January 6, 2011 - Epiphany

Growing up, we always kept our Christmas tree up until January 6th. Mom called it Russian Christmas, and I came to know it as Three Kings Day from my travels overseas. In any event, today is Epiphany, and I always feel sad when I finally take down my decorations. Since 2001, the day has held another meaning for me.

10 years ago today I was sitting in my mother's hospital room at MD Anderson praying that she would be able to overcome the latest setback as she had so many times during her illness. We had some fun in that hospital room, too. We celebrated Christmas and toasted the New Year with the doctors and nurses, and for a week we assumed mom would recover. We couldn't bear the alternative, so we just didn't allow it to be an option. But it wasn't meant to be, and so my sisters and I said goodbye to her one last time and left. For the first time in my life, I truly felt like I had no direction. What's next? What do I do? Where do I go? How am I supposed to do anything without her? Its really odd how your perspective changes. I'd been living on my own since college, a mere 10 years to that point, but on that day I felt as though I didn't have a clue in the world!

Well, I still may not have a clue, but at least I have direction. Afterall, she taught me well. And as I take down my tree, I say a little prayer of thanks to my mother who, despite it all, made damn sure that I continue the family tradition of leaving the tree up until Russian Christmas! I wouldn't have it any other way.

December 27, 2010

Well the gifts are open, the floor is littered with colorful paper and bows, and my boys are happily...well except for a few sibling discussions...playing with all their new gifts simultaneously.

Training has been suspended for a couple of weeks so we can enjoy the holidays, but I can't wait to get back out there and pound the pavement. I'm inspired by the words and generous donations from my friends and family, and especially from complete strangers.

This is my second LLS fundraising campaign, and raising funds gets increasingly difficult with each event. The fact that I'm doing it during the holidays, just adds another challenge for me. So, this time, I spent over 40 hours gift wrapping for tips! Who knew there were so many people who are gift-wrap challenged? I personally love to gift wrap, so it was great fun to spend time creating pretty packages for harried gift-givers! It was especially gratifying to be able to provide a service in exchange for donations rather than just soliciting. The kindness of strangers...

December 14, 2010

Ah, the holidays. Mom was always so excited when the holiday baking season would roll around. No matter how busy we were, she always, always, made at least 3 kinds of cookies. Decorated butter cookies, rum balls, and date bars. I was never a big fan of the date bars, too old fashioned for me, but now, what I wouldn't give to have a plate of them in front of me! I remember the year she made 6 dozen decorated cookies for a school party and we were sprinkling our hearts out for hours. By the end, I believe all the cookies looked the same, and we were begging for mercy. Well, mom, I know you are watching. I still make decorated cookies with my children, whether they enjoy it or not.

November 29, 2010

As most of you know, last year I started a journey to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I successfully raised $4,004 and finished my first full marathon! Since then I signed on to be a marathon mentor to help others reach their goal. That season culminated in racing in my second marathon on November 14th. I couldn't believe I was crazy enough to try it again, but I did it!

So why this website you may ask? Well, I either have rocks in my head, or I've found a program that I can endorse without hesitation. But surely, its both! All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

Amanda's got a new pair of shoes!

So, new shoes in hand, I am once again training for a marathon in memory of my mother. She passed away in 2001 from AML, and I still miss her everyday. While a day hasn't gone by that I wished she had been able to overcome her illness, I know she's with me, especially on those long dreaded miles from 15 - 20 where the marathon seems the bleakest. I couldn't finish without her, or without your help and support for my fundraising efforts. I know that my dedication has real impact on research and patient services, and I've seen firsthand what the doctors, advocates, and volunteers do for the families suffering with afflicted loved ones.

I've been so humbled by your generosity in the past, and by those I've met through this program who are battling blood cancers. Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission, you won't regret it!

You can make a 100% tax deductible donation via this secure website, or send me a check. Everything helps, and no donation is too small.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and thanks for your support!

Backstory - Why I run.

In May 2000, I was preparing for the happiest day of my life. On May 20th I was getting married. In typical fashion I had arranged for a spa day for my three sisters, mom and me. Only two sisters were able to join me. I came to find out that my mother was

admitted to the hospital and doctors were running numerous tests. They wanted to keep her for at least three days, but faced with an undiagnosed illness, my mom asked the doctors to top her off with blood and release her. She had a wedding to attend! She donned elbow length gloves to hide all the bruising from blood draws and managed to kick up her heels and enjoy the day.

The devastating news came back later that she was suffering from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). I went on my honeymoon not knowing what was in store for my mom and my family. What followed was a brutal attack on the disease. There really was no choice, if left untreated, my mother would die, but at her age, the treatment

was also likely to take her life.

As always, my mother was full of hope and determination, as she endured isolation, a heart attack and two rounds of chemotherapy. We all did what we could to ease her pain and hoped and prayed for remission. But despite reaching remission, the chemotherapy had wreaked havoc on the rest of her body and my mother passed away on Jan. 6, 2001.