Keeping Abreast Poster!

Hey there!

I finally got together with my mom to do the wording on the poster I made for our 3 day walk. We ordered the posters and they are on their way!

If you happen to know a business owner who might be willing to support us by letting us leave a poster and donation forms in their business, leave a comment and let us know. Or you can share a link to this blog *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*

Thanks!

Briauna

New Fundraising Effort underway

I'll be adding to the store over the next few weeks. Please bookmark and consider supporting the team. All profits will be added to the fund raising efforts for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For the Cure walk.


make custom gifts at Zazzle

Seattle and sunshine

I just completed my first "at work" walk. I slapped on some dance music and hit the sidewalks. I only did 30 minutes - I'm assuming just over a mile - but, hey it all adds up - and I'm already down 3 lbs in the last 10 or so days. I

t's a beautiful day out there - and I soaked up every single ray of sun I could.

We have a new team member coming on board - possibly 2 - which will bring "keeping abreast" to a total of 4 members. It's amazing how much this commitment means to me and how much it has changed my inner dialog.

My public "thank you" to Arlington Pharmacy

February 5, 2011

To the staff at Arlington Pharmacy:


During the last 18 months you’ve helped me through what I hope to be my last major medical ordeal! Being diagnosed with breast cancer at 34 years old was devastating to me and hard on my family.

My family and I have been customers here since 2006 when we first moved to the area. After my diagnosis - our  trips  to the pharmacy became much more frequent.

You didn’t make a fuss - though you clearly had some idea of what I was about to endure due to the fact I was suddenly filling prescriptions for numbing cream to be placed on my newly installed port, anti-nausea medication, steroids and pain medication - all indicators of chemotherapy  - which I’m sure you’ve seen a multitude of times before me.

And so began a new and different relationship between you and me. One that has meant so much - more than you can ever really know. It’s one thing to “buy local” and another to “feel human” at the store where you shop. You each showed me compassion and understanding in subtle, yet oh so important ways.

This is a letter of my gratitude. Thank you.

I’ve slowly begun to heal, emotionally and physically. I’ve committed to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk in Seattle this year. I’ve never undertaken anything of this magnitude willingly. I didn’t chose cancer, but I can chose to help fight for a cure.

Arlington Pharmacy is a cornerstone of this local community, part of it’s heart beat. You have given me so much; and I’d like to ask for your support one more time. Would you mind displaying this letter as my public “thanks” as well as a few donation forms to help support my effort to give back to others?

I have a blog posted at http://keepingabreast3day.blogspot.com if anyone would like to learn more about  the 3 Day, what it means to me, join my team ‘Keeping Abreast’ or show their support online.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you all realize what a difference you make in the lives of those in this community.

Warmest Regards,


Cindy Scillo


Here is a link to the pharmacy website: http://www.arlingtonpharmacy.com/index.php?p=staff

Ahhhh, much better...

My daughter and I just got back from Althea's Footwear Solutions in Everett, Wa. I am now the proud and delighted owner of 4 pair of my very own seamfree fitted socks with "coolmax"on the top for better air flow and moisture wicking.

Bonus while we were there - I realized my daughter would need better shoes for training as well. My daughter has scoliosis - which has caused her legs to be far different from each other - and we discovered the impacted leg has a bit of a fallen arch. In just a few minutes of observation, Althea was able to find an excellent pair of running (not walking) shoes for her, and modified the insides to create much better alignment for her. I honestly had never even THOUGHT how uniquely fit shoes could really help my daughter with posture and potentially even alleviate some of the back pain she experiences. She's trotting around the house right now with them on getting ready to hop on the treadmill.

Quest complete. New socks. New shoes.

I've just realized I actually need better socks!

Last night I managed to walk 3.5 miles - but it took every last bit of my umpff. My daughter said "When I do it I don't get that tired. Am I doing it wrong?" THAT made me laugh as I lay in an exhausted heap on the floor. No - YOU are just young, thin, and fit. Your MOM is none of those things.

I just finished 2.5 at a steadier pace and without as much trouble. I wanted to keep going when I realized my SOCKS had other ideas. I guess the value pack at WalMart isn't the best choice for walking for an hour at a steady pace.

Help! I'm going to need the assistance of a professional. Thankfully - I know one. Who knew there were socks better suited to walking long distance?

I guess I never had to think about it before. www.altheas.net That's the site of the professional in footwear I know. She'll be getting a call, if not a visit to her store tomorrow. I don't want to lose ground because my toes are sweating.

I've started searching on the web for advice from veterans of the 3 day. Frankly - it's freaking me out. That's how I know I will actually do this. I know it sounds odd, but usually the stuff I think I will NEVER be able to accomplish - is the stuff I continue to surprise myself with achieving.

I feel overwhelmed with the vast amount of information and advice out there. I've decided for February to just focus on getting from my 3.5 to 6 miles per day. I think that's the true benchmark for beginning on the actual training schedule. Considering I've doubled my mileage in just 6 days - 5 walking. 11 miles in those 5 days is probably more than my body saw all last month!

Even after David Garrett and Comedy Night....

I wasn't blogging last night. My daughter treated me to a David Garrett concert (Google him if you have never had the privilege of seeing this performer)and we didn't get home till after 11:00. Tonight - the standard fare of gambling - gambling on the comedy show at the Tulalip that is. Sometimes funny - sometimes a bomb - but its free and its a date night my husband and I stick to almost to a fault. Tonight we struck it big with 2 funny comedians and wouldn't you know it, my iphone was dead. I normally record every night. Might be breaking a law, but I want to get my (free) money's worth after all. I figured I would come home and crash as usual but my 3 Day spirit got the best of me.

I got on the treadmill. I only walked for 1.25 miles at an average of 3 MPH, but its still something - especially for me!!

As I walked and thought about how I could be in bed instead, I remembered.

I remembered how faced with chemo and losing my hair and toenails (yes, that really happened, but it was delayed) I just had to walk - I just had to put one. foot. in. front. of. the. other. and make it through.

I didn't know how being bald at work would affect me.
I didn't know how the pain of chemo would make my legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk at all.
I didn't know how comforting the love and support of EVERYONE - even that stranger at Applebee's would feel.

But. I. Had. No. Choice. But. To. Walk. Keep. Going. No. Matter. What.

That's what this commitment is for me, but this time by choice.

I get to CHOOSE to walk.

I get to CHOOSE to put one foot in front of the other.

I can't EVEN imagine how I will actually be able to accomplish it, but I didn't know how I would get through cancer either - but I did. I survived.

P.S. I would love my daughter (Briauna Mariah on FB) to walk with me on the three day. She can't currently afford registration ($65.00) and the thought of raising $2,300 is daunting for her. (Me too) If anyone is interested in at least sponsoring her registration for the walk - email me or comment here so I can put you in touch with her. I know the rest will come.