Monday, May 22, 2006

Monday Walk


I did a long walk today. It didn't all go as planned, but I did get in about 16 to 17 miles of fast walking in today.

Joel and I were driving into town together. The plan was that I would drop my car off at the Community College and Joel would drive me to the downtown depot. About 2 miles from home, I realized I was loosing control of the car's steering. I pulled over and found I had a flat front tire. Joel and I drove back home, picked up another car and continued with the plan. Just as we dropped off the car at the Community College, we drove under a freeway overpass. A rock came off the overpass and fell on the windshield of Joel's newest car. It left an inch gash in the window. He has been told the windshield on the car can't be replaced - so there was unhappiness.

To the walk...

Joel dropped me off at the Santa Fe depot. I walked through town. The walk through the city was really interesting. I walked through some pretty dangerous neighborhoods, and by some really fancy homes. I walked through industrial areas, past the 2nd Street Brewery, and on a beautiful paved trail that heads south of Sringo Rd.

These pictures are some of my favorite houses that I pass all the time on the trail south of Santa Fe.



This is my favorite house on the trail. I think it will have a nice green lawn area if we ever get any rain. The house has these big westward facing windows and the house is pretty close to the railroad tracks. They have a huge horse barn. It seems like a good house to live in and never leave!



This is a strange looking house I just saw recently. It is near the area where the rail trail meets the spur trail. Even looking at this picture I am not sure what is going on with this house. It seems to have a bit of adobe and then the dome and a pyramid. Quite colorful.



This house is on the rail trail, south of the spur trail. I like this part of the trail because the path flattens out. The area north of this house is really hilly. I like this house because it looks kind of like a Frank Lloyd Wright house in the desert. To be more "Santa Fe" and more "Frank Lloyd Wright" the house would be brown - but it is blue. It has giant windows and beautiful views.



This is an adobe Quonset hut that sits above the rail road. When ever I pass this house, it always seems like there is something interesting going on at the top of the hill - something just out of view.

Along with walking and taking pictures of houses, I listened to my favorite recently found radio show, This American Life. It is an amazing show - witty, hilarious, heart wrenching, and intellectual. It was a good thing I was mostly alone on the trail yesterday - I was laughing and crying the whole time. There were so many great thing I heard yesterday... A story about a rock band from Detroit that was hired to play gigs all last summer at public libraries in Michigan, stories told by people who thought the were going to die (the program starts out with stories from a recent Jet Blue flight landing without its landing gear). The funniest story I heard yesterday was interviews with people who had made it into adulthood with a childhood belief - that the Nelson Ratings were all done by families with the last name Nelson, that unicorns live in Africa. All great! The archived shows are all online.

I turned around at mile marker 8. A storm was developing and I wanted to get home before it started. Unfortunately I didn't get home before the storm, but I did get home before it became terrible. I walked for about 10 minutes in heavy winds and driving rains coming from the east. Most of the time I could see lightning, but it was way in the distance. About half a mile from the car, the lightning started to hit close - so I ran the last half mile back to the car. Not a relaxing end to a long walk!

Boston Avon Walk May 20-21


The walk in Boston just concluded on Sunday. It was a great success. The more than 2600 walkers raised $6.3 million.

Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) received $1,000,000 to continue research and access to care
programs established at the Avon Foundation Breast Center through a 2001 Avon Foundation $10 million gift.

Boston Medical Center (Boston, MA) received $675,000 for equipment and for medical research into novel new
directions for breast cancer treatment and prevention. Prior Avon Foundation funding for BMC supported
comprehensive breast health care programs for low-income and uninsured individuals in Boston.

Cambridge Health Alliance (Cambridge, MA) received $250,000 for support services, including staff, new
equipment and materials, a patient tracking system, and transportation assistance for disadvantaged women.

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (Lawrence, MA) received $250,000 to purchase new equipment and
to support mammography technologists, patient services representatives, and program materials.

