Are your legs or feet a bit tired this morning???? I can tell you why, and you had a really good tim

chenheart
chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
The Relay For Life yesterday was wonderful as always! I did my first Relay in 2003, 6 weeks post surgery~ I honestly never thought I would be doing another one with a newly diagnosed recurrance. But I did, and (selfishly)this one was a bit more meaningful. I saw lots of "once a year friends"~ the hard working men and women who tirelessly work to make the Relay such a success. I didn't tell any of them about my recurrance; I just let them all be happy that I am a newlywed!!!

The theme this year was 1950's Rock and Roll~ "Walk Around The Clock"~ everything was decorated to look like the 50's~ rather like the set of Happy Days. Replicas of 45 RPMs hung everywhere, some awesome old cars, and women in poodle skirts, pony tails and chiffon scarves. The Relayers had batons which looked like strawberry malts! There was a lot of Bill Haley and Elvis music playing~ they even had a sock hop! Siobhan and I, the Rebels With A Cause, had bubble wands, and floated big, beautiful bubbles everywhere!

There is always a big carnival atmosphere for the kids, a rock wall, a petting zoo, face painting and bounces and slides, all fun! Food everywhere~ even a Starbucks stand!

The survivors tent is always so welcoming and meaningful~ this year they had a quilt decorated to look like 45 RPMs and all of the survivors signed it~ aside from Chen♥ I of course wrote Be Stronger Than, Not Angry At on the quilt! The quilt gets donated to the cancer center and hangs on one of their walls.

What else? We made a a bunch of luminarias~ I made one for the Discussion Boards, of course! My daughter still has the camera, but I will be posting the CSN luminaria hopefully by this evening.


Oh...one thing this Relay also has is a Rocking Tent...for those who aren't physically up to walking the laps, they can sit in a tent full of rocking chairs and "rock the laps"! I love that they have that! They also have a prayer tent,as well as massage therapists giving free massages!

This 24 hour event is just amazing for those who stay for a few hours or overnight! The support is overwhelming~ a local pizza place brings a ton of hot pizzas at midnight for those teams doing the midnight laps, as well as any others who may be up and about. The Elks Club hosts a pancake breakfast on site at 7 AM...and by 9 AM, all who wish let Wish Balloons fly with the hopes and dreams of all of us floating heavenward.

One more thing, which I admit, I find, strangely Californian..there is also a Pet Luminary section of the arena! I don't know if any other states have that, but here in Calif we can honor the pets who have also lost their battle with the beast. I love my pets and HATE the suffering of any animal, and yet...everytime I see luminarias with Fido and FiFi, I dunno, sisters, it just startles me!

I hope that Ritzy also enjoyed her Relay Experience; I know that yesterday was her first time, and she was a bit nervous thinking about it!

I remembered to chant your names as I did the laps, and also said "CSN, CSN" under my breath just in case I forgot a few names! It keeps me focused, helps me feel even more connected to you, and for those of you who can't get to a Relay, in my mind, by saying your names as I walked, you were at the Relay with me!! So, in case your feet feel a bit tired today, coupled with a bit of left-over exhilaration, now you know why! LOL

Hugs,
Chen♥
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Comments

  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    Grinning ear to ear...
    Chen♥ , you always make me feel so special! I AM tired this morning and now I know why! So, did I lose any cyber weight on my outing? LOL
    Hugs and hope, Pammy
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    Akiss4me said:

    Grinning ear to ear...
    Chen♥ , you always make me feel so special! I AM tired this morning and now I know why! So, did I lose any cyber weight on my outing? LOL
    Hugs and hope, Pammy

    You were doing just fine on
    You were doing just fine on the weight loss until they delivered those midnight pizzas! I tried to discourage you from eating something so cheesy-greasy so late at night (sheesh~ it was morning, actually!) but ya kno, they just smelled so unhealthy and thus delicious we BOTH had a slice! Or was that 2 slices??? LOL
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    Thank you Chenheart!
    I needed the excercise!

    And thank you for the beautiful description. I truly felt like I was there with you.

    May have to find some pizza today to celebrate - but only if I go for a swim to work it off!

    Love,
    Cindy
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159

    Thank you Chenheart!
    I needed the excercise!

    And thank you for the beautiful description. I truly felt like I was there with you.

    May have to find some pizza today to celebrate - but only if I go for a swim to work it off!

    Love,
    Cindy

    Just kick extra hard while
    Just kick extra hard while that sweet dolphin is racing you through the water, and you'll be just fine!
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    Way to Go Chen!
    As I said before, you are my inspiration! I looked up the Relay for Life here in my area, and it seems I missed it by a few weeks, but will definitely do it next year!!!! Thanks for all you do. Hugs, Jean
  • Emilyfimily
    Emilyfimily Member Posts: 141
    Oh, that is so great!
    Oh, that is so great, Chen!!! Thanks for remembering us all and chanting our names and CSN while you were walking :D I'm so glad you had such an enjoyable R4L and it meant so much for you.
    (Big Hug!)
    Emily
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294

    Oh, that is so great!
    Oh, that is so great, Chen!!! Thanks for remembering us all and chanting our names and CSN while you were walking :D I'm so glad you had such an enjoyable R4L and it meant so much for you.
    (Big Hug!)
    Emily

    Claudia
    You are a great writer! I have pictured everything like I were there with you! Thank you for thinking of us during your laps. What a wonderful event. Your post made me smile and feel happy.
    Thanks,
    New Flower
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    Thanks for 'walking the walk'!!!!!
    I DID feel a bit sore today....rofl!!!

