WOW!! I've really been slacking!
I didn't realize that it has been over 1 year since I last posted on this blog. I could have sworn I posted something right before and right after the 2012 walk but apparently I didn't.. sorry.
This year will be different... this year I will post more and post more information that I hope will be useful & helpful to others. There is a lot going on in the 3Day world this year --- it's the 10th Anniversary of the 3Day and this year will be my 5th walk in Washington, DC .... so of course I have to celebrate!
So, time to get busy blogging... stay tuned.. changes are coming!
Hugs,
Debbi
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Meet a fellow 3-Day Walker.... Lori Sacksteder Craig
(from Lori's 3-Day fundraising page)
My journey began on May 3rd, 2007 when my younger sister Kristi called me and told me she had Stage 2B Breast Cancer. The next day I was going to be turning 32 years old, and my sister had just had her 28th Birthday 10 days prior. My sister was living in Cleveland at the time, and had just gotten married to her husband Dustin the previous August. She was working as a CPA and her husband was preparing to graduate from law school and take a job as a lawyer in Columbus, which meant that she would be moving within the next month. My first thought was how could my 28 year old sister have breast cancer because I thought that this was a cancer that older people got. I soon learned that this occurred in younger people as well. My sister and her husband wanted to start a family around this time, and 2 weeks after her cancer diagnosis she found out that she was 5 weeks pregnant. With several hours and days of nonstop prayers, and advice from doctors at The Ohio State University, Kristi and Dustin decided to continue with her pregnancy, as well as doing some treatment at the same time. The doctors assured my sister and her husband that the chemotherapy she would be getting during her pregnancy would not harm her unborn baby, so she proceeded with treatment. Due to the fact that she was pregnant and had cancer it was recommended that she not have her mastectomy until she was 29 weeks pregnant in case the baby became in distress during her surgery. At 29 weeks she had a successful surgery, and her baby girl Addison Hope was born 13 days later by emergency C-section at 31 weeks gestation. Addison was born weighing 3 pounds, 6 ounces and remained in the NICU unit of the hospital for a month, and went home on Christmas Day. During this time Kristi was recovering from a mastectomy, a C-section, and the side effects from chemotherapy, and was unable to drive herself, and yet she was at the hospital NICU unit everyday for Addison Hope. Addison arrived home and still was considered a medically fragile baby, but my sister carried on with her chemotherapy and radiation treatments while caring for Addison. Addison was growing quickly, and several months later we had a party and a cake celebrating the end of cancer treatment for Kristi.
Fast forward to April 2011. Kristi's initial diagnosis had occurred 4 years prior. Kristi and Dustin were going about their lives, and had a 1 year old boy, Chase, to add to their family at this time. Kristi had a cough that was lingering so she went to the doctor to get it checked out. Shortly after talking to the doctor and having numerous tests Kristi found out that her cancer had recurred as Stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain, her lungs, her liver, and her bones. She began treatment again, lost her hair again, and battled everyday with this recurrence. Now she wondered how she would explain this to 3 year old Addison, and one year old Chase. In November, Kristi's cancer had spread more and caused multiple fractures in her back and in her hip, which has prevented her to care for her two small children alone. Kristi has the unconditional support and assistance of her many family and friends, and she has people all across the country praying for her full recovery.
Why am I doing this walk? Why am I raising $2300 for research? I lost my Aunt Karen, my Aunt Ginia, and my Aunt Paula to breast cancer several years ago, so I walk in their memory. My cousin, Kari, was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2011 at age 30, and is currently in remission. She also has two young children. I especially walk for my sister, Kristi, who continues to approach her stage 4 breast cancer with grace, while battling through fatigue and the side effects of everyday treatment. Kristi may not physically be able to walk 60 miles with me, but she remains my biggest cheerleader throughout this entire process and will be at the Cleveland cheering station on August 3, 2012!