Lifespan Foundation (Providence, RI) received $250,000 for the dedicated patient navigation program for safety
net care at the Lifespan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital, which was
launched with Avon Foundation support in 2005.

Sisters of Charity Health Systems (Lewiston, ME) received $250,000 to support staff at St. Mary’s Regional
Medical Center to increase breast care services and outreach to the low-income and underserved in the
community.

Community Servings (Roxbury, MA) received $100,000 to continue the Community Servings-Avon Foundation
Door-to-Door Delivery Program that has served more than 12,000 meals to breast cancer client families over the
past year.

Silent Spring Institute (Newton, MA) received $100,000 to support a program manager and assistant,
dissemination and training for academic researchers, and program materials for the Massachusetts Health and
Environment Information System.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Breast Cancer Vaccine


Amazing news yesterday! The FDA has approved a vaccine for cervical cancer. In studies the vaccine has been shown to be 100% effective.

I was curious about studies that are researching vaccines for breast cancer. I found a story from Science Daily from March 2005.

Progress toward development of a breast cancer vaccine has been reported by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.

Cancer-fighting vaccines stimulate immune cells to recognize tumor cells as foreign and destroy them. Physicians believe a vaccine-induced immune response could be used to supplement other cancer therapies or to immunize high-risk people against cancer.

Follow this link to read the rest of the story.

Here is a story from October 2005 about the medical trials that are beginning for the vaccine.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Sheryl Crow


Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this year and underwent surgery in February.

This is a March 22nd posting from Sheryl Crow's website:


Hey Everybody,

I cannot begin to tell you how much your cards, messages, letters, flowers, and prayers have meant to me these last few weeks. Needless to say, this has been a really challenging time for me and as I have always said, I have the greatest, most generous fans in the world.

I am doing really well. Strangely, I feel clear and optimistic...perhaps more than ever. I am on day 4 of my 33 radiation treatments and am feeling really good. As you know, my breast cancer was detected very early and I am completely blessed that it was removed and all I have to undergo in the way of treatment is radiation, strictly for preventative measures. I am told I will suffer fatigue starting about week 3 and some redness and some skin irritation in the final weeks. My great radiologist did tell me that my left breast would be firm and perky when I've completed the treatments and I asked if she could go ahead and radiate the other while she was at it. She said no.

I am also told that for the month after my treatment is complete, that I will probably my most tired. Believe you me, I will be taking it easy because I will be gearing up for our summer tour, which I am already looking forward to. It is my favorite time to tour and I feel certain, for me, it will be a celebration every night of how lucky I feel with this life I have been given.

My intent this year was to make this my year of firsts. In my usual fashion, I've been trying to drag everyone along with me. Chris Hudson tells a funny story about our agreement and how our first achievement was scuba diving for the first time ever. Being diagnosed with cancer was not on my shortlist of things to attempt during 2006 but here it is and it has really presented me with a whole new challenge and that is to stop everything that I'm used to doing and to really show up for myself. Luckily, I am surrounded with such strong, amazingly inspiring, and devoted family and friends. I feel like I'm floating through this on the backs of all those who care about me.

I keep saying how optimistic I feel. I will tell you that old saying of how when one doors closes, another opens....well, I would like to amend my intention for this year and say although it's still about firsts, it is also about all the open doors in front of me.

I can't wait to see you guys. Take care... and ladies, don't forget to get your mammograms!

love and peace...and good health!

sheryl

Why 18 Miles is Hard


This is an article from About.com

The marathon is a challenging running event because of its duration. After two hours of running, by the 20 mile mark for fast runners, the body runs out of glycogen (stored sugar) and begins breaking down the protein in muscles and tissues for fuel. They "hit the wall." The body should convert over to burning stored fat, but can't because some carbohydrate is needed to allow the burning of fat, but it is all gone.
Walkers, other than racewalkers, experience this less because at a slower pace the body uses fat stores for energy throughout the event rather than turning to burning up its own muscles. Walkers are likely to get progressively tired throughout the long distance, but without the paralyzing experience of hitting the wall.

