Why I Relay – Claire
Why I Relay – Claire
Last year, Mike asked me to write a post about “Why I Relay.” I actually found the post on my phone and re-read it. It actually brought tears to my eyes… so much emotion! But it also made me mad. Why mad? Because I actually never attended the Relay For Life last year because I was so upset. It fell on my 4th “cancerversary” and I was in a funk. I just knew that if I went to the Relay event it would make me feel worse.
Now, looking back, I am a little upset with myself that I let my negative emotions get the best of me, however, that’s the thing about cancer. You can’t control how it’s going to make you feel and when, so, alas-here is last year’s post again but with a different feeling of emotions that I will explain at the end.
(2018) When Mike asked me to write a blog post about “Why I Relay,” I immediately agreed but then I had to take a step back. I really had to think about why I choose to participate in an event like this.
I guess those of us at A|M Fitness who are lucky enough to call ourselves survivors know first-hand why we would choose to participate in such an emotionally moving event. It is not about the money raised for me, but rather about celebrating what everyone calls “the fight.”
“The fight” is just that. A mental game about cancer that is meant to challenge your preconceived notions about yourself. Until you have heard your doctor say, “You have cancer,” you never really know how strong you are physically and mentally. Nothing ever will challenge your body and mind like the “fight” that cancer brings you. But, nonetheless, it is how you handle it in the face of darkness.
So, I relay for those that have felt the pain of the beginning of “the fight,” those who are currently in the middle of that mental and physical “fight,” and those who unfortunately lost the fight too soon.
I am four years past my breast cancer treatment, but cancer will continue to be a part of my life and it is because of this that I will always find time to share my story with others. That is why I relay! (2018)
Well, this year (2019) is so different! It is a celebration of life and love as I will have my new infant son with me to celebrate my health! The Relay For Life falls on my 5th “cancerversary” of becoming a survivor (or in other words when I received my breast cancer diagnosis). This will be hugely celebrated that Relay For Life weekend because a breast cancer patient’s chance of re-occurrence significantly decreases after the five year mark. So, I say cheers to myself and those around me who have always been there for comfort, support, and understanding. I look ahead to my future and can’t wait to see it in the eyes of my son. He has been my greatest life dream and accomplishment at a time when I was going through cancer treatment when doctors weren’t even sure I’d be able to get pregnant. So, this year I will choose to relay for my own personal celebration and commitment of living my best life!
