Fundraising & Training!! Weekend Fun!!

Well this weekend was a productive weekend. My teammates and I "canned" at Disco Kroger on Piedmont Ave in Atlanta, GA; spreading the word about the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure and raising money. In just a little over two hours on Saturday, we raised just a little over $220! I am almost ALMOST to the minimum donation level to walk - just under $800 left. Unfortunately, I only have 19 days to raise it! Then, on Sunday, I walked another 5.5 (or there abouts) miles for training. I am so ready for the event!!!

Now, I just have to hope that our team fundraiser next week brings in a bunch of money so that I can participate!!!

Speaking of next week's fundraiser, our team is part of a car show hosted by Georgia Cool Cruisers at the Galaxy Diner. Feel free to drop by!!

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Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

15.53 Miles!! Wow!

I have a sore on the bottom of my foot that is the size of a dime. It feels like there is a sharp rock in my shoe with every step. I used it as an excuse to keep from walking - because it hurts so bad. I'd walk a few miles and then stop. But walking alongside a breast cancer survivor, all my excuses to stop walking were thrown out the window. My little sore is NOTHING compared to the emotional and physical trauma that sufferers and survivors have to endure for the rest of their lives. In light of that, I walked about 7 miles on a numb foot.

My walk today has given me a new outlook on life and a renewed purpose for completing the Susan G Komen 3-Day For a Cure! :) Now I have to finish raising the minimum in order to walk!!!

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Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Week Day Training!

Well, I didn't have much time, but the time I did have, I used well! I got another mile in today. Whoo-hoo!!!

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Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Last Sunday's Walk....

Here is my Sunday walk - first real walk on my foot. Wasn't SO BAD, but it wasn't pretty either. I am getting there, slowly but surely!

This Sunday, I am planning to walk 15 miles - around Stone Mountain 3 times.

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Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Didn't Get Very Far!!!

So, the sore on my foot is a bit more painful after the first mile, and even worse by the end of the second. Which means: I didn't walk much past mile 3 and finished limping. But I did walk!! And after I was done, I went out and got the pain reliever I didn't think I needed when the doctor told me it was going to be painful.

Here is the route I walked:

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I plan to walk more today, now that I have the pain relief stuff. But, I am going to wait until dusk, so that it is a bit cooler!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Training Begins Again

I bought new shoes today, along with all the stuff the doctor told me I needed to have for my feet. Tonight, I begin walking again.

I am really looking forward to it, as all the set backs have really gotten under my skin.

I will post more once I have finished walking!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Status Update

Just got back from the doctor! I have to wear soled shoes at all times, and I need to wear extra padding and Alabama chrome (aka: duct tape) on the part of my foot that is messed up, but other than that, I should be good to go! I am going to start my evening training back up this evening, and pray I can get enough training in to be in EXCELLENT shape for the event.

Illness & injuries SUCK!!! I am so glad I am on the "other side" of this!!!


Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Doctors & Such....

Due to all the controversy regarding my mammogram, I made an appointment to meet with my primary care doctor. I must say, he put my mind at ease. He actually GAVE me the test results ON PAPER. Then, we went over every little thing, especially all the language that I didn't understand. After all of that, he then gave me this big long speech about how doctors & radiologists have this oath (that I may have heard of) along with all these laws (that I may or may not have heard of) that require doctors and radiologists to actually perform every test they can to PROTECT the patient. Then he asked me what the insurance company was protecting. My answer was simple: their money. And while I did think about it in those terms, sort of, because I hadn't spoken to my doctor prior to my mammogram retake, I didn't really know if he had even seen the results and thought the insurance guy was right. This follow up appointment not only confirmed that he reviewed the test results, but he was the one that ordered the diagnostic test to begin with! My doctor really is a great doctor. (Note: the speech was not as bad as I made it sound, I just don't know any other way to explain what he explained, so carefully, without sounding condescending.)

Here is where the & such part comes in: while I was there, I found out that the ache in my foot is something I actually have to see a podiatrist in order to solve. I still don't know exactly what it is, but I do know that if I walk on it too much, I end up limping. (This was the main reason I haven't been posting my walks, they have been SHORT!) He asked me to keep it easy until then, so I have to wait another week before see the podiatrist to be cleared for training.  Oh, and my blood pressure is elevated to the point I have to keep an eye on it - every week - and if it gets too high, I have to go back in. I also have to go in for a recheck before the walk, to ensure I can do it.

Oh, the issues!!! I had it so easy the first time around!!!


Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

This year, so different....

