Rock N' Roll!

I figured it's time to update the blog!  I know that some of you check it religiously (thank you!) so I apologize for not posting more than once a week these days.  Usually it's because life is pretty uneventful over the course of the work week so I don't have much to share.  I'm sure I'll be blogging more in the coming weeks about my last chemo this next Friday, the PET scan and results that will follow, along with what the final decision ends up being regarding radiation.  Stay tuned...

So you know how I've been running a lot lately?  Well maybe you don't know unless you've been following me on Facebook, but these days I'm running for a purpose.  Check us out in our schnazzy shirts...

Josh and I signed up to run the Rock N' Roll half marathon in San Diego on June 3!  Are we crazy?  It's possible!  I'm not much of a runner, and frankly I don't care much for running, but if it means raising as much money as we possibly can to help find a CURE for Leukemia and Lymphoma, SIGN ME UP.  The day we signed up, I forced myself to stay on the treadmill as long as I possibly could without killing myself.  I could barely move the next morning when I tried getting out of bed, but it was a good kind of pain I was feeling.  I felt accomplished!

The result of that run - 2.81 miles, 41 minutes, 415 calories burned. It's a start!

Josh and I went to the official kick-off event this morning to meet our coaches, fellow teammates, and learn how to fund raise, and maneuver through our website.  I also got to see a former co-worker who recently started working for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.  I haven't seen her in years so it was nice to catch up a bit before things got crazy.  During the kick off, a group of people stood up to either tell their own personal cancer story or to read the stories of others.  There were a few very sad stories about children who had passed way from Leukemia, and of course I cried (no surprise there) and Josh got a little teary-eyed as well.  It was quite emotional to hear these stories of children that never really got a chance to live life...to experience their first kiss or go on a first date, to get their license, go to prom, experience college, get married and raise a family.  Nothing.  It's just another reason I feel so blessed.  I may still be considered a "young pup" to some, but I've actually experienced life in my 28 years, and know how great it can be.  It's just sad, and another reason to continue putting one foot in front of the other and to make it through this race!

There was a moment during the kick off when all honored teammates and survivors were asked to stand up and be recognized.  I was hesitant, but stood up from my seat and looked around to a room full of people clapping for the few of us who were standing.  I was still trying to get my emotions back in check after hearing the sad stories of the children who lost their battle, and now I'm being recognized for being someone who is fighting the battle and winning it.  My eyes well up with tears just thinking about it right now.  I never thought I'd be in this spot.  I'm the one who is always walking for a charity or donating to someone elses cause, but now the tables have turned.  Now I'm in a room of people who are walking and donating to my cause, and they're passionate about it too.  It really warmed my heart.  While I was standing there, I had tears streaming down my face and my chin even quivered from trying to hold back all these emotions that wanted to come bursting out!  It's kind of embarrassing sometimes how emotional I can get.  Thankfully for my own sake, the conversation got much lighter from there so I was finally able to pull myself together and move forward with the morning's agenda without being a blubbering fool! 


Calling all generous donors!
Josh and I both have a minimum fundraising goal of $2,900 a piece ($5,800 total) that we need to meet.  If we can meet or exceed this goal, LLS will pay our way out to sunny California for a 3-day stay, and all we'd be responsible for is our food.  Sounds lovely, doesn't it??  We haven't been able to travel at all, so this would be a little getaway for us if we can make it happen.  It's really a win-win kind of situation.  If we raise enough money, we get our trip out there paid for, and the money goes to a good cause.  If we don't meet our minimum, but still raise money, it's still going to a good cause.  We just may not end up going out there if it's too expensive. We will see though!  Hopefully that won't be an issue!

If you're interested in helping us meet/exceed our fundraising goal, you can do so by going to our team website at  http://pages.teamintraining.org/mn/rnr12/teammadson otherwise if you don't feel comfortable putting your credit card information online, but still want to help out, you can either send cash or check directly to our home address, and we'll take care of it on our end.  Email me at Steph11234@yahoo.com if you need our address.  Checks are to be made out to LLS or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - In the "memo" put Josh and Steph Madson.  As a side note, we will be sending out an actual letter to all of our friends and family that's a little more personable and detailed, but I wanted to get the ball rolling as June will be here before we know it!  Thanks in advance to anyone who decides to donate!