yet another follow-up to my lovely surgery. First let me just say I am not usually negative nellie but between my Thryoid cancer summer four years ago my carwreck three years ago last summer was the only free summer. I mean with water play or anything fun for that matter because this one was not starting out looking to promising so my spirits were pretty yucky to say the least.


Now Dr. Medlock has said from the start that I would not miss the walk or even more than a few weeks of training and for most they would have taken that at face value. But not me I felt defeated once again on the 3day that I was trying to tackle. Maybe that is because the first time I signed up to walk in the 3day was the year I found out about my cancer and had to pull out of the walk.  Maybe it is just because I am that person that has to control everything, or maybe it was because I am still working and learning how to listen and trust God in ALL areas of my life. I have said from the very first time I was going to do this walk it was because God was sitting next to me and said "you will walk in the Susan G. Komen 3day Walk for the Cure." Whatever it was yesterday I shot that negative nellie spirit down when Dr. Medlock told me that I could start training again. I am sure I won't be right back at where I left off at 5 miles.  I have told myself I may even have to start back at 1 mile just to see how the swelling and nerve pain I am still having handles the right foot in front of the other. But whatever mileage I make will be on the upside of things and at the end of week 22 I will have "offical training mileage" to report. YAH ME!!!!!

If that wasn't good enough last night I was chceking twitter and noticed a post from SGK about the 2010 College Scholarship Recipients. You can read all about the amazing young adults here. Now as a parent I hope my children never qualify for this scholarship but with young adult and teenage children I always have my eye open for scholarships you just maybe surprised at who offers them. I have to say after reading this article I was that much more ready to get back to training and fundraising. How cool is it that SGK helps not only the women and men fighting this awful disease but their children if they happen to lose their battle.

Now I don't know about you but that sounds like a organzation that I want to help and be a part of, so if you haven't donate to a 3day walker yet won't you please click on the pretty pink button. You can find it on their blog, on their facebook or you can go to http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name.

Standing Firm,

Tanya

Monday, June 7, 2010

T MINUS 22 WEEKS AND COUTING

 I had another Dr visit and although I really like my Dr and think he is wonderful, he was not my favorite person Friday. I was told the wound is not healing properly so we are trying a wet/dry compression with another visit tomorrow to make sure they are working if not he implied another surgery to remove the dead skin and remaining fluid from the cyst.  Now I don't know about you but that doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun.

My spirits have been alot better over the weekend than they were last week. I guess we all have our moments and like a friend reminded me over the weekend. I have a great boyfriend that has been wonderful and taken such good care of me with a smile on his face the whole time!! What more can a girl ask for than a loving man to wait on her and watch sappy chick-filks?!?!?!? SSSSHHHHH don't tell him I gave him up after all he has a tough guy image to uphold.

We have our team Topless Carwash this weekend which should be a hoot and hopefully get us over our minimum to walk in this crazy thing we all call the 3day. We have a raffle with some great prizes, Ranger tickets, a camera, a massage, a wonderful piece of jewelry, a dinner out. We have several local vendors that are coming out to show their support. Best Days Club will have food, music and drink specials all afternoon so we should have a great day!!!!!!!!!! Plus I get to go shopping for a new bathing suit this week I am not sure if that will be fun or rough but it will be another day with my daughter so I am looking forward to it.

So although I would love to be hitting the hot Dallas pavement walking 15 miles this week and making sure I have plenty of Smart water, a backpack or a fanny pack that I like. As well as using the 3day as a great reason to find a pool to swim in  (we have to cross train don't we?) I will be letting my foot continue to heal so that it will carry me 60 miles in November.

I was looking at the training schedule and I still have a couple of weeks before we surpass the mileage I was walking before the surgery so hopefully I will be back at it soon and really won't lose to much ground from being down. My goal is to be back at it by week 20 when the DFW walkers should inculde a 5 mile walk in the middle of the week.

Wish me luck and Stand Firm,
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donate to a 3day walker click on the pretty pink button on their blog or facebook. Heck you can even go to http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name. Any way you do it just do it help us reach a world without breast cancer.

