Running to become...

My brain can hardly keep up.  The "deluge" that has ensued since last week is out of this world.  Both figuratively, and honestly?  Quite literally.  I have heard from followers, believers, readers, encouragers,   friends, and family, from all corners of the world.  I've tried to my utmost ability to respond to those who take the time to reach out to us.  

My, how you know, just exactly what to say… even when you claim you don't… it all helps.  

I will have to update soon with a few more things… but for now I will go with this.

Meet Deanna.

Deanna and I went to the same church together growing up.  I was closer in age to her younger sister, who is the friend we adopted Crosby from a couple years ago.

This was part of an email I received from Deanna toward the beginning of the year: 

"Every year I run the Donna Deegan Marathon (I do the half). It's called 26.2 with Donna. She is a three time survivor of breast cancer. She is quite inspiring for the community of Jacksonville and she runs it every year. This is the 7th year. You will have to check out her website when you have some time. Breastcancermarathon.com

I'm going to run it for you this year! "

Yesterday was Deanna's race! Look at the bib she had designed with my picture and a caption which reads:

"Vicky Westra- you inspire me with your blog!  A true woman of faith.  Today, I run to "become."

So she ran! 

Here is the message she left on the huge pink truck they brought in for everyone to sign. 

And here she is with her medal!

I am sufficiently blown away.  Encouraged.  And inspired myself.

Deanna- you rock!  

We are in the midst of completing the packing, cleaning, and moving of all of mom's things out of her apartment. Again- the blessing of family and friends coming to help, sort, organize, fold, box, etc. has been so substantially helpful to us.  I fail to do them justice in expressing the sheer amount of gratitude I have for all they have done.  

I am finding the distraction of packing and moving my mom to be a mixed blessing.  Its thrust me from thinking of myself too much, and instead caused me to focus on my memories of Dad, and my childhood, and the plethora of memories from the past that await around each corner at Mom's place.  

I also got a report in the mail from Dr. Panwalkar.  It showed my tumor markers have indeed risen.  And even though its a standard form-type-letter- the last line was still a reassurance and good reminder.

"Call me with questions or concerns." 

I know, if I worked at it, I could certainly try to get a call through and maybe get to speak to Dr P.  Or at the very least, I know his nurse would take my questions and pass them along and then get back to me with the answers.  Or triage would try to answer them as best as possible.

I have avenues to explore if and when I need them.  

But this week is the big push to get my mom out of her apartment with as much of her security deposit in tact as possible.  

She is still telling us she is moving back to her apartment or one near by. 

Unfortunately, we've had to apprise her of the status of her movers-

WE HAVE RETIRED…

sorry mom- next move is totally on you!