Tag Archives: breast cancer

Pink Prayers for Miss Sharon

Posted on by Run DMT
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Just before Christmas, I received some startling news about the girls’ preschool teacher, Miss Sharon.  Finding myself at a loss for words, all I could do was cry and pray for her to survive this.

Miss Sharon will begin the New Year with a double mastectomy.  Through it all she has maintained a positive attitude and her sense of humor, which we would only expect from this amazing woman.

Later this fall, when I when we run the Race for the Cure, we run for Miss Sharon without a doubt.

We are all sending you healing prayers for a quick recovery.  We love you, Miss Sharon.

 

Walking the Walk and Saving My Own Ta-Tas

Posted on by Run DMT
4

Turning 40 this year was more than a milestone.  It meant I would qualify for annual mammograms.  Now, I would have to take action to save my own ta-tas with a baseline mammogram.

As protocol, I was told not to wear deodorant or lotions for my mammogram, but I didn’t know what to wear.  What clothes do women wear for a mammogram? Should I wear something pink?  Thank goodness I tweeted my questions, because I learned a two piece outfit (t-shirt and shorts) would be best unless I wanted to bare more than my breasts.

Fortunately, my OB office offers mammograms on site.  If I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it now.  I love my OB office, Partners in OB.  All the labs and screenings are done on site.  The staff and the doctors are simply wonderful and my technicians, Linda and Isabella, are no exception.  (Isabella was a fabulous babysitter and photographer too.)

Despite all the horror stories I’ve heard about boobies being flattened like pancakes, it didn’t hurt at all, but then that could be one benefit of itty bitty titties. Linda, the technician, eased my nervousness and explained the whys and hows of the images.  She said everything looked good, but my doctor would review the images and more may be needed, but not to worry.

And for being such an excellent patient screened during October, I was rewarded with a pink ribbon pin and a pen.

A few days before my mammogram, I read some staggering statistics.  One woman dies every 74 seconds from breast cancer.  For my children and my husband, I refuse to be that woman.

Breast cancer awareness means more than wearing ribbons and pink outfits.  It means more than running a 10K race.  It means I need to walk the walk and put my money where my milkies are put my breasts on a shelf because even tiny ta-tas need squishing saving.

Because I am the cure.

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue

Race for the Cure 2011 Recap

Posted on by Run DMT
11

I always enjoy the Race for the Cure 10K.  The course is gorgeous.  The distance is just right.  And for a slow runner like me, there’s no pressure.  Just me and tens of thousands people doing good in the ‘hood to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

This year, my friend, Heather joined in the fun for her first 10K race.  I warned Heather that I often walk the water stations and not to feel bad if we separated, especially since I have a tendency to take a lot of photos while I run races.  Imagine how fast I could be if I didn’t take so many photos?

But I truly love taking photos while I run, because I capture moments like this.

 And it makes my race recaps just that more entertaining.  Otherwise, I’d have no evidence of this sweet handsome officer who volunteered to be my boyfriend.  I couldn’t resist capturing the moment.  I love a man in uniform.  Poor guy doesn’t even know what he got himself into.

But I digress…

The weather was perfect for our race.  With no humidity, it felt cooler than the forecasted 71 degrees.

The first part of the course led us along the St. Pete Pier which is always my favorite part.  As we ran towards the sunrise, the sun appeared to smile like a spectator cheering for us as we ran by.

From the Pier, we ran along the waterfront and passed the new location for the Dail museum and airfield.  This part of the course had a strange odor, like hot garbage.  Maybe they were melting more clocks for Dali’s exhibits?

Then the course led us through the streets of downtown St. Pete which was the largest portion of the 10K with a subtle incline. Thankfully, there were water stations just after each mile marker to walk it off.

The last mile, led us along the bay again and then finally to the finish line.

Chip Time 1:04:44

Overall 479

Div 34/77

Garmin Time 1:04:49

Ave Pace 10:14

Max Pace 7:26

I was really pleased with my time.  It’s my fastest 10K time post-baby.  Heather finished about 1 minute before me and as I expected, she did great (1:03:36).  I don’t even think she broke a sweat.

