Running with a Reason

During chemotherapy treatment last year I decided that I would train for an endurance event with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) when my health improved. After remission rolled around and I felt up to the challenge, I signed up with LLS's Team In Training (TNT) program to participate in a half marathon. This past weekend I completed a total of 13.1 miles at the Long Branch Half Marathon and finished in 02:53:08! I also raised over $3600 in funds for cancer research.

The marathon weekend was filled with pre-race jitters and joyous celebrations. The night before the race I attended a pasta party hosted by LLS for all the TNT participants. Here I got to meet some of 350 participants that each raised at least $2500 for cancer research and would be running in the race the following day. After dinner I got the chance to meet team members from the Southern NJ region, listen to some rather inspiring stories, and decorate race t-shirts. It was amazing to be amongst so many people who were equally committed to a great cause.

So I really didn't get excited about having to run 13.1 miles until the morning of race day. Since most of my training was done alone I was preoccupied that I didn't have a friend to consistently encourage me throughout the 13.1 miles; and many of the other TNT participants had be running together for months and had already created lasting friendships and support groups. Luckily I met Jackie from Toms River, NJ, who was in the same boat as I was: she raised funds, trained all on her lonesome, and now had a half marathon to face on her own it seemed. After meeting we decided to become each other's support and pace one another throughout the race. Believe me when I say that I finished as quickly as I did because of Jackie's motivation. She was obviously in better shape and could handle running for longer periods of time without as many walk breaks. However, she persistently encouraged me to keep going throughout the race.

At the end of the race I met with family and friends to take celebratory pictures and receive my race hat and medal. It was very surreal to finish 13.1 miles in the rain without passing out from exhaustion. Now, I'm set on doing a 5K run with the American Cancer Society for prostate cancer research and awareness. Stay tuned!

On the Road to Normalcy

Most people would consider going through cancer treatment one of the toughest things a person can face in their lifetime; your body becomes ill and you must deal with the accompanied stress and uncertainty of your health. Once a cancer patient is considered to be in remission, most people believe it becomes easier to deal with, however, the road from remission to normalcy may sometimes be as tough as, if not more difficult than, treatment itself.

With that said, the last few months haven't been a walk in the park, but as the days and weeks pass by I can see and feel the improvement in my health. I would definitely say that training for a marathon has helped expedite my overall improvement. My first follow-up appointments with my oncologist and radiologist were good; both confirmed that I was recovering beautifully from treatment. Luckily, I don't have to go back for another doctor's appointment until mid-April for a CAT scan, and then once again in early June to see my oncologist. After that I'll have 6-month appointments until I'm back to the normal annual doctor's appointment with my primary physician.

Today, I went to get my first haircut since chemotherapy, where I lost pretty much all of my hair. Surprisingly it has taken almost three months for me to be comfortable enough to cut my hair: I wanted to wait until every patch of baldness disappeared and I needed to wait until the radiation burns on my neck completely healed. Before entering the salon, I was a little nervous that my stylist's inquiries about hair care would lead to a discussion of my illness. (I always attempt to avoid directly discussing cancer with those whom aren't already aware of it. The last thing I want is for someone to feign pity.) Luckily, I've become quite adept at maneuvering conversations so as to avoid cancer-talk completely. My haircut was quick and successful! After a lovely scalp massage and shampooing, it took about ten minutes for my haircut to be complete. I would be lying if I said that I was not overjoyed to have my hair cut; it not only means that my body is healthy enough to grow copious amounts of cranial hair, but it also makes me feel a little bit more normal. People usually take for granted that they have to cut their hair every two to three months (depending on one's interest in hair care) and they don't realize how such a simple and mundane act can be so important. Anyway, I'm happy with my physical appearance. Now all I need to do is work on my endurance for my fast-approaching marathon!

A Radiating Remission

So it seems that allowing people to read about my journey through cancer was short-lived since the last time I posted was in October. Since then a lot has happened: I completed chemotherapy, celebrated a few holidays, started radiation, and secured a job as an SAT tutor. As of late, I have been feeling a lot better and my primary oncologist has stated that according my most recent CT and PET scans I am now in remission. Remission: a little three-syllable word that has brought many sighs of reliefs and tears of joy from my family and friends. For those of you who do not already know what the term means, it is to say that my cancer is no longer a direct threat to my health and I am temporarily recovered. 'Remission' is as close to being cured as I will ever be of Hodgkin's Disease. Unfortunately, I have been advised to continue with radiation therapy because combining chemotherapy and radiation has proven to be more effective in curing cancers in the long run. Today I received my 13th treatment of radiation out of a total twenty. Radiation is completely different from chemotherapy even though both procedures are used as treatment for cancers. In comparison, radiation is more so a "spot treatment" rather than injective, which is a nice change. For me, that means no more IV's and hopefully no more collapsed veins. However, I have to say that radiation treatment is rather quick and impersonal; it's also tedious getting up at eight o'clock in the morning every weekday. Aside from a three-day cold, which made my throat feel as if it were on fire, I've only suffered minimal side effects, including tanning of my neck, some hair loss, and a sore throat. I can't wait until I don't have to see a doctor so often!