The Chelan Chase

As many of you may know, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer. It came  as a real shock and surprise to us, as my mom has had an annual mammogram for as long as I can remember and never once had any cause for concern. She herself says that she is the poster child for early detection. Her cancer was caught early and she was able to treat it with a lumpectomy and almost seven weeks of daily (Mon-Fri) radiation treatments. Still, she has endured significant pain, discomfort, bruising, blisters and itching from the radiation, exhaustion and even guilt that her cancer wasn't as bad as some of her friends (so hurtful to hear). She handled it much better than I did, however. I became a blubbering mess on several occasions--the first when she told me her mammogram showed something and the second when she said "it's not what we were hoping for." Through it all, my mom has remained strong, courageous and faithful, trusting in the Lord to see her through. And, of course, He did. We have been overwhelmed and touched by the outpouring of love and prayers from both friends and strangers alike. My mom is almost done with her radiation and has a clean bill of health. Sons, daughters, husbands, friends--be certain that the women in your life are getting their annual mammograms as they truly can be a matter of life and death.

October, of course, is breast cancer awareness month and everything everywhere turns pink! Yay! Chelan, WA hosts an annual 5k breast cancer run called the Chelan Chase. I've never before ran in any kind of organized event..in fact, I've never really been a runner. But I discoverd a few weeks ago that running outside provides me with what is most likely the only peace and quiet I'll have all day. When Parker suggested we run together for my mom I happily agreed!


LT and mommy just before we left the house. We are sporting our custom-made "Team Mammy" shirts. I mean really, are you surprised? Fashion first people!

We all had our names on the back of our shirts.

Team Mammy ready to run!

It's almost impossible to get a shot of everyone looking.

Parker and me just seconds before the race began.

Parker was at a real disadvantage---he pushed the stroller the whole 3.1 miles and had to slow his pace so I could keep up!

Luke was waiting for us with Nana at the finish line. This was taken immediately afer finishing the race. I'm smiling, but really I'm just trying not to puke.

We did it! Parker and I placed 39th and 40th out of 358 participants. I finished 5th out of 29 in my 30-39 age group and 14th in overall women runners. I clocked my fastest mile at 7:54 and my fasted 5k at 25:33. I have to say that Parker pushed me really hard the whole race. He kept saying, "come on Lala, we can catch these people." In my mind I was telling him to shut up but I'm so glad he was there to encourage me. I was shocked and so proud of how well we did!

We celebrated with breakfast and mimosas at Campbell's after the race.
It was such a wonderful, memorable and deeply meaningful day for me. I am so blessed to have a husband who supports and encourages me and my family. He didn't bat an eye when I said I wanted to have "Team Mammy" shirts made for the race. He agreed, knowing how much it would mean to both my mom and me. Parker was actually the person who encouraged me take part in the Chelan Chase in the first place.
I am also so very blessed and so beyond grateful to God to have a mom who is healthy and can call herself a "survivor." We love you so so much Mammy and are so happy that you're healthy!