My 5K Walk...

I signed up for a 5K Walk, which was very optimistic of me, since I have barely been able to walk down the hallway in my home. I haven't even been walking to the mailbox, because I've been so weak and off-balance. This 5K was important to me though. It was to raise money for the NOCC, National Ovarian Cancer Commission, and I walked in memory of my mom and my niece. They were both taken from this life much too soon, mom at 65 and Lizzy at 17!

I was in the Virtual Walker category, since the actual walk was in Arlington, Texas, so I walked on my treadmill. I broke the walk into 5 parts, and the final leg was 22 minutes. It took me 108.51 minutes to walk a 5K, broken into those 5 parts over a 6 hour period. A 5K walk would have been a breeze a few years ago, but age and MS have changed many things I once did easily. Even so, sometimes it's important to push our boundaries. To challenge our limitations. I was completely prepared to accept it, if I was only able to walk a quarter mile or less. One important thing I've learned, during the past 14 years of living with Multiple Sclerosis, is to recognize when you've reached your limit. That's why I had to break the walk into parts. Each time I stopped, I didn't know if I'd be able to get back on the treadmill. I rested, drank lots of water, and began again.

I'm proud of raising money for this cause. I'm proud of pushing myself and making it to that virtual finish line. As I walked, I imagined mom and Lizzy cheering me on. I imagined a world where no one else would have to lose a mother, a daughter, a grandmother, a granddaughter, a sister, a wife, an aunt, or a niece to this deadly disease.

Sad News...

My stepbrothers daughter, Elizabeth, lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer this weekend.  She was only 17.  She was Elizabeth, Beth, and recently Lizzy, but her daddy called her Boo. I can only imagine Joe's heartbreak, but I know it's massive.  One small, bright spot is Make-A-Wish came through for her this week.  Matt Shadow, from the band Avenged Sevenfold, traveled with his wife to see her.  With some adjustments of her meds, she was able to be awake and enjoy having one of her dreams come true.  It was a special time for her and her family.  The love and compassion Matt and his wife showed even made Elizabeth's grandma a fan.  Make-A-Wish Foundation is amazing and so appreciated.

Losing my mom to Ovarian Cancer was hard, but losing a child... there are no words.  I'm weary of cancer.  I'm especially weary of hearing about children being taken by this insidious disease.  It's time for it to stop... time for a cure... before another child is taken far too soon. 

Please whisper a prayer for the family... they will miss her so... even knowing she is now safe and loved, in the arms of our Heavenly Father...