Here I am 63 days away from walking 60 miles, and I feel utterly defeated. Between the stress over the mammogram, the controversy regarding the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the lack of participation (to the point 1/2 of next year's events are cancelled), I am lost. Everywhere I turn, there is more and more controversy facing me. I have only raised 43% of the required monies to participate, and am having problems asking people to donate. Well, I ask, but the response I have been receiving makes it harder for me to ask again, or ask others, so the donations are not coming in as they had in the past.

Three years ago, when there was a training walk, there were several walkers and new people every time. This year, it seems that the attending walkers are just us - the training walk leader the few teammates that can join us (4 people at most). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE our walks even when it is just 2 of us; I am just so saddened that there aren't more people participating and the lack of participation is so VERY apparent when there isn't anyone there.

I feel that I am stuck - but I have such a supportive team, and a husband who won't let me quit no matter how heartbroken I am (he's been fixing that as much as he can....) that I can't be stuck anymore.

I have got to get my butt in gear (and in shape) so that 63 days from now I will walk with my head held high for all 60 miles!!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Mammogram Stress Relieved??

I haven't be able to write lately. I had been so stressed over my diagnostic mammogram - the unknown of why they wanted me to come back, the fear of what they were going to tell me. Then, when they told me it was "something that meant nothing, come back in 6 months" well, that just caused more stress, even though I don't have cancer!

It appears that I have a growth that is 7 mm in size that appears to be an abnormal lymph node in my breast. This abnormality could mean nothing, but it could mean that the lymph node is fighting something they don't see. They want me to come back in 6 months.

In dealing with getting the insurance all worked out, my insurance specialist informed me that there are several hospitals, including the one I went to, that are working a sort of scam where they tell people they need to go in for re-scans every 6 months, and that these diagnostic scans are not covered by insurance and they end up paying for them out of pocket, like I had to for the one I just had and the one I will take in 6 months.

So, here I am now, wondering if the 7 mm abnormality is actually something that needs to be watched or if it was just a way for the imaging center to earn income. Breast Cancer SCARES me - I know way to many people affected by it not to be scared. I am going to get my scan in 6 months, and see where it goes from there.

But, I am spinning. I don't even know how to stop spinning - so I am going to dedicate the rest of the year to raising awareness. In talking to my friends, many of them have similar diagnoses, and they are all getting their scans as directed. I just don't know what to think.....

Anyone else out there with these issues???

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Mammogram Stress...

So, I received a call today. I have to go back and get another mammogram!!! EEK was the first thing that went through my head, even though they told me that I would be called to return for another scan. But, knowing I am getting the call and actually getting the call, two different things. It is amazing what emotions are drummed up from the bottom when someone stirs the pot!

Anyway, the reason I have to go back is because the mammogram picked up "tiny calcifications" in my right breast. Of course, I started freaking out, so I posted on facebook about my freak out - and my wonderful friends unleashed such support, I'm not freaking out as bad. Many of my friends indicated that they went through this stress, and it was nothing. "DON'T WORRY!!" Ha, ha! :)

One of my friends sent me to this website:
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/mammograms/p/calcifications.htm which has some good info, because I didn't know what calcifications were before reading it. Basically what it boils down to is this: calcium in my breast, which could be due to LOT of things NOT related to cancer. But, then again, it could, maybe.

In fully researching the subject, I went to Komen.Org and I searched for calcifications and found this fact sheet: FACTS FOR LIFE Breast Calcifications. This document reinforced the information found in the other post, but also emphasized asking your doctor questions.

These sites helped some, but I am still a little stressed. Going into the mammogram, I knew I was going to put myself through this stress, which is part of the reason I tried avoiding it. The radiologist at the Paulding Physician's Center (Wellstar) tried her best to leave me with a "don't worry if they call you, it is normal" but I can't help jumping to the most gruesome outcome. (I would like to thank Stephen King for that!) I am now sitting here, worrying. I will be worrying all week.

But, the great thing is: my appointment is on 8/5/2013 and the mammogram will be reviewed while I am there. I was assured that I will know the results/next steps before I leave the building. My fingers are crossed that this is nothing, but I am asking you to keep me in your prayers, just in case!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

From One Starbucks To Another (and back again!)

