I know a lot of you know Katie's story, I would like to tell it from a mother's side and the reason I walk and will continue to walk for the fight against breast cancer.
Please also read Katie's story https://katiecarsonblog.wordpress.com/author/katiecarsonblog/
Ironically in the beginning of 2017 my friend and work colleague Sue had asked me to walk in the Susan g Komen 60 mile 3 day on August 25,26,27th. Sue started walking because she had lost her Mom to breast cancer years earlier. She also had a lifetime friend still fighting breast cancer. Even though I didn't know anyone with breast cancer at the time I said I would walk.
Soon after that in April of 2017, Katie felt a lump in her left breast while breast feeding Teddy then 8 months old. I remember her showing me. I did not panic at that time since breast cancer did not run in our family. Her doctor and all of us thought it was possibly a clogged duct or a fibroid cyst.Which does run in our family. Tragically Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2017 at the age of 27. It was to say the least earth shattering news. Through Katie's surgeries, chemo & radiation she remained strong and what a trooper. As a mother to find out your daughter has cancer, it was paralyzing and heart breaking,trying to accept I couldn't take away her pain, worry or the cancer itself from my beautiful amazing daughter. So many times I prayed to God to give me the cancer, so Katie didn't have to be in anymore pain. It's a feeling of powerlessness, which a mother should never have to feel. Katie was amazing through it all, she was an amazing Mommy raising Teddy, a wonderful supporting wife, daughter, sister and friend. Katie remained at her job in the Nazareth Middle School teaching German, she even finished her Masters degree in Educational Technology, all while fighting this horrible disease.
2017 was my first walk in Philly with Sue. Again ironically that walk began on August 25th, Katie's birthday. I barely finished the walk that year, due to not having time to train, spending every possible moment with Katie & Teddy, and trying to keep up with my job. .Oh the blisters and leg cramps that year, but I pushed on knowing the pain Katie experienced every waking moment of her day. It was a very long 60 miles, but I made it to the finish line and a smiling Katie was there waiting for me. along with Teddy, Ryan, Wally, Pat & Ed. My first walk was an amazing experience. Sue and I walked again in Philly in 2018 & 2019.
In 2019 we had great news, Katie was cleared of her cancer. That walk that year were joined by Ellie, Sue's lifetime friend who is a breast cancer survivor, but still fights it every day on trial drugs. Ellie what an inspiration, walking every 60 miles with us. Each year Katie met me at the finish line with a huge smile, along with Teddy and my cheer leaders, Yeliz my friend had also joined them in 2019.
Heartbreaking to say in 2020 not only did COVID happen but it was decided that we would not be walking in Philly any longer,. They were taking away some of the 3 day walks due to less participation. In 2020 & 2021 the live Susan g Komen was not held due to COVID.
Tragically at the end of 2020 Katie was re-diagnosed with cancer, with more radiation, trail medications and surgeries to come. What my poor baby girl had to endure. The feelings came back to me like a freight train. A mother's worst nightmare. In December Katie of that year Katie told me the doctor had given her a year. My heart whole world crumbled, but I still kept the hope. Katie did lose her battle to this horrible disease on April 24, 2022.
In 2022 the Susan g Komen 3 day walk was being held in person again. This would be the first walk since we lost Katie. It was kinda of scary knowing I would be walking in Boston far from home, and sadly Sue would not be walking with me this year, I would be walking alone. Would I really be walking alone? Of course not, Katie would be there with me walking every step of the way, along with all the other amazing walkers. The date for the walk was announced, it would start on August 25th, the day after Katie's birthday.
On August 6th, 3 weeks before the walk I suffered a severe back injury. I went to the doctors and no if and or buts I needed back surgery again. I was so scared I was not going to be able to walk the 60 miles with my herniated discs and the nerve damage to my left leg. Well due to the doctors not scheduling my surgery right away, I took advantage of it and decided to walk anyway. I just had to walk! I will be honest I had a tremendous amount of anxiety this year about crossing the finish line and not seeing Katie's awaiting smiling beautiful face, all the anxiety was lifted when I was met by my amazing family! Wally, Bryan, Carolina, Teddy, Ryan, Peter & Jean met me a few miles from the finish line. We all walked across the finish line that day together, along with Katie & her beautiful smile.
So the reason I walk, I walk for our Katie our warrior our hero! I know I am a very small piece of the puzzle in the fight against breast cancer, but I feel like I am helping in the fight and I don't feel the powerlessness I did trying to protect my baby girl.
So please donate and help us and the Susan g Komen 3- day pink bubble community and take a bold challenge in the fight to end breast cancer. The walk will be hard, but it's not as hard as the fight Katie & all the others that have or had to endure against breast cancer. We won't stop until breast cancer does!
Thank you again for your support!