My journey began on May 3rd, 2007 when my younger sister Kristi called me and told me she had Stage 2B Breast Cancer. The next day I was going to be turning 32 years old, and my sister had just had her 28th Birthday 10 days prior. My sister was living in Cleveland at the time, and had just gotten married to her husband Dustin the previous August. She was working as a CPA and her husband was preparing to graduate from law school and take a job as a lawyer in Columbus, which meant that she would be moving within the next month. My first thought was how could my 28 year old sister have breast cancer because I thought that this was a cancer that older people got. I soon learned that this occurred in younger people as well. My sister and her husband wanted to start a family around this time, and 2 weeks after her cancer diagnosis she found out that she was 5 weeks pregnant. With several hours and days of nonstop prayers, and advice from doctors at The Ohio State University, Kristi and Dustin decided to continue with her pregnancy, as well as doing some treatment at the same time. The doctors assured my sister and her husband that the chemotherapy she would be getting during her pregnancy would not harm her unborn baby, so she proceeded with treatment. Due to the fact that she was pregnant and had cancer it was recommended that she not have her mastectomy until she was 29 weeks pregnant in case the baby became in distress during her surgery. At 29 weeks she had a successful surgery, and her baby girl Addison Hope was born 13 days later by emergency C-section at 31 weeks gestation. Addison was born weighing 3 pounds, 6 ounces and remained in the NICU unit of the hospital for a month, and went home on Christmas Day. During this time Kristi was recovering from a mastectomy, a C-section, and the side effects from chemotherapy, and was unable to drive herself, and yet she was at the hospital NICU unit everyday for Addison Hope. Addison arrived home and still was considered a medically fragile baby, but my sister carried on with her chemotherapy and radiation treatments while caring for Addison. Addison was growing quickly, and several months later we had a party and a cake celebrating the end of cancer treatment for Kristi.
Fast forward to April 2011. Kristi's initial diagnosis had occurred 4 years prior. Kristi and Dustin were going about their lives, and had a 1 year old boy, Chase, to add to their family at this time. Kristi had a cough that was lingering so she went to the doctor to get it checked out. Shortly after talking to the doctor and having numerous tests Kristi found out that her cancer had recurred as Stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain, her lungs, her liver, and her bones. She began treatment again, lost her hair again, and battled everyday with this recurrence. Now she wondered how she would explain this to 3 year old Addison, and one year old Chase. In November, Kristi's cancer had spread more and caused multiple fractures in her back and in her hip, which has prevented her to care for her two small children alone. Kristi has the unconditional support and assistance of her many family and friends, and she has people all across the country praying for her full recovery.
Why am I doing this walk? Why am I raising $2300 for research? I lost my Aunt Karen, my Aunt Ginia, and my Aunt Paula to breast cancer several years ago, so I walk in their memory. My cousin, Kari, was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2011 at age 30, and is currently in remission. She also has two young children. I especially walk for my sister, Kristi, who continues to approach her stage 4 breast cancer with grace, while battling through fatigue and the side effects of everyday treatment. Kristi may not physically be able to walk 60 miles with me, but she remains my biggest cheerleader throughout this entire process and will be at the Cleveland cheering station on August 3, 2012!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
HUGS....
It's wondrous what a hug can do,
A hug can cheer you when you're blue.
A hug can say, "I love you so.",
Or, "Gee! I hate to see you go."
A hug is, "Welcome back again."
A hug can soothe a small child's pain,
And bring a rainbow after rain.
The hug! There's just no doubt about it,
We scarcely could survive without it.
A hug delights and warms and charms,
It must be why God gave us arms.
Kittens crave them. Puppies love them.
Heads of state are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier,
And make the dullest day seem merrier.
No need to fret about the store of them,
The more you give, the more there are of them.
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Walking Again in 2012!!
Hi Everyone.... It's that time of year again and Yes, I'm doing it again!
I guess you know by now, I've signed up for the 2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day™! I had such an incredible experience doing the 3-Day last year (and in 2008 & 2010) that I'm going back for more. I'm so excited about this event, because I already know what's in store and I can't wait!