On my drive to the training walk this morning it occurred to me that I was up at 4:35 AM driving to meet up with fellow walkers at a location over 1 hour from my house in order to walk 8 miles. Now, while this doesn't seem all that significant (because I walk most weekends), the revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. It didn't matter that I got maybe 30 min of solid sleep. It didn't matter that I spent yesterday at a toddler's birthday party in a bounce house. It didn't matter that my stomach was upset or I was WAY tired. I was still up at 4:35 AM on a Sunday to train for the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure. For the rest of the drive, I kept asking myself "Why can't I show this much commitment to other things, such as work, or laundry? Why can't I find this kind of dedication to showing up to work?"

It seems I put on my big girl panties when it comes to this cause because I know a life depends on it. Someone out there is going through something way more horrible that missing out on the "sleep in day" and getting some extreme exercise.



Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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My First Mammogram!

So, yesterday I put on my big girl panties and called the Wellstar Imaging Center at the Paulding Physician's Center to make my mammogram appointment. I was VERY surprised to learn that they had appointments for TODAY, which of course, I took, because given too much time to think about it, I probably would have chickened out.

I am not afraid of the test, I am so very, VERY afraid of the results.

When I arrived for my appointment, I checked in on facebook. I met with the radiologist, who went over the procedures, letting me know exactly what to expect. She told me about the machine. She told me about the squishy I would have to endure. Then, she told me I may get a call to come back. She told me this BEFORE she turned on the machine. Apparently, the doctors like to have two for the base line. So, this put me at ease somewhat, because if I get a call to come back it is only to retake the test to establish a good base line rather than a problem.

After that, she put my boobs into the machine and squished. It wasn't so bad. My husband spent all last night making up stories about how bad it was going to be. "Boobs squished paper thin." "Radiologist taking forever to get to the machine from the booth." Oh, the horror he had me prepared for.... NEVER HAPPENED.

In fact, I was surprised at the whole appointment. It was quick, it was easy, and the radiologist was SUPER nice! As the radiologist was walking me out, I mentioned how it was awesome that I got a next day appointment. She informed me that they take WALK INS! Of course, she told me this as she was reminding me to return every year for another one, so they can track the changes in my breasts and see significant changes.

THE YEARLY MAMMOGRAM IS THE BEST CHANCE WOMEN HAVE TO BEAT BREAST CANCER!!!

When I was done, I checked back in on facebook - less than an hour. In fact, I signed in at the appointment desk at 3:55 PM, went through registration, read 10 pages of Gone With The Wind, survived the exam, and was back in my car by 4:37 PM. I will definitely be back next year.

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Keeping My Commitments

So, today's walk was much more than I could ever ask for. The girls I walk with have become much more than my co-walkers - they are my cheerleaders, my confidants, my friends, and my lifelines! Today's walk was no different. I showed up out of sorts - BUT I DID SHOW UP - and I left feeling uplifted. Of course, I could blame the adrenaline high the way I felt as I got back into my car, but I know that isn't all of it. These girls just know how to call "bullshit" and get my butt in gear. While I may have only walked 6 miles, it lifted me hundreds of miles out of my funk.

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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Wow...How time FLIES....

Vacation really does have a way of stealing your time away. But, it didn't steal ALL of my time!! I happened to get some walking in..some of it more fun than my usual routes, some of it more hilly. Note: I didn't count the day at Disney World, as the Disney App ate up my battery, stupid Android phone, so no map! But, on the bright side, I had fun while walking and trained in sticky, humid heat.

So, while I did get some walking done, I haven't been real good about it, or at keeping up with this blog for that matter. I realized the reason I have been so "eh" about it on my last walk: I am very fearful of getting my first mammogram. Part of me desires to put breast cancer out of my brain, completely, because I am worried about what the mammogram will say, especially since I know way too many women (and a few men) suffering from this disease. I KNOW early detection is the key, and I really should have done it on my birthday, but I am just so frightened. I have no family history: meaning I have no medical history of any blood relation because I was adopted at birth in a closed adoption at a time when they didn't/couldn't test DNA for future probability of diseases, not that my family has no history of the disease. Such a big difference! Part of me never wants to know, because if I have it, my babies are at a higher risk of having it, and I am the first they have of their maternal family history.

But, I don't want to die either.

So, if I don't get my butt in gear and get the mammogram done, I may just end up being too late to do anything about it. Not writing in this blog, or walking, or raising money, well, it kept me from facing the fact that I HAVE to get a mammogram, sooner rather than later. Not writing, kept me from promising that I will get it done. Not, not not....And while I DID call the Komen Foundation - that just lead me down a stress-filled path. The help they gave me was almost too good - locations of providers, costs, how to qualify for lower costs, etc. The woman that answered even tried to help ease my fears a bit. But it all depends on all this medical insurance non-sense.....