Friday, May 28, 2010

T23 weeks and Counting

Apparently having 14 screws and 2 plates removed from your ankle is not as easy or painless as some (me) would think. This week has had a lot of down time and although we wish for it during our day to day, crazy, busy schedules when it is forced upon me it makes me crazy. Not a little antsy I mean all out emotional with tears, snapping at people kind of crazy. As a single Mom all things have always fallen on me and I belive it is my job to tend to them. When the truth be told my kids are pretty grown at 21 and 15 they really don't need me for the day to day. Which is why I decided to finally do the 3day walk but that is for another post.

My kids have been great and my boyfriend has been amazing this week driving me to and from work...now keep in mind I work over 40 miles away from where we live so that has been an extra 4 hours a day for him just driving.

So last night after we got home and my daughter was making us dinner I thought to myself.....Self why have you been acting like such a baby this week? The kids have been just fine with Mom not at full speed, the house didn't fall apart and noone missed a meal. It got me to really thinking about how lucky I am to have just honored my 4 year cancer survior date and why I really am doing the 3day.

And if my own thoughts didn't get me a little choked up my wonderful daughter came in the living room and we had some very special Mom and Daughter time. I gave her free will to paint my toes and fingers. Now to some that may not seem like a big deal but my daughter is very colorful. I have pink zebra finger nails and orange and green toes. Lovely aren't they???

Since she just finished her freshman year in high school I am very aware of how fast time goes and how in the blink of an eye she will be doing her own thing. So these are special moments anyway but add to that the already emotional week this Mom has had it really was special. I posted it on my Facebook and knew the Moms would all comment or "like" it but what I didn't know was that some of the other teenagers would "like" it. So after she went back to doing her own thing I laid on the couch and thought about the Moms who have lost their battle to cancer, the ones that are fighting with everything they have and no matter how much they would love to have orange and green toes they just can't muster the energy to sit up in bed and let their sweet daughter paint them. It made me realize its just not the Moms that miss and enjoy this time but the kids do to....we (I) tell myself that my kids are getting big and they don't need me but the truth is just as I will always need them they will always need me.

I can honestly tell you that the pitty pot I have been on this week was put AWAY and I will honor not just my 4 year surviour date but I will honor all of those ladies past, present and future that cancer effects. I will focus on the goal and give my foot the proper time to heal without fuss, so come Nov 5-7 I can stand with thousands of other men and women to show that honor.

On the funraising note I got a $300 donation this week which makes me $237.00 away from goal so things are moving along pretty nicely there. We have a carwash planned in June and hope to meet or exceed my goal then.


Standing Firm
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated to a 3day walker yet please click on the pretty pink button on their blog or facebook page or even go to http://www.the3day.org/ and look them up by name. Either way please just help us reach a world without cancer.

Monday, May 24, 2010

3DAY FAIRY

Earlier today I blogged about pushing thru, doing things because they are the right thing. This afternoon I just have to share because the must be a 3 day fairy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


As of this morning I had $1253.00 in my SGK account. I am holding a $45.00 cash donation that needs to be sent in. Plus we had our team garage sale this weekend and I raised $465.00 cash that will be mailed in this week. Which brought me to $1763.00 only $537.00 away from my goal of $2300.00.

Yippie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo-hoooo!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I have another fundraiser planned for June 12th, I will make my goal. Which with the being my first walk I have worried alot meeting my goal. Then in 3day magic just when I wasn't sure I could make it to the end of this day. I got a phone call that my grandmothers company is donating $300.00. That means that as of right now I am only $237.00 away from my fundraising goal.

Woo-hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I then got a phone call from my boyfriends mother who ownes another local company asking if I was still doing tshirts with company names and I told her yes...most certainly yes. She asked if I still had room for them and that she will be donating in the very near future.


WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO looks like this newbie will make goal and still have time to raise extra

Week 24 and Counting

Thursday morning dawned and without coffee I made my way to the day surgery facility. I was prepared to draw on my full reserve of patients since Dr. Medlock worked me in on such short notice. To my pleasant surprise I was set for 12:30 and by 12:45 I was being given the "happy juice". The surgery went as planned and I was back home by dinner time.

