Archive for October, 2010

I just watched a man wheel his wife in a wheel chair out of restaurant door and effortlessly transfer her from her seat to the car. You could see the seamless team work in each caring moment. After what I’ve gone through you see such beauty in a new definition of teamwork. As she started to get up she passed her man an empty snack bag…she needed to get her hands free…and as much as he needed his hands as free to help her he grabbed it to take in out of her hands…and her mind. I lept up to be “those two extra hands” to take that piece of trash from him so he’d have his two empty hands to help her.

I’ve done this so many times before and love being helpful stranger hands, but lately even more so, I see so much more and maybe its because I take the time to notice life little things that mean so much.

The man settled his wife into the car and turned to me with the most heartfelt thank you. I just smiled, as what I did was so little…but to him, he knew I too knew the beauty of the little things.

I’ve always been a solid sleeper. Even as a new mom when I thought I’d be woken at their first sigh, our daughters had to reach a pretty decent decibel for me to head down the hallway. But over the last few months, sleep patterns certainly took a hit. Its understandable that around testing and diagnosis times, thoughts were racing and the prep-op worries compounded and then post op….well, lots of sleep but mostly pain killer induced.

Strange when you don’t notice things until the go “back to normal”. But I again realize what good a wonderful, solid, uninterrupted night of sleep does for the body…and mind! Having slept 10pm-9am I am feeling so re-charged! This is not just for me, do what it takes to get a good night sleep as often as you can.

A few weeks ago, I was asked if I’d be interested in a trip to Dallas to attend the nation’s largest Susan G Komen Race for the Cure from one of the 5K runners.

The invite came from a former boss of mine from years back, and someone that’s been a close friend of ours since. For the sake of anonymity, we’ll just call him “Bob” :)

Here I am, the “6 month survivor” not quite ready in my coping journey to face 26K event participants, but so pleased to be cheering on someone that fought his own battle more than two years ago to quit smoking. He generously thanks me for my hand in getting him to the Mayo clinic locked down. But, the hard work and effort was all his to pick up where I left off.

When I called Bob to tell him of my diagnosis, it was not easy. I knew, from years back, the cancer fears he had …and those that ultimately were strong enough make this 2 pack a day smoker quit …and turn his health completely around.

But now, there wasn’t “just a fear” or “a chance of” or even “an early warning or maybe” for me…I had cancer.  And I needed Bob to hear it from me first…I was strong on the phone call 7 months ago, but think I made up on the tears this past weekend with him.

See, after Bob received my call, my diagnosis news, he had to do something … He felt that I had saved his life and that in turn, we was going to give back.

And Bob only does things one way…and that by exceeding all targets with every ounce of his being!

He started walking daily, then on to jogging, then running all while pulling in a full team of fund raisers for the Komen cause.

With a personal 5K best of 38 minutes, I’m not surprised he beat that and came in at the race under 34 minutes!

And he’s currently in a neck and neck competition to be the top Dallas Race fund raiser…join me and let’s secure the #1 spot!!!

If you’d like to add to the fund raising effort, click the “Donate Now” tab above for the link to contribute.

Bob, Bravo on going from not being able to lift your young children, to running this 5K! Your power, strength, motivation and drive is just one of a kind. A true inspiration. Thanks for sharing your spotlight with me and for creating a heart warming couple of days I’ll never forget.

…and let me be the thousandth person to say, “You look fantastic!”

Some come back the Yankees had! We were just above to leave the stadium and the runs started coming in. So glad we stuck around. There weren’t too many fans in blue, but everyone sure made some noise to make you think differently.

I couldn’t help myself but to call my parents at midnight…something told me they’d both be watching and they sure were. Possibly hoping to see a glimpse of their baby girl in the crowd?…but nonetheless, I was thrilled they watched to the end, to the win!

I sit on my blackberry here at a Yankee game in Dallas in amazing seats right above the dugout, life is good. Many people were part of getting the tickets…many thanks to you all!

As I sit here in the stadium, we’ve been nonstop sending texts, photos and messages out. Simply amazing. Stars align to make special moments, memories and great connections.

Stay tuned, tomorrow I attend my first Susan G Komen event…incredibly moving I hear from people that has been involved previously. I know tomorrow will be wonderful and incredibly emotional at the same time.

So, going into inning 5 …Yankees not so strong, but we are!