November 9, 2014

We did it!

This is a selfie after completing the Berkeley 5k today.  We all got our medals, which means we finished under an hour.  It was a beautiful day in Berkeley, and I had a great time running with my friends.  Congratulations to Cristina, Maria, Marlene, and Mauricio (the late entry) for earning their medals!

It was an emotional day of excitement and accomplishment.  Just a few months ago, I was hooked up to a machine, receiving chemotherapy.  I could barely walk to the mailbox or to the car without difficulty.  If it wasn't fatigue, it was considerable muscle or joint pain.  On those weeks between treatment, I pushed myself to walk longer, enduring back, leg, and joint pain.  Once chemo was over, and had worked its way out of my system, my energy level gradually increased, and I felt better when walking.

I could not have accomplished this event goal without the help of my friends.  They (and their dogs) were there to walk with me, no matter how slow.  I cannot be more grateful for people who included me in their schedules and shared the conversation.  Over months, I was able to increase strength and distance, and walking three or four miles became routine.  I realized I could run a little more, and was able to run two of the 3.1 miles today. 

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I returned to work this week.  My colleagues have made my transition easy and made me feel welcome.  I am learning new things and adjusting to the work routine.  Each day brings new challenges, just like everyone else, and just like before I had cancer.  But, I appreciate the patience and kindness of others, because those challenges can and will be more challenging than before. 

Big day today.  I need a nap.

Love, Sosa