Thursday, August 25, 2011

First few steps towards a Half Marathon

My alarm goes off at 550 am. I groan, Sadie snorts and buries her head in the pillow. I hit snooze and briefly debate staying in my bed. However, when the alarm goes off the second time, I open my eyes and begin my stretching routine that will let me get out of bed. Sadie retreats under the comforter declaring it too early with a loud huff. My puppy may be smarter than me, but it is time to get up to head to my Team-in-Training practice.

More stretching, eating and wiping of cobwebs off my brain, and I'm ready to head off to SantaMonic for a planned 4 mile run. It's a great group of people with a great energy all joining together to run either a full or marathon and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm not sure if I find the fund raising task more daunting or the running, but I'm committed to do both.

Cancer has changed my life, changed my life permanently.  I'd rather not have had to face it. I'd rather not be in pain all day, every day, whatever I do.  I'd rather not have known it, but I still know that all of the changes aren't bad they are just there.  Before I started down this road, I'd let myself get out of shape. I'd put my own health on the back burner in lieu of my medical training, work, other things that seemed more interesting. Since my first series of surgeries health and fitness have been staples in my life.  I've complete several traithlons, and am now training for another.

However, its not just about the races, the athleticism, I want to give back to the cancer community that has supported me. I want fewer people to know this pain and fear. I want cancer in all its forms to become treatable, for fewer poeple to die.  Raising money for Pediatric Cancer Research as a part of the Malibu Tri, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society as a part of training for the WaltDisney World half marathon, somehow this makes sense to me.  It feels right.  I chose to give back rather than kick, scream and cry.  (Though, I've done that to).

I'd be incredibly honored if you'd help me support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Team in Training by clicking here.




Before each Sunday morning run we have a moment where someone shares what Team-In-Training has done for them, invariably I cry. But I feel so blessed to have been able to have met these people and to run again on my foot I can't feel. Cancer sucks, but my life is blessed.  So while you all are snuggled up in your beds on Sunday mornings and my dog is hiding under my comforter know that I will be running and doing my little part to give back to the cancer community.

Thank you

9 comments:

Adri said...

Lisa, you are such an inspiration! Good luck on your fundraising for TnT they are an amazing training machine and you'll make friends for life.

Anonymous said...

Lisa,
You have so many people that admire you! Keep up the positive attitude. It will sustain you through all of this. Vince and Bev Scott

Jim Nageldinger said...

Dr Lisa,
I had a tumor removed from my ankle in April of this year and like yours, it was a liposarcoma of the myxoid variety. After my diagnosis, I immediately started researching medical journals and found most prognosis tended to involve amputation. Fortunately my surgical oncologist has assured me that I get to keep my foot and probably have most all of it's use. I've since endured 5 weeks of radiation and a second surgery that increased the margins. The resulting almond shaped wound measures something like 10cm x 4cm. A wound V.A.C has been employed and hyperbaric oxygen therapy is being considered to help the wound heal enough to accept a partial skin graft. I have been amazed at the similarities of you plights and inspired by you attitude and perseverance. I am bit older (57) and have always led an active life; running swimming, hiking, climbing and for many years worked as a carpenter and general contractor before recently pursuing advanced degrees in Curriculum and Instruction in the teaching of Reading. Thus this diagnosis has been a bit of a set back. Like you, I quickly decided I would not feel sorry for myself, was thankful for all the good things I'd already be able to do and resolved to see this whole thing not as a death sentence, but rather as an inconvenience. I don't know if you take or have the time to read this things or not, but it has really done me a lot of good knowing there is someone who had almost the exact same thing. I stumbled onto your blog in that dark time between diagnosis and my first visit to the oncologist. When I read about your triathlon, it gave me assurance and confidence, even if I might never run another marathon, I could and would experience the world again with some degree of normalcy. Granted it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when I still can't even be sure that I will be wearing a shoe by the new year, but I'm determined nonetheless to get better. Your blog has bolstered my confidence. A big thanks you and all the best our endeavors... Jim

Dr. Lisa said...

Thank you to all of you for your incredible support! I'm truly humbled.

Jim, I'm so touched that my words may have helped you. You have no idea what that means to me. I wishyou the best of luck and do indeed understand. Please feel free to email me if you want. Happy to provide any word if encouragement or support I can.

Jim Nageldinger said...

Thank Dr. Lisa,
Do you have a preferred email address?
Jim Nageldinger

Dr. Lisa said...

Drlisakay@gmail.com

Dr. Lisa said...

Jim, Woops, email issues. Give me yours and I'll email you.

Jennifer Shine Dyer MD, MPH said...

I think your words so clearly identify the way alot of people feel about living with chronic disease and the courage and grace it takes to refuse to let it win. Thank you for your beautiful inspiring words and your daily example!

Anonymous said...

You continue to inspire me in so many ways, and your strength is just amazing! We are all here to love & support you in any way you need!

FUCK CANCER

Love,
Stacie