Making Good on a Promise
 

I want to share with everyone a milestone in my cancer journey that I think you will understand and appreciate.

Last year (June ’09) when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and HER2 positive, the New York Times had an article about Dr. Slamon’s discovery and how “ … it turns a very poor prognosis to one that are among the best.” It gave me great hope. I sent Dr. Slamon an email thanking him and telling him I’d miss running the annual Hartford ½ Marathon in ’09 but I was shooting for running in 2010 and will proudly wear a sign with his name to show my gratitude.

Well, flash forward to Oct 9, 2010. I made good on my promise and got back way more than I wanted/expected. I ran the race, wearing my sign and felt like I was on top of the world. It was a spectacular Autumn Day in Connecticut. Two women commented on my sign --- one woman’s brother worked on developing Herceptin and another woman personally knows ‘Denny’ Slamon and was going to tell him about me. My running buddy and my husband also ran the race (a lot faster). Then to add icing to the cake; my daughter surprised me and ran the last two miles with me. It can’t get better than that. What an emotional day. I would never have imagined having cancer and coming to this point in my journey would be so rewarding.

Kris.....

Note: When I figure out how to do it, I'll attach two pictures.

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Fantastic. Made my day.
Trish

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Congratulations Kris on this beautiful experience!!!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

You go girl! Sounds like it was a very exciting and fufilling day!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Yep, there's life after cancer. And exercise ups your chances of a long healthy life. Wish I could make myself get more exercise! ;-)))

Hugs

Jacqueline

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

I'm looking forward to the pictures... Way to go! Kris.

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

That is an amazing story and a true inspiration! Thank-you for sharing and thank-you Dr. Slamon for your ( wonder drug) Hercepton ! Hugs to all xox Congrats Kris!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Big congrats to you Kris. I met Dr. Slamon at a Breast Cancer Seminar at Princess Margaret Hospital here in Toronto where I had my mastectomy in Dec. 2006(# 1 cancer hospital in Canada, in the top 5 in the world) - he is on the board here, and he did a whole presentation about Herceptin and how it has changed the course of treatment and prognosis of Her2+ BC. I met him afterwards, he is a gracious and humble man.

Many Her2 survivors were there, he talked to us after the presentation - we are all so lucky that he perservered with Herceptin.

all the best
caya

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Hi Kris Congratulations on your accomplishments. How wonderful to feel you can blaze ahead and continue on your path doing whatever you want! Wishing you all the best always, keep soaring! I also know how it feels about uploading pictures. I have to figure out how to get a profile picture on here. Take care Lois

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Great post. You reminded me that on days when I can't seem to do something for myself, I can always do something to honor another...it's been one of my newer coping tricks. Walking the dog when I am dog tired to honor my mom who could not walk. Or delivering things for an organization to honor a girlfriend who would deliver them herself if she were in town. You get the point. How nice of you to honor "Denny". Thanks again for the great post!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and sharing your experiences; especially meeting Dr. Slamon.

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

What a wonderful day for you!
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

I love the happy posts! My 18 month old granddaughter and her mom (my daughter in law) "ran" the "Race for the Cure" last month in my honor. I have a short video of it and I cannot get through it without crying! Thanks to Dr. S and herceptin I am here to enjoy 2 grandkids, my kids, my partner and LIFE!!! Tanks for posting!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

How cool are you? Way to go, Kris, on representing Her2 survivors the world over. You are an inspiration!

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Kris,
How wonderful - what an accomplishment!
Please do post those photos.

Best wishes,
Jean

Re: Making Good on a Promise
 

Fabulous accomplishment. Enjoyed hearing about it. What a wonderful memory you made. Congrats.