Free To Breath

Saturday was the 2nd Annual Free to Breath 5K walk/run. I had a lovely group sign up for Team Steph. My friend Ace (Angie Avery) made some really cool shirts for our team and I have to say, we were looking good! With this being the 2nd year for this walk, there again where many different emotions running through my body.
First, I was and still am sore from my port placement. I don't know if it's the two incisions or the fact that I have this quarter sized contraption above my boob with a hose attached to it. That hose is somewhere connected into a main vein through my neck. Every time I cough, yowzers! I suppose I should have done some research on this whole port deal, but it's in now and things will settle in a few days for sure. This goes really without saying, I am sick and tired of hurting in places that don't normally hurt, I am tired of coughing non-stop, taking pills/drugs... It had been one of THOSE days for me. The sad, out of your mind type of day. I refuse to ramble on about my negatives, so I am done ranting and raving about how I feel. Well sort of...
Back to the event: It rained all morning, storm like, so I woke up really upset. I was so incredibly excited for this event. Lung Cancer patients would be there with their friends and families and supporters of all kinds would show up. Boy, was I somewhat surprised. I don't mean disrespect towards anyone at all, but I was a tad saddened by the numbers that showed. I am keeping in mind the fact the weather was not pleasant, it's only the 2nd year, and maybe the event wasn't as advertised big enough.My goal for next year.....spread the word and get people out. There were a total of 9 survivors there, I was included in that group. It was incredibly strange that I was a part of that group who was introduced to the crowd, but I didn't feel alone.I had a colleague show up to run, which was completely sweet of him. I also had a student, his little sister, and his parents show up. That was very cool! I met many new friends and the walk was beautiful. The rain stopped just in time and so did my head, from spinning of all the emotions I felt. Events like these are supposed to be inspiring, but the stories that were shared were a grim reminder of possible outcomes of lung cancer. This cancer is a mean, deadly, and extremely hard to detect, those were just a few of the reminders. None the less, this day turned out to be incredible! To all of my readers who joined us on this day, I thank you so very much for your support. Our jobs now, to remember the date and spread the word. Lung Cancer claims the most lives of any cancer and it's time to bring some awareness to this.

The last thing I will end this post with is that Lung Cancer does not always have to be caused by smoking. I find myself prefacing my diagnosis by saying, I am not a smoker and never have. EXCEPT..that one time in college where I had some hanging out of my mouth because I thought it looked cool, but I probably didn't completely inhale. Docs say you need to legitimately smoke at least 100 cigarettes before that would even be considered. Why do I have to say, I have lung cancer, Oh but I am not a smoker? Ugh.....Awareness. Enjoys some pics and than get ready for baby talk!