Friday morning while playing with the remote and realizing there is nothing on during the day my lovely little smart phone buzzed and it was an email from Susan G. Komen "Your virtual Personal Trainer". Now this shouldn't be a big deal as I knew that Friday was the start of the official training for the DFW event, I also knew that just out of surgery I wouldn't be walking over the weekend or for a couple of weeks most likely. But nonetheless it made me a little sad actually I think it is what has started the "poor pitful me ball" to rolling.

Now let me back up and just say that the Dr. said I should be able to walk on my foot later the night of surgery.  Which I didn't even try but Friday morning when I couldn't I was bumbed.

Saturday was our team garage sale which I have been collecting things for weeks now and had no intention of cancelling. Thanks to my one of my wonderful sisters and my boyfriends mother who were my legs we made $465.00.  Which if I do say so myself that is not to shabby!!!!!!!!! This should have made me fell great since I was still doing something to raise awareness and funds to kick breast cancer booty BUT it didn't. I got home and my foot was huge and hurt even though I had really stayed off of it. So even though we still had a ton we could have sold on Sunday I decided that my teammate and all my helpers had done so much already I couldn't ask them to give up the only remaining day of their weekend, so we took the leftovers to Goodwill.

Sunday I stayed home, kept the foot iced, propped and rested. It is amazing to me that during our day to day crazy lives we would give anything to have a lazy Sunday a day to just watch movies and eat but when we are told we have to have one of those days it makes ME crazy.........lol

It is now noon on Monday and kicking and whinning I came to work today. After all I had been off 2 days and needed to get stuff done. I needed to get back to being me. Easier said than done. Although I am walking on my foot today it is not the most pleasant feeling. My boyfriend had a flat on my car on the way back home after bringing me to work (since I still can't drive myself). I have spent way more money on Dr's in the last two weeks than I really had or certainly planned on.

I want my blanky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But this is T minus 24 weeks until the Susan G. Komen 3day walk for the Cure DFW event. So I started thinking....Why?....Why?.....Why?

Why I am I walking.... because I have heard those words "you have cancer" and this is MY way of doing something so no other mother has to hear those words.
Why am I feeling so sorry for myself.... because I am human and usually for me it is because I am not leaning on God like I should be, sounds like a little prayer time is in order.
Why did my boyfriend have a flat today.... because that is just life and things happen. But what it really means is that we are blessed to have a car that will need repairs.

So although I would love to be planning my routes to meet my 12 miles worth of training this week, I will limit the use of my foot and allow it to heal properly. I will be grateful for the $465.00 we raised during our funraiser and keep working on the next one. I will as my pastor says spend this alone time as God time, and keep heading on this journey that I am learning to call the 3day.


Standing Firm,
Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated yet to a 3day walker click on the pretty pink buttons we all have them on our blogs or on our facebook. There is still money to raise and lifes to change.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Hurry Up and Wait

Instant satisfaction...That's me!!!! I don't mind working my rear-end off to get IT but when I am done I want the pay-off right then and there no questions asked just give me the pay-off.

Thanks to all the wonderful 3day bloggers I am learning that the pay-off is not instant. Kristen of Kristen Walks writes about the 3day is a Journey not the Destination which you can read here. Thank goodness she did otherwise I may have had a total break down yesterday. As I have mentioned before I was in a serious car wreck almost 3 years ago and had to have my right ankle rebuilt. Lots of metal and therapy later I was good as new. Most of my family was worried when I signed up for the 3day, saying things like are you sure you can walk that far with your ankle. I am not sure you should do it remember your ankle.

Well I am pretty stubborn and once my mind is made up I go for IT. In this case that meant hitting the pavement. I have however kept an eye on my ankle after all I can't walk in a 3day, 60 mile event not to mention the hundreds of miles of training if my ankle doesn't work....right?

A week ago Saturday I went for my first 5 mile walk only to get home and noticed that there was a large cyst on my ankle. I watched it for a couple of days but it didn't go away so I made the scary phone call to the doctor. I say scary because if the news wasn't good it could de-rail my whole plan.

Yesterday was the Dr. visit and sure enough I have to have surgery to remove the hardware because the natural fluid that is in your joints is leaking thru one of the wholes causing the cyst. He says he could just drain it but it will just come back so the only way to make sure I make it to my pay-off is by having the surgery.

