BARBARA JO KIRSHBAUM

2009 BREAST CANCER 3•DAY

Usually I am thinking about my journal on the plane ride home, but this trip I actually forgot about it. Probably the reason for that is that I only walked on Fri., 18 miles. I had such sciatic pain that traveled to my ankle that by 18 miles I could no longer put any weight at all on my leg. I had to call Bob and David to come and get me. That was a first! But I am grateful that I have never had an injury that put me out of commission until my 110th walk!

Actually that is pretty good......however, I was fortunate that I was traveling with my doctor (Bob) and my personal physician assistant (son David)! They immediately got me the right prescription and even a cane. Several hours later I was able to put my weight on that leg; however, I
was ordered to not walk.....I spent Sat. and most of Sun. in my hotel room. It was very weird to be at an event and not be participating. While I was in 'recovery' mode David and Bob went to tour the new Cowboy Stadium.....that sounded pretty impressive. I sat in my room and rented a movie and knitted. They picked me up and we drove to closing ceremonies. I was able to be a part of that and walked in with the walkers.

So, getting back to the beginning of the weekend, David went with us to help Bob with signage. He had passed signage 101 in previous years, but apparently he needed a review, but he is smart and there was a very short learning curve! They chose to put up signs all 3 days, even though I wasn't participating, which says how seriously Bob takes his 'self appointed' job of putting up pink signs. I was proud that they did that since it is so under the 'radar' and very few walkers have any idea about the Team California signs other than enjoying them. That is how we want it.

We saw Dr. Deborah Douglas, author of "Foot Soldiers", but because I was in pain we could not go out to dinner. By the way, her book is a fabulous read of her experience and interviews of the year she walked in all Breast Cancer 3Day's around the country.

Sat. we met friends who used to live near us and now live in Texas. Their daughter Karen is the young woman I wrote about in my fundraising letter in 2009. On Sun. after the walk we went to dinner with Carolyn, who will be participating in her 50th walk in Houston 2010, and Meagan,
who just completed walking all Avon walks around the country. These are my 'peeps' in Texas who I was looking forward to seeing this weekend. These are all people that we have met since we began this journey in the fight against breast cancer, because they are in this fight too.

I spoke with Richard on Fri. He found me. We had spoken at other walks. He lost his wife, Kay, in 2006 and he walks every year in her memory. He shared the good news that he was engaged and would be getting married in June. I was happy to hear that and wish them happiness together.Linda, who was a first time walker, seemed to know all about me and Bob also. I think her walk leader had told her about our story. It was interesting how much she seemed to know. She said she had checked out my website and spent time reading it. Good job Linda. You were so fun to talk with and I was taken with all of your talents and the skills you are using to make a living in these times. Keep up the good work.

I spent time walking with Meg. This was her 2nd year of walking and she was feeling so much better than last year.....well, why not......she has lost 75 lbs. since then by exercising, walking, and eating healthy. She is a great model for her daughters. Good job, Meg.

It was good to see Pamela, who I see every year. She was dressed in a tux and was using a monopoly theme for the buses transporting walkers. She looked adorable and was having a very good time.

At closing I walked in with 2 young women. They were best friends since college. One of them had lost her mother last year to breast cancer, and her friend walked with her because she didn't want her walking alone. How sweet was that......

After closing some young woman came up to me and handed me something wrapped in tissue paper. I thanked her and later opened it. It was a
breast cancer necklace/dog tag that she had probably bought for herself  from the 3Day store. She gave it to me. That makes me cry. I don't know who she is. It is amazing that the smallest kindness can touch so deeply.

And so we are home and I am doing laundry for the SD 3Day in less than 2 weeks. Oh, yes, I have an appt. for physical therapy this afternoon.
I will be careful. I certainly can not afford to do something foolish. I will listen to my body. Thank you again for reading my journal and following our journey.