Reviewing insurance plans - is it covered, is it not? Does it matter where I go? Is one place better than another? Which one is better? If I get a positive result, will I get a second mammogram and will that one be covered as well?Do I qualify for subsidized testing? Is there anywhere in this sub-sub-urban area I live that does this? Are they reputable or should I go to the city to have it done?  Can I afford it if it is not covered? Can I afford NOT to get one?

NO I CAN'T because, I don't want to die.

While I write all this now, tonight, I know I am gaining the strength to face this stupid fear I have, but not yet, not yet. NOT, NOT, NOT.

I will change this, I will. And I know I will, because I have actually walked over 1 mile purposefully twice while on vacation with family. Pulling away from the fun in order to walk over an hour by yourself is not an easy task, but I need to get my butt in gear, and get this thing moving again!!! 

Here is a walk I did while vacationing in Florida (look, I walked on water!!) :

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Here is a walk I did while vacationing in Missouri (I did this one in dress flats - because I HAD to walk and my sneakers were no where to be found):

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Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Today's Walk!

Well, I learned two things from today's walk. The first thing is....SOCKS are important! Not just the socks themselves, but how they fit in your shoe, if they are slick on the inside, and their moisture level. The previous two walks, I ended up with blisters ON TOP of blisters. Painful does not even describe it. Today, I walked just about double the previous walks, without blisters!! The second thing is......my brain turns off around mile 6. All I remember thinking after our last pit stop/stretch was that I need to move my left foot, no I need to move my right foot.

Having Michelle as a training walk leader really helps - she motivates me more than I can say. I guess that is what brought me back. I can't imagine doing this without someone there to drag me out in AWFUL weather, HORRIBLE hours, and through all sorts of terrain. I am grateful!

Anyway, here is the map from my cell phone of today's route. Enjoy!


Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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Hike Goo! Recommended by a past walker!

Hey all! I received an email for a discount on Hike Goo from a friend and teammate for the Susan G Komen 3-Day for a Cure (R). She recommends this product, as she used it last year and LOVED it!

Enjoy!

Greetings Folks! We overestimated the amount of HikeGoo and RunGoo we would need for the Spring...so we are discounting the next 100 tubes of HikeGoo and RunGoo by 30%.  Please visit our website and use "june30" in the coupon code box for a 30% discount. If you are training for the Komen 3-Day or a marathon, now is the time to stock up!  HikeGoo RunGoo     Benefits: All day foot blister protection and callus reduction while wearing boots and stiff footwear in rugged terrain while carrying a pack or equipment. High melting point waxes slow its skin absorption to create a protective layer that stays on the skin's surface and is highly effective in helping prevent blisters.     Effective for: hiking, military, hunting, fishing, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and "60 miles in 3 days" events.   Check out more details online here.       Benefits: Foot Blister protection and callus reduction for all running sports during workouts, races and games. Protects against skin damage and prevents blisters, calluses, nerve abrasion, and sore feet in traditional and barefoot running shoes, cleats, and other athletic shoes.    Effective for: running, military, jogging, football, soccer, basketball, tennis, track and field, and most other running sports.     Check out more details online here.     A recent post to our Facebook page:   "I don't normally endorse specific products, but after literally hundreds of miles on my feet either backpacking or training and walking the 3 Day 60 mile walk for breast cancer, I can only say that this is the single BEST product for not only blister prevention but general foot health and well being that I have ever tried! It's inexpensive, feels great, and will leave nothing but soft feet at the end of the day!" Melissa Polma Loder - Plano, TX Happy trails, Rick et al at Foot Kinetics

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Week 22...

Well, my goals have not been met....and I am not beating myself up for it. I will not let that happen!!! I have accomplished a lot this week, even though I haven't met my goals.

First, while I did manage to call 877-GO-KOMEN to find out about their services, I called them when the office was closed, so I got a recording to call back at another time. Unfortunately for me, I did not make the time to call back, so I fell short of meeting that goal.

Second, while I did manage to walk 6.19 miles this week, I did not get any cross-training done AND I fell 5.81 miles short of the suggested training schedule. Luckily for me I can blame the weather for this, as we don't walk in thundershowers, and there was thunder on our walk this morning, cutting it 3 miles short of our goal. Today wasn't the only weather incident for the week, and there is no excuse for missing the cross-training as I OWN an elliptical!!!

But, I am not beating myself up! I got a lot accomplished....it just wasn't everything that I hoped to accomplish. Next week, it will be better!!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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Week 23....

