I did it-- I walked 26 miles and raised $2800 to fight Breast Cancer-- It was a very hot weekend for a 26 mile stroll, but I did it, and it was wonderful. On day one we gathered at Pier 84 on the West Side of Manhattan (@ 42nd street) for the opening ceremony at 6am. At 7am we started walking. There were 3900 people walking and hundreds of crew members. The first mile took about 1.5 hours until the crowd dispersed. Once that happened, the walk was great! We walked up to 48th street and down Broadway through Times Square, over the Fifth Avenue and down Fifth Avenue to Union Square and Washington Square Park. After tromping through the Village we walked to through China Town and the Lower East Side and then walked across the Manhattan Bridge. As you walked across, with the subway (N) clattering away on your right you could see the line of pink snake its way down through Brooklyn and back up over the Brooklyn Bridge. After walking back into Manhattan we walked on Chambers Street over the West Side Highway and headed north along the path by the Hudson River. At around 30th Street, we walked back over to 10 Avenue and 42nd street, reaching the 13.2 miles. For me that was the end of Day 1-- Those who continued went up the west side and over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey. On day 2 Peter drove me over to Englewood New Jersey and we walked through Englewood and Fort Lee and over the George Washington Bridge (again). We turned north and headed up Fort Washington to 181st Street and then walked down the hill into Riverside / Riverbank Park. we walked from 181st back down to the Pier 84 on 42nd Street. It was an amazing experience. People were friendly and helpful and the volunteer crew was wondeful cheering us on and filling our water bottles; offering our lunch choice of "turkey and cheese" or "cheese and Turkey). People came in pink of all types, Pink feathery hats, pink boas, Pink buttons- pink T-shirsts. Some of the better sayings on T shirst and buttons: "Save the Ta-Tas" "Save 2nd base" "Save the Boobies" "F@ck Cancer" "Cancer Sucks" "Males for Breasts" (sported by men on the walk) One of the crew members was in a cow costumer (complete with udders) the entire two days-- he must have been boiling! I am a bit sore and the blisteres on my feet sort of look like a map of Manhattan, but it was a great experience and I am very happy to have done this walk. The walk in NY raised $10.2 million (as of Saturday at 6am). It was inspiring and moving to hear everyone's stories.

Brandi ~ Are you a military spouse? My husband is AD Air Force. Insurance is covering the abdominoplasty but I'm sure there's no chance at the brachioplasty....I've been looking into Mexico for that and the thighs next summer. I feel kind of odd because the tummy tuck will be surgery #9 for me and it's the only one that I've felt nervous about - not sure why.....hope you'll post some before/after pics for all of us. Maria

Brandi ~ Are you pleased so far with the surgery (other than the weight gain)? I'm scheduled for an abdominoplasty next month but would love to get the arms done next summer. Maria 272/155/143 pre/goal/current

B- thanks for posting.

I hardly post on here, but i have been reading since Jan of 06. It been a busy week. I had my arm lift on monday. I was sent home on tuesday night. I am amazed at how loved my family and friends have made me feel. The first night I was home i had my sister and 8 friends spend the night over here. It was like a small party. We laughed and talked all night. My bf has been great also. He has changed my banages everynight and yesterday he bought me a cell phone cause he was worried about me. LOL and today is my birthday. He and my sister are taking me out bandages and all. He said i was beautiful no matter what awwww. Just dinner tho..no clubbing for me just yet. It am really blessed to have such wonderful ppl in my life.