First Relay of Life tomorrow
Comments
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Well, the Relay is ratther like a live version of this room...you personally aren't on display, but you would be cheered as part of a group who are just like you. And only the opening first lap is the survivors lap...after that, there are dozens and maybe hundreds walking for the rest of the 12-24 hours of your particular event,depending on how large the event is. You pretty much become invisible and just...walk! Participants eat, talk, rest, laugh, entertain, walk, walk and walk! After the initial lap it isn't really that emotional, tho the luminarias can bring tears to anyones eyes. But you'll never know until you go, will you!? :-)mimivac said:Claudia
Yes, I have read posts about you and KathiM's experience on Capitol Hill. I think that's great and I'm sure it was such a magical day. I didn't express myself very well. I wouldn't feel weird cheering on survivors, but I would feel weird if they were cheering ME on. I guess it's the attention. I don't know how the relays work. I imagine being on display as a cancer survivor. People looking at you....
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Have a grand time at the Relay....I know you will! Don't over do~ it's easy to get swept up and never sit down! LOLjgridley said:My first relay
Margo, way to go...My first relay is tomorrow as well. Take it easy and I hope you have a great time.....
Julie
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
To jakeca, JoMama and Mimi...mimivac said:Claudia
Yes, I have read posts about you and KathiM's experience on Capitol Hill. I think that's great and I'm sure it was such a magical day. I didn't express myself very well. I wouldn't feel weird cheering on survivors, but I would feel weird if they were cheering ME on. I guess it's the attention. I don't know how the relays work. I imagine being on display as a cancer survivor. People looking at you....
I completely understand exactly how you feel. Was barely done with all treatment when I attended my first Relay - with much personal hesitation, but strongly urged by my entire rads team (they were all working at the event, manning booths, etc. as volunteers, at a high school track right across the street from the hospital where I did chemo and rads - it was very hard to say "no" to them).
Please know that - as a Survivor - all participation is optional. And Survivors do not make up the majority of the attendees at Relays. Families and friends of, supporters and caregivers far outnumber the Survivors.
Mimi: At one point, Survivors were invited - again, as an option - to introduce themselves to everyone, state their type of cancer, and longevity of survivorship. I did not - simply could not - do this. Though I stood in the crowd and applauded all who did. I attended my 2nd Relay just last summer. Again, I did not participate in that particular portion of the event. There was no pressure - at either - from anyone.
Attendance at events like this are very personal decisions we all make for ourselves. Many here on the board are avid activists for our cause, in many different ways. We all cheer each other on, no matter what. I hope none of you ever feels "less" than others because of your own choices. I don't believe any one of us would be judgmental in that way. None of us should ever, ever feel obligated to do anything we're not truly and completely comfortable with. Sheesh, fighting the beast itself is enough of THAT!
At some point in the future, if desire and willingness are naturally felt - you'll simply know. And, if not - certainly, that's OK, too.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Margo and Julie
High fives to both of you. I have not as yet done any of our walks in our area, mainly because they are on some holiday weekend (mothers day) and I am with my family. I know, excuses, I do plan on participating soon, but until then, I will cheer all of you on who are and have done so already.
Proud to be one of you
=^..^=0 -
SURVIVORSMoopy23 said:Margo and Julie
I am sure your experience will be unforgettable and moving like eveyone's has been. And it is something to b proud of.
I did overdo, though, just from the excitement and events. I ended up walking far more than I should have or was ready to. I paid for it the next few days. So I would caution you to not let your emotions cause you to extend yourself too much.
I do have to say I felt as Jakeca and Mimi described as far as walking with survivors. I did not do that. I felt self-conscious, and did not feel I had done anything to merit applause. Otherwise, it was a memorable and uplifting evening, to see so much support and commitment to finding a cure. And Jake will love it--all kinds of activities and, I warn you, lots of junk food!
Looking forward to hearing about your first relay!