This fast crew (Jackie, Tara and Scott of Suncoast Running) finished about 15 minutes before Heather and me.  Even if I stopped taking photos during races, I could never be as fast as this lot.

But from what I understand, my running friends secretly enjoy their own personal paparazzi at all the races.  And for that, I’ll keep on flashing snapping and running.

Unknown Mami

This Woman’s Work

Posted on by Run DMT
7

Normally, once October rolls around, I start sharing my favorite Halloween tunes for Music Monday, but today I decided to start on a different note.

Runners have an unbelievable strength.

Now imagine the power and strength a runner fighting breast cancer would possess.

On Saturday, my running group and I participated in Race for the Cure in honor of two Suncoast Striders and thousands of other women who are battling breast cancer.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.  In the United States, 207,000 women are expected to be diagnosed this year.  (Statistics borrowed from National Cancer Institute.)

The best prevention to combat breast cancer is early detection through self examinations.  I am the cure.

 If there is history of breast cancer in your family, speak to your doctor about scheduling a mammogram.  Women after age 40 should have screenings once a year.  However,  if you have recently lost your job and subsequently your health insurance, you may qualify for a free mammogram and screening.  Check your local Susan G. Komen affiliate to find a center near you.

In October, “think pink” is more than a catchy phrase and pretty marketing campaign.  It saves lives.  Together we are the cure.

Getting the message out there is this woman’s work.

 

 Thanks for stopping by and linking up to share what music moves you.  

On a lighter note, swing by Gone Bananas and watch our tribute to the 80s.

Be sure to visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.



Random Tuesday Thoughts about Being Pretty in Pink and Pumpkins

Posted on by Run DMT
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During my girlfriend getaway on Anna Maria Island, I had all good intentions to run.  I packed three running outfits, a hydration belt and my old running shoes so my good pair wouldn’t get sandy from the beach.  Well, they sure didn’t get sandy!  My old running shoes didn’t even see one grain of sand or the light of day, because they stayed in my bag all weekend.

My friends are such saboteurs.

I didn’t get a decent night’s sleep until I returned home.  Now, my sleeping pattern has been so good that my lazy behind hasn’t been up to run since being back home either.  The Thursday BEFORE my girlfriend was the last time I ran and it was only 3 miles. Not good.  And it was a terrible run too.

3.1 miles

Time 34:07

Ave Pace 11:01

Max Pace 8:44

 
I joined Team Striders and I registered for the Race for the Cure 10K.  I really love this race. There’s no pressure, just a bunch of people raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.  Plus, the course is gorgeous along St. Pete Pier over the Gulf and through sea of pink.  Which reminds me… I need to buy a new pink running outfit for the race.  Maybe I’ll wear a tiara this year?  But before I worry about my pretty in pink ribbon outfit, I need to get a couple of 6 mile runs in before the race.

I also have the Frankefooter Half Marathon in October, which requires another special outfit.  I’ve been perusing the Halloween aisle at Target to check what costumes have been added to the displays.  No Glee Cheerios Cheerleader costume yet but there’s tons of candy.  Last week, I bought a bag of Twix and this week I bought candy corn.  Craptastic.  If I don’t get running soon, my ass is going be a scary sight.  No costume necessary because with my cheesy grin, I’ll look like a Jack-o-latern.

Speaking of pumpkins, I can’t bring myself to eat anything pumpkin flavored yet.  It’s like my brain can’t enjoy allspice when the weather is warm.  Even though fall starts Friday, the forecast predicts temperatures in near 90 and that’s not perfect pumpkin weather yet, which is probably a good thing.    I can put off my butt looking like a big-ass pumpkin muffin for a few more weeks.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Race to Click for a Cure

Posted on by Run DMT
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When my blogger buddy, Running Betty, created my Music Monday avatar, she asked for one small favor in return: Spread the word about the wonderful, charitable event happening over at allplussizebras.com.

 

In honor of the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure Event, allplussizebras.com will donate $250 to the participant with the most votes.