A walker can take from 4 hours to 9 hours to complete a marathon at a walking pace. That is a long time to be out in the elements, exerting yourself. Blisters, chafing, sunburn and heat illness are common hazards. Those who aren't careful to drink enough water and electrolyte replacement drinks during the race will feel the effects of dehydration.

After a marathon, the strain on the body is apparent. Even without walking at a speed that leads to burning up muscle, minute tears happen in the muscles and there is build-up of the toxic breakdown products from exercise - lactic acid, etc. Muscle strains and sprains are more likely due to fatigue during the race.

But by being so tough, marathons also become addictive. While some people can do "just one," and most vow never to do it again after their first, plenty of people get hooked on seeing if they can improve their times from year to year.

Hal Higdon, who has run over 100 marathons, writes, "In a marathon, you don't beat others. Instead, you achieve a personal victory." It is a very personal event, each participant having their own goal to achieve, often just to finish.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Technology Making Thing Better

This is an article by Santa Fe doctor from a local newspaper - The Eldorado Sun.

Her article starts:

Today's statistics are alarming: one in eight women will develop breast cancer. Each of these women will then face the options of lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy in choosing how best to respond to her situation. With no cure for breast cancer in sight, everyone agrees that early detection is crucial for a better outcome.

Presently breast self-exams and regular mammograms are the prescribed tools for early detection. Self-exams are an easy, no-cost way to monitor breast health and discover changes in their early stages. Mammograms provide a look inside the breast tissue and can often detect and diagnose anatomical abnormalities -- such as lumps -- already existing in the breast.

Lumps and other breast abnormalities, however, generally don't appear overnight. Long before they're discoverable by fingers or film their microscopic contributors are hard at work. Cancer cells require a supply of blood to flourish and survive. Clearly aggressive, they create their own pathways to obtain this nourishment. Neither self-exams nor mammograms can detect this invisible early cellular process, which can be happening in the breast for five to ten years before a lump is visible or palpable.

The science of breast thermography is opening the door to the earliest screening for abnormalities in breast tissue that Western medicine has ever known. Thermography uses infrared imaging to generate highly detailed digital pictures. The U.S. military began using infrared imaging in the 1950s. Valued for its ability to detect and pinpoint areas of heat and movement, this technique provided a way for the military to "see" what and where the eye or other surveillance techniques couldn't -- especially enemy forces in darkness -- whether on land, in the air or in water.

To continue reading follow this link.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

18 Miles


Yesterday I walked from The Sprur trail to just past Avenida Vista Grande in Eldorado. The roundtrip was 18 miles. I walked a little over 3 mph on average (that included 1 10 minute break).

The highlight of the walk was the train passing after I had walked about 15 miles. I was too tired to get my camera out to take a picture. During one of my breaks, I did take some cactus pictures. Within the next 2 weeks, my goal is to walk a 20 mile walk.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Washington DC Walk in April


The Washington DC Walk was the first Avon walk of the year. Over 2,500 people participated in the walk, and walkers raised over $5.8 million. For more information visit this website

Beginning and ending at the Kennedy Center, the 2,100 walkers, 209 of which were survivors, marched all through D.C., spending the night at the Wellness Village in Rock Creek Park. On Saturday, the route led them past the Washington Monument and the national mall before weaving into the neighborhoods of Georgetown.

To read more about the walking experience in DC, visit this link.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer


The Louisville Slugger company is creating pink bats to be used by Major League Baseball on May 14th (Mother's Day).

"Howard Smith, senior vice president for licensing for MLB, said the idea for the pink bats struck a chord with commissioner Bud Selig and other executives. The question was how many players would use the sticks.

"It takes a big man to swing a pink bat in a major league game," Smith said."

