Why Run?

Why? Hm. Good question! I wasn't ever a "runner." In high school, I played basketball and volleyball. In the Air Force, I did the token 1 1/2 mile runs when it was required. I've been healthy most of my life, but I never really "worked out." To be honest, I'm not even sure how to "work out." So, since I was (and still am) too embarrassed to ask... I started to run - or, I actually started to walk. It's simple. It's straight-forward. Put on shoes and go.

My awesome sista-in-law, Kerry-meister, helped me get started. We trained for the Salt Lake City Race for the Cure 5K in 2003. We had plans to train for a marathon, but I got stress fractures in my feet, and the following year, Kerry was in a major car accident with her son, Ian. So, our goal of running a marathon fell to the wayside.

For the next few years, I stayed in a routine of starting to train in February or March for the annual Race for the Cure in May. Then after the race, I'd fall off the bandwagon and would start up again the following Spring.

Then, in 2008, some gals in the neighboorhood and I decided to train together for the Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles). So, with no prior long-distance running experience, we set out on the journey together. It was a great accomplishment for all of us! And it was even more great because we did it together!

I realized that registering for a race gave me focus and a goal to train towards. I ran my second 1/2 marathon in Snow Canyon that November. I got a little off-track during the holidays and into the new year. So, by Spring I was ready to commit to something. I signed up for the Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon in August 2009. My husband, Scott, started to talk about trying to get in the lottery for the St. George Marathon. At this point, it seemed pretty unrealistic for me to do a full 26.2 mile marathon. I felt I was pushing the limits at 13.1 miles. But, thinking we probably wouldn't get in the lottery, I registered with Scott. When we received the notification that we had been selected to run in the marathon, I was sick to my stomach. It was so daunting! As I think about a marathon runner - I am not what I picture.

But, as I thought about it, and continued to train for the 1/2 marathon, I realized I'm not going to "win" a race - but that's obviously not why I do it. It's me against myself. I do it for me. Because these are my reasons and my motivation - I do win! Runners come in all shapes and sizes. I can do this!

So, with a more determined mindset, I pushed on. After completing the Hobble Creek 1/2, I ran the Top of Utah 1/2 the following weekend. On October 3, 2009, I ran a full 26.2 miles! It was hard. It was daunting. It is something I did - something that no one can take away from me.
After completing the St. George Marathon, I was wondering what I could do in order to stay motivated to keep running. So, I joined Team in Training (TNT) as a way to motivate myself and bring deeper meaning to my run. I have committed to do the Vancouver Canada 1/2 Marathon, as well as the Ogden Marathon! Another marathon — this time with more purpose and meaning — to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This cause was personal from the get-go, and is even more so now… I am a leukemia survivor -- and until VERY recently (Nov. 20, 2009) had been cancer free for almost 12 years.

Along with my commitment to run the Vancouver Canada 1/2 Marathon on May 2, 2010, and the Ogden Marathon on May 15, 2010, I’ve committed to raise $5000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The money I raise will go toward research aimed at finding a cure for Leukemia and related diseases and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

So, Why do I run???

I run because I am grateful for my health! I run in triumph of the obstacles I've overcome in my life! I run in celebration of my life, as well as in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

The Bad News & The Good News

Just to keep you in the loop...

I got a call yesterday (Friday) afternoon with the results from my blood test on Dec. 9th. The bad news is what we already knew - the test was positive for the Philadelphia Chromosome (the indicator for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). The good news is that the amount is still minimal and so I will not be starting the oral chemo as of yet. For now, they will just be more aggressive about monitoring my blood. So I will go in again in about 3 months for another blood draw.

So, Life Is Good! I LOVE the support that comes from being a part of something bigger than myself - Team in Training. A big "Thank you" to each of you and your support in my endeavor to complete this event in celebration of my life, as well as in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.



http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/vancouvr10/ssuggs

Keep on Keepin' on...

So, I went up to LDS Hospital today and met with the Blood & Marrow Team, headed up by Dr Finn Bo Petersen. The consensus is that, for now, the amount of leukemic cells appears to be minimal (still at the molecular level). This means that the leukemia has not advanced to a stage where it has started to affect my White Blood Cell count nor the bone marrow. They took another blood sample, and those results should take about a week.

Depending on the results, we will know our next step. If there is no increase (or even a decrease), the next step is simply waiting and then going back for another blood draw in 3 months. If there is an increase, most likely I would start on an oral chemo (Gleevec) that should be able to keep it in check indefinitely. (This drug has been FDA-approved since 2001. Gleevec controls chronic phase CML for most people as long as they continue to take the drug. Patients who do not respond to the usual dose of Gleevec may respond to a higher dose.)

Even though it is a little confusing, the overall feeling is positive. I feel good about it. The doc said he does not see any reason why I shouldn't be able to live a long, full, natural life.

So, I'm gonna keep on keepin' on!! I'm continuing my training for the St George 1/2 Marathon (January), the Vancouver Canada 1/2 Marathon (May), as well as the Ogden Marathon (May).

And, just in case you needed another reason to donate to my fundraising event... I also found out that it was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that funded Dr. Brian J. Druker, an oncologist at Oregon Health and Sciences University and a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator, during his laboratory and clinical studies that led to Gleevec approval!!! The very drug that may save my life! :)

http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/vancouvr10/ssuggs

The day after Tomorrow, Tomorrow... (sing it, Annie)

My appointment with the Blood & Marrow Transplant team is the day after tomorrow (Wednesday). It'll be a long one. First, they'll do a complete physical and blood work-up. Then, a couple of hours after that we will have the consultation with the BMT team to discuss a treatment plan.

