Run Tbyrd Run!

JDuke

I would like to share with all of you what I consider to be one of my proudest moments. I have posted about the support of my best friend from high school, Teresa, on other occasions here. She has been right by my side thoughout this entire journey of anal cancer. Diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, sterotactic radiation to my liver, chemo for pleural thickening, IMRT to my left lung to treat pleural mets, radiation pneumonitis from the radiation...one way or another she was there. Countless trips from north FL to Tampa, telephone calls, cards, accompanied me to MD Anderson for a second opinion, always researching and networking to find all the information she can about this disease. I am sure you get the picture. Well this time she has really stepped it up. She has committed to run the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6 (her birthday weekend) to benefit anal cancer. She has named the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation as the beneficiary of her efforts. I like to think that she is doing this for all of us and (unfortunately) the ones that will follow us. Hopefully those numbers will decline as awareness is brought to this particular cancer. Our friend Peggy blogged about Teresa's endeavor. If you would like to read more about it you can find it at:

http://peggyrhoyt.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html.
Just scroll down to the middle of the page.

It is a very encouraging and positive blog with a short video of Teresa talking about her intentions. I would like to mention that Teresa has broken her lower back twice and it is almost inconceivable to me that she would even attempt walking 26.2 miles let alone run it. As I said in the title of this post, I am so humbled by her love for me. I hope that all of you have at least one person in your life that offers such unconditional love and support to you. I am fortunate to have many in my corner that have really been there for me and that is truly a blessing.

Best of health to all of you,
Joanne

7243

In awe of you!
Joanne ... I am so glad you have such wonderful love and support and thank you for sharing. I am in awe of your friend, and I am in awe of you. You've been down this road and seem to have such a good attitude and wonderful spirit! I'm relatively new to the site ... diagnosed the end of 2010 and treated Jan - Feb 2011. You inspire me ... sending love and well wishes to you and a big warm hug!

Glad you're feeling up and able to write on the blog ... thank you for starting this discussion board. I wish I'd found it sooner!

xoxo

mp327

7243 said:

In awe of you!
Joanne ... I am so glad you have such wonderful love and support and thank you for sharing. I am in awe of your friend, and I am in awe of you. You've been down this road and seem to have such a good attitude and wonderful spirit! I'm relatively new to the site ... diagnosed the end of 2010 and treated Jan - Feb 2011. You inspire me ... sending love and well wishes to you and a big warm hug!

Glad you're feeling up and able to write on the blog ... thank you for starting this discussion board. I wish I'd found it sooner!

xoxo

Hi Joanne!
Thank you for sharing this inspirational information with us. I am in awe of Teresa's comittment to you and her willingness to go the distance for you in the name of anal cancer awareness. God bless her! I've always wanted to do a marathon, but have convinced myself that it would now be impossible since going through cancer treatment. However, knowing about Teresa's efforts, despite prior injuries, I'm thinking perhaps I should rethink that and try to do one! This is so motivational!

God bless you, my friend, and God bless those who love and care for you, especially your dear friend, Teresa. May God watch over her as she prepares for the race of her (and your) life!