I have to chime in again... First on the survivors lap and the cheeering; I liken it to cheering when a race car driver is cheered when he gets out of his/her wrecked race car OR when an injured footbal player gets up or is taken off the field. You are posting on the CANER SURVIVORS BOARD correct... you are still alive... correct??? If nothing else it's to give hope to others, "SEE, I AM STILL ALIVE" Second... I agree with Moopy about getting caught up and doing too much! There is A LOT OF ENERGY there! I haven't been dianosed nor am I under going treatments, (so I wouldn't expect or want any one who is to do this) but I went last year and walked 20 miles (not intending to) and then I was watching "Biggest Loser" and decided I wanted to do the full marathon THIS YEAR... THAT WAS BEFORE I decided to have my lumps checked. Relay was right after the Dr told me I was getting a MAMMOGRAM... please remember - I'm a GUY... to me that was devastating! I decided I would walk "some" but wait and see "how I felt", well I ended up doing the 26.3 miles and like Moopy said... I PAID for several days, but I am PROUD of my accomplishment, just as everyone here should be PROUD of THEIR accomplishments!!!! Do what YOU feel comfortable doing, but don't "sit-back" because you feel "unworthy" cuz that is TOTAL BULLc**p !!! Every one of you are worthy of being called SURVIVOR!!!!!
Love and HUGS,
Mike
ps... I bet it sounds like I am bragging about how far, and may be I am... but it was/IS a LABOR OF LOVE and I so enjoy supporting "the cause"... our team raised over $15000 for ACS and that ISN'T bragging, we weren't even in the top 5 teams! That is tremedous support for all of YOU!!! Thank YOU for letting me part of it!0 -
What my plans arecats_toy said:Margo and Julie
High fives to both of you. I have not as yet done any of our walks in our area, mainly because they are on some holiday weekend (mothers day) and I am with my family. I know, excuses, I do plan on participating soon, but until then, I will cheer all of you on who are and have done so already.
Proud to be one of you
=^..^=
I plan on walking the first lap with Jake, my mom and my sister. Let Jake have fun before my mom takes him overnight--so Moopy if he eats junk food I won't have to deal with his energy--my mom will--HAHA.
I am then leaving there to go to a benefit for a friend who has kidney cancer and no insurance.
Then I will be going back for the Luminaria bag and name announcements then coming home and sleeping and then going back in the morning to walk some more.
I will not over due it. I do walk the golf course 18 holes so I could walk some around the track.
Julie,
Have as much fun as I hope too.
Margo-----everyone on this CSN will be in my thoughts tonight---you will all be walking with me and my head will be held high.
Love you all---my CNS family.0 -
SurvivorsCR1954 said:Enjoy........
Enjoy the day Margo! I also hope that you, Jake & your Mom have a wonderful experience!
Hugs,
CR
Like several others have said ... I don't feel like a survivor. To be honest ... I don't think I have "suffered." I know that sounds crazy ... but I still don't feel as though I have cancer. I haven't been SICK! Other than a few minor inconveniences (side-effects) my life has pretty much gone on like it did before the diagnosis. Maybe I'm in denial ... or just used to putting on a "happy face" and trying to avoid being pitied. I don't know. But for some reason ... I just don't feel as though I've "earned the right" to call myself a survivor. And ... I'm not really fond of pink either.
Am I nuts?
hugs.
teena0 -
Congrats to you Margo forCR1954 said:Enjoy........
Enjoy the day Margo! I also hope that you, Jake & your Mom have a wonderful experience!
Hugs,
CR
Congrats to you Margo for going to the Relay for Life! And, how great that Jake and your Mom will be there with you! Walk proud!0 -
Thanks, Margo!tommaseena said:What my plans are
I plan on walking the first lap with Jake, my mom and my sister. Let Jake have fun before my mom takes him overnight--so Moopy if he eats junk food I won't have to deal with his energy--my mom will--HAHA.
I am then leaving there to go to a benefit for a friend who has kidney cancer and no insurance.
Then I will be going back for the Luminaria bag and name announcements then coming home and sleeping and then going back in the morning to walk some more.
I will not over due it. I do walk the golf course 18 holes so I could walk some around the track.
Julie,
Have as much fun as I hope too.
Margo-----everyone on this CSN will be in my thoughts tonight---you will all be walking with me and my head will be held high.
Love you all---my CNS family.
For taking all of us along with you tonight, in thoughts.
I'll be thinking of you, too. Yeah, you hold that just-barely-not-bald-anymore head up high! :-)
Kind regards, Susan0 -
Have fun Margo! And, thanksChristmas Girl said:Julie - you GO, girl!
Hopeful best wishes that you'll truly enjoy and be inspired by your first Relay for Life.
