Hope, Time, and Quality of Life In Spite of Colon Cancer

Our LA weekend started at 3:30 on Saturday morning and it was thrilling to watch Karlie from the time we entered the airport until we landed in Texas. She's still floating! Katie had to work and ended up, I'm sure, having a great time without anyone at home. I can't thank NCCS enough for inviting us on this very special trip.

We checked into the hotel which was within walking distance of Venice Beach and had several hours to spare before meeting up with Susan and Anne. Karlie was in another world - loved seeing all of the buildings, watching the people, and especially meeting all the dogs that were being walked! The mountains and shoreline were spectacular and we sat on the pier watching surfers for several hours, dipped our toes into the Pacific Ocean, and didn't miss the chance to write hope in the sand before heading back to the hotel and getting ready for Frosted Pink. We really had no idea of what to expect.

It was wonderful to see Anne and Susan again and to meet Dani and her husband, Lynne, and Leslie. We arrived at the pink carpet; standing in the gathering crowd and wondering what would be next. Anastacia arrived and cameras started flashing. Shawn Johnson, the olympic medalist, was also in the crowd. Limos arrived and the carpet began to fill. Peggy Fleming and Sharon Osbourne appeared. I gave Sharon a C3 Blue Star of Hope pin. She stayed signing autographs and talked for quite a while; I was surprised by her tiny stature but not by her gracious smile or warm words. She is a true inspiration! I was snapping pictures but didn't ask for one with her and will probably regret that forever. It wasn't until later that I realized it would have been fine. All of the skaters showed up and I was in awe as I saw Nancy Kerrigan, Oxsana Baiul, and Kristi Yamaguchi. Heart came next and then William Baldwin. Someone asked for a picture and Karlie asked for an autograph. I took that opportunity to ask if he would pose for one with her. He smiled and said yes, then said it wouldn't be good where they were standing and he would come around to her. So with a crowd of people all around and cameras flashing, he walked around the barrier to Karlie for a better view. He quickly became her newest idol!! and mine, too :) I was excited to see Eva LaRue and then Joss Stone, both taking their turns. Andrea Bowen was a highlight for Karlie, who is a total Desperate Housewives fan. She signed her autograph and posed for a picture and then stood talking with Karlie for a while longer. Karlie was amazed to discover they were the same age. We left to find our seats and watch the show.

Talking with Dani, who is a breast cancer survivor, I was amazed to learn that she had cycled 3700 miles to raise awareness. I listened as Susan introduced NCCS and couldn't help but think of the survivorship behind this event and the empowerment and awareness that it will bring to others was overwhelming. I wondered how Susan could seem so natural and at ease as the cameras brought attention to her and realized that as a survivor she must be bursting with pride. I felt tears well up as she once again took her seat across from me and next to Anne, also a survivor. Thinking of the survivorship behind this event and the empowerment and awareness that it will bring to others was overwhelming. To conclude an invigorating night, my daughter moved closer to the ice and was joined by Alicia Arden from General Hospital. They clapped and shouted and Karlie truly was transformed from country girl to TV diva for a few incredible hours. I can't to wait to see the event transform this Sunday and hope that you will all watch it, too. There wasn't a person there unaffected by the disease and it was evident in every single performance and in the eyes of those watching. I thought of the NCCS toolbox and how many people it assists and am proud to know that I am part of such a strong community and that this community, together with others, ensures that we all coveryourbutt with knowledge and hope and that no one is left behind.

We arrived home late Sunday night for Karlie to go to school the next day and for me to speak at a Sirtex meeting. Karlie and I were both on Cloud 9.....she was excited to tell the world about Frosted Pink and I was thinking hard about time, quality of life, and hope knowing that I would soon be addressing a group of people that often hold these three gifts in their hands. I wake up each morning knowing that I wouldn't be here had it not been for SIR-spheres - realizing clearly that I would not have witnessed my daughters and their dating, driving, and diplomas. I wouldn't have had the quality I've enjoyed, the time with Ronnie, or the hope that I feel each day - knowing that someday soon this affliction will be a memory in the distant past. I got to meet Becky, too, and it was a great moment. Listening to her story and seeing the pictures of her beautiful family and hearing about her "tree of life" (which I hope she will share with all of you) was a great gift. She was enriching and inspirational and after months of emails a great treat to hug her in person.

Today is a brand new day! The sun is shining and the world is bright and the week ahead is filled with even more to come.

Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Stage 4 Colon Cancer
Metastatic Colon Cancer