The Avon Walk- A Restoration of Hope

Cross-posted and archived from DC Metro Moms.  Original post date May 8, 2008.  It's walk weekend again so I'm posting this.

In some ways I am still reeling from completing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past weekend. Maybe it is due to the surprise visit I had from a dear old friend or simply the fact that my sleeping bag is still airing out on my deck. However I may be feeling, it was worth it! Every blister, every painful step, even the rest stops that lacked water and Gatorade it was worth it and not just because it was the first year I did not have to lie in a puddle soaked sleeping bag all night.


It was my fourth year completing the walk and the second that my aunt is cancer-free. Each year it seems the list of who I walk for just gets longer and I remind myself that this is the reason I walk so that the list will not just get shorter but maybe cease to even exist one day.

This year the walk felt different and not just because I am pregnant and a bit slower. This year the walk seemed to truly bubble over with a sense of hope and strong purpose. The energy in the crowd was high all through the weekend and we were 3,800 walkers strong! Friends and family from all over came out to cheer us on. Random acts of kindness were abundant as tired walkers climbed the hills of the District's hot sun on both days. There were donuts passed out, bottles of water left on front steps by helpful strangers and kids all over the city not only cheered on complete strangers but set up free lemonade stands along the route. It never failed to bring a tear to my eye.

We often complain to one another that the world is a hard place and we are a cynical lot. Some people state that they would not want to raise children in a world this cold. I think I can safely say that after this weekend it only takes walking through the neighborhoods our great city to see that happy families, good neighborhoods and caring souls do still walk our streets and they are teaching their children to do the unto others as they themselves wish to be treated. I felt all this in abundance this year and at almost every corner.

When I crossed that finish line on Sunday, ending my 26.2 mile journey, I felt propelled by the goodwill, cheering crowds and immense feeling of love and support from fellow walkers, friends, family and perfect strangers. That is what got me through the walk this year, it wasn't just my own blind determination. The sense of hope I felt that we will lick this dreadful disease was stronger for me this year than in years past. I felt elated and very emotional and I don't think it was just my hormones talking. It was all of you and all the kindness you have shown throughout this year. For that, I am thankful. You have restored my sense of hope.


Comments


whymommy said...


Victoria, I wish I'd known you were walking! I was there cheering the crowds on Saturday and Sunday -- I hope I hollered loud enough for you to hear me. Even though we're technically strangers, I'm so proud of you for doing this....

Healing Mama

I need a healing right now.  My mind is a whizzing blur of tangled thoughts. I feel like a glowing orb of sad feelings is just emanating from me non-stop.  Starting marriage counseling is probably for the best.  Once started though it gets the ball rolling for more open and frank discussions that are usually left unsaid.  That seems so much easier doesn't it?  Not in the long run for anyone of us I know but right now I feel like a pretty sucktastic person and mother.  I'm too addled and confused to feel real relevant or like I am imparting any wisdom and life skills on anyone. 

So I'm going to do something nice for someone else.  Crunchy Chewy Mama has a friend in need. Liz has always been there for Jessica when she was in need and now Liz, a mother of young children, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I know you are probably thinking- "OK. We get it! People you know have breast cancer! You, like, care a lot about it, and stuff." 

Here is the thing.

Liz doesn't have insurance.  She needs treatment to be there for other little people. To impart her own love, life lessons and wisdom on them for years to come. So do something real, unselfish and giving today.  Be there for Liz and visit Help to Heal Mama.  If you know of a way to offer help to her and her family- offer it. Please.

Thank you.

Copy Cat for Cancer

I know I'm fascinating and all what with my talk of butts to be wiped, sleepless nights and updates on my writin' skilz.  But as I say to TD more often than I would like, "It's not always about you."  Today, it's about Susan.  A woman I admire and am proud to call a fellow bloggy friend needs our thoughts, prayers, good vibes or whatever it is you want to send her way. She's starting a clinical trial today for cancer.  She needs us. 

Go read her post from today.  And read this bit too.  It's about Cricket's Answer and LympheDIVAS.   If you comment on this post I'll donate a dollar for every non-spam comment (up to 100 comments) to the LympheDIVAS and Cricket's Answer so that a woman who needs lymphedema sleeves can have them.  They can cost up to $200 a pair.  Do a good deed! Comment once per day until Friday, January 28, 2011. 

Yup, I'm totally copying Kristen from Motherhood Uncensored and her massive generosity as well as Jess from a Parent in Silver Spring but it's all for a good cause.  So why not?

Team WhyMommy's Virtual Science Fair

Susan is a friend of mine and fellow DC blogger and DC Metro Mom. She's the girl who always has a smile on her face and something intelligent to say no matter where we are. I love being around her.  She went in for surgery today.  The cancer is back.  She will fight it and she will beat it.  She has so much love and support and Team WhyMommy Virtual Science Fair is just a small part of that support.  I think Jean from Stimeyland says it best when she states, "We want her to know that she is loved and supported. But we also want her to know that our love and support is not all because of the cancer. We love and support her because of who she is, not just because of what she has. She is not just a cancer fighter, but an incredible person, one who is passionate about science and especially women who do science."

Science.  Not my best subject but over TD's Spring Break (Whoohooo Spring Break 2010!!!) we conducted a little science experiment to pass the time, show Susan some support and learn a thing or two.  So just like on the Brady Bunch we made a volcano-



We're thinking of you Susan!

A Pearl of Wisdom

Cervical cancer is my ghost.

When I was 21 my doctor told me she was "pretty sure" I had it. After much hysteria and testing, it turns out that she was wrong. I'm not even going to go into how insane it was that she diagnosed me like that without hard facts and reams of positive test results. I can't even describe the big sigh of relief I had for weeks on end when the results were negative. However, I've had to spend the last 12 years being extra-vigilant, enduring more tests and in general wondering if this will be my end result.

While at Blogher this summer I happened to meet the group behind 'Pearl of Wisdom'. I was lucky enough to meet Michelle Whitlock and learn about her incredible survivor story. I believe, like Michelle, that the more we educate and spread awareness about this entirely preventable type of cancer that less women will lose their fertility and lives to this disease. I wanted to help Michelle and the Pearl of Wisdom people get the word out. It is so important to know that cervical cancer is preventable. Just by using the Pap test, the HPV test and the HPV vaccine you can keep those icky cancer cells in check and breathe easy knowing you are in the clear.

Join me in getting the conversation started. Pearl of Wisdom is asking women to wear their Pearl of Wisdom pin and submit to the campaign a photo of themselves wearing it (photos can be fun or serious). Photos will be featured on the campaign’s site, and everyone who submits one will be eligible to win a cool prize when the promotion ends October 31st. SO- I'm giving away FIVE pins. Enter to win by commenting. I'll send the first five readers their pins!