Fifteen Miles

Yesterday was my fifteen mile training walk. Chloe had a soccer game in the morning, and so I didn't get started until 12:30pm. It was also raining, and so that meant another walk at the mall.

The first three miles were oddly hard. I just kept thinking that if I would just keep going, it would get better.

It did eventually. I just sort of blanked out on how much my back hurt. (I pulled my back out when I was in my third trimester of the twins' pregnancy, and now it seems like I can pull it when I'm not even doing anything! And, of course, I pulled it two weeks ago.)

I just kept listening to my audiobook and walked, walked, walked. Make that "walked, bobbed and weaved, walked, tried not to plow (said person) down, walked, bobbed and weaved." The mall was packed. I even got to see a health expo - eight times - where oddly I got potato chips and coupons to McDonalds.

Halfway done

I finished at 7:30pm - seven hours. I did pretty well until the last mile or so. Somehow I jacked up my left knee badly and pulled something in that thigh. I literally limped the last half mile. People kept giving me the most pathetic looks - I'm sure because I looked pathetic. IT WAS ROUGH. Sooo different from my 12 mile walk two weeks ago.

So Friday's party was a huge high, and Saturday's walk a big low. I finished, yes, but the idea of having to walk eleven more miles... I could not have done it yesterday. I would've kept going, yes, but I'm pretty sure that I could not limp faster than the sweeper van at the Walk. (If you're going too slow, the sweeper van picks you up.)

I did not walk today, even though I was supposed to do 7 more miles. I decided to rest my body. I am feeling more level today. I mean, yes, I am super sore, and certain directions I turn my knee hurts like fire, but I'm back to believing that I can do this. I'm encouraged by the fact that I did not get a single blister - hoorah for the runner's knot! I also think the bobbing and weaving at the mall put a lot of unusual stress on my body and specifically my knee. Plus I was exhausted from a week's worth of lost sleep as I prepared for the party. I'm choosing to believe that I can do this!

Are you with me? Any donation to the Avon Walk would help - $10, $20, anything you can. Not only would my tired feet thank you, but those courageous cancer patients would too if they could. To donate, see the link on the right side of my blog. And, please! Don't forget to pray for me and my team - especially for our health and fundraising!

The Avon Party Rocked It Out!

Tonight was our fundraising party, and did we ever have fun! Yummy food, delicious wine, shopping, and hanging out with the girls - how can it get better than that?

 For those of you not in Annapolis, you probably haven't heard about our party.

"Whether you have them or are fond of them, come hang out and 'support' the cause!"

Most of you know that I am an avid coupon-er. I often get things for free. (No, don't believe everything you see on Extreme Couponing, and no, I am not one of those people.) For the past few months, I've saved up those freebies, with the intention of having a fundraising party. At the party, I sold my freebies to my friends at a discounted price. All funds paid went to the Avon Walk!

We're talking toothpaste for $1, razors for $3, dish soap for $1, body wash for $2, etc, etc. I've been so excited about this party because it seemed like one of those "good and perfect things from above." Everyone was blessed - me as it gave me a way to bless my friends (unusual in my now very isolated children-dominated world), my friends as they stocked up on toiletries and gifts for 50% off or more, and breast-cancer patients since the money went to the Avon Walk.

Thanks to my girlfriends, the party was a roaring success! We had thirteen customers, and together we raised a generous $642 to support the cause! Isn't that AMAZING?!?

I could have never pulled off a party like this without the incredible support of my friends. Chrissy, thank you for hosting at your beautiful home and letting me store my stash of freebies in your basement. Chrissy, Heather, and Tai, thank you so much for providing delicious snacks and wine, not to mention encouragement and advice when I needed it most.

 
Bekah, thanks for showing up early and being willing to do whatever needed to be done. She did an awesome job making the pricing signs (see below).

Much thanks as well to a few businesses who supported us. Safeway in Arnold donated a $10 gift card, which we used to provide some delectable cheese for the party. Annapolis Copy & Print donated a 20"x30" print that showed what a donation to the Avon Walk can help do. Party City in Annapolis donated a dozen pink balloons to help us decorate. Thanks so much!

Leftover $1 goods - Can you imagine how much there was to start?!?

There was even a ton of things leftover. I'm thinking a yard sale in October might be the perfect final send-off before the Walk. What do you think?

If you weren't able to make the party, you can still donate! Just click on the Avon Walk link on the right side of my blog. (And if you're wondering why the $642 isn't included on my Avon page, it will take the Avon Walk a few weeks to process the checks.) Thanks again, everyone!

And now to bed. I have fifteen miles to conquer tomorrow...

3 Miles Down

Today's walk was more on the unusual size. Tonight I walked three miles at the mall...with the family. Yep, all four kids.

It was Mike's idea. I thought he was crazy.

The backstory is this. It was rainy here, so I could not do my regular 7 a.m. walk around the neighborhood. That means I have to walk at the mall.