Just in case you missed my account of last year's event, follow the link below to visit my personal webpage, where I tell my story. This event isn't easy, but I promise you, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!
So of course you know I need your help. This year I am going to (not planning to, but GOING TO) surpass the $3000 that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help end breast cancer. My personal goal for this year is $6,900 and I know with your support I will reach that (and most likely surpass it!)
I think by now you all know my reasons for walking... Mimi, Aunt LaJuan & Tania.. my three very special ladies that I've lost to this disease. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss them. Yes, with time it does get a bit easier (just a bit).. but I miss them always! I walk in their memory, but I also walk in support of so many others - SURVIVORS. They are fighting the battle everyday and if my walking 60 miles can make their battle just a little less painful ... then I will be walking until my feet fall off. I know a lot of people wonder what my walking could possible do to help them (the SURVIVORS)..but you would be surprised. Just knowing that someone cares enough to train, fundraise, sweat, hurt, cry & laugh in your honor.. is a medicine that no doctor can provide. It's the pure medicine of LOVE!
So, please just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage at www.the3day.org/goto/deborahsmith2012 and make your donation today! Of course no donation is to small and every single one is greatly appreciated!
If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I'm doing, give me a call, I love talking about the event... but you already knew that didn't you? :-) Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!
With lots of love,
Debbi
3Day Walker 2008, 2010, 2011 & 2012
3Day Training Walk Leader 2011 & 2012
3Day Ambassador 2011 & 2012
Just in case you missed my account of last year's event, follow the link below to visit my personal webpage, where I tell my story. This event isn't easy, but I promise you, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!
So of course you know I need your help. This year I am going to (not planning to, but GOING TO) surpass the $3000 that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help end breast cancer. My personal goal for this year is $6,900 and I know with your support I will reach that (and most likely surpass it!)
I think by now you all know my reasons for walking... Mimi, Aunt LaJuan & Tania.. my three very special ladies that I've lost to this disease. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss them. Yes, with time it does get a bit easier (just a bit).. but I miss them always! I walk in their memory, but I also walk in support of so many others - SURVIVORS. They are fighting the battle everyday and if my walking 60 miles can make their battle just a little less painful ... then I will be walking until my feet fall off. I know a lot of people wonder what my walking could possible do to help them (the SURVIVORS)..but you would be surprised. Just knowing that someone cares enough to train, fundraise, sweat, hurt, cry & laugh in your honor.. is a medicine that no doctor can provide. It's the pure medicine of LOVE!
So, please just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage at www.the3day.org/goto/deborahsmith2012 and make your donation today! Of course no donation is to small and every single one is greatly appreciated!
If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I'm doing, give me a call, I love talking about the event... but you already knew that didn't you? :-) Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!
With lots of love,
Debbi
3Day Walker 2008, 2010, 2011 & 2012
3Day Training Walk Leader 2011 & 2012
3Day Ambassador 2011 & 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
It's Never to early to start training!
(Taken from the 3-Day Walker Handbook)
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® is an endurance-type athletic event. The more prepared you are, the better experience you will have. This training program was designed for someone who can already walk 3 miles at a 3 mph pace without difficulty. It is only a guideline. If you cannot currently walk 3 miles then start with 1 mile, build up over the next 2 weeks to a 3-mile walk and then join the program. If you can walk much further than 3 miles then you can skip down the program or wait until the program catches up with you. The key is to listen to your body. If you feel pain during or after a training session then you have done too much and should stop training and rest for a week. If things do not improve seek medical advice from your primary care provider.
This training program is geared to increase cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance over 24 weeks. Remember: this schedule is offered as a guideline. If you can’t fit the entire walking schedule into your week, try to do as much as you can. The important thing is to increase your mileage safely. Good luck and have fun!
The 24 Weeks starts on Monday, April 23, 2012!!
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