    Just like you, my dear friend, to think of others!

    Remember, you are ALWAYS 'Tough Enough' in MY book!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    KathiM said:

    Thanks for 'walking the walk'!!!!!
    I DID feel a bit sore today....rofl!!!

    Just like you, my dear friend, to think of others!

    Remember, you are ALWAYS 'Tough Enough' in MY book!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

    That explains it!
    Wondered why my back was a little tight this morning. How many miles did we walk? :)))

    Thanks for sharing your experience. And for talking us along with you!

    We love you, chen.

    Thank you.
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    walk
    I am soaking my tired feet..Thanks for doing all the work....
  • MNLynn
    MNLynn Member Posts: 224
    Chen,

    What an inspiration you are!! And what a great event - thanks for your concern for all of us . . . I am keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.

    ♥ Lynn ♥
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    you are such an inspiration
    You are such an inspiration to me and all of us battling this beast. I did wake up a little tired today!! :) You are so sweet to remember CSN on your walk. Relay For Life was a fantastic experience for me this year....it was my first one as a survivor. But your descriptive writing brought your experience to life! Thank you.
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    Walk on!
    Thanks for taking us all to the relay with you! I loved the way that they set up different tents...especially the prayer tent!

    So what time was the event? In San Antonio, Texas, it's always at around 8AM and we're done by 1PM. I love the fact that the one you attended is 24 hours! How cool to be walking at midnight...pizza...pancakes...I'm a night owl so that would be right up my alley!

    Thanks for sharing your amazing day with us sweetie...you rock sister!

    P.S. - I'm sure you might have been asked this before or maybe you've contemplated compiling all your "blogs" into a book. God sure has blessed you with the gift of writing that encourages so many. I can SO see a book from Chenheart at these events or a bookstore.

    No pressure ;) But DO let me know when it's out...HA!

    Blessings to you and yours,
    Syl
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    Chen - YOU ROCK!!!
    'Nuf said. Thanks, friend, as always... :-)

    Kindest regards, 12/25
  • camsgram
    camsgram Member Posts: 106
    Thanks Chen! I am going to
    Thanks Chen! I am going to my first one friday july 16th and am really looking forward to it. Friday is my chemo day so probably wont be an all nighter for us...or maybe it will, who knows! Now that I went to the one with you last night I should be a pro!!!
  • Emilyfimily
    Emilyfimily Member Posts: 141
    chenheart said:

    You were doing just fine on
    You were doing just fine on the weight loss until they delivered those midnight pizzas! I tried to discourage you from eating something so cheesy-greasy so late at night (sheesh~ it was morning, actually!) but ya kno, they just smelled so unhealthy and thus delicious we BOTH had a slice! Or was that 2 slices??? LOL

    Oh, I love your new profile
    Oh, I love your new profile picture!! :D
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Claudia, thanks for taking
    Claudia, thanks for taking all of us along on your walk. I LOVE your new avatar, very appropriate.

    P.S. Put my name on the waiting list for your book.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    MyTurnNow said:

    Claudia, thanks for taking
    Claudia, thanks for taking all of us along on your walk. I LOVE your new avatar, very appropriate.

    P.S. Put my name on the waiting list for your book.

    Whenever I happen to mention
    Whenever I happen to mention anything about anyone saying I write well, and that I should write a book, poor Reggie just looks dumbfounded and/or rolls his eyes at me! He has been telling me that for YEARS! LOL

    Hugs, and I'm glad you like the avatar~ it is my gift to the boards!

    Hugs,
    Chen
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    Sounds great!
    Chen, I love that you do this every year and write so well about it. I was tired from endless hours of waiting at Logan airport, but I'll bet some of it was from your wonderful walk, too. LOL. Rock on, girl.

    Mimi
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    mimivac said:

    Sounds great!
    Chen, I love that you do this every year and write so well about it. I was tired from endless hours of waiting at Logan airport, but I'll bet some of it was from your wonderful walk, too. LOL. Rock on, girl.

    Mimi

    Endless hours of waiting at
    Endless hours of waiting at Logan Airport? Oh my, that doesn't sound fun at all! I hope the reason you were at the airport in the first place was a fun-filled ,exciting one!

    Your picture is so pretty! I am an eyebrow freak as it were, mine never having come back as nice as my pre-cancer/chemo brows,so I noticed right away how beautifully shaped yours are. If it sounds as if I am jealous, it's only because I am! But in a loving, happy for you way, of course! LOL

    Hugs,
    Chen♥