Today I logged in to the Warrior Women website for the 3-Day
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/rykri
and my smile couldn't be bigger. Our team is 15 women strong and growing...and my amazing friends have raised $9500+ so far. Every day I see the numbers climb a little bit, and I think:
"When our daughters are women, breast cancer will be a thing of the past. They will not live in fear: they will live proud of the work of their mothers before them. Our daughters will keep their breasts, and their lives, because of the work we do."
Our daughters, daughter-in-laws, nieces, friends, mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins....ourselves.
Of course, there is a LOT of work to be done between now and then, but I believe we can do it. My fourteen friends - some new, some old - are working hard. Our work will make a difference!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
"Shoulds" that I can live with
Maybe this is why my 30s are better than my 20s, despite the obvious problems...
(Written by someone else...one of those emails distributed all over the place)
1. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to...
2. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.
3. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a youth she's content to leave behind....
4. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
5. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
6. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
7. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
8. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...
9. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a feeling of control over her destiny...
10. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself..
11. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... HOW TO QUIT A JOB, BREAK UP WITH A LOVER, AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
12. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
13. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.
14. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over...
15. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... 16. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
17. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally..
18. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...
19. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...
(Written by someone else...one of those emails distributed all over the place)
1. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to...
2. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.
3. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a youth she's content to leave behind....
4. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
5. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
6. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
7. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
8. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...
9. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a feeling of control over her destiny...
10. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself..
11. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... HOW TO QUIT A JOB, BREAK UP WITH A LOVER, AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
12. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
13. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.
14. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over...
15. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... 16. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
17. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally..
18. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...
19. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...
Being healthy
Now that I'm feeling relatively good, I'm ready to work at really being healthy again. My pants are telling me that the "I deserve a scone because I'm about to have surgery/having surgery/just had surgery" attitude did not pay off, and I'm ready to work on being well again.
Time for the gym; time for Pilates (argh!); time for outdoor runs. And time, I'm afraid, to kiss the scones goodbye. It's worth it, though: Hawaii (and my bikini!) calls to me, and I am determined to enjoy my time on the beach feeling unselfconscious, kissed by the sun, admired by my husband. :-) (To Ryan's credit, he is always super kind about my weight, and always tells me that I'm beautiful....but I know the difference so I want to make sure that I EARN his admiration, not just get it because he has to. :-) )
Time for the gym; time for Pilates (argh!); time for outdoor runs. And time, I'm afraid, to kiss the scones goodbye. It's worth it, though: Hawaii (and my bikini!) calls to me, and I am determined to enjoy my time on the beach feeling unselfconscious, kissed by the sun, admired by my husband. :-) (To Ryan's credit, he is always super kind about my weight, and always tells me that I'm beautiful....but I know the difference so I want to make sure that I EARN his admiration, not just get it because he has to. :-) )
Monday, March 12, 2007
I love survivor stories!
From the Pacific Northwest Magazine this weekend - stories of people who have survived despite the odds. If they can do it, maybe I can do it too. I'm counting on it!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw03112007/2003608432_pacificpsurvivor11.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw03112007/2003608432_pacificpsurvivor11.html
Humbly asking for your help again
Dear friends and family,
I have asked for your help many times in the past two years, and you have given it to me: I lost count a long time ago about how many meals were made, how many hours Tessa was cared for, how many cards were written, how many gifts of friendship and kindness were offered and received. Every gift is marked in my heart, though, and I am more grateful than I can say. I couldn't have made it without you, and I know in my deepest heart that I have you to be thankful toward for getting me through the worst times of my life.
I am asking for your help again: please support me in The Breast Cancer 3-Day to fund Susan G. Komen for the Cure's research to end breast cancer.
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/rykri
I am grateful to be NED (no evidence of disease); all of my scans show that the cancer is being kept at bay, and that I am healthy. Almost two years since my diagnosis, I am nearly rebuilt...Humpty Dumpty is being put back together again. It's hard to believe how much has happened to me since June 2005: two mastectomies, a node dissection, port placement, 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation, hysterectomy/oopharectomy, and multiple reconstruction surgeries, in addition to the continuation of Femara and Herceptin (drugs designed to keep the cancer away). I lost count a long time ago about how many needles, how many scans, or how many blood tests. I keep working hard to be well, watching my diet and exercise, taking my meds, undergoing reconstruction, going to physical therapy. Cancer is hard work, but I don't mind the work as long as I stay healthy.
