Hi. I’m Kate. Turn ons include IV drips, PETscans, and organic fig newtons. Turn offs include whining, hospital gowns, and artificial sugar.
Let’s see how much life I can squeeze in between work, chemo, sleep, and scans.
My Ugly Shoes
A humble and heartfelt hi to everyone. Humble because, as you will quickly learn, this is my shameless plea for money. Heartfelt because that’s how I seem to be living my life these days.
This story is divided into two parts: the first half is me begging for money for PanCAN’s Annual TeamHOPE Walk, the second half is me begging for help spreading awareness of pancreatic cancer.
I probably would have stopped reading by now, so I don’t blame you if don’t read any further. I also don’t want you to feel guilty for not donating - I’m walking regardless of whether or not I get that awesome cooler on wheels. If nothing else, I would be so grateful if you would delete the first half of this story, and send the second half to your family and friends.
First half: A Crumby Commercial?
I bought new running shoes about two weeks before I was diagnosed. Words cannot begin to describe just how ugly these shoes are, but that’s what happens when you have big flat feet - you get big ugly shoes. I bought the shoes because I missed running and thought that the shoes, along with an unbelievably complicated strength training regime, would help boost my energy level. Little did I know that my energy level was a symptom of the cancer that was invading my body.
I bought new running shoes about two weeks before I was diagnosed. Words cannot begin to describe just how ugly these shoes are, but that’s what happens when you have big flat feet - you get big ugly shoes. I bought the shoes because I missed running and thought that the shoes, along with an unbelievably complicated strength training regime, would help boost my energy level. Little did I know that my energy level was a symptom of the cancer that was invading my body.
My ugly shoes, still wrapped in tissue paper, have been sitting patiently in the deepest recesses of my closet. They have never felt the concrete below them and are starting to feel very neglected, but luckily, they have my spinning shoes keep them company.
When I first heard about this walk I thought it would be nice if someone would walk in my honor, but then realized it’s out in BFE Maryland (my apologies to anyone living in Bel Air, but I think you’d probably agree with me) and that was simply too much to ask of anyone. But on October 7th, after nine months of chemo, I’m going to put on my ugly shoes and participate in the walk myself. That fact alone fills me with such joy and happiness.
Well, if I’m going to actually wear my ugly shoes, I figured I might as well try to make it worth someone’s while. The walk is only two miles long, but it might as well be a marathon as I get worn out just walking from my car to DSW. I know I’ll finish the walk - I would just like to finish it in time for the closing ceremonies! Please visit my fundraising page and support me and my ugly shoes.
Second half: Purple and Proud
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the national organization dedicated to helping people like me. They spend their time spreading awareness about pancreatic cancer, lobbying for more cancer research, and connecting patients and caregivers with other people affected by pancreatic cancer. They are the purple bracelet people who have been there when I needed information, guidance, or reassurance. Their site is a tremendous resource, but this is the most important page: About Pancreatic Cancer.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the national organization dedicated to helping people like me. They spend their time spreading awareness about pancreatic cancer, lobbying for more cancer research, and connecting patients and caregivers with other people affected by pancreatic cancer. They are the purple bracelet people who have been there when I needed information, guidance, or reassurance. Their site is a tremendous resource, but this is the most important page: About Pancreatic Cancer.
I won’t go into the statistics because, to be brutally honest, they scare the flip out of me. It goes without saying that early detection is of utmost importance when it comes to increasing survivorship percentages. Please visit PanCAN’s site, learn about pancreatic cancer, and pass this information along to someone else.
As I wrote in my blog: The purple community is small, stubborn, and ever hopeful. We’re that proverbial junkyard dog, scrappy and feisty, not going down without a fight.
Kate - Congratulations on exceeding you fundraising goal by the amount raised!
HEAL
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