Let me digress here for a moment to note that I really don't like to walk at the mall. Who wants to look at all those beautiful, nicely dressed people when you are the only sweaty person around? And it's torture to be barraged all those wonderful food smells. (Do remember that I am both training for a 39 mile walk AND nursing two babies so my calories needs are intense and my hunger leaves no prisoners.) It's also a reminder of how terribly out of style I am. BUT it is a dry place to walk, and there's a bathroom and water fountain around every corner. Walking at the mall is a practice in finding the blessing in all situations.

Anyways, Gracie and the babies had a 4pm doctors visit, so all six of us piled in the car and went. (At one point, all four kids were crying. Hysterically. I recall desperately wishing for a third person and deciding that three flu shots at once was a very, very bad idea.) After the appointment, we ran a few errands for the fundraising party tomorrow (PLEASE COME!!) and then finally made it to the mall.

I originally thought that we would take two cars to the pediatricians and that afterwards Mike would take the kids home while I walked the mall. Mike decided that we should ALL go to the mall. Again, I thought he was crazy. I avoid taking all four into public alone at all costs. But not fearless Mike! He strapped Julie in the Baby Bjorn, put Caleb and Gracie in the double stroller, and Chloe walked beside him. 

And it worked! They shopped while I sped-walked around the mall, doing my fastest time ever. Here and there we'd get a glimpse of each other. The last half mile, the big girls decided that they too would walk. They had to run, really, to keep up with me. Poor little Gracie was sprinting.

It felt good to be walking. I haven't walked since last Saturday when I got roaring sick again. Walking reminds me of why I'm doing what I'm doing and how good it feels to be a part of it. It gave me time to talk to the Lord and ask Him why this season has been particularly hard. I was reminded of how the Enemy comes hard against all things good. This walk is certainly an "all things good."

We ended our mall excursion with dinner at the food court. We've eaten out as family maybe four times since the babies were born, so this was a big deal. Needless to say, we had fun! The big girls were excited to sit at tables and chairs their size and eat their (shared) kids' meal. The babies kept pounding the table, and they loved the bread and gyro meat from the new gyro place. We won't even talk about the ungraceful way I inhaled my gyro.

Aren't they so cute? Worth walking for, right? I sure think so.

I can't resist the opportunity to point out that Mike is amazing. I mean, who does that? He's been such a champion and a trooper. Baby, you're the best!

I better sign off for tonight. Tomorrow is the big fundraising party. I hope y'all come out! If you can't make it, don't forget that you can donate via the Avon link on the right side of this blog. Thanks again for all your support!

Bouquet of Rosie's

When you do an Avon Walk, one of the best aspects is being part of a team. You walk together, raise money together, and help support each other. My team is made up of members of my mom's side of the family. Here's an email Mom sent out recently to share what our team is doing...

To friends and family of "Bouquet of Rosie's",

Many of you are aware that in the spring of 2008, Linda (Egli) Kym did the Houston Avon 39 Mile Walk for breast cancer.  Little did she know that taking those first steps would begin such a journey.  As she was training for the Susan. G. Komen 60 miles walk the next fall, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.

The next fall, Cheryl (Egli) Roth walked in Linda's place in the Dallas 60 mile walk. with Linda's cheering, support, and dry socks every few miles. 

Cheryl (my mom) & Linda at the end of the Susan G Komen.

The following April (2010), there was quite a victory celebration as Linda (now in remission, Praise God!), Cheryl, Regina (Linda's daughter-in-law, married to Brad), and two friends of Linda's crossed over the finish line at the Avon 39 mile walk in Houston.  Ardis Egli, Ann (Egli) Kaiser, and most of our spouses walked much of that race at our sides.  Many of the family cheered us on as we walked.

 Mom at the finish of the Avon Walk - April 2010.

 Regina, Dad & Mom. In it to END IT!

This past spring, Ann Kaiser committed to doing the 39 mile walk in Chicago. So in June, we went to Chicago - Ann, and her cheering section: her two youngest children - Kirsten and Austin Kaiser; Linda, her daughter Laura (Kym) Krehbiel and daughter-in-law Regina:, plus Ardis, Cheryl, Aunt Helen Egli, and Colleen (Egli) Tracy.  Many walked beside Ann to give her support, and she walked across the finish line with much celebration.

And so, we have a new team, called the "Bouquet of Rosie's" committed to the Charlotte, NC, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on October 22-23:  Linda, Regina, Laura, Cheryl, Katie, Helen, Colleen and her husband John.  We all hoped to walk - we will see what happens when it comes right down to it as several of us have various physical ailments that may prevent us from meeting that goal.  There will actually be 17 of us in North Carolina including our spouses and children.  We would love to have you join us!  If you are interested, let us know - the more to cheer, the better.

We chose the name "Bouquet of Rosie's" in honor of our Grandma Rosie Egli (Glenn and Les' mother), our common thread.  That connection was particularly meaningful as one of the few things we ever heard Grandma say she hated was cancer.

A slightly younger Katie with Grandma Rosie.

