My first TNT post

May 06, 2012 Welcome to my Team In Training home page. I have committed to getting healthy this year so that I can be a better mom and example to the boys. I made a challenge to myself to try things that I've been afraid of trying. And running a marathon was NEVER an option before. Now as part of my self growth I'm committing to running my first Half Marathon to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in my first Half Marathon as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. I am very excited to be part of something that is so great and is helping so many people. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well. Some great things have happened since I've joined TNT. I've never thought as myself as a survivor of Lymphoma. It was something that I had, it didn't have me. I was very lucky as it was caught early 2 times and my treatments included surgery to remove the infected lymph nodes had some medicine implanted into the site and then wait and see. Since joining TNT and having an option to participate as an Honored Team Mate it's caused me to reflect on the past 20 years since my first diagnosis. I didn't feel worthy of being called a survivor, as running as an Honored team mate. But I'm learning that this disease I never acknowledged having has held me hostage my whole life and it's time to let go and heal. So I've decided that I am worthy. I did survive and I am going to do this journey as an Honored Team mate. I celebrating my "Sweet 16" this year from my 2nd diagnosis. And in Honor of this I am going to Celebrate it!!!! Please join my journey with your donations. I'm asking you support me by donating either $16 or 13 a dollar for every mile I'm going to finish. Or you can buy an awareness hair ribbon for $5 you tell me the name you want and the color ribbon of your choice. Run On! Andi