A Visit With Stacey

The other day, my friend – and four-year breast cancer survivor – Stacey cut my hair at the salon where she works. I hadn’t seen her in a while, so it was good to catch up. She teased me about the gray hairs that are becoming more noticeable on both sides of my head – although I have to say they are still minimal for a fellow my age. I teased her, saying that the remark just cost her a tip.

I asked about her health, as I often do. She’s fine, as always, although she shared something she had never mentioned before. I remembered that the last time we talked, she had made a reference to some medication she took on an ongoing basis, but I couldn’t recall the name of it, other than it sounded like something she might take to ward off a recurrence of her cancer. (As an aside, Stacey has never considered to be in remission, which implies that the cancer is still hiding in some deep dark recesses, biding its time until it makes a most inglorious return. She was declared cancer-free after completing her post-operative treatment program.)

So I asked her if she took something to remain cancer-free. She said she had been on tamoxifen for over four years, but had recently decided, on her own, to go off the drug. She said she was tired of the side effects – most notably, a feeling weak, like she had the flu all the time, and having her feet hurt, which had to be most inconvenient for someone who spends virtually all day standing.

I’d had no idea she was so…uncomfortable – every day for four years. She was very good at hiding her discomfort, always talkative and joking. As I’ve told many friends, you would never know she had had breast cancer. But she said this just wasn’t something people needed to know. She isn’t the type of person to go on an on about every little ache or pain or sniffle. Still, I’m glad she told me. It reminded me how strong a person she is – how strong every breast cancer patient is, whether they are in the midst of treatment or living their life as a survivor.

When Stacey first started taking tamoxifen, it was considered a five-year drug. But recently, she said, it’s been determined that patients like Stacey, who were diagnosed and treated early, only need to take it for three years. He doctor wanted her to finish out the five years, but she’s decided she’s had enough. And to that, I say, good for her.

While I was at the salon, a woman who looked to be in her 70s came in with her husband. Stacey said that she was a breast cancer survivor – for more than 30 years! I could only imagine how little was known about the disease and how to treat it when she was diagnosed, compared to today, and how fortunate she must have been to have it caught early enough – something that still doesn’t happen with a lot of women.

I thought of my friend Jill, who has been battling breast cancer for more than three years, going through multiple cycles of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, almost nonstop throughout that time. She continues her fight.

And so I continue to walk.


Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 112 days until Day 1

Ready...Set...Train!

We’re less than four months from Day 1 of the 2008 Twin Cities 3-Day – 121 days, to be exact. Today was a beautiful day – clear blue skies, slight breeze, the sun shining high in the sky. I took my new shoes out for the first training walk. Yes, I said “training walk”. There’s no more denying the fact that my training has begun.

I walked through my neighborhood, as I often do, although I added a couple of legs onto my usual route, increasing distance and including a slight hill (or two). I took note of the trees, with their leaves unfolding, the gradual explosion into a green canopy over houses and streets and sidewalks. I looked at the deepening color of my neighbors’ lawns and wondered if Mother Nature will keep them that way throughout the summer or will the owners be forced to pour gallon after gallon of water on them in order to maintain health and vigor. Will I be one of those owners who think green grass is more important than my city’s resources, regardless of cost?

I stopped at an intersection to stretch and thought about how many times I’ll be leaning on a fence or a telephone pole during the course of my training. I watched cars pass by on the road and thought of how some of those same cars will be honking for all of us on the 3-Day.

I walked by a gas station and saw the latest price of $3.85 per gallon – and I decided I didn’t care whether it goes to $4…or $5 or $10 or $100. It’s just another thing that television news thinks is important – so important that our entire civilization could crumble into dust at any moment and be carried away with the wind. Perhaps one day it will be cable TV news and talk radio and bloggers pontificating on the latest death knell, who will lie on the ash heap of history, along with communism, smallpox, and eight-track tapes. I smiled at the prospect of such a world.

I walked the final two blocks toward my house, passing the homes of my neighbors, whom I’ve come to know so well. Kevin stood in his driveway and called out, “At it again, Scotty?”

Yep, I’m at it again.


Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 121 Days until Day 1

Catching Up

I know it’s been a while since my last post – I suppose I need an editor hounding me with a specific deadline for a piece. But for those of you who are committing vast portions of your otherwise busy lives to check in with me (I think at last count there were four), here is a bit of an update on the latest goings-on in my 3-Day world.

First of all, thanks so much to all of you who have made generous donations to the 3-Day in my name. Currently, my personal fundraising total stands at $670. That’s already nearly 1/3 of my target of $2,200 – and after only a little over a month of “official” fundraising. I greatly appreciate every dollar, as well as the continued well wishes from those who are unable to contribute financially. It makes walking all those miles all the more easier.

Secondly, after several months of off-season workouts, I’ll be starting my official training within the coming weeks. But first, I need a new pair of shoes. I hope to pick those up this weekend. For any of you who still need new shoes (or even just an extra pair), please feel free to join me at a shoe clinic on May 10th, at Marathon Sports in Minneapolis, where you can get fitted for the perfect shoe and save 30% on all purchases that day, just for being a 3-Day participant. For more details, go to the following link on the official 3-Day web site:

http://08.the3day.org/site/Calendar/1440358354?view=Detail&id=106781

Thirdly, not that this has anything directly to do with the 3-Day, but exactly six months (or 26 weeks or 182 days) ago today, I was notified that my employer no longer required my services. I have enjoyed my time away from the rat race (as well as my generous severance package) and have tried to prepare myself for the next chapter of my career (i.e., sit around all day and read or take long walks on sunny afternoons). Actually, the long walks have done much to keep me mindful of the 3-Day training that lay ahead (as if I really needed reminding). And I hope to re-enter the world of gainful employment soon – that is, after I complete a few more of the chores I've been putting off for the past few months. ;-)

Lastly, to my friends on the Twin Cities 3-Day team “Hawaiian Ohanas”, yesterday (May 7, 2008) was indeed an historic date. Since 2004, the first year that the 3-Day was held in the Twin Cities, some portion of that team has gathered together on a monthly basis for dinner and cocktails; to tell stories (and lies) and keep up with each other’s personal lives; to share information about training and fundraising; and to just share each other’s company. Since our first “official” monthly get-together in November 2004, one person has attended every gathering. (One could question this person’s quality of life, if one were so inclined.) However, after 42 consecutive months, this Cal Ripken, Jr. “Iron Man”-like streak has ended, due to illness. Yes, my friends, I was unable to take my place in the lineup…or, perhaps more appropriately, take my seat at the bar. I assure you, I will be fine in a few days. But I must pass the torch on to whomever wishes to claim the longest active streak. (Jim, I think that’s you.) May you bear it as proudly as I have, lo these past years, and wear it as a badge of honor (or dishonor, whichever you prefer).

All right, I can now truly say that spring has arrived here in MN and there WON’T be any more snow (trust me), so I look forward to taking you with me out on the road to the 3-Day during this “summer of love” (as in, “I love to walk, I love to walk, I love to walk, I love…”).


Scott’s Official Twin Cities 3-Day Countdown: 134 days until Day 1