I feel that now, when I am healthy, my real work is ahead of me. I am asking for your support to fund the cure. My real work is to end breast cancer for everyone, now that my personal battles are (hopefully) behind me.
This year, again, I am participating in The Breast Cancer 3-Day. I will raise pledges and commit to walking 60 miles over the course of three days (September 7-9, 2007) in an effort to end breast cancer. Last year, my team of ten raised $32,000, and this year we are determined to raise even more money to fund vital research to end breast cancer. I am incredibly grateful to all of our donors from last year: we are making a difference, and I can't do it without you. I humbly ask for your support again, so that we can get steps closer to the cure this year.
I hate breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed in her lifetime, and I am sick to death of it. I am surrounded by breast cancer, not just in my support groups but elsewhere. My neighbor, Mira, was diagnosed with stage IV a year after me. Another neighbor's mom - herself a very young woman - was diagnosed last year. Just last week, one of Ryan's colleagues was diagnosed. I know that many of the people on this email have been touched by breast cancer by people other than myself - sister in laws, moms, grandmas, and friends. Nobody is immune from this hateful disease, and we must stop it!I am dedicating my life's work to ending breast cancer, and I need your help. Together, we can end breast cancer...I am sure of it!I am committed to raising a mimimum of $2200.00, and I am leading a team of women who are, together, committed to raising much more: we hope to raise $60,000.00 this year. Please support me by going to the 3-Day website and making your pledge:
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/rykri
Or, consider joining me in the walk! Join my team, Warrior Women:
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/warriorwomen
I walk so that my beautiful daughter Tessa may live in a world without breast cancer. Will you please support me?
Kristina Surface
I have asked for your help many times in the past two years, and you have given it to me: I lost count a long time ago about how many meals were made, how many hours Tessa was cared for, how many cards were written, how many gifts of friendship and kindness were offered and received. Every gift is marked in my heart, though, and I am more grateful than I can say. I couldn't have made it without you, and I know in my deepest heart that I have you to be thankful toward for getting me through the worst times of my life.
I am asking for your help again: please support me in The Breast Cancer 3-Day to fund Susan G. Komen for the Cure's research to end breast cancer.
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/rykri
I am grateful to be NED (no evidence of disease); all of my scans show that the cancer is being kept at bay, and that I am healthy. Almost two years since my diagnosis, I am nearly rebuilt...Humpty Dumpty is being put back together again. It's hard to believe how much has happened to me since June 2005: two mastectomies, a node dissection, port placement, 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation, hysterectomy/oopharectomy, and multiple reconstruction surgeries, in addition to the continuation of Femara and Herceptin (drugs designed to keep the cancer away). I lost count a long time ago about how many needles, how many scans, or how many blood tests. I keep working hard to be well, watching my diet and exercise, taking my meds, undergoing reconstruction, going to physical therapy. Cancer is hard work, but I don't mind the work as long as I stay healthy.
I feel that now, when I am healthy, my real work is ahead of me. I am asking for your support to fund the cure. My real work is to end breast cancer for everyone, now that my personal battles are (hopefully) behind me.
This year, again, I am participating in The Breast Cancer 3-Day. I will raise pledges and commit to walking 60 miles over the course of three days (September 7-9, 2007) in an effort to end breast cancer. Last year, my team of ten raised $32,000, and this year we are determined to raise even more money to fund vital research to end breast cancer. I am incredibly grateful to all of our donors from last year: we are making a difference, and I can't do it without you. I humbly ask for your support again, so that we can get steps closer to the cure this year.
I hate breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed in her lifetime, and I am sick to death of it. I am surrounded by breast cancer, not just in my support groups but elsewhere. My neighbor, Mira, was diagnosed with stage IV a year after me. Another neighbor's mom - herself a very young woman - was diagnosed last year. Just last week, one of Ryan's colleagues was diagnosed. I know that many of the people on this email have been touched by breast cancer by people other than myself - sister in laws, moms, grandmas, and friends. Nobody is immune from this hateful disease, and we must stop it!I am dedicating my life's work to ending breast cancer, and I need your help. Together, we can end breast cancer...I am sure of it!I am committed to raising a mimimum of $2200.00, and I am leading a team of women who are, together, committed to raising much more: we hope to raise $60,000.00 this year. Please support me by going to the 3-Day website and making your pledge:
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/rykri
Or, consider joining me in the walk! Join my team, Warrior Women:
http://www.the3day.org/seattle07/warriorwomen
I walk so that my beautiful daughter Tessa may live in a world without breast cancer. Will you please support me?
Kristina Surface
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