 

Here are the details:

Please help us get the word out by letting your friends, “tweeps”, and blog readers know that voting is now open at allplussizebras.com for a $250 donation to one walker in an upcoming Susan G. Komen 3 Day For the Cure event. Walkers registered for the contest at allplussizebras.com during the month of August. After nearly two days of deliberations, the staff at allplussizebras.com have named their ten finalists. Now, it’s up to the public to vote for the favorite finalist.

 

The Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure Reach Your Goal Contest attracted walkers from all over the country, but the following ten ladies have been named finalists:

 

Abby Clark
Amanda Kent
Cathy Youngling
Cedar Bennet
Kristen Marrs
Laurie Brosius
Monica Ng
Mylynka Cordona
Robyn Gornicki-Davis
Tammy Klueger.

 

Votes will be tallied at http://www.allplussizebras.com/vote and the polls will remain open until 9 am EDT on September 30, 2010. The walker receiving the most votes will be declared the winner and a $250 donation will be made to her fund raising page at the3day.org. In addition to voting, visitors to allplussizebras.com can read more about the finalists and contribute to one or more walkers if they choose.

 

When more people visit the page to vote, more donations to the Susan G. Komen foundation will be made through these dedicated ladies, so please tell everyone you can. Thanks!

 

For more information, contact Brian Darrow: brian@breastalliance.org

 

So, that’s it.  It’s that simple.  Just click on the link and vote for one walker before September 30.  Just visiting the site is a win-win situation in the race for a cure.

Saving the Ta-Tas One Step at a Time

Posted on by Run DMT
7

On Saturday, I joined thousands of walkers, runners and breast cancer survivors in downtown St. Petersburg for the Race for Cure 10K.  This is one of my favorite races because it feels good to be part of something bigger than me and knowing that my small contribution helps move us closer to a cure so that someday our children can live in a world without breast cancer-free.

 

Last year, I reconnected with an old high school friend on Facebook.  Since I often share my blog posts on Facebook, Rob read my Race for the Cure post last October.  Afterwards, he shared his wife’s, Sarah, story with me and thanked me for being part of this cause.  After learning about her battle with cancer, I wanted to honor Sarah and her survivor story.

 

This year, I ran for Sarah. 

 

 

The race itself is a gorgeous route.  As the sun rises over the bay, its golden rays create a pink horizon, a perfect match to this pink ribbon event.  The start line parallels the Vinoy and we follow 5th NE Ave to Bayshore Blvd which leads us to the St. Pete Pier.  Then the course winds through the streets of downtown St Pete.   

 

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 Like the previous year, the scenery didn’t disappoint and once again, I enjoyed running under the sunny skies of downtown St. Pete.  In typical Run DMT fashion, I took lots of pictures.  After passing Mile 1 on the pier, another runner offered her assistance with capturing my Kodak moments.

 

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 IMG_1392

 

Although I remembered my camera, I forgot my Garmin.  Therefore, I only know my “clock time” and not my real time as recorded by my Garmin.  I crossed the finish line at 59:04 and I made my “under an hour goal”, but I had hoped to have been closer to 55:00.  Without my Garmin, there’s no real way to determine my real time.  I had no idea how fast or slow I ran, but I do know that my calves were sore and I tired around mile 3, which means I probably pushed myself too hard at the start. 

 

I also know that I started a minute or so late because the race was seeded based on our pace.  I started at the 9:00 minute pace sign.  Like I already said, if I had my Garmin, I would know my exact time.  C’est la vie.  Hopefully, I will do better at Longleaf.  As long as I run without my camera, I should shave a minute  or two or three off my time.

 

Fortunately, I had quite a crowd cheering for me, including several Striders who all placed in the top 50…

 

Striders

 

and Strider Andrea (left), who finished third place for females.

 

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 Before the start of the race, I bumped into Running Betty, Brian and their daughter, Alice and all three cheered for me as I finished the race.  Running Betty even snapped some photos of me crossing the finish line.   

