Two Big WOW's for me!!! (sorry kinda long)

On Friday I completed two big Wow's.  Both of them brought me a lot of satisfaction after a really bad month for me and my Family.  My brother had been sick for over a year and wouldn't tell us what was wrong.  In Feb he spent basically the whole month in the Hospital.  He said it was only congestion in his lungs.  Everytime we were visiting and a Dr. came in he made us leave the room.  He made it out of the hospital in early March and seemed to be getting better.  In early May he drove to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby as he has every year since 1983.  Well he couldn't make it back and my other brother had to go retrieve him.  He was admitted to the hospital and the next day my other brother told the rest of us what was wrong.  He had Pancreatic Cancer that had gotten into his Lungs and Liver.  To make a long story short we lost him on May 22nd at the age of 54.  It tore all of us up and I decided to honor his memory by walking in our local Relay For Life.  I only had 5 days to raise money and I managed to get $690.00.  I was thrilled with this.  When I got to the track where it was held I made a promise that I would walk 5 miles which was 20 laps.  I thought I owed this to my sponsors and also to my brother.  Well I made the 20 laps in 1 hour and 50 minutes.  I was exhausted  but I did it.  I sat at our team tent for about 2 hours recuperating and sipping a bottle of water. (I filled it three times while walking)...While sitting I thought of all the things my brother did for me and others and never once did he ask for anything in return.  So I got up and walked 4 more laps.  I went the extra mile for Cancer research and my brother.  It was the easiest mile I ever walked.  It felt like some invisible force was guiding me and moving me along.  I dedicated the last lap selfishly to myself and how far I have come since October.  AS of this morning I am down 74 pounds since April 9th and  105 total since October

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but that was a very touching story.

And there is NOTHING selfish about making that last mile all about you - because you deserve it and I"m sure it's what your brother would have wanted.  He obviously wanted to "protect" all of you by not telling you about the cancer in the first place.

I'm so glad you were able to honor your brother in such a fantastic way!

Congratulations!

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.  That's a great tribute that you did Relay for Life in his memory!!!  Congratulations on your weight loss!!!

Congratulations - what an inspiring story. I know how hard it is to lose a brother.

This is a FABULOUS story! And one that will continue to keep you moving forward.  Your brother was obviously a very strong individual who had hisown way of handling things.  And from this story - you are doing the SAME thing!  Congrats on not only doing the right thing for your helath - but for also turning a VERTY difficult situation into a positive step for you.  Keep it up! :)

that is a agreat accomplishment and a great way to honor your brother.  and I agree with the others.. it was not selfish to dedicate that lap to yourself.  You deserve it.  Great job.

Many prayers coming your way in the loss of your brother - and many congratulations coming your way in your amazing accomplishment not only for him but for yourself.

Our condolences on the loss of your brother.  Very touching story - thank you for sharing it.

Ida

Ok - so now I'm sitting here crying at my keyboard. 

I'm so sorry you and your family had to go through that loss.  But what an amazingly positive way to honor your brother's fight.  Congratulations on making it through in such great time and for going the extra mile for yourself and your own fight.  You deserve every kudo for that.

Hugs to you!

Karen

So sorry to hear about your brother! Sounds like you were close. Your story is a true inspirational one! You go!!!Congrats on your weight loss!!!

Beth