formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
it's just the title at the top of the page that's new

Monday, October 12, 2009

One Small Step for Breast Cancer Research...

One colossal step for Diane! I'm back, my loves, from the wilds of DC and the Booby Walk. And yes (she says, patting herself on the back), I walked every step of every mile -- all 60 of them! And yes, I'm limping everywhere today. But it's all good... really.

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event (also known as '0-60 in 3 days!') was... well... 'amazing' doesn't really cover it. Actually, I can't find a word that describes the event with any degree of accuracy. I spent the weekend feeling completely overwhelmed... in the best possible way. I laughed... hard. I cried... often. I was humbled by the stories I heard... every one.

The breast cancer walk was the biggest thing I've ever had the privilege to be a part of. It was certainly the most challenging thing I've ever done physically. And it was hard. I hurt. All over. A lot. Everyone did. But it was also hard to complain when you talked to the people there... the walkers (women who have survived cancer, women going through chemo now, women and men over 70-years-old, women and men with disabilities and/or pre-existing injuries) - people who gave 200%, even if they weren't able to walk every mile; the crew - the people who did everything for us for 3 days, always with huge smiles and encouragement and so much love; the people who stood in their driveways or on street corners, cheering us on, thanking us for walking, offering water and candy and bathrooms.

I wish I could find the words to explain how I feel right now. I'm not sure that I've completely processed everything I saw and heard and felt and experienced. It might take a few days (and I'm sure you'll hear more about the whole event over the next week or so). I know that this post will not even begin to do justice to how I'm feeling but I can tell you that the weekend was life-affirming... life-changing. It has given me a new perspective on, well, everything. This was my first walk but I can tell you that it will not be my last. I think I'm going to do 2 next year... and though I'll do it alone again without hesitation, I'd love to have someone join me. So if anyone is interested... you know where to find me!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

This is Debbie and Shelley, the two fantastic women who adopted me for 3 days! I sidled up to Debbie on the train into the city when I noticed her pink hair. She's a breast cancer survivor (this was her 3rd walk) and Shelley, her cousin once (or six times) removed, is an ovarian cancer survivor. They were won.der.ful!



This was my favorite crew member... he was part of our 'moto patrol', which was a group of men and women who monitored our route via motorcycle, stopping to cross us at dangerous intersections. They all wore crazy outfits and played music, danced, and encouraged us beyond belief. They kept us going when we thought we couldn't go anymore!



I'm hoping these girls are going to start selling these knitted booby hats... I'm SO ordering one!


This is where we slept... imagine seeing over 1,000 pink tents! So very cool!


During the closing ceremonies in front of the Lincoln Memorial, all the walkers raised their shoes to the survivors... it was an incredibly touching moment (as were they all)...



And this is me, at the finish... tired, proud, happy, and eternally grateful for the entire experience...

26 comments:

Melanie Gillispie said...

Prouder today of you than I was even Thursday before you left. AWESOME!

Michelle said...

Oh wow!

Good for you!!!

xxx

hooray said...

Okay, I cried. I cry a lot! But I'm soooooo proud of you! You look GREAT! So very proud of you.

I'm gonna get one of those hats, too! Awesome!

You are my inspiration, My Dear!

Love you!

Everyday Goddess said...

What a great event!
Boobie Hats. Very cool.
And the Moto Patrol guy is kinda sexy.

Anonymous said...

So proud of you! It looks like an amazing adventure!! Have to admit I'm glad to have you back though! ;)

Debbie said...

what an inspirational post!! I am so proud of you and also inspired to do something similar if I get a chance! good for you!!!!

blognut said...

You rock, darlin'! I'm thinking I will totally walk this with you next year. But if I do, you are so going to have to actually talk to me! ;)

And you are hawt. And made of awesome. And I'm proud of you.

xo

Jenera said...

Awesome!

Heather said...

So amazed and proud of you. Breast cancer research is such an important thing to be a part of. I'm so happy you didn't just have a good weekend, but a touching weekend.

Lee said...

Fan-bloody-tastic!

Zuzana said...

Great pictures! So much pink!
I am so proud of you Diane, well done.;)
xo

Sherri Murphy said...

I'm very proud of you and always inspired by the ladies (and men) who have battled against this killer and lived to tell about it. They need a purple heart to go with their pinkness!

Pauline said...

A portrait of humankind at its best! Thank you for walking.

Amy McMean said...

WAY TO GO!

The whole thing sounds amazing and like a lot of fun. I love the photos you posted it's great to see such spirit by so many people.

Moonlight In Vermont said...

Congratulations! And as the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and the niece of a breast cancer victim, I thank you!

Jean said...

You are awesome!

Kati said...

LOVE the pictures!! Now I'm gonna have to come and walk next year too! We'll leave all the kids with Paul!!

Liz Wilkey (a.k.a. A Mom on Spin) said...

That is soooooo awesome!!!!

Congrats to you!

justsomethoughts... said...

so i'm left with two things

1. booby walk? i've never heard that term. at least not in....eh....forget it.

2. 60 miles as in sixty? as in one more than 59?! holy-effing-wow.

Maithri said...

This brings tears to my eyes...

YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

Love you,

M

Jenners said...

I'm standing up and clapping for you. I know another blogger who did the walk earlier this year and she had the very same reaction -- it seems like such an amazing thing to be a part of. You should feel so proud ... and perhaps I will try this someday.

Rosaria Williams said...

This is so touching! Thank you.

dianne said...

Congratulations Diane dear, you have trained so hard to achieve this walk...you must feel so proud and happy to be part of this combined effort to benefit the battle against breast cancer. Well done!
I wish I could make this ♡ pink.

Stu Pidasso said...

That is cool.

Michelle said...

You are incredibly awesome Diane!! Something told me to come to your blog today and low and behold you are a 60 mile walker in da pink!!!! How very admirable of you and just sensational!!!

I love you Diane!!!!! Miss you!!!!

Sometimes Sophia said...

Congratulations on your achievement! What a remarkable effort: from the fundraising to the completion of the walk. You are a hero, nothing less.

Btw, I loved the hats. A great idea for Christmas presents for a couple of my friends. Very clever... and easy to make.