Happy 1 Year Anniversary

Well today - July 13, 2008 is the one year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis! It's been a whole year since I found out that I had breast cancer. And now I am cancer free!

It's hard to believe I am on the other side of that news - 1 year later!

I was told it would be a rough year, but that it was going to be a "glitch" in my life. And in all honesty, it was a tough year - but it already seems like just a glitch. Yah - I would rather never have to go through chemo again, or have another surgery, but.....as hard as those things were - I am truly thankful I was able to do them, to save my life and to give me new perspective on life. It's like I have a new chance - to do so much more!

I feel great - 1 year later! My hair is growing back wonderfully. The short cut is rather cute! It is very curly (coming from someone who had pin straight hair before this). I am working out 6 times per week - swimming 1 mile 3 times per week, running 3 miles 2-3 times per week and working out with my personal trainer 2 times per week. Working full time. Loving my family. Going on vacation. Life is good.

It just goes to show "you can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it". Once I got the news - I just focused on the tasks at hand, powered through, completed the treatment regimen, and here I am. Having a wonderfully, enjoyable summer! It actually feels weird to be on this side of the treatments, knowing where my mind/ emotions/body were last summer.

I have learned a lot about myself. I really am stronger than I thought. More positive than I thought. More spiritual than I thought. More emotional than I thought. And have stronger family and friends than I thought. So many people came out to support me. That was so incredibly empowering and emotionally uplifting!

As a result of all of this - I will continue to give back to the breast cancer / cancer community. It is my calling. It is my responsibility. It is my pleasure! It makes me whole. I give back because I can - because I am alive and because others gave back before me, that saved my life.

Enough for now - it is a good day today! I am so happy to be on this side of the treatment!

p.s. and I LOVE my new boobs!

Avon Walk - The Slideshow

Here is a quick slideshow I put together from the Avon Walk photos. Look close you might see a celebrity with Christy. The song to go with it is from the latest American Idol Winner, David Cook.

CJ's Wild Ride

This ia photo reenactment of CJ's latest attempt on pushing us over the edge. No I didn't take the time to run and get the camera.

CJ was playing outside and I went in to do something. I then went in garage to open the garage door. I started to do something when I heard....Daaaaadddyyyyy !! Not in a terrified manner. I turned, I looked and to my surprise there goes CJ being raised by the garage door. All that I saw were his PJ bottoms and green froggy rain boots heading to certain disaster. I proceed to act quickly and dive towards CJ (not easy to do in a garage full of toys, bikes and bounce houses. Typical of CJ, it did not phase him a bit. He just went for a ride on the garage door. He must have grabbed the handle of door just as I hit the button. So now we all know now that a garage door will lift an extra 30 lbs no problem. CJ and I had a long talk and we'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again....What can he do next ??

Jamie

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - DC 2008

It was such a fantastic weekend!
We walked 39.3 miles throughout Washington DC in 2 days! All to raise money for breast cancer research and support. It was such an incredible experience.

Christy's crew raised $45,000! The walk in DC raised $8.1 million and had around 4000 walkers.

More pix and stories to come -

Let's just say - I am so dedicated to finding a cure. I walked 18 miles on Saturday on terrible blisters on the balls of my feet despite a nurse urging me to stop walking. And another 13 miles on Sunday - in which I will now lose another toenail as a result.

But - I am proud. Very proud to have been so dedicated. And I am proud that I was able to do all of that so shortly after having fought the battle of my life. Just 1 and 1/2 month ago I finished radiation. Just 4 and 1/2 months ago I had a double mastectomy. And 5 months ago I finished 8 rounds of chemo!

I am very proud of my strength to be able to accomplish such an incredible challenge so soon after all of that!

My friend Ruth got me a pin from another walker that said "Blisters don't need chemo"! I had blisters - I had chemo! I walk because I can!

Thank you to all who supported me and donated to our cause! Together we will find a cure!

Here's the back of our Sunday T-shirt! People took pictures of our backs all day long!

DC or Bust

We are so close to being in the Top 10 fund raising teams for our walk this weekend!
We have raised over $40,000 to find a cure for breast cancer!

If you have not given yet - and can, please do so! 5 Days to Go!

Forecast looks like rain and more rain and maybe even some thunder! 39 miles in the rain! Camping in the rain! Now, that's dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer!

Please sponsor a walker today!

Click here to sponsor me

Christy's Crew on Youtube

Rochester Red Wings Game - Pluta Cancer Center

I am so excited!

On Sunday, May 11th - Mother's Day, there is a Rochester Red Wings Game that is sponsored by Pluta Cancer Center. The players will be wearing special pink jersey's in honor of breast cancer awareness and these jersey's will be auctioned off at the game with the proceeds going to Pluta Cancer Center.

Yesterday, the Pluta social worker, Sue Vetter, asked me if I would be interested in throwing out the FIRST PITCH at this very special game! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to do this! Given everything I had to go through in the past year - the people who work at Pluta made the process so much easier! I cannot speak more highly of the nurses, doctors and staff at Pluta. This is such an honor for me!

If you are in Rochester that day - please join in the fun and come to the game.

If you are out of town - there will be plenty of pictures and video to share!

Now - I am off to the ball diamond at the local park to practice pitching a baseball! I don't want to make a fool of myself!