And, as a fellow cancer survivor - thank you.
Kind regards, Susan
Have fun Margo! And, thanks for walking for us! Hugs, Noel0 -
Thank youChristmas Girl said:To jakeca, JoMama and Mimi...
I completely understand exactly how you feel. Was barely done with all treatment when I attended my first Relay - with much personal hesitation, but strongly urged by my entire rads team (they were all working at the event, manning booths, etc. as volunteers, at a high school track right across the street from the hospital where I did chemo and rads - it was very hard to say "no" to them).
Please know that - as a Survivor - all participation is optional. And Survivors do not make up the majority of the attendees at Relays. Families and friends of, supporters and caregivers far outnumber the Survivors.
Mimi: At one point, Survivors were invited - again, as an option - to introduce themselves to everyone, state their type of cancer, and longevity of survivorship. I did not - simply could not - do this. Though I stood in the crowd and applauded all who did. I attended my 2nd Relay just last summer. Again, I did not participate in that particular portion of the event. There was no pressure - at either - from anyone.
Attendance at events like this are very personal decisions we all make for ourselves. Many here on the board are avid activists for our cause, in many different ways. We all cheer each other on, no matter what. I hope none of you ever feels "less" than others because of your own choices. I don't believe any one of us would be judgmental in that way. None of us should ever, ever feel obligated to do anything we're not truly and completely comfortable with. Sheesh, fighting the beast itself is enough of THAT!
At some point in the future, if desire and willingness are naturally felt - you'll simply know. And, if not - certainly, that's OK, too.
Kind regards, Susan
Susan, thank you for your understanding and compassion. I am still on the fence, but I have to decide by tomorrow night. Either way, I appreciate all of the support that is offered at Relay For Life and hopefully if I choose not to participate this year, by next year I will be ready!0 -
Thanks for walking for ustommaseena said:What my plans are
I plan on walking the first lap with Jake, my mom and my sister. Let Jake have fun before my mom takes him overnight--so Moopy if he eats junk food I won't have to deal with his energy--my mom will--HAHA.
I am then leaving there to go to a benefit for a friend who has kidney cancer and no insurance.
Then I will be going back for the Luminaria bag and name announcements then coming home and sleeping and then going back in the morning to walk some more.
I will not over due it. I do walk the golf course 18 holes so I could walk some around the track.
Julie,
Have as much fun as I hope too.
Margo-----everyone on this CSN will be in my thoughts tonight---you will all be walking with me and my head will be held high.
Love you all---my CNS family.
Thanks for walking for us Margo! I love when our "sisters" do this! Love you!0 -
JulieChristmas Girl said:Julie - you GO, girl!
Hopeful best wishes that you'll truly enjoy and be inspired by your first Relay for Life.
And, as a fellow cancer survivor - thank you.
Kind regards, Susan
You have a great Relay of Life tomorrow! Enjoy every minute of it.
I did my first one this year with a team named after me, and, I loved it. It is a very happy
time and great to see so many survivors! Have fun! Jeanne
there are pics of some of my team on my expression page..a great group!0 -
Hey Margo, I will be walking
Hey Margo, I will be walking too! I will be chanting everyone's name. Bring tissues!!!! LOL as you will get a little tear jerky. Love ya, Lili0 -
Julie, enjoy the Relay! ItThe1percen said:SURVIVORS
I have to chime in again... First on the survivors lap and the cheeering; I liken it to cheering when a race car driver is cheered when he gets out of his/her wrecked race car OR when an injured footbal player gets up or is taken off the field. You are posting on the CANER SURVIVORS BOARD correct... you are still alive... correct??? If nothing else it's to give hope to others, "SEE, I AM STILL ALIVE" Second... I agree with Moopy about getting caught up and doing too much! There is A LOT OF ENERGY there! I haven't been dianosed nor am I under going treatments, (so I wouldn't expect or want any one who is to do this) but I went last year and walked 20 miles (not intending to) and then I was watching "Biggest Loser" and decided I wanted to do the full marathon THIS YEAR... THAT WAS BEFORE I decided to have my lumps checked. Relay was right after the Dr told me I was getting a MAMMOGRAM... please remember - I'm a GUY... to me that was devastating! I decided I would walk "some" but wait and see "how I felt", well I ended up doing the 26.3 miles and like Moopy said... I PAID for several days, but I am PROUD of my accomplishment, just as everyone here should be PROUD of THEIR accomplishments!!!! Do what YOU feel comfortable doing, but don't "sit-back" because you feel "unworthy" cuz that is TOTAL BULLc**p !!! Every one of you are worthy of being called SURVIVOR!!!!!
