Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach
October 17, 2004
This was the first charity walk that I ever attended. If someone
would have told me two years ago that I would walk five miles and I
would have recommended a mental institution for that person. If that
same person would have suggested that I would pay to walk five miles
I would have driven them to a local mental institution for a nice
long vacation
The walk was attended by amazing friends of mine. Ira arrived at
Jones Beach at 7:00 AM. He wanted to make sure he would not be late.
As I approached the entrance I heard Ira’s friendly voice. Since Ira
has had his weight loss surgery he has a new outlook on life. If
there is an event or an exercise class for gastric bypass surgery you
can bet your last dollar that Ira will be the first person on line to
attend and then help organize the event. I was the next person to
arrive at 8:30AM. Steve always the joker, was calling to find out
where I was waiting for him. Steve was about ten feet away from me.
Steve is another very dedicated friend and will also not miss an
event. Steve is a single guy and never went to bed on Saturday.
Steve always has a big smile on his face. Life is good for Steve. A
few minutes later I heard a voice yell my name, and it was Natalie
(nine weeks post op with her new scar from her gastric bypass
surgery). Accompanying Natalie was her mom Audrey a pre-op patient
of Dr. Cooperstone. I do not know any other pre-op patients that
would consider walking five miles. She is a very dedicated mom to
her daughter Natalie. I would venture to say that most of us would
not walk five miles for a free meal when we were pre-op let alone a
charity event. I really enjoyed chatting with Natalie during our
walk. Fern and Benson arrived at 9:10AM and then registered for the
walk.
It was a cold day; I was wearing two tee shirts, two sweat shirts and
sweat pants. I could have used a pair of gloves. I think I will
always be cold the rest of my days. We all started yakking and asked
what each of us did Saturday night. Consistently Steve always has
the most interesting stories to tell us. If you want to know what is
up with Steve attend an exercise class or walk with us on a Sunday.
Since we were not expecting anyone else we began walking at 9:30AM.
I did not think twice about walking five miles. We are consistently
walking fours miles every Sunday and Gina our exercise instructor,
tortures us twice a week and we gladly do whatever she tells us to do
most of the time. The exercises classes are really a lot of fun, and
we all really enjoy making Gina laugh during class. She would have
been proud of us since we were looking for a place to also do
standing push ups during the walk. We were also happy that there
were too many people to find a place to do those push ups. As we
were walking we meet several people along the way and chatted for a
few seconds. It was too cold to stop walking for a long period of
time. As we passed each mile marker I thought to myself that the
five mile mark was easily attainable.
I decided to participate in the Breast Cancer walk for several
reasons:
1) Breast Cancer is a horrid disease that affects so many women. I
am sure we all have family and friends that have been affected by
breast cancer. Like Ira and Steve I am ready and now able to do
anything for a good cause.
2) I am not sure if I ever walked five miles but I wanted to do it.
I really enjoy challenging myself with different forms of exercises
and doing them well. I will probably always remain a klutz; however I
am willing to give it a whirl. I am no longer challenging myself or
sedating myself with food.
3) My mother is a survivor of a rare of form cancer, called
Esophageal Cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, they
estimates that 14250 people will be diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer
and 13,300 people will die. I know that if I never had gastric
bypass surgery I would not ever have had the energy to care for my
mother, take her to countless number of doctor appointments, or be
the advocate that every critically ill patient needs. The statistics
are scary. Esophageal Cancer is treated by drugs that are being
used to treat other cancers. The Pharmaceutical companies have no
financial incentive to develop their own unique set of drugs.
Esophageal Cancer does not have a Christopher Reeve to bring this
disease to the forefront of people. For those people that are
fortunate to be able to have surgery, it is very similar to those
that have gastric bypass surgery. Part or all of the stomach is
bypassed, and these patients can suffer from dumping syndrome and
deal with leaks from the rerouting of the intestines. I really doubt
there will be a walk for Esophageal Cancer, so when I was walking I
was thinking about the people I know that have died of this disease.
As we were nearing the end of the walk someone suggested that it
would be a wonderful idea to have a group picture. Guess what no
camera. After everyone kicked themselves Steve realized he had a
camera in his cell phone. Hopefully we will figure out how to attach
the picture to an e-mail so we can share the photo with everyone.
As we were nearing the fourth mile our pouches were growling and we
were seeking suggestions where to have brunch. It seems that
whatever we do as a group, be it exercise, or attend a support
meeting, it always concludes with food and great conversation.