My good friend was diagnosed with cancer and I had found out on my birthday. It made me realize that birthdays are special and are very worth celebrating no matter what your age. If you read my blog that day, you may have gathered that there had to be a reason for me to have such an enlightening moment....rather sad, in a way, to have to have something this devastating to make me realize this....
The thing I struggle with now is knowing that I cannot cure her. I can be here for her, but sometimes I just feel like that is still not enough. The other thing that I will NEVER understand is why this very terrible disease has to begin and metastasize inside of someone who is one of the most kind and caring people I know. She is just so self-less and always willing to help, and would do anything for anyone. I just hate this feeling of being so helpless.
I know she is strong and will find strength within her, her family, and her friends to make it through whatever is thrown at her. I know I will be glad to be by her side if she so happens to need me.
I am very honored that she has told me I can wear her name while I run the full marathon this year as an American Cancer Society charity runner. It is truly the least I can do. I will wear her name proud and as I run those 26.2 miles I will know that I am not even coming close to the pain and suffering that she will endure. That really sucks. If I could take her pain away and put it on myself I would, even if only for a day. I just hope she realizes how much I care about her and think about her...
On another note, I am on week 10 of my marathon training and going to put in my 17 mile run at some point either Saturday or Sunday. Sounds like fun, right?