It's been just over a week and I'm still recovering from the seriously overwhelming experience of the Day Breast Cancer Walk. Wow. is about all I can say. It was amazing.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to my goal, encouraged me and offered prayers of support and strength. Throughout the walk I kep thinking of where I was at that time last year ----right in the middle of chemotherapy. I'm so humbled to be so blessed with a healthy recoveryl. Thank you God.
Opening ceremonies on Friday were wonderful. I was part of the Survivor flag-bearers so I was able to see the vast sea of pink from the stage. There was such energy in the air!
I walked with my team - TEAM 211 - 2 Steps, 1Goal, 1 Lifetime- a truly inspiring (and crazy) group of women. I could not have finished this event without their support and encouragement. A few weeks before the walk I drove part of the route and let me tell you ...60 miles looks waaaaaaay different when you're driving. For instance..Florida is not flat, and don't let anyone tell you differently. Florida has hills..lots of them. Oh, and bridges! Oh, those bridges!!!! I took photos at the top of each bridge just to prove to myself that I was there.
All along the way there were groups of people cheering for us. The organizers had set up formal "cheering stations" and lots of people came out to those to cheer us on- so much fun for us and a new burst of energy at each cher station. The cheer station at John's Pass on Saturday was amazing---so many people! I have to say that I was honestly touched by the number of people that just came to the sidewalk in front of their yards and had water, Gatorade or just coolers of ice for us to dip our bandannas in. There were family with small children with bowls of candy along the way, there were retired people out in their yards....and amazingly all of them thanked us for walking. There were so many survivors and co-survivors along the way...I can't tell you how many times I heard "thank you for walking for my mom or my sister or other relative." And all of this didn't just happen in one neighborhood, this happened along the entire way, every day! Amazing.
There were so many amazing women and men walking. Survivors, co-survivors, family members of patients and those that just wanted to make a difference. We were like a pink sea going down the street.
So let's talk about blisters. The medical crew for the walk (who are all volunteers, by the way) were so fantastic. They were from all different areas of the medical field. So my blisters, yes there were several, were tended to by an oncology nurse, an OB/GYN surgeon, an EMT, and ex-military corman, and an emergency room nurse. We were all in good hands. Moleskin is my new friend.
The crew at the camp and pit stops (more volunteers) were wonderful. They fed, watered and Gatorade-ed us. They covered us in sunscreen. They kept us safe. They cheered us on. They were the first ones awake in the morning and the last ones to bed at night.
Each year a Survivor is asked to tell her story to the walkers on the Saturday night of the walk. I was honored that I was asked to do this. I can't begin to describe how it felt to relay my story to so many who had gone through similar circumstances .When I mentioned in my talk about the fantastic support I got from my husband and family, the entire group applauded and cheered. This is the kind of people involved in this walk. A sisterhood.
Now...about camping. Yes, we slept in tents. (the third time in my life). We showered in trucks. (like the military uses) We used Port-o-potties. (nighttime? remember to bring a flashlight)
Closing ceremonies on Sunday were just one great big, emotional, and amazing cry-fest. Getting to the end of the walk felt soooooo good, I actually go a new burst of energy coming through the gates! I'm pretty proud of myself. I was thrilled to have been asked to be part of the Survivor Circle during the closing.
It was pretty funny....they had large bins at the exit to the closing ceremony that you could leave your shoes (that you had walked in) to be donated. Now, yes I consider myself a rather generous person, but donated? No. After 60 miles, I'm thinking of having my sneakers bronzed!!!! Or at least made in to somewhat decorative, albeit stinky, bookends!
I'm so ready to do this walk next year!!! We will find a cure!!!
I've added a photo album of the walk to the sidebar left, please feel free to browse through.