I'm still feeling just fine, and in my opinion, asymptomatic (with the exception of some fatigue - which may be totally unrelated).

I keep reflecting on my previous bout with CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) and wonder... What didn't I learn the first time? I'm not angry. I don't think I'm going to die from it. I'm a little scared, but not really scared for me. I'm scared for the emotional toll this may take on my sweet family. I wasn't a mom the last time this happened. But, Scott & Katie are troopers - and they are strong. And, who knows, with the medical advancements they've made, this may be practically nothing. The docs did say that it will not be a Bone Marrow Transplant again. Which, in my mind, is a good thing!

The most prominent feeling I have right now is gratitude. I have the most fabulous family and friends. I know that God knows me and my circumstance. I am grateful for these wonderful blessings.

Running for my life...

Ok. Ok. Ok. I'm back on the blogging scene. I have a lot on my mind and it's just kind of jumbled right now. So, for today, I have cut and pasted in the text from my "Team in Training" website. It's a start, anyway. I will post more later. I promise!

THE RACE IS ON...



I am a leukemia survivor -- and until this past Friday (Nov. 20, 2009) had been cancer free for almost 12 years. The timing is ironic, but my oncologist called me to let me know that my blood test came back positive this time.

Unless they tell me I can't (or my body tells me I can't) - I will push on.

I completed my first marathon just last month in St. George and, in order to bring more meaning to my run, I joined TNT.

This cause was personal from the get-go, and is even more so now.

I am completing this event in celebration of my life, as well as in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

I need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

Use the following link to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/vancouvr10/ssuggs

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress.

Thanks for your support!

CERT Graduation

It's been a great experience to go through CERT training. We have moved on to Fire Corps now. I'm learning a lot and having a great time. We are the first CERT for the Cityof Saratoga Springs - and, to point out the obvious from the photo, we are an all-female team! It's awesome! They are simply fantabulous to work with.

The following photo and article appeared in the local newspaper yesterday: (http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/299699/)
Yep... that's me in the middle-back.

(L-R: Chief Hay, Elizabeth Harmer, Natasha Call, Allison Schipaanboord, Sabina Suggs, Julie King, Kitty Cheney, Jeanne Anderson, Alicia Howard, Jarrah Gerald, and Mayor Timothy Parker. Not pictured: Jeri Hansen, Julie Mohler, and Kelsey Watson.)

Saratoga Springs congratulates

CERT grads

Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Tim Hay presented the first graduating class of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers in January. Jeanne (Georgina) Anderson, Natasha Call, Kitty Cheney, Jarrah Gerald, Jeri Hansen, Elizabeth Harmer, Alicia Howard, Julie King, Julie Mohler, Allison Schipaanboord, Sabina Suggs and Kelsey Watson went through extensive training to learn about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area.

The training included basic disaster responses skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. They were also taught such skills as how to make homes disaster-ready, run basic fire operations equipment such as generators and radios, and how to conduct house-to-house searches.

"The Saratoga Springs CERT teams are members of the community," said Rick Scott, fire fighter and CERT program coordinator. He explained that while there were CERT groups set up through LDS wards, this new group has a city-wide focus.

The course started last June, with meetings twice a month for six months. The instructors were members of the Fire Department, including Scott, Dawnya DeKarver, Kayli Frazier, Jack Homen, Robb Rowley, Tim Spek, Dan Lincoln and Darren Wright. Funding was first provided by A Plus Benefits, but participants have supplied some materials on their own as well.

Kitty Cheney, a recent graduate, said, "I always wanted to learn a little more about how the city runs and how we can prepare for emergencies. I had taken a citizens academy in a previous city that I lived in and it was about the neatest thing I had ever done."

When asked what was most interesting, Cheney said, "Triage. That's a fun one, when you have a disaster and you can't help everyone."

"The best part (was) gaining confidence in CPR skills and life saving abilities," said Sabina Suggs. "Feeling a little more confident that if an emergency were to happen I would be more prepared as an individual."

The graduating CERT members are now going on to start Fire Corp training. "The mission of Fire Corps is to increase the capacity of volunteer, career and combination fire and EMS departments through the use of citizen advocates. Fire Corps provides resources for departments to utilize citizen advocates in non-operational roles so they can develop, implement and sustain programs and services that will help their department meet the needs of their community.

"Fire Corp will last for one year. The members will be trained under the standards set by the State of Utah Fire I level and the American Red Cross," Scott said.

"We are excited about it and want to utilize them anyway we can," added Hay.

"In April 2009, we will open the training up again to the community," Scott said. "The current members will be the instructors and the leadership of the teams. Our goal is to have 50 members by 2010."

Watch out WNBA! Here she comes...

Wow! Katie has just completed her first basketball season with the City of Saratoga Springs. Her form, tenacity and aggressiveness improved tremendously! (Funny how a little monetary incentive helped spur her on!)

It was so fun to cheer her on and see her truly enjoy the thrill of healthy competition.

As a parent, I want my children to succeed in everything they do. I hope she knows that I will always be cheering her on - whether it is on the court, at a piano recital, academically, spritually, emotionally, etc.

I love you, Katie Bug! and I always will... no matter what!