Like I said I want the instant satisfaction.....I DON"T like hearing the words "hurry up and wait". Dr. Medlock and his tech Travis are super guys they know how much this walk means to me and literally squeezed me in for Thursday so I could get this over with as fast as possible and back to training.

The official 24 week training for DFW starts this Friday the day after my surgery. Dr. Medlock says I won't be starting that one but says I will be good to go before the 16 week training starts.

So I just want to thank all the 3day-ers that share they wisdom, love and guidance to us newbies. Without each of you yesterday could have been just awful instead it was just another speed bump in the road. Which by the way you can read Margie's Magenta Miles here where she too talks about delays.


Standing Firm
Tanya

Ps. Have you donated to a 3day walker today? If not click on the pretty pink button and get to donating.

Monday, May 17, 2010

T-7 AND COUNTING

This past Friday after getting home from the hospital with my daughter late I threw in laundry so I would have something pink to wear for the Kick-Off walk Saturday morning. I went thru the mental check list...pink shirt, backpack, shoes and fluid. I knew where it all was and was ready for my walk. YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday morning shined all to soon but I was up and ready to go. I picked up my sister (my un-offical team mate) and off we headed. We got to New Balance with pink everywhere and butterflies started. For a breif second I thought "what in the world am I doing"? I don't talk to strangers. I am not a fit/exercise junky. I am just an average person what makes me think I can take on this HUGE,BOLD, CRAZY  challenge?

Then I realized I do talk to strangers... they have helped get over 50% of my fundraising already meet. They have given me help with fundraising letters. They have given me cyber high fives. I am an exercise junky...I walk 3-4 times a week and have even made one 5 mile walk, with a week until the "offical" training season starts for DFW. I am not just an average person... I am a Mom, Daughter, Grandaughter, Sister, Girlfriend, Cousin. I am a women that has been told the words " you have cancer" and have promised myself I would someday to my part in making sure that word no longer carried any weight.

So out of my car I climbed and what do you know I no sooner signed in then a lovely lady started talking to us just like we had been friends forever. No stranger there! My sister and I talked and I realized that during that check list I went thru I realized I didn't bring a camera....I have to remember my camera...I tell my son all the time take pictures you are going to want them later...HAHA.

We started our walk and I told my sister lets just walk our normal pace no matter where we end up in the crowd. This is our first walk with a group of walkers and I really want to know how I am fairing. What do you know we were in the front of the middle pack. Not bad for a girl that doesn't like to exercise.

The rest of the weekend was spent working on our team garage sale and today I printed out my 24 week training schedule. I felt just like a kid at Christmas time counting down the days until training starts.

Here we are at T-7 and counting. This time next week I will be mapping out and TRACKING my walks. Which up to this point I have not been keeping up with, I have just walked to get ready.


Standing Firm,

Tanya

Ps. If you haven't donated click today that pretty pink button there is a person out there waiting on you.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Leason Learned

Over the years my Dad has told me "kids are like sponges...they soak up everything around them". He has several of these little tidbits but when it comes to the 3day this one seems to fit the best. At least in my case, I have read, and read and did I say I have read all things 3day. Blogs, facebook, twitter, anything 3day that I can get my hands on. Since this will be my first walk I want make sure I am prepared I don't like going into things blind so to speak.

I haven't just been reading all this to fill my day I have taken it to heart. I bought (really I was gifted, thanks Grandma) a good pair of shoes that I only wear while training. I have bought me a couple of pair of socks again that I only wear while training. I bought me a nice little back pack from the 3day shop complete with phone & id holder. I even broke down a couple of weeks ago and got me two nice re-useable water bottles after reading what else but a blog about hydration and have been forcing myself to drink water not just while training but all day everyday. I have even been trying different types of drinks with electrolytes since these type drinks are not on my favorite drinks list.