So, here I am about to start week 23. I am behind on training, getting there on fundraising and so out of it on the whole blogging thing. But, it isn't too late to catch up!

First thing I did today, download the training schedule (24 week) to see how far I am behind. Turns out I am only 11.85 miles behind the training schedule, but if you count the training I did in April, seems I am ahead.

Then, I checked my fundraising - I have raised 33% of my funds!! So, only 77% more to go and 23 more weeks to get there. I can do it!!!

Now, I am onto blogging.... which, I have just done!

In all seriousness, I have found that I am dreading making the appointment to get my first mammogram. I don't want to go, because I don't want them to find anything. I have no family history, so I have no idea of my "chances" - if there is such a thing.

I am going to call 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) in the morning. They have a support line, plus, they may be able to help me figure out the best way to PAY for said mammogram, as my insurance is now a HIGH DEDUCTIBLE - which basically means I have to pay 100% of the bill until I reach a ridiculous amount. While I can't complain because I have a job, and insurance, I do want to find out what a person in a situation such as that would have to do in order to get treatment. I know that step one is reaching out. I will report back on what I find out!

Until then!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Society Pages, Here I am!!!

Printed in the Dallas New Era society pages on Thursday, May 2, 2013. I never imagined that I would land in the society pages, but here I am!! I am so grateful to the Dallas New Era in helping me get the word about about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure (C)!! 

If you (or your team) is interested in getting in the paper for yourselves, please call 1-800-996-3DAY and talk to a coach!! 

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Training in the Rain!!!

Well, it took me almost a whole week to get this posted... Better late than never!!! So, here in Georgia, spring and fall have similar weather - cold mornings, decent afternoons, frequent storms, and unpredictable weather. This makes training during spring the ideal time to train for the Atlanta leg of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, because it is in the fall.

Last Sunday was the perfect "fall" day - a cold morning followed by sporadic rain, enough to drown a rat at times! While we didn't walk the 4 miles we set out to walk, we did make it over 2 miles, drenched! I am proud!

The way I look at it is: I will walk in the rain if I can put an end to breast cancer!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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Training & Then Some

Preparing for the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure takes lots and lots of training. How do you get that training? Well, you can RSVP to training walks through the Participation Center under Train/Training Walks. There are several to choose from, all over the place and new ones are added daily.

I did that very thing to attend a training walk with my team captain. While we were on this walk, a woman stopped us and asked if we were walking the 3 Day. We said we were and she handed us $20!! She is a breast cancer survivor. She also walked a few years back, but can't walk anymore, so she took our information so she pass the word around so her friends can donate to our team!!

So, not only did we get almost 5 miles in training completed, but we got donations as well!! It really does pay to wear very PINK clothes, walk in groups, and not be afraid to talk people on the street. Spreading the word about what we are doing and why is one of the most important things we can do!!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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Gaining Mileage

I read somewhere that an average walker in a Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event will walk somewhere in the neighborhood of 585 miles (or somewhere there about) while training and on event. Don't quote me on that though, because I don't remember where I read it, all I know is that I think it can be true. I haven't even really begun the "official" training yet, and I have already logged 11 miles or so, not including the LONG walks I have been taking with my dog (he can walk about a mile before he lays down).

I have another 181 days to go, so if I keep up this pace, I should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 miles. Pretty daunting when you think of it in big chunks, but when I look at what I've walked, it doesn't seem all that far.... especially if I have the right company!

This walk was taken with my husband, who would have pushed me to go further if dinner time didn't get in the way!

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Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

My First Donation!

So yesterday, I finally sent out my first group of fundraising letters.

I was so worried about the reactions at first, but decided that this is too important to get hung up on what "might" happen and just worry about what "does" happen. IF (see, it is a very big IF...) I get anyone complaining about my journey, I will just explain to them what is in my heart and go from there. Nothing can compete with love, so I think I am all good there!

And this morning I woke up to find DONATIONS!!! I am so very blessed and grateful!!! (Thanks Aunt Sarah!)

With this new found confidence, I have also decided to write a press release and send it to the local paper, in the hopes that my community will also support me in my journey! Here's hoping! :)

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Another Walk Under My Belt!

Yesterday, my husband decided to help me with my training, and took me for a wonderful walk through the park.

Our walk wasn't an official training - like the ones you can find on the3day.org website, but I did walk over a mile with some changes in elevation.... all good in my book!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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The Fundraising Letter

Here I am struggling to write my fundraising letter.

