Day 4 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month-- Children in the richest nation, with the highest standard of living, the greatest world power, the country that went to the moon, have to rely on lemonade and cookie sales and their parents shaving their heads and running marathons to raise money to stop the 1 killer of our children. curechildhoodcancer.ning/page/facts-1 As I read through some of the current facts of Childhood cancer and got to #12 (written out above) I looked at my own feet. My calluses look awful and I really would benefit from a pedicure. Reed enjoyed a good pedicure, but more than that, she enjoyed giving a good pedi-ker. Reed had told her mom that she was going to give everyone a pedi-ker. The text messages went out, and as we did so well, obligingly filed into the Magee home and plopped into the chair for our foot spa treatment. Not only did we get a foot soak, lotion and massage therapy (from little hands that didnt always cooperate anymore), a fresh coat of toenail polish--our choice of pink, white, or purple-- as we sat in a comfy chair surrounded by stuffed toys...we left with a packet of skittles so that we could chase a rainbow! Humbling experience?! This child had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, for which there was no known cure, she had undergone 6 weeks of radiation, 5 times per week enduring daily anesthesia and was taking oral chemo twice a day and the one thing she wanted to do was give her family a pedi-ker!!? No special Make-a Wish trip, no fancy toys, she just wanted to give everyone a pedi-ker. Ironically the chemo Reed took caused a loss of pigmentation in her hair as it grew and her well deserved halo was prominent at this time. So I look at my feet now, as I train for the Memphis Half-Marathon on December 6, 2014. I never thought Id run (technically walk) a 5K, much less participate in a 1/2 Marathon for St. Jude--the facility that treated both Reed and Christian during their individual battles with cancer. My feet look atrocious, but Im keeping my tough hide intact. Maybe a little polish to distract from the roughness. Im going to chase my rainbow, baby girl--and when I catch it, Im giving it to you!
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:01:01 +0000