Which brings me to my point Saturday I walked my first 5 mile walk and was pretty proud of myself until I got home and noticed that my ankle was more swollen than normal and has some kind of knot on it. So I took a couple of days off from walking trying to listen to my body as we are so often told thinking this would help the problem. But last night I just couldn't sit any longer I had to get out and move around so I thought I will go for a small walk...just 3 miles. Since this wasn't really a planned walk all I had was water straight from the tap. You know the kind your Dad use to tell you to drink cuz it was good for you, not the high priced pretty bottle kind. I had no Gatorade, no smart water, nothing just tap water. I thought to myself...Self you are just walking a few miles water will do the trick. So I filled up my cute little re-useable bottle with some ice and tap water and out the door I headed.

Have I mentioned before that I live in Dallas, Texas?!? Which means we have four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas. Right now we are in the almost summer season which means it was 87 degrees at 6:30 in the evening with about 80% humidity.

Let's just say I have learned my lesson there is a reason all the wonderful and smart people of the 3day say drink something with electrolytes in it. In just 3 short miles I gave myself a lovely little headache and felt yucky when I got home.


Standing Firm
Tanya

Ps. remember to donate I am still working on meeting my $2300 goal.
www.the3day.org/goto/miccroft

Monday, May 10, 2010

I THINK I CAN

So last week I was felling a little overwhelmed to say the least.....but that was then and this is now!!!!!!!!!!! Monday is the start of a new week with new challenges and new surprises.

But before we get started with this week, I have to give myself a great BIG hi-five. Saturday morning I rolled myself out of bed not super early but my household was still snoozing taking adventage of the day off. First I remembered to charge my ipod (and for me that is no small task), showered and headed out the door. I was determined to walk 5 miles. Now for a few of you that may not sounds like a big deal but for this girl that was a big milestone. And as my fellow walker Cat of the FatGirl Walking blog says in her post today, this is worthy of a reward. Not sure what that might be yet but I am sure I can surf around the 3day site and find something I need....lol

I spent the rest of Saturday working on ragtop flip flops that I am selling to raise funds toward my goal. If I could get my silly Blackberry to work I would post a picture because if I do say so myself they are super cute. Anyway later that evening my kiddos walk in with my Mother's day gift and yes I asked them if they knew Mother's day was the next day?!? After a chuckle and the eyes stopped rolling at me they handed me my gift and told me there was a reason I was getting it Saturday.  So now with some eager intrest I went to opening. There was a whole new outfit of course in pink. A new shirt, a new pair of shorts, a pair of flip flops I was told for when I didn't want to wear tennis shoes, a pair of socks that were pink with American hearts. I must say my daughter was the most proud of that find. Since I love the American theme and my kitchen and living room display that love.

I woke up Sunday and was ordered to stay in my room. Now there use to be a time that if my kids said stay in my room I would have come flying thru the door because that meant there was fixing to be a problem....lol
This time though I gladly stayed, enjoyed a cup of coffee (that was brought to me by my boyfriend) and just smiled listening to the noise being made in the kitchen. My daughter was fixing me breakfast and after sending my honey to the store NOT ONCE BUT TWICE FOR THINGS SHE NEEDED.  It looks like her cooking skills are coming along great even if her planning is still in the planning stages. Larry was a great sport about it and just laughed each time she called him. He said it was all worth it when he was ordered back to our room so that she could serve both of us breakfast in bed!

I sported my new outfit and enjoyed the rest of the day taking care of car issues which could have really bummed me out on anyother day but today was Mother's day and I wasn't going to let life get the best of me. We ended our great weekend with My Mom and siblings for dinner and lots of laughter.

So here we are at Monday with 26 weeks til the DFW event . A little over half way to my fundraising goal with two great events planned or should I say being planned and a few smaller fundraiser going on. I am felling like the little train..I think I can...I think I can....I think I can.


Standing Firm,

Tanya

Ps. Don't forget to donate, or mark your calendars for May 22nd (garage sale) or June 12th (topless car wash and Texas Hold "em Tournament

Thursday, May 6, 2010

OVERWHELMED.....UGH!!!!!!!!!!