Love and HUGS,
Mike
ps... I bet it sounds like I am bragging about how far, and may be I am... but it was/IS a LABOR OF LOVE and I so enjoy supporting "the cause"... our team raised over $15000 for ACS and that ISN'T bragging, we weren't even in the top 5 teams! That is tremedous support for all of YOU!!! Thank YOU for letting me part of it!
Julie, enjoy the Relay! It is inspiring!0 -
To everyone who is or hasmmontero38 said:Hey Margo, I will be walking
Hey Margo, I will be walking too! I will be chanting everyone's name. Bring tissues!!!! LOL as you will get a little tear jerky. Love ya, Lili
To everyone who is or has participated in the Relay For Life for the first time as a survivor, you are to be commended. I worked for years as a part of the organizing committee for Relay in a small town outside of Houston, and never quite understood what compelled me to make this my crusade. I had no family members effected by cancer, nor any close friends. However, when called upon to help put together the first Relay for our area, I found myself instantly caught up in the emotion that goes along with this event. Fifteen years later, I find myself being a survivor, and attending my first Relay For Life in that capacity. The survivors lap was something I didn't know if I could face or not....althgether different from being an organizer. However, as I walked the survivors lap I found that I was completely oblivious of anyone or anything around me. My goal was to make the lap, on my own two feet, and to do it with grace. Tears came and went as I walked the track, and only my thoughts were with me. My husband stood up and watched as I walked the lap, and by the time I got back to him we both were in tears. The emotion felt was overwhelming, and cannot be explained by anyone other than a survivor. This was my first "outing" since treatment was completed, and I am so proud to say that it was the most fulfilling moment of my life. I have survived, I will survive, and so will a multitude of others as this event continues to help provide the funding to find a cure for cancer. My participation in Relay For Life was certainly not a big deal, but deep inside I think it is the best thing I have ever done in my life. Don't miss out on participating if you have the opportunity to do so. I promise you won't regret it, and will come away feeling a lot different about being a survivor. Hugs.
Judy0 -
First relayKylez said:Ok Margo, how was your first
Ok Margo, how was your first relay? Details lol
It was raining cats and dogs here so I told my mom not to bring Jake down and at the last minute they moved it inside the school. Hotter than you know what in there.
Seeing all the people there was amazing. I met a lot of nice people there.
I did walk the survivors lap and I think I felt more numb than anything. I don't know if it was because my family was not there or I wasn't part of a team or what but I don't know what I really was feeling. I don't know if it is because I am still going through treatment and don't really feel like I have completed the chapter in my life to really call myself a survivor because I am right now surviving.
Next year I still will not be finished with the treatment but maybe where I will be close I will feel something more. Rain or shine my family will be there next year.
I did have you all in my mind and my heart and was saying your names to myself.
I want to be able to feel something more than I did. Will it come in time--I wonder.
Thank you.
Margo0 -
sorry...tommaseena said:First relay
It was raining cats and dogs here so I told my mom not to bring Jake down and at the last minute they moved it inside the school. Hotter than you know what in there.
Seeing all the people there was amazing. I met a lot of nice people there.
I did walk the survivors lap and I think I felt more numb than anything. I don't know if it was because my family was not there or I wasn't part of a team or what but I don't know what I really was feeling. I don't know if it is because I am still going through treatment and don't really feel like I have completed the chapter in my life to really call myself a survivor because I am right now surviving.
Next year I still will not be finished with the treatment but maybe where I will be close I will feel something more. Rain or shine my family will be there next year.
I did have you all in my mind and my heart and was saying your names to myself.
I want to be able to feel something more than I did. Will it come in time--I wonder.
Thank you.
Margo
Hi Margo,
I am sorry your Relay experience wasn't what you were expecting. I would have to believe the weather had a lot to do with that. You had wanted your family with you and without them, it was a definate "downer". I hope so much that next year's experience will fulfill what so many of us have experienced! Take Care, God Bless and good luck with your treatments!
Mike0
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