I have two obstacles:

1. Asking people for money is something I don't do easily. As an accountant, I know how money works, and how the lack of it affects others. Yet, as part of my journey, I also know that money raised is used to support research, breast cancer patients, screenings, and education that the Susan G. Komen foundation is known for.

2. As a Catholic involved with the Church, I find myself in the midst of controversy. The Catholic Church had to pull their support of Susan G. Komen due to their involvement with Planned Parenthood. In my dealings with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, I have learned that the INTENTION of their involvement with Planned Parenthood is to screen women who are at a greater risk for breast cancer due to lack of medical insurance and abortion. Now, while I agree with the church in that abortion is wrong, I will not ask another woman to carry my beliefs, as I am not in their shoes. But, I also agree with the Susan G. Komen Foundation's support of screening women in a place where they are receiving medical care - even though that medical care caused their higher risk.

What do I say to my family who agree with the Catholic Church? How to do I ask people who don't have a lot of money to help me reach my goal of raising $2,300?

I am working on it, but it is slow going.... so slow!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

Let the Training Begin!!

Saturday, March 30, 2013 was "Walk in the Park Day" - and Michelle, team captain and a Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Training Walk Leader, decided it would be a good idea to lead a training walk in Stone Mountain Park  -- around the mountain. For those of you who don't know, the loop around the base of Stone Mountain is 5 miles - that's right, FIVE miles!!! I can't believe that right out of the gate, I was going to tackle a 5 mile walk, but I showed up!

Since I trained with Michelle 3 years ago, I knew what I was getting into, sorta. I'd walked the mountain before, knew I could walk at whatever pace was comfortable, and understood where the bathrooms were (which is absolutely key when staying hydrated!!). There was only one thing I didn't count on... Having a baby changed me in ways I never thought of: I don't walk the same as I did 3 years ago; I don't have the same stride or the same core. Muscles that were there working fine the last time I walked the mountain, well, they weren't there anymore, or they were there stretched out from the birth and/or limp from lack of use.

Needless to say, the walk didn't go as well as I remember it going, way back when. Hmmm... Now that I think about it the thing I had going for me last time was that chose to walk at the slowest pace possible. This time I was walking at full speed, "catching up" with friends (family really) I hadn't seen in a few years. I didn't even realize how fast I was walking until mile 3.5 - and by noticing it I should say I stopped myself from puking like Jackson on The Biggest Loser. But, like him, I persevered and finished out to mile 5. Also like him, when we finished, there was a cameraman there waiting to talk to us about the walk and put us on TV!!

Michelle was interviewed for Fox 5 News Atlanta in order to drum up support for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day For the Cure, an interview that aired at 6 PM as well as 10 PM Saturday evening!!! Go Team!!

What a way to start training: a 5 mile walk uphill and downhill (both ways?) followed by an on-camera experience.... WITH THE BEST GIRLS EVER!!!! Thank you ladies!! We did it!!!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

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My Welcome Back!!!

So the same day I received the notice to get my first ever mammogram, I also received my Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Welcome Kit!!

So apropos, right? I mean, here I am walking 60 miles to end breast cancer WHILE I am doing my best to prevent it!

Go me!
Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna

I AM BACK!!

Boy how my life has changed since I walked The 3 Day in 2010!!!

A month after the 2010 event, I found out I was pregnant. Nine months later, I gave birth to a baby girl, Nikki. Needless to say, the 2011 3 Day event was out of the question - I was still enjoying maternity leave when the Atlanta event happened. When the 2012 3 Day event came around, my husband, Nikki and I were still learning the ropes of being a new family and ironing out work schedules. We just couldn't figure out a way for me to train for 8 hours a day with an infant/toddler - especially with a "No Strollers Allowed" training walk rule. Nikki is as cute as a button, especially all decked out cheering on 3 Day walkers, but after about an hour in the stroller she is a raving maniac. Who could blame her?? Not me. And who can blame anyone for making a "no stroller" rule - I sure don't like walking with a screaming baby in a stroller!! So, I took some time off from walking  - 3 years seems like such a long time - but now I am ready to take on this amazing journey yet again....

With the BEST team EVER: Treasured Chests (Atlanta) - such good friends and co-conspirators are hard to come by so I AM NOT LETTING GO!!! This year, we have set our sights high!! Our team has a fundraising goal of $60,000. My personal fundraising goal is $2,300, until I reach it.....

I am praying I achieve my goals, especially with all the controversy I have already come across....Pray with me. Or even better yet, JOIN ME. Then again,  you could always DONATE!

Thanks for reading! ~ Deanna