Many times in my life I can recall my family laughing and saying..." O Tanya can do it",call Tanya she knows just where to get that",or Tanya can help you with throwing that party. I have even joked and said I may not have a PHD but I sure can throw a party. LOL

I am ususally doing all this while doing 50 other things. If my plate is not overflowing I am not happy. You know you have seen me...the lady that has a kid on the hip while cooking dinner and helping another kid with a school project and still reaching out to help the neighbor get to the store because their car is broke down but telling them we have to stop on the way because so and so needs me to drop of something. Yeah, that crazy person is me!
I always have a bag or two full of stuff incase I need something and yes I usually never even get in them. (I think I got that from my Grandmother)

However, the last few days I have just felt so overwhelmed. My sister has even told me several times "Stop and Breathe". We have our team garage sale coming up on May 22nd and I have been collecting like crazy. Thanks to all that have donated. I still have to price all of it.BUT..I will get it done. We have been blessed by Best Days a local bar that is allowing us to do a charity day on June 12th. Which we will have a Topless Car Wash, Texas Hold "em tournament and a Dart tournament. We are hoping to have some local vendors as well. This all sounds like a blast but the getting there is throwing me for a loop. Plus we have a large July 4th weekend planned that is totally not related to the 3day but alot is on my shoulders for this.

Shew!!!

There is a lot going on and did I mention that all of this is over and above my regular job, my part time job, and the Avon, candles, braclets and flip flops that I am also selling to help raise funds to meet my goal of $2300.

Heck, I have all this going on and have not even trained this week...I guess it is a good thing the offical training doesn't start for DFW until May 21st.

Have you ever felt like a bright Pink yo-yo on the end of a little girl's finger and her favorite game is around the world?

Thank you to all my cheerleaders that keep reminding me I can do this... I can walk 60 miles...I can raise $2300...I can throw a great event..I am a great mom.

I couldn't get thru Novemember 7th without each of you.

As always Standing Firm,
Tanya

ps. help me get to my goal by donating at www.the3day.org/goto/miccroft

Friday, April 30, 2010

1........2.........30 Minutes

Wednesday my daughter offered to be my walking buddy and since I never turn down one on one time with her I took her up on the offer although I was watching a Touched by Angel rerun w/ Randy Travis in it and really could have had a lazy night.

She loaded up her ipod and her phone which of course for she doesn't leave the house without and out the door we headed. We decided that even though I have been walking 4 miles tonight we would only walk 2 miles. I have read enough Facebook comments and other walker blogs to know that a walk is a walk and some are long and fast and some are slow and short but either way the feet are moving. So I decided to just enjoy the time with my daughter after all she is 15 and that means I don't always get Mom time.

We walked thru our neighborhood with her telling me that she has been telling friends and teachers about my fundraising efforts and that she has me a couple of orders which is pretty exciting for me. Then we pass a few girls walking and I get the low down on them. Which if you are a Mom of teenager girls you know to take it with a grain of salt because those they don't like today maybe their best friend next week.

Anyway on we kept walking not really talking about anything special and I look down and find a dollar bill just there for the picking. WOOOOHOOOO a dollar, before I could even say it she smiled at me and said "So I guess that is going towards your goal uh Mom" I had to laugh and just said Yep that makes me one dollar closer to my goal.

We got to our turn around point and were heading home when my phone buzzed and I guess she didn't hear it. It was just a message that I was reading when she asked are you making a facebook status on your dollar bill......lol.....I have only been part of the 3day since February but she knows I get really excited about donations of any amount.

Over all a pretty good walk I found $1 dollar, the 2 of us got some much needed time, and it only took about 30 minutes.


Til next time Standing Firm
Tanya

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Special People

You often hear parents say that they learn alot from their kids and you think yeah I bet especially if they are still in school. After all everything seems to be taught different and they sure seem to learn alot more than we did back when I was in school.

As adults we know that although kids learn academics in school they also learn so much more. They learn how to interact with people, they learn how to speak up for themselves, they learn how to accept authority. And every now and then they learn what it means to lose a special person. Well this past week I had the honor and heartbreak of watching a group of kids lose a very special teacher.

Being a parent we remember things our kids sometimes wish we didn't and a couple years ago when the kids had Mr. Silverglat as a teacher they didn't take to him right away. After all he wasn't the heartthrobe or the most cool teacher but he was special in his own right. Most of the kids took his class because they thought broadcasting would be a blow off class, something they didn't have to work very hard at.

