Letters From Friends – From Sue in CA
It is impossible to tell you how much you helped me. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Dec 2010 and had bi lateral surgery on June 18. They didn’t think I would need expanders so was not prepared for the afteremath. I was in a verydeep depression thinking I would never look okay again. After viewing your videos I had hope agait hit me that I would be okay again. I’m 67 years old and have been involved in off road since 1972. We support Mag 7 pitting orignazation. My son competes with a 2-1600 usually with score or a few times with core.
You are an inspriation. Thank you very much
Hi Sue!
Thank you so much for contacting me. I can’t tell you how much it means that people are finding my videos and feeling a little better about what is ahead. I just received another email from someone that just got expanders that is very depressed. I have asked her if I can post her email on my blog, and I’d like to ask you the same. I think that posting these emails helps us all by letting us all know we are not alone. There are followers of my blog from all stages of what we’re going through.
I still sometimes think I’ll never look ‘normal’, but now I have to change what my idea of normal is. And some days are easier than others. Keeping up with the women I’ve become friends with and trying to make a difference to the ones I haven’t met yet helps to keep my chin up, but sometimes it’s still hard. It’s been a long year. And the road isn’t always easy with the expanders, some of your visits will leave you painful again. But it’s worth it as you see yourself redevelop. Please let me know when you feel down, and I’ll be here to hold your hand at least by email!
Who is your son, I’d love to keep up with him, and who knows? We may have some of the same friends! How are you involved with Mag 7? They participated in our Mexican 1000 this year and will be back again next year.
Thank you again, so much, for sending me an email. It means so much.
Take care and write again soon,
Michele
August 11, 2010 at 6:16 am
Michele,
Thank you so much for such a quick response.
My son is Kevin and he and his father Terry are very involved with the Mag. They sort of trade off being Pres, VP, race director, etc.
Sometimes it is hard to find volunteers, but it seems that anyone who gets involved just loves it. Terry and I have been divorced since 1978 but remain very close friends. Terry’s first trip with the Mag was the 1971 Baja 1000. He got home and told me how much fun it was. The next year he took me with him and I remember saying I had better have a good time. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get that dirty. Our pit was 125 miles north of La Paz and it took us a week to get there. It took Parnelly Jones only 8 hours.
I had such a good time I couldn’t stop talking about it to all my friends.
In 1974 we raced a class 11, there were 50 cars entered in our class in the 1000 that year. We raced a class 9 for years and now Kevin has raced his 1600 ever since the Baja 2000. As you can see don’t get me started on the Baja, I love it so much but don’t get down as often as I would like.
You are welcome to use my e-mail anytime. I told my plastic surgeon about your site yesterday and he asked me to send him your link. His name is Brian Reagan and he is beginning to develop a, I guess you would call it, foundation to help women with breast cancer who have lost their insurance or have other financial or emotional needs. His site is http://www.drreagan.com
In December they found I had three tumors on my left side. My right side was suspicious. Since one of the tumors was in the muscle I needed 6 chemo treatments before surgery. I started in February and ended May 20. Then I had surgery June 18 and I will start radiation on August 23 for about six weeks. They told me to rest and heal for three to four months before the reconstruction surgery. But the good news is the cancer is gone. I lost my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and that has been hard but everything is starting to grow back. Thankfully I have insurance which has covered this very expensive process.
I am so happy that I found your site and think what you are doing is wonderful. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Good luck with your next race. Wish I could be there to chase, I love that and pre-running, I know you will have a blast.
Sue Walsh
August 11, 2010 at 6:18 am