To read the whole story, visit this link.

Monday, May 08, 2006

The Last Mile is the Hardest Mile



Actually, my walk yesterday was pretty hard every mile!

I drove back early from a conference in Denver to walk 16 miles yesterday. Joel drove me to Lamy and dropped me off. I walked to Rancho Viejo. I was walking in silence the first 8 miles and then decided to listen to Travels with Charlie. I got my iPod out and it wouldn't turn on. The battery was totally dead. Luckily I had a lot to think about!

There were a lot of people out on the trail - including a motor bike rider, illegally driving his bike down the trail. There were a lot of walkers and bikers - mostly people out by themselves enjoying the great spring weather.

These are some pictures I took along the way.



This is a fading picture on a board in one of the trail parking lots.



A TP in the backyard.

So as I was walking and thinking - I was also thinking of songs. The Smiths did a song in the 1990s called "Is It Really So Strange" with the lyrics: Why is the last mile the hardest mile ? My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes, And I realized, I could never, never, never, go back home again."

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Dogs ARE Our Best Friends!


This is a transcript from Charles Osgood's show from April 19th.

DOC AND VET TEAM UP TO FIGHT BONE CANCER

In a moment the story of two bone cancer specialists, Dr. Ross Wilkins of the Denver Clinic and Dr. Steven Withrow of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. They are friends who learn a lot from each other even though one, Dr. Wilkins, is an MD and the other, Dr. Withrow, is a veterinarian.

"I'll watch Steve do an operation and I'm always thinking, well that's, I don't do that, that's a great idea!" said Dr. Ross Wilkins, The Denver Clinic.

Dr. Ross Wilkins' patients are humans. Dr. Steven Withrow's are dogs and cats. But the disease they both deal with is bone cancer.

"We're attacking a disease that destroys families whether that's dogs or humans," said Dr. Stephen Withrow, Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.

Every month or so the two meet for breakfast to discuss new treatments and approaches to bone cancer, although there are differences of course. But even that is helpful, says Dr. Wilkins.

"Dogs have this cancer more frequently and it develops more rapidly so we can also investigate the treatment more rapidly and see the effects," said Dr. Wilkins.

It was Dr. Wilkins who first decided to try a treatment on one of his human patients that his friend Dr. Withrow had been using on dogs. CBS News Correspondent Richard Schlesinger asked him.

"Were you comfortable using a veterinary procedure on a human patient?" asked CBS NEWS CORRESPONDENT RICHARD SCHLESINGER.

"Major problems require major or valiant solutions," said Dr. Wilkins.

Dr Withrow says his canine patients are living 4 times longer because of what he's learned from Dr. Wilkins. And Dr Wilkins says the survival rate of his human patients has gone from 72% to 92% largely because of what he's learned from his friend the vet.

"How valuable is it? How much have you learned from each other?" asked Schlesinger.

"Well, I think it's huge," said Dr. Wilkins.

"It's a win-win for biology, it's a win-win for mammals," said Dr. Withrow.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

One More Year - And More...



Packer Fans all over the world are happy with last week's news that Brett Favre will play for one more year.

Even better news - is the news from Deanna Favre, Brett Favre's wife, who has completed treatment for breast cancer. Favre used her celebrity status to raise funds for breast cancer organizations in Wisconsin. Last year she started the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation to raise money for low income women with breast cancer.

In March, Favre and American Family donated $1 million to breast cancer organizations in Wisconsin. The $1 million was raised through sales of a special pink cap with a Packer logo. My sister gave me one for Christmas last year, and it was one of several inspirations I had to commit to the Denver Walk.


210,000 hats were sold.

To read more about the donation visit this link.

To read more about Deanna's battle with cancer, visit this link.

To read more about Brett Favre's come back, follow this link.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Act Up!

S.1955 Could End Insurance Coverage for Mammograms.

To find out how you can make a difference, visit the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network Website.