The Road to Recovery
March 21st, 2011
When I asked my oncologist how I could get on the good side of the recurrence statistics, here is what she told me:
“You will hear a lot of theories. But there are two things that we do know influence recurrence. You need to do aerobic exercise a half an hour a day and keep to your lowest healthy body weight.”
I have been a compliant patient all along. Being a compliant survivor is a little more challenging. Although they often seemed to stretch on forever, my treatments were time-limited. I could figure out ways to keep going back for the chemo that made me feel so sick or the radiation that turned my skin raw, in part because I knew it would end.
I have generally kept fit in my adult life, but like most working moms, there have been times of greater attention to self-care and times where that gets fairly neglected.
With my doctor’s words, I felt I could no longer weave in and out of an exercise regimen. It had to become like brushing and flossing, something that feels wrong to skip.
I know myself. I needed to structure this exercise task, give myself an exciting goal, cut the Rest-Of-My-Life time frame into a more conceivable chunk.
So I signed up for the New York City Half Marathon. I raised money for an organization I respect, the I’m Too Young for This Cancer Foundation. It felt like a deliberate push back to the disease that has robbed me of so much.
I got my training program lined up and wrote it in my calendar. It was non-negotiable. I had to figure out how to do my runs, whether there was rain, sleet, or a feverish child to tend to.
I got my Twitter pals involved. On days where I needed motivation (which was fairly often), I would dedicate my runs to specific friends who had shown me support or to groups of people I was thinking of. I dedicated long runs to the Newly Diagnosed, to Those Whose Suffering Cannot Be Touched by love or medicine.
These are some of my awesome cheerleaders on Twitter.
The dedications would elicit cheers from my tweeps. That helped me stay more focused and determined. I even got training tips from fellow runners.
I loved training because my increasing fitness was so concrete. Since I had my last procedure at the end of December, in early January, I was unable to complete a mile without stopping to walk. As I trained, I could run 1 mile. Then 2. Then 5. I even got some speed back. I noticed my sleep and concentration improving in other parts of my life. Running felt like a direct route to my recovery.
Yesterday was a lovely, chilly day in New York City. My childhood friend and I lined up at the starting corral and chatted for the better part of 13.1 miles. We went through Central Park, Times Square, and down along the Hudson River. New York City has been a backdrop for certain phases of my treatment. I came here for my second opinion when I was newly diagnosed. I came with my family to visit friends after my chemo was complete. And now here I was, with my re-emerging health, running through this iconic landscape. I felt strong the whole way and sprinted across the finish line.
Thank you so much to all of you who supported me and helped me reach this milestone. I really feel like I am gaining an important part of my life back.
This entry was posted on Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 9:20 am and is filed under Survivorship, Wellness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Oh YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!! So happy for you. So very happy!!
thanks lorrie!!
I got a little teary reading this. I admire your dedication to yourself and your health. Way to go!
thank you. as you can see, i got there with a lot of help from lots of friends!
It thrills me to read these words, CB. I cannot express the awe and admiration I feel for you, knowing that you rebounded so quickly after your last treatment to conquer the amazing feat of 13.1 miles.
I am training for my own 1/2 marathon, and every time I lace up, I think of you. Thanks for showing me the way!
xo – Emily (aka @emopause)
yay emily! count me in as one of your cheerleaders!!
*still cheering* xxxxx
*high five*
A fantastic achievement there CB. Love the photo too. You must feel so proud. What’s the next goal?!
i’m doing another one at the end of april. i am a goal-oriented gal, not terribly self-motivated otherwise. funny way to be lazy, i suppose…
It was great to be on a team. Perhaps if I trained, I would not be in so much pain.
Ouch.
xoxo
you are a rock star, nonetheless. great to hang with you and the lovely EE! xoxo
No other way to put this–you ROCK.
thanks jackie! as do you, friend!
HeeHee! What Lorrie said!
It’s heartwarming to have been in the audience to watch you reclaim your health and your life. It’s the best way to say “FU” in the face of that sorry b*stard!
Your tweets & blogging have helped to keep my attitude centered as travel my own uncertain path here. We owe you a big thanks, too!
I am SO glad the days was perfect for you! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYY!! [waves pompoms, gets over-excited & poms self in face. Staggers back to bleachers] yay! <3
i am always glad when my oversharing helps others!! xoxo
Look at you! So full of life in that picture! Even though I’m sure you will remain in great health with your level of determination, I will always be sending positive thoughts your way. You are AMAZING and the world is so lucky to have you!
thanks, katie. thank you for your support!
AWESOME! I’m really proud of you to put your health needs as a priority. I used to run before a complicated surgery. Now I walk and swim, but you’ve just inspired me to try running again. Slow and steady!!
yay! keep up the good healthy stuff. xo
Congratulations, Lani!! You did it!!! I’m inspired!
You have done so well, and are such and encouragement to us all. Love and hugs, friend! <3
thanks, beckye. hugs back atcha. xo
Oh, Lani, I sooooooo like this. Congratulations and you are one ass-kicking cancer superstar.
xoxo
Katie
thank you, katie! xo
Lani, I need to take a lesson here. Since James died, I go to the gym three days a week, but don’t walk the other days like I used to. For that matter, my diet, stress, meditation…. I’ve done nothing like I used to. I also know I need to come to terms with the fact that when I resume walking on the ranch, I will have to pass, coming & going, the place where he died.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
oh brenda… do you have a friend who can walk with you? you might need support. it is understandable how hard that is going to be. i think of you all the time and wish you strength and healing. XOXOXO
Fantastic, Lani. Never doubt how many people you’ve just inspired to get off the couch. As someone who constantly drifts in and out of the exercise routine, you’ve made me want to be better at it. Thanks for that and congratulations! You rock!
Lani, You feel like you are getting an important piece of your life back because you ARE! Congrats on completing the run! I’m still gonna try to do my 10K the end of May even if I’m only walking it. Great inspiration here.
walk, run… just do it, nancy! xoxo
Lani
This is fab. You are truly an inspiration.
Congratulations on your run for 13.1, and your run for life.
Greg
thanks greg! can you find your avi among my cheerleaders?
This is fantastic! I can’t even imagine doing a run like that. you rock!
thanks gayle!
I love the idea of your twitter followers encouraging you! I have just started training for the 2011 ‘Mother’s Day Classic’ fund-raising run (http://s.eventarc.com/sponsor/view/13366/tish-kirkland) and I intend to run the full 4.5km (2.8mi). As a non-runner, this is quite a feat.
Previously, my motivation for exercise was rather laissez faire, but now, like you, it’s about getting to -and maintaining- a healthy weight so that I don’t get sick again. Not that I was massively obese before but my BMD was a couple of points higher than the healthy range.
At the moment, weather permitting, I run for about 40min/3.5km 3 times per week. I am very very impressed with your 13.1mi. That is HUGE! Well done – you are an inspiration!
thanks tish! if i can support other survivors in reaching big goals, that is very gratifying.
Congratulations, but also what a spirit! כל הכבוד, kol hakavod as they say! You’re an inspiration lani!
תודה לך
This is so inspiring – congratulations!