Fall 2009: Jake and Nancy learned that Nancy's breast cancer was stage four. Winter 2013: They are still fighting. This is a gathering place to follow their story, offer support, love and prayers... to be by their side.



Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Sharing my story... (by Kate)

A week ago today, Nancy woke up at 2:45am to catch the first flight out of Boston Logan Airport, where she had come to Boston to cheer me on as I fulfilled my dream. As you can imagine, there wasn't much sleep before that alarm sounded. Neither of us ever imagined we would leave Boston with such heavy hearts.

A New York journalist picked up our story and shared it. We are both thankful to Wayne Coffey for putting words to this story.

Toast at the Ritz Saturday night.

Day before race at the start, right in front of where the first bomb went off.
Pre-race dinner in Little Italy (North End).

Monday, April 1, 2013

Happy Easter!

Hello friends and family,
Kate made me a contributor to the blog, so now I can post my own updates (thanks, Kate!).  I had cyberknife for my second brain tumor 5 weeks ago and it went smooth as glass with virtually zero side effects.  Modern medicine is truly remarkable.  I'll have a brain scan in another couple months to make sure it worked, but everyone is highly confident.

On the chemo front, Navelbine continues to be a winner.  The cancer in my liver, lungs, and bone are all stable or slightly improving.  The plan is to stay on it as long as it works.  A million thanks to Wendy, who faithfully joins me every week for 3 hours at the treatment center.  In other news, I decided to take a little break from work and will be taking the entire month of April off.  Ten months of weekly chemo have been exhausting, so it will be good to rest up and relax a bit.

I didn't mention this before, but my friend, Heather, who I met through the Under Armour Power in Pink, passed away on Feb 1st.  She was truly an inspiration and defined what it means to be a fighter.  She died in her husband's arms, exactly where she wanted to be.  Heather was diagnosed in her 20's and lived for 23 years with breast cancer, over 10 years with metastatic/stage 4 disease.  I miss her so much and can't tell you how much I'm inspired by her courage.  I carried a flag in honor of Heather when I climbed Mt. Adams in 2010, so I know my climbing friends feel like they know her.  Rest in peace, Heather.  Prayers and blessings to your family, especially your husband, Chad.

Thanks again to everyone for checking in on me and for your continued prayers and well wishes.