Climb Every Mountain - Rodgers and Hammerstein
I've read many stories, blogs and articles by people who have survived or are in the midst of a cancer journey. Many of such stories emphasize the importance of setting a goal for the end of the journey. Something to strive for and think beyond the treatment and recovery. For some that might be just getting back to normal, others it's a bigger goal. Thinking beyond carries me through each day and keeps my mind off the day to day annoyances and helps me to focus on what I expect to be renewed and increased energy following recovery.
As an example, Terry Wingham, a breast cancer survivor, started an organization A Fresh Chapter Alliance Foundation that takes cancer survivors to far reaches of the world to volunteer and celebrate an adventure following the completion of cancer treatment. Cancer is only one chapter in some of our lives. For her, it all started with a blog.
I've set one goal - to complete a portion of the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. To get there, my training starts now. Every walk, even the short trips around the block during what I call my 'down' weeks gets me closer to that goal. I've pondered walking the Camino over the years, verbalizing it more and more each year but now seems to be the right time. Maybe this is exactly what I needed to make it happen. In the short term, my goal is to tackle the NorthShore trails, one by one, completing the Baden Powell route along the way. For those not of Vancouver - the Baden Powell trail is a trail that crosses the north shore mountains from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove (41 km or about 10 hours of continuous hiking).
Warning: smarmy stuff ahead!!
My but my breast cancer travels are part of my prep for the Camino. Each treatment is another mountain or stream to forge. I'm following my rainbow to the end of treatment and being cancer free.
Thank you to all of you who have and will share steps with me along the way whether that's joining me on a walk, sitting with me through treatment, making a family meal, sharing a laugh or tear or following my blog. We'll get there together.
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteMy friends walked the Camino if you're needing any advise. In fact the fellow was scheduled for back surgery the following spring so it was a challenge but lovely from what I've seen and heard. There is movie about it, if you want information.
I have just finished my first chemo, so enjoy reading your blog. I ended up getting a multi colored wig, the type you have dark under and highlights over.... Take care, Dawn W-L
Hi Dawn, thank you for joining in my blog. I wish you strength and good health as you continue through your chemo treatment. It's a hard haul with lots of ups and downs but on those rough days I equate it to taking a big dose of Buckley's cough medicine. Sometimes it's just the cure you need. Take care, Lisa
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