Relay for Life - Survivor Lap!

I decided about a month ago that I wanted to participate in the Relay for Life.  I wasn't quite ready to get a whole team together to do the 12 hour relay, but I felt the need to do the Survivor Lap.  I wanted to see if I was ready...and if I could handle it emotionally.  If you have never been to a Relay for Life, it's worth it to stop by sometime, even if you're not a "relayer".  The atmosphere is like a carnival.  Such hope!  And all kinds of fundraising happening all over the place!  The Relay on Friday night was held at Resurrection High School in Waterloo...and I was anxious and excited and definitely nervous.  Not sure why I was nervous...but for some reason I was.

My band of supporters (plus Kelly who took this photo).  They arrived in time for the Opening Ceremonies and cheered me on the whole way around the track.  They've been cheering for me for the past 10 months, so it felt so right to have them there with me on Friday!  That's Brock, me, Matt, Judy & Jodi. 

The first lap of the Relay is for Survivors. They call it the Victory Lap.  All the survivors were wearing yellow shirts.  They ask the survivors to sign the banner that is at the very start of the relay.  It was a little intimidating to write my name down, next to names that said 14 years or 6 years or 10 years cancer free.  I just wrote "3 months done treatment!"

And we're off.  Me and my caretaker, Matt!  A big cheer from my cheering squad to get me going!!  Fists in the air...I truly felt victorious!

Truly a celebratory walk!  They read out the names of the survivors as you make your way around the track.  In a big booming voice, Dave (the friendly neighbourhood Schneiderman) said "Susan Langdon".  And for some crazy reason, tears came to my eyes.  I did it!

<>A special shout out to Pam and Lisa! For many years, I have counted money at the Relay for Life and this is the first year I participated. Pam and Lisa, my money counting friends, cheered me on with a big loud shout out and cheers from the money counting room as I rounded the track near where they were. They gave me a big wave and a loud hoot to let me know they were cheering me on this year! Thanks girls!!

Coming up to the finish line.  Matt raised our hands up in victory...it's fitting...we did the lap and for some strange reason, one lap around the track really makes you feel victorious!

The VERY best supporter a girl could ever ask for.  I love you buddy! You make me feel like I can do anything!

I am now on a gradual return to work schedule...and started back to work on Tuesday morning. I am working tomorrow morning too (I'd better get to bed soon!!). So far so good...of course, I seemed to spend a lot of time on Tuesday morning just getting my bearings again and cleaning up my desk! Hopefully tomorrow I can try to do some "real" work!!

And a special shout out to my Mom. She had cataract surgery on Friday and it's taking her a few days to get her feet under her. Darn surgery triggered a migraine and I know she is feeling rough. Rest lots, Mom. Sending tons of love to you and some healing vibes too!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

It was a MAGICAL experience!!

I know...I've been a bad blogger! But I have a really really good excuse!

Matt and I went to Florida for ten days. We had a conference for Matt's work in Naples from June 1st to 5th. We stayed at the Ritz and the service was amazing! It's beautiful in Naples and even though it was damn hot out, there was a lovely breeze by the pool...

And even better then that, the surprise musical guests/entertainment was one of my all time favourite bands - Blue Rodeo!!

My friends Oliver, Lisa, Mark, Heather, Vanessa, Brian & Brad (who know I am a big fan) pulled me up to the front to stand with them...right beside the stage...Jim was right there in front of me. And even better then that, I got to go backstage and meet him in person.

I don't know how many times I've seen Blue Rodeo in concert...10, 15, maybe 20...but this is the first time I got to meet them, get a hug, an autograph and a picture and it made my whole day! Jim Cuddy you rock!

And I loved meeting Greg Keelor too!!

We also went to Ngala - a private wildlife reserve - for dinner one night and I got to meet a camel (and a giraffe) and we had a lovely chat...

So, the conference was good and the Ritz was wonderful and it was really great to spend some time with people I haven't seen in a long time and who's company I truly enjoy! On the 5th, we rented a convertible and drove from Naples to Kissimmee...do you know what's in Kissimmee? That's right!

We went to Disney!!

Back in the fall, in the thick of my chemo treatments, I told Matt when I was all done I wanted to go on a holiday. And not some "learn the history" kind of holiday.  I wanted to go on a holiday to celebrate getting through all my treatments and one where I would be totally entertained. I'm not sure there is a better place in the world we could have gone! It was AMAZING!! I LOVED every minute of it. I totally bought into the whole experience...stood in line to meet Mickey, Pooh Bear and Tigger. Matt pre-ordered us some "Ears" and we wore them the whole time (I even wore mine home on the plane!!). It truly is magical and if you have not been...you should go! Whether you have children or not, you will love it! I've attached a few of my pics below. I think you can tell that there is nothing about Disney that I didn't LOVE!  I still have a huge smile on my face and we've been home a week tomorrow!

I loved Animal Kingdom.  We went on a Safari...jumped in a jeep and drove right on by the animals.  We even saw a lion roar!!

We sported some 3-D glasses to watch "It's Tough to be a Bug".  All the shows (3-D or musical) we saw were awesome!

The gates to the most magical place on earth - the Magic Kingdom!  We got there in time to watch the parade and Matt took pictures of me waving away, as excited as the small children standing and sitting near by.  I felt like I was a kid!!  Hey Mickey!  Hey Goofy!  Hey Cinderella!  I'm over here!!

Matt surprised me with a package he had pre-ordered and that was waiting for us when we checked in!  In the package were our ears, complete with our names stitched on!  We also got an autographed photo of Mickey and some yummy Mickey snacks!  I had a ball for five days watching our shadows and laughing out loud at my "ears"!!

I was worried we wouldn't get everything done at Epcot that we wanted to. And while we didn't do it all, we definitely caught the highlights!  I loved Soarin' (a ride that makes you feel like your hang-gliding) and we even did Mission to Mars (although the tame version).  How do you possibly pick a favourite park??!!!

Yep!  I stood in line to meet Tigger & Pooh.  My sister Sandy loves Tigger. He's her favourite. So I had to go and get a hug for her!  And I had to get a hug from Pooh for my friend Sherri...yep, I'm a selfless person sometimes!  As an aside, Tigger decided to make fun of my ears...really...he thought he was hilarious!  I guess he IS an expert on big ears!!

How can you not love having a set of ears!  People called us by name, or else called us Mickey & Minnie.  And look at those curls!  Isn't it crazy?  Never had curly hair in my life (at least not without the help of a perm).  Just look how long my hair is getting!!

It was magical.  I loved meeting the Mouse!  And Minnie was awesome too!  So many highlights, I don't know how I would ever choose my favourite!  I am so glad we took lots of photos!!

I am truly blessed to have the BEST partner ever.  The thought of the trip ahead definitely made getting through all the yucky treatments easier...and I had no idea how much fun I was going to have!  I'm so happy I could keep up (yes, there were a couple of breaks in the afternoon...and some earlyish nights)!!  Thank you, Matt, for the best holiday!  For spoiling me rotten!  And for loving me the way you do!

Tomorrow I am going to do the Survivor Lap in the Relay for Life at Resurrection High School in Waterloo.  It's at 7:00 if anyone wants to come out and cheer!  Next year I might think about putting a whole team together...but this year, I'm just doing the victory lap!! 

And next week I'm heading back to work.  We're working on a gradual return to work schedule...and I'm nervous as all hell...but it's time.  Time to find that new normal and get my brain rolling on all gears again!  This could be painful!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo