On March 21, 2012 I received a text from my bestie: can you come over?
Me: is everything OK?
Bestie: no.
Moments later I sat in her kitchen still in my pjs with fur on my teeth and learned my best friend had been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. In layman's terms: breast cancer.
In the months that followed she lost both of her breast at the young age of 35 from this awful disease before facing chemotherapy and radiation. It turned her life upside down as well as her family's.
Just a few weeks ago, almost two years plus a day of her double mastectomy, she began the reconstruction process. An expander was placed under her skin and chest muscle. Over the coming months it will slowly filled with saline by her doctor. After the tissue has relaxed and healed enough, the expander will be removed and replaced with her new girls.
This is why I will be running in the 2014 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 5th. Breast cancer is a cause that is near to me. I am proud to be contributing to Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s vision of creating a future without breast cancer.
There is a cure; we just need to find it. We need to end this ugly disease.
As every dollar counts, I am running a Twoonies for Tatas campaign. That's right, I am only asking for a $2 donation. For every person who supports my fundraising efforts, your name will go into a draw for tickets to see the battle of Ontario on Wednesday, September 24 at the Canandian Tire Centre. Together, we can help to create a future without breast cancer.
To make a donation, please click here.
Documented within my blog is the rollercoaster ride I took with my bestie as she kicked the sh*t out of cancer. Sadness. Shock. Frustration. Hurt. Guilt. Happiness. Fear. Excitement. Jealousy. Love. Panic. Pride. Relief. Pure, raw emotion. It's all there. Please scroll through to learn more about the journey we took together.
Much love,
Sarah
xo
ps - anyone want to be my training buddy? Do you have an app you would recommendation to get my butt in gear? Please let me know. I should probably start training.
pps - also need to start planning my outfit. Oh c'mon, you knew I would bring my shopping addiction into this somehow ;)
I teared up reading your post - having gone through the whole Cancer thing with my grandpa and dad - I know how hard it can be.
ReplyDeleteI'll be more than happy to support you in this cause.
I do not need the tic though so no need to put my name in any draw. They should go to someone who isn't lucky enough to have Season Tickets :-)
I can't however train with you as I'm afraid running farther than to my car after a Send game is more than I could bear ;-)
You're an amazing person/friend!!
You rock!!
:-)
I'm sorry to hear about your friend's struggle, but so happy to read she's on the other side of it.
ReplyDeleteAs a novice runner myself, I use the Nike+ app to motivate myself to run. It tracks you as a you run, along with your distance, pace and calories burned.
If you're an iPhone user, the Nike+ app there has a "coach" setting, where you can specify the run you're training for (date and distance) and it will give you an eight week training schedule to get you ready!
If you go the Nike+ route, let me know, and we can motivate each other from a distance (the iPhone version also let's you "challenge" your friends to different distances over a period of time.
I don't know that I can run with you, but will definitely donate to your cause at Blissdom! :-)
I don't know how experienced or inexperienced a runner you are, but I liked Couch to 5k, but it does take a long time to get through it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have Cox in my blood Abi: I think I' a runner ;) Couch to 5K it is!
Deletexo
Go, Sarah, Go! Just finished donation this amazing cause. I am so proud that you are doing this for your bestie. I also don't blame you for wanting to look your best while you're running!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lian. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. This community amazes me more and more every day.
Deletexo