Tag Archives: cancer

5 Miles for Moffitt 2012

Posted on by Run DMT
5

Although my 5 Miles for Moffitt race was over two weeks ago, I’ve been struggling with this recap as well as a chest cold.

Against my better judgment, I decided to run the race with a hacking, nagging cough.  My chest was tight and I could barely breathe, but it was important for me to run this race in my Aunt June’s memory.  Aunt June spent the last two years of her life barely breathing through rounds of chemotherapy, therefore, I could easily suck it up and run with a little cough.

Friends advised me to take the race easy and not push myself, which was my plan.  “Listen to your body, don’t push it!” @forrestgump49er tweeted me.  I was just there to do something good in the ‘hood and support a cause that is bigger than all of us.

Much like last year, the course led us through the campus of my Alma Mater.  For the most part, it’s a flat course through the USF with lots of shady trees and the occasional hill.

We ran the past The American Cancer Society and Moffitt as subtle scenic symbols to remind us why what brought us here.

Past the hospitals, we began a gradual incline.  I remembered this being quite challenging last year, but this year it didn’t seem so bad despite feeling poorly due to my cold.  I guess all those fitness challenges paid off!

Around the bend, we ran towards the Sun Dome and then the course looped back with more “hills” on the horizon.

Once over the final incline, the 5 milers joined up with the 5K runners and surprisingly, it wasn’t congested where the two races met.

As we headed toward the finish, I caught a whiff of the jasmine hedge along the street.  I couldn’t help but sing, “Summer breeze races make me fine. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.”  I’m not sure if anyone appreciated my humor or singing as we finished up our five miles.

At least I enjoyed it and my time too.  Even with a cold, I finished almost a minute faster than last year.

Gun Time 51:08.4 

Chip Time 50:45.3 

Ave Pace 10:10

Division Place 34/68

Overall Place 515/886

After the race, I hacked a lung from coughing and then I visited the Moffitt Mole Patrol for a free skin screening.  Since I constantly slather myself in sun block, I felt pretty confident in the results.  Boy, was I in for shock!  Apparently, I have some sun damage on my chest.  What?!  How is that possible? 

I determined it’s from all the unintentional exposure like walking through a parking lot or spontaneous play dates at the park.  Needless to say, this mama will make sun block part of her daily routine from now on!  I ain’t getting old lady neck or chest just yet!

When I put my racing top back on after my screening, I noticed my “in memory” sign was missing.  Somehow the sign had slipped out of the plastic sleeve during the race.  “I’ve lost my aunt!” I exclaimed to the doctor, but he looked very confused.  I’m sure he thought the sun was damaging my brain as well as my skin.

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue Look whooooo’s snapping Unknown Mami

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

A Tangled Mess No More!

Posted on by Run DMT
16

When my girls are due for a trim, Allana always begs me to take her to Sweet & Sassy for her haircut.  I adore the whole Sweet & Sassy glittery pampering experience as much as my girls, but on a tight SAHMom-on-the-run race budget, princess haircuts at Sweet & Sassy simply are not financially feasible for two girls even with discounts or specials.

 

But when I got wind of Sweet & Sassy’s Tangled haircut promotion for the release of the Tangled DVD, I rushed the girls right into the salon.  Any girl who donated 10” of hair to Locks of Love would receive a free haircut and style.   BUT, would my girls be willing to donate 10” of their beautiful curls for a good cause and a free haircut?

 

Even if my girls weren’t willing to donate their hair, I decided to still bring them into the salon to take advantage of the “buy one haircut, get a second haircut 50% off” deal and all the Tangled fun Sweet & Sassy was offering.

 

So when I picked them up from school and informed the girls about Sweet & Sassy’s Tangled event, Allana agreed to do it.  Her exact words were, “Sure.  I’ll do it. Wait.  How short will my hair be?”  Emmalynn wasn’t quite so willing at first.

 

Using a tape measure, I showed the girls the length of 10”of hair and approximately how much hair would be left after the cut.  Allana still agreed to do it.  Once Emmalynn saw the length in the mirror, she was ready to do it.  Her exact words were, “Oh!  That will look so cute!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And boy did those girls ever look so cute with their new dos!  Later that evening, Allana told me she donated her hair in memory of Aunt June.  Her unexpected, unprompted gesture caught me off guard and really choked me up.

 

 

 

I am so proud of my beautiful girls and their generosity.

 

 

The Gallery: Every WednesdayPhotoStory Friday

 

In Loving Memory of My Aunt June

Posted on by Run DMT
11

As far back as I can remember, my Aunt June played an important part in my life.  We spent many holidays at her home where I ate several helpings of her homemade lemon meringue pie and Strufoli (Italian honey balls covered in rainbow sprinkles).

 

Growing up, Aunt June came to every recital and school play.  As my sister and I grew older, she was present at our graduations and weddings.  Then when my children came along, she was there to celebrate their births, christenings and recitals too.

 

 

Aunt June, a beautiful and tough woman, had a hard life raising five children and caring for a husband with MS.  But somehow in the midst of it all, she started a hair salon out of her home.  As her business grew, she moved her salon out of her garage, found an office space and a new home for her salon appropriately named June’s Beauty Salon.  Then a few years later, she opened a second salon while working nights as a cleaning lady to put her youngest son through college.  She never saw it as a sacrifice, but simply a new challenge for the well-being of her family.

 

A true woman of strength and courage, Aunt June repeatedly tried new endeavors.  She studied and trained to become a travel agent and then an LPN.  As the years passed, her health declined due to years of smoking and she began losing her hair.  What seemed like unfortunate situation had a positive outcome as it led her down a path where she found a new niche and opened a wig shop.

 

As a child, I spent countless hours spinning in her hairdresser chairs until I became dizzy.  As a teen, I would look for any excuse to drive my car.  I would soon find myself at her hair salon because I was in the neighborhood, but really I loved visiting with her.

 

When I told my daughters that Aunt June was dying of cancer, Allana remembered her great aunt with the her fiery red hair and her wig shop, particularly the hot pink wigs on display.  When I remember my Aunt June, I will also remember her for her fiery red hair and a feisty wit and will to match.

 

 

September 5, 1939 – September 10, 2010