Meet Allie (again...)

Many of you reading this blog already know Allie...but for anyone new...Meet Allie!

I shared her story for the new summer team as my mission moment. Allie is my niece and she was diagnosed in 1994 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) at 7 1/2 months old. At that time there were only 50 children annually diagnosed under the age of 1. Her treatment began immediately and at the 30 day mark she was in remission. She underwent 2 1/2 years of treatment and is now a healthy, happy high school student who is about to turn 17!

Allie doesn't remember her diagnosis or treatment (thanks goodness) but she does remember all the events we participated in as a family in her honor and she has now stepped up to continue as a participant herself. On December 13, 2009, Allie became an official Team in Training alumni as she crossed the finish line while running the White Rock Marathon RELAY two days before celebrating her 15th year in remission. It was a glorious day...and I couldn't have been more proud. In December of 2010 Allie completed her FIRST half marathon for Team in Training. She is committed to helping find a cure like the rest of our family.

I'd like to take this moment to THANK every family, friend or stranger who has donated in honor of Allie. Your donation has made a difference in the lives of many and continues to impact patients today!

Photos above in order: Allie's first week in the hospital; Allie in 1996 as a TNT honored hero; Allie in 2009 completing her first TNT event!

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Honored Hero: Jenna

Jenna (above) is the daugther of another teammate - Terri. Terri shared Jenna's story this past Saturday at training. Jenna was diagnosed with ALL, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2004, while the family was at Disney World! Yes they were on vacation. She received a blood transfusion in Orlando, then the doctor allowed us 2 days at the beach to relax, and we headed home to Austin to start her cancer treatment.

When they arrived back in Austin they promptly took Jenna to see her new oncologist, Dr. Wells. He explained her condition and treatment, saying the goal was to get her "good as new". Treatment would take approximately 2 1/2 years. During that week long stay she had surgery to implant a mediport in her chest, more specific diagnostic tests, and started chemotherapy.

Terri continued to tell us how Jenna was extremely tired and slept all the time. About a week after being sent home, she started complaining of tummy pain and her color was coming and going. They returned to the hospital and found out Jenna had developed severe pancreatitis from one of the chemo drugs. She was rushed to the Pediatric ICU (PICU) and almost died. There were a few other complications...she had 5 IV sites, a NJ (nasojejunal) tube to bypass her stomach and allow her pancreas to rest. She also had an insulin pump and still does to this day. She was in the PICU 6 days and then transferred to the regular cancer floor. Jenna slowly recovered with time, physical therapy, and the excellent care of the wonderful nurses and doctors.

I'm proud to post that I met Jenna on Saturday at the Honored Hero luncheon...and she is a beautiful, happy young lady in 5th grade! And want to know something else really spectacular about Jenna...last year she was the only 4th grader at her school to get perfect attendance for the year.....now that's healthy!! Terri gives credit to God for that. He answered their prayers and healed Jenna, making her strong and resilient.

GO TEAM! GO JENNA!

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Meet Cesar...

So last Saturday, March 26th I had to miss training...it wasn't an easy decision but we were moving homes and I was exhausted and my family needed me home. When I say it wasn't an easy decision I mean that...literally...because what you realize when you are involved in TNT is that we (healthy individuals) have choices - tons of choices every day that we (sometimes) take for granted. Unfortunately, our honored heros do NOT have these same choices. They don't have the choice to say, "I'm too tired, so I'm skipping treatment today." You will hear runners who run events for organizations like TNT...say "we run for those that can't" and they mean it from their heart.

So our 3rd honored hero this season is Cesar. Cesar is the husband of D'. I met D' back in August 2009 on the winter run team. I have heard their story a couple times but asked D' to write the following so I didn't miss any details...

Cesar was diagnosed with Lymphoma back in the 90s, so long ago that I don't even remember exactly when it was. He went through chemotherapy fairly easily the first time and was declared clear. Eight months later, it was back and it really came roaring back. The doctors gave him a 20-30% chance of making it. I'm really proud of Cesar. He took treatments in stride. He always said that his body had cancer and it was just a disease and he was not going to be consumed by it. And that's exactly what he did. He continued to work and play, having a glass of wine or a cigar – with the blessings of his doctor. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but it kept him sane and happy, so it was probably exactly what he needed.

He eventually needed to have a bone marrow transplant, but no donor was found, so he had an autologous bone marrow transplant. After wiping out his immune system, it was a few months of staying out of crowds and spending most of his time at home. He was again declared clear and this time it stuck!

He's been cancer free for 16 years. His daughter got us started with TNT, by running in 2008 for a son of a friend and her father. We went to watch her run the San Diego Rock & Roll marathon and caught the bug. Cesar had a heart attack a couple of years ago. Doctors think that it might have been a consequence of the radiation he had during cancer treatment. He's overcome that also and has the heart, both physically and figuratively, of a healthy, strong person, so much so that he is now doing half marathons himself and says he's going to do a full.

We have been blessed.

Picture: Cesar Miranda & D' Forman at Tyler Rose Half Marathon

GO CESAR! GO TEAM!

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