A Coastal Distraction

We had a lovely, though brief, getaway to Monterey this past weekend.  We got a bit of a late start on Saturday, as we had a morning commitment and couldn't leave until after lunch.  Ewan "napped" in the car.  Gavin and I initially planned to head to the beach that afternoon, and save the aquarium for Sunday when we would have more time, but Ewan would hear nothing of it and insisted we go THAT afternoon.  We checked into our hotel to drop our stuff off, then headed to the aquarium and spent the next two hours ooohing and aaaahhing and the sharks, fish, otters, crabs, sea cucumbers and other delightful creatures.  The next day we went to one of our favorite places on Earth: Point Lobos natural reserve, where we scrambled around the rocks exploring the tide pools, where we found dozens of little crabs hiding in the crevices of the rocks.


Driving home, I received a phone call from someone who was a cancer survivor.  She had received my name through a Leukemia Lymphoma Society program called First Connections, where they try to match up people who have been newly diagnosed with another survivor who has had a similar diagnosis or experience.  This gal is my age, and was diagnosed with Lymphoma when she was 31 and had a one-year-old daughter.  She had a much more aggressive disease than I have, and therefore underwent more strenuous chemo treatment, but she has been in remission for 5 or 6 years now.  It was so great to be able to talk and share stories with someone in a similar situation, and to be inspired by her story of survival.  


I have to say, I am so impressed with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS), and with all of the resources they provide.  Some of you may remember that five years ago, I participated in a Team in Training Event, and raised money to support the LLS as I trained (and later completed) the San Francisco Kaiser Permanente Half-Marathon.  Many of you reading this probably even donated money to support me.  Completing that half-marathon was by far one of the top accomplishments of my entire life.  I find it so ironic (or is it more like serendipitous foresight?) that the organization that I raised nearly $5000 for is the one that supports the cancer that I am diagnosed with 5 years later.  In any case, I hope to become more involved with LLS in the coming weeks, and possibly even participate as a Team in Training "Honoree," and work with the run team that is training for the winter events by helping inspire and encourage them.  It will feel so good to be able to give back to this wonderful organization that has given me so much.