In Grandpa and Grandma's extended family, which now numbers a remarkable 207 people (including spouses), the following persons have been stricken with this awful disease:  Grandpa (John) Egli, Glenn, Gladys (Egli) Zehr, Linda, and Cheryl's husband Marty.  There are many more family and friends who have been cancer victims as well.  Although those cancers were not all breast cancers, we believe that any cancer research potentially benefits the treatment of all cancers.  Medical research in other areas have benefitted our families as well, sometimes saving their lives.  Katie (Roth) Hedges - Cheryl's daughter - developed serious heart disease during her twin pregnancy last year, and one of the twins, Caleb, was born with a heart defect that required heart surgery when he was only 14 days old and less than 5 pounds.  Katie is one of the walkers on our team, and Caleb is 10 months old and crawling!  God has been good to us in so many ways.

As a family member or friend, we ask that you would consider supporting us with your prayers.  Walking 26 miles one day and 13 miles the next is HARD!  We also ask for your financial support.  The cost per person is a minimum donation of $1800 per walker.  With eight "Bouquet of Rosie's" team members, we need to raise $14,400.  And that doesn't include the training costs (shoes!!), flights, or housing.

Please consider going to our team website:  http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/Charlotte?team_id=100130&pg=team&fr_id=2080 and donating whatever you can - even $5 would help.  If you do not have internet access or prefer to mail us a check made out to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, please email Katie and ask for the address to send it to.  Time is short so please send your donation by Oct. 8, or donate to our site by Oct. 15.  And keep us in your prayers the weekend of October 22 & 23!

We are sending this to all of our family members and friends we have an e-mail address for, and written letters to many others.  Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think would be willing to help!

The Bouquet of Rosie's team:

Linda, Laura, Regina, Helen, Colleen, John, Katie & Cheryl

Why I Am Walking

Please consider this your official notice: I might be crazy. I have committed to participating in the 39.3 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 22-23. I'll be walking a marathon and a half over two days, walking alongside my team Bouquet of Rosie's, which is made up of several of my extended family members.

I remember when my mother asked me to walk. "We're all walking in Charlotte. Are...you...in?" she chanted over the phone from my Aunt Ann's Avon Walk in Chicago. I'm pretty sure I was feeding at least one baby at the time, and I felt instantly panicked. I wanted to, but I could not imagine how I would be able to train. How could I do that kind of training when I was still not getting a full night's sleep, still not able to get a shower but every few days, still breastfeeding two very hungry babies, and was just two months out from being on daily blood pressure medication?

Even so, I committed to doing the walk. Now I look back and feel like it was the Lord calling me out - calling me out to be with Him, calling me out to reclaim myself, calling me out to begin to process our brushes with death this past November, calling me out to give back. This walk has blessed me more than I can ever give back to it, and I am so thankful.

Everyone has a reason for why they do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I am walking for my family, in two ways. First, my family knows the devastating effects of cancer. Eleven of my family have been diagnosed with cancer. Three of these were breast cancer. Four of our family members passed away as a direct result of their cancer, leaving behind a trail of grieving loved ones.

I am also walking for my own nuclear family. Last November, both Caleb and I almost died. Medical research played a key role in the saving of our lives. Caleb was born with a coarctation of the aorta, a "smallish" heart, and an misshapen valve. The coarctation - a narrow place in his heart - had to be removed at just 14 days old. I cannot convey how terrifying it was - to see your baby become unresponsive, to know you could not help him, to see him attached to all those tubes and IVs, to literally hand your newborn to a stranger in OR scrubs and pray, pray, pray that you could hold him again. Those days changed us forever.

Because someone went before us and did the medical research, my son lives today.

I walk for me. I too almost died. My blood pressure shot out of control following the birth of the babies. For several days, nurses and doctors worked round the clock to make sure that I did not have a stroke. I was so sick that I was only allowed to go to the bathroom, and I was not allowed much time with my newborn babies. After five days of hospitalization, the doctors finally got my pressure controlled via a combo of three blood pressure medications. The final diagnosis was moderate congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, and severe anemia. I was sent home on bed rest, and it took me four months to ween off the medication.

If it had not been for medical research, my children would be motherless.

I walk for my children. Did you know that 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer? I have three precious daughters. I don't wanted any of them to war with breast cancer.

And so I walk. I walk so that maybe someday, there will be a cure. I walk so that maybe no one will feel the pain I felt as I watched Caleb suffer or the pain I felt as I wondered if I would make it home. I walk so that my children, my family, my friends might be free of this fear.

Will you partner with me? In order to participate, I must raise $1,800 by my walk date, but I am aiming for the stars and trying to raise $2,100 by October 3rd. The money I raise will help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures.

Again, will you partner with me? Will you invest in you and your family's future health? Will you give? You can make a donation to my fundraising campaign by clicking on the "Donate to Katie's Walk" button on the right side of this blog. It will redirect you to my personal Avon Web Page, where you can donate by clicking on the pink "Donate Now" button. If you prefer to write a check, just contact me and I'll send you the information and form.

Would you also pray for me? That I and my team would be healthy (no more blisters or throwing-up, please!). That the money we raise together would be a blessing to those suffering. That each woman, man and family touched by that money would somehow feel a touch of a loving God. That this journey would bring glory to the Lord, the Ultimate Healer.

Lastly, I'm going to be blogging about my experience on my Avon Web Page as I continue to train. My goal is to blog after every time I walk (usually about four times a week).

See you soon!