Cycling for a Cause

Today is a big day for our family!  We are gathering to welcome home my cousin, Casey, from a summer long journey.  A journey that was both difficult and rewarding.  A journey that has a personal connection to not only Casey, but our entire family.
I am in awe of my 21-year-old cousin's strength, determination, hard-work and activism.    While many 21-year-old's spent their summer at the bar or sunbathing at the beach, Casey was cycling across the United States for the past 70 days.   4,000+ miles were traveled from Baltimore to Seattle to raise money with the organization 4k for Cancer.  Casey and 27 other young adults began their journey in Baltimore on June 2^nd and ended their trek in Seattle on August 10^th.

After being touched by our Aunt’s breast cancer diagnosis last year, Casey decided to ride to honor our Aunt’s battle.  Our Aunt, now a cancer survivor, will be there to greet her today!
It is an incredible experience and an extraordinary feat that was accomplished over the course of the summer. Each rider dedicated various legs to individuals who have been affected by cancer - both those they know personally and those they met along the route.  Each rider wrote about their experience on this journey.
On day 12 of their journey, Casey wrote, “Yesterday was a roller-coaster of emotions. We had an extremely long day. 100 miles to Cleveland. Six or seven of those miles were on a dirt path that made it seem like 20 miles. My bike felt like it was sinking. My body was done when we hit 40 miles. I wanted to get hit by a car. But, instead of being a drama queen, I reminded myself of who I was riding for and how battling cancer has to be much harder than anything I was feeling at that moment. That’s the only reason why I made it to Cleveland.”.
The riders were rewarded for their hard work by seeing some of the most scenic attractions that this country has to offer.  Route highlights included the Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, Great Lakes, Cedar Point, the Corn Palace, The Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Glacier, North Cascades National Parks and the San Juan Islands.   The pictures are breath-taking!

The organization that organizes this ride is the non-profit, 4k for Cancer.    4k for Cancer is dedicated to enhancing lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults and their loved ones who have been affected by cancer.    They offer scholarships and help cancer survivors and their family regain a sense of normalcy.
The 4k for Cancer organization has been cycling across the country in the fight against cancer for 12 years.  This is the 3^rd year for the Baltimore to Seattle ride.
Casey, we are all so proud of you for this incredible undertaking.  You have proven your strength, your determination and that hard work pays off.  You are a testament to your parents (who missed you more than you know) and to our family.  You are a role model for all of your cousins and even the new generation.  I know that this is not the end of your adventures. You are going to do many great things!

Congratulations on accomplishing something that most of us only dream of doing!
You rock!

One Year Later

One year ago today.  I can’t believe it’s been a year.  It seems like just yesterday.  I was in a meeting at work.  My phone began vibrating.  My Mom was calling.  Jessica must have been finished with her surgery.  Great!   I messaged back, “In a meeting, everything ok?”.  I must have known subconsciously.  Text message, “Things didn't go as planned.  Come over as soon as you can”.  My heart sank.  I left the meeting immediately, feeling as though my legs were heavy and couldn't carry me fast enough.  I walked into the Family Meeting Room, off to the side of the main waiting room.  Remembering what everyone’s faces looked like.  There were tears.  Red faces.  Tissues and sobs.   My 23-year-old sister’s world turned upside down.  Our family tested more than I ever thought possible.   Jessica had suffered a stroke during a procedure to embolize the AVM in her brain.

So where are we a year later?  Much better than we were before!   From a critically ill young woman, lying in the hospital bed intubated with a feeding tube to a vibrant 24-year-old that just completed a 5k, Jessica’s recovery has been nothing short of amazing.    She has returned to functioning independently a majority of the time.  She has returned to work full-time.  Her social life has returned.  She is more of the Jessica that we knew, except she’s different now.  She’s stronger.  Much stronger.

Her strength was glaringly apparent during her recent 5k.  When asked if she wanted to stop along the race course, she firmly replied No…she was doing this…she wanted to do this.  There were multiple points she could have quit.  Clearly in pain and struggling to walk/jog such a distance, there were multiple times throughout the race that she could have quit.  I wanted to be the support she needed to finish, yet I didn't want her to hurt herself. It was a struggle throughout the race for her and it was a struggle for me to see her trying so hard.

We watched the slowest of people pass us.  I was determined that she was not going to be the last to finish.    As we were nearing the finish line, there was just one person behind us.  We walked faster.  She cried that she was in pain.  We pushed harder.

We crossed the finish line at exactly the one hour mark.  We weren't the last to finish the race.  Upon crossing the finish line, we hugged and sobbed together.  It is a moment that I will never forget.    People looked at us for celebrating…an almost dead last finish.  If they only knew.  Our finish time was irrelevant.  A year ago, I almost lost my sister.  The emotions of the past year came flooding out.  She will never know how proud I am of her and how honored I am to be her sister.

[caption id="attachment_347" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Casey Cares 5k[/caption]

There are still a few obstacles left to overcome.  The biggest will be to undergo the radiation required to deaden the remainder of the AVM.  After that, she is looking forward to moving out of my Mom’s house.  To driving again.  To settling down and getting her life back. She is looking forward to the things that any normal almost 25-year-old wants.      And she deserves it.

So what’s new a year later…we’re stronger than ever – as individuals and as a family.

I can tell you this…A year later, there is no greater love and bond between that of my sister and I.

Congratulations Jessica for working so hard and coming so far!  I love you!

Side-note: For those of you who don't know Jessica's story, you can click here to read all about her road to recovery and hard work!