Chicago--Breast Cancer 3Day--Sept. 8--Sept. 10, 2006

2100 walkers ; $5.1 million raised

 

We actually arrived home just a few minutes after midnight, which made it Sept. 11th.  I wish you all peace.

 

 

We left for Chicago a day early so we could spend a day walking around that lovely city.  But since we had a 6 a.m. flight out of LAX that meant getting up at 2:30 a.m. and therefore, we were pretty tired on arrival!!

Just want to share this little meeting that happened at the airport.  We were so early that the security people hadn't even opened so we were waiting in a line outside the entrance.  A young woman saw my jacket and my small duffle which has my breast cancer logo.  She started talking to me and then I realized that she was a survivor.  She must have been in her 30's and was traveling to DC with 2 young children.  She had missed connecting flights at night and had slept in the airport.  She told me that she had been diagnosed in 2001 with breast cancer and was just recently rediagnosed.  She was waiting for the Red Cross to bring her husband home from Baghdad so she could begin treatment again.   Once inside the airport she was having a hard time rearranging her flights and I felt so sorry for her and there was nothing we could do to help her out.  I gave her a hug and I wish her well.  Again, I was reminded why I am doing this.

 

The weather predictions for the whole week end were for rain, so I always come prepared!  Weather on Fri. was warm and Sat was cooler and overcast.  Sun. it rained all day.  So, though I was prepared for rain and don't mind walking in it, it does change the event for me, in that people are very focused on each step and there was not much interaction with other walkers.  Therefore, I walked alone most of Sun.  Since it was still raining when I arrived at the holding area, and I was not going to be able to stay for the 4:30 closing ceremonies, because of our flight times, we decided to just to the airport early.  We did our change of clothes at the car rental bathroom, as usual! And then arrived at the airport 5 1/2 hours early because the flight was delayed for 1 1/2 hours, because of weather problems all over!  I usually don't mind delays because it helps me to unwind.  I actually slept on the plane for over an hour, after watching the most ridiculous movie I have ever seen!!

 

I spoke with a woman,Cindy, very petite and healthy looking, walking with her 2 daughters.  She is almost a 10 year survivor.  She has had 3 reoccurances and also a stem cell transplant.  After her first diagnosis she was sent home with no hope---her action was to change oncologists, and look at her now!!  Go Cindy, and thank you for sharing your message of hope!

 

I was day dreaming when Tim slowed up to talk with me.  I was in such deep though, about nothing important I am sure, but I just jumped in my tracks.  But we did have a great conversation and Bob met him and they had a lot in common, both being physicians.  I saw him several times over the 3 days.  He has done many AIDS bike rides, and this was his first time walking for breast cancer.  It was great to meet a male, family doctor, doing this to make a difference.  Thanks Tim, for slowing up to talk with me (he is tall and has very long legs!)

 

I was able to spend some time with Anna, who is from Albany, NY and is walking in all 12 3Day walks.   She lost her mother to breast cancer, when she was a child.  She was then raised by her mother's sister, who eventually died of breast cancer.  She has lost grandparents to forms of cancer.  She has made a huge commitment and I admire how far she has grown as a young woman.  Thank you Anna, for being so open with me and I wish you strong feet and a healthy body as you continue this adventure.

 

I spoke briefly with the husband of Tracy who lost her fight 3 years ago, leaving a 4 yr. old daughter.  He was walking as the TAG team, which were his wife's initials.  There were several on the team and they carried a poster with a beautiful picture of Tracy. 

Then there was Lisa's team.  She was also a young woman who died from breast cancer.  Both of her parents and many friends were walking as Lisa's Team. We hugged the parents and could sense their heartbreak.   It was a reminder that we need more help for young woman to make earlier diagnosis.  The difficulty being that the breasts are so dense that it is harder to make an early diagnosis. 

 

I did speak with many people, particulary on day one and two, but if I don't write things down immediately, you know what happens!  I remember their names etc, on about Wed. after the walk, when my brain is settling down.  Thank you dear walkers for all that you are doing and for sharing your stories with me.   

 

I spoke on the phone with Dr. Deborah Douglas, who I met walking all 10 walks in 2004.She and I have remained dear friends.  She had just received the book, hot off the press, she had been writing about the walk.  It should be available on Amazon.com shortly.  She mailed me a copy that I received in Chicago, and couldn't stop reading it.  It is a story of survivors and the 3Day experience.  It is called 'Foot Soldiers'.  It is a wonderful, inspiring, and informative book.

 

Also, spoke on the phone to Robin.  She is the first woman who walked multiple events and was my inspiration to have that as my personal goal.  I was excited to hear that she would be walking in NY soon, so I look forward to seeing her soon. 

 

I just realized that I haven't even mentioned anything about the route.  The first 2 days, were ok.  They were through suburbs and there were some beautiful homes.  The last day, at least part of it, was in neighborhoods, which is what I prefer.  It gives me much more a sense of the city I am walking in.  The suburban areas always make me feel like I could be in any state USA.  They don't feel that different to me. However, I always say, I don't care where I walk, so long as it is safe, so I will just leave it at that because I really do understand how difficult the logistics are for an event of this nature.

 

 

If you would like me to wear a pink ribbon with the name of a loved one, please send me their name, and I will be honored to put that on my banner that I wear on every walk.

 

Hugs and peace--