 

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  denise1

 

denisefinish

 

She also videotaped me.  It’s a thumbnail video but it’s still pretty cool to watch.   Thanks, Running Betty! :-)

 

Racing for a Cure: Race Day

Posted on by Run DMT
2

 

Marathon Moms

Last Saturday, my fellow Marathon Moms and I ran in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  Wanting to capture all the Kodak moments, I decided to run with my camera and I am so glad I did!  What a fun and gorgeous race!  Since I was running while snapping pictures, some of the photos were blurry.  

 

Here are some of the highlights of the race…

 

A crowd of over 11,000 people waited at the starting line.

 

 

Running along St. Pete Pier at sunrise was breathtaking!

 

 

For the 10K run,  the course continued through Downtown St. Petersburg.  Our local Tampabays 10 News Team cheered for all the runners as we sprinted by and I couldn’t resist giving them all a High-5.  Reginald Roundtree smiled, but the other anchors looked at me like I was crazy.  I don’t have a picture of that moment or the looks they gave me, so you’ll just have to take my word on it.  

 

I always liked Reginald.

 

 

Coming around the bend, I passed Lori.

 

Snapping photos may have slowed down my pace a little, but it made it more memorable.  I finished the race in 55:02.

 

Tiffany crossed the finish line still looking fabulous…

 

 

 

and I looked like a drowned rat!

 

 

 

Lori was close behind, but somehow we lost Gina and Leslie in the crowd.

 

 

After the race, we posed for one more quick pic at Vinoy Park

 

 

BTW…My sister, Simone, and her friend, Ula, were also at the race.  I never ran into them at the race, but I did spot them on the news.  

 

Races are always fun, but even more fun with friends!  Knowing we were supporting a great cause in more ways than one made the effort all the more better.

Save the Ta-Tas!

Posted on by Run DMT
Reply

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to honor the month, my moms’ group has formed our first team to participate in the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure this Saturday. 

 

According the American Cancer Society,

 

About 182,460 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2008. About 40,480 women will die from the disease this year. Right now there are about two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35.

 

 

Mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40.  Women with a history of breast cancer in their family can begin receiving mammograms as early as age 35.  Although breast cancer is unlikely to occur in women under the age of 35, there have been some cases.   

 

As reported by the National Cancer Institute,

 

a woman’s chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is

from ages 30 to 39. . . 0.44 percent (often expressed as “1 in 229″)
from ages 40 to 49. . . 1.46 percent (often expressed as “1 in 68″)
from ages 50 to 59. . . 2.73 percent (often expressed as “1 in 37 “)
from ages 60 to 69. . . 3.82 percent (often expressed as “1 in 26 “)

 

In addition, the American Cancer Society reports that “70% to 80% of women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of this disease”.

 

Given these statistics, why aren’t women under the age of 40 with no history of breast cancer in their families candidates for mammograms?  Why do women under the age of 40 have to wait to feel a lump in their breasts to be referred for a mammogram?

 

Upon researching mammograms, women will learn that breast tissue in younger women tends to be denser than breast tissue found in older women.  Dense breast tissue presents as white areas on an x-ray as does breast cancers, which could result in a misdiagnosis in younger women.  As women age, the tissue density decreases and becomes fattier, which allows for a more accurate screening.  Therefore, the most effective screening for women younger than 40 is a yearly clinical breast exam and monthly breast self-exams.     

 

 

More than likely, each of you has been touched by breast cancer in some way.  You can probably name a friend, family member, loved one or co-worker who has been stricken by this disease.  You may be a survivor.  

 

A few weeks ago, my sister’s co-worker recently lost a battle to breast cancer that no one even knew she was fighting.  At age 36, Tisha Cassaway passed away with no history of breast cancer in her family.

 

 

A former Moms on the Go member, Shelley Middleton has been a cancer survivor for 14 years.  Her mother, Nancy Lochner, lost her life to breast cancer at age 37.

 

 

 

This Saturday, we walk (and run) for women like Tisha, Shelley and Nancy.  We walk to remind women the importance of early detection.  We walk to move closer to a cure.  

 

Please find it in your heart to donate to our team. 

 

Moms on the Go Donation Page