As the year drew on they realized Mr. Silverglat was pretty cool, yes he pushed them, yes he gave them homework and yes he made them laugh alot. So over all not a bad guy and in the eyes of a teenager that makes you pretty alright.

The kids moved on to high school but still talk to many of the teachers from that year, they have them on Facebook and they stop by for football games or just when they have time off. They became friends with those adults and although most would never admit it a friends is what they found. When they found out that Mr. Silverglat was sick a few months ago there were a few moments of sadness but as teenagers do they bounced back pretty quickly but last week when he passed on to Heaven. I got a phone call from my daughter and bless her heart you couldn't even understand her. I have many of her friends on Facebook and there have been several post to and about this very special teacher.

It has really made me stop and think just how people affect us everyday. Some we know have made a lasting impact some we only cross paths with for a very short time and really won't realize their impact until we are down the road.

Either way we all need each other and during the next several months I will be training and raising funds to go toward the Susan. G. Komen 3day walk for the Cure because just maybe there is somebody's life that will forever affect a student.


As always Standing Firm

Tanya

www.the3day.org/goto/miccroft
Please donate even $5.00 helps us get a little closer to the Cure or you can find me on Facebook.

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Half Way Point

Friday I hit the half way point in my fundraising goal and I couldn't have been more excited. I was in youth sports for over 14 years and have raised lots and lots of money over the years and oddly enough I have never been as excited over those dollars as I was Friday. Not that those dollars weren't going for a good cause because I believe in our youth but after reading and meeting the ladies and men involved in the Susan G. Komen 3day for a Cure these dollars that I am raising just seem to take on a different look.

Kinda like when I took a bunch of ribbon and trinkets and turned them into a homecoming mum as tall as my daughter. They took on a new life just as each of these funraising dollars do.
So I wanted to thank each of you that have helped in so many way, by your kind words, by your dollars, or even by donating the stuff that has been taking up so much space in your house. I know our next fundraiser (the garage sale) is going to be a great success.

Since my fundraising is going so great I guess I am off to my next big thing which is to "train" myself to drink water. Have you ever really asked your self if the world is made up of so much water and water is such a big part of our make up.....then why is it so hard to drink???????

I mean really I can slam a coke like nobody's business, I can shoot tequlia with the best of 'em, I am a southern girl and sweet tea is always in the fridge, I can't start my day without coffee but WATER.....it just isn't in my daily routine. Even as I type this I am looking at a liter of water on my desk and thinking do I really have to drink all that?????

I guess I am off to drink water...lol


Standing Firm
Tanya

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Family Affair

I remember when I was laying in the hospital after my Thryoid surgery most of my family there and in pretty good spirits and then came my Dad thru the door. He had a look that I had never seen before in all my 33 years and I remember thinking what in the world is wrong? I later found I was what was wrong he was scared to death...in his words he was "helpless to help his oldest daughter".

I have thought of that several times over the last 4 years and thought of all the Dads that are told their kids no matter the age have cancer. As a parent myself I guess I can kinda now understand that look.

Yesterday I realized exactly how the big "C" can be a family affair for good and not just bad or scary. My daughter Dannyelle (15 yrs) has been handing out flyers to our fundraiser to all of her teachers and friends, she has been making braclets and hair bows to sell so she has money to donate. She called me yesterday after school to tell me that one of her teachers couldn't come tonight but was sending a donation.  Thanks Dannyelle and Ms. West.

This morning my son Preston (21 yrs) came in to tell me that he sent me a link to a local resturant that has sponorships for local charities.  I think he was looking them up because he was hungry really but hey I'll take the help anyway I can get it. Thanks Bubba, Mom loves you.

One of my grandmothers (78 yrs) has taken it upon herself to create and send out her own donation letter on top of mine to many of her friends and business folks. Let me just say that Gma Rocks!!!!!!!!! This was a great help it brought in over 500 bucks.

Each of my brothers and sisters have helped some have helped me train, some have helped me with fundraising ideas and some have helped just by being my cheerleaders.  A special thanks to each of you.

So I guess and am very thankful that cancer doesn't always have to effect a family in a bad way, because it sure has brought this family just a little bit closer working on kicking its booty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!