One Day at a Time

A Different Kind of Marathon

As you know, I have a love for running, and while I am by no means an elite runner, I have a personal competitiveness that keeps me yearning for more. My Unforeseen Journey will be a personal race. It's unlike any race I've ran before. It's a "Different Kind of Marathon."

If you have ever ran a marathon, any race, or had an experience where you were challenged mentally and physically, then I am sure you can relate. At the beginning of a race, you are nervous and anxious…and sometimes telling yourself "I just want it over with!". When I competed in high school track, I was the same way. I was always a wreck before a 400 m run because I knew it would be painful. In the end, I was relieved, but I also celebrated! Not much has changed since then. No matter if it's a 10k, 10 miler, or a marathon, the emotions are still the same. I guess you can say I'm close to the start line. I'm in the crowd making my way to the right corral. I'm anxious, nervous, and the butterflies are having a fiesta in my tummy. I'm also ready to cross the finish line and celebrate!

Surgery is just around the corner, and I am closer to knowing a timeline for my treatment. The down time has been helpful, but I am to the point where I am ready to cross the start line of this race. I met with another oncologist, and I was really impressed. I had a difficult time deciding what oncologist to go with, but I went with my gut feeling. I also relied on God's will. Travis' dear friend helped us, and I believe God led me down this path to meet Dr. Hellerstedt. Another surgeon who has never met me insisted I see her, and I am so glad I did. Travis and I met with her, and she discussed similar topics and treatments the other oncologist did. I am confident she will take good care of me. Fertility has been another area of concern because of my age and diagnosis. Dr. Hellerstedt went out of her way to get me in with a fertility specialist earlier, AND she even called me Saturday morning to make sure the fertility doctor's office called to schedule an appointment. I saw this is a confirmation from God…I made the right choice!!

I called Monday (February 25) to see if the results from my BRCA (genetic) test were in, but no updates. I was told they should be in any day now. In the mean time, I'm exploring fertility options. I met with a fertility specialist today, and she was promising. I had a consultation and an ultra sound. I am going through the process to harvest eggs due to the risk of infertility after chemotherapy. If all works out perfectly, then I can start the process and have it completed within two weeks. I am also hoping this can take place before I go into surgery. 

During this time in "limbo" I've also had the opportunity to talk with other women who are cancer survivors or in remission. They have offered a tremendous amount of advice, guidance, and support. I now understand why women who have been impacted by breast cancer refer to this as a "sisterhood."

Familia 

What's up with the name "Cancer Commander India Maria"?

Some of you are probably wondering about the names I used. I had a few people ask me, so I thought I would share :). 

Cancer Commander:

My crazy hermanita "Z" with Cassie Mae

My girlfriend and I (shout out to Laurie!) talked about a blog, and she said "Oh, you'll have to come up with a cool name!" I am not all that creative, so I went to one of the most creative people I know…my hermanita Zelina! If you've had the pleasure of meeting her and getting to spend time with "Z", then you know exactly what I'm talking about, ha. I sent Zelina a message and delegated the job…"come up with a name for the web address of my blog." A few days later I get a text with the following message: "Cancer Commander" A second text follows: "That's all I got, ha!" I LOVED it!! Of course, her source of inspiration was the one and only "Duck Dynasty." Simple, but classic. Take the "duck" out of "Duck commander" and slid in "cancer" instead-AWESOME! Sister you did a damn good job! She earned the title "Public Relations Commander." I will explain that in a future blog, ha. 

Zelina's inspiration for the name!

La India Maria:

My grandfather rarely called me by my name. Story has it that I looked like one of his sisters named Maria who had strong native american features...hence the name India Maria. This is a special name for me, and I use it often as my name for race bibs. 

Growing up, I was very close to my Grandfather Alvarado. I thought the world of him. He was a strong and simple man. He drove a red 57 Ford truck with a camper. He was the man you saw on the side of the road selling fruit. The best fruit I ever ate came from my grandfather. Two things my grandfather always carried: a pistol and a cross. My sister likes guns so one Christmas her gift was his pistol. In the words of Roger Creager she can now say "I' got the guns." He only spoke Spanish and I did not, so in all those times we spent together, I have NO idea how we communicated, ha. 

A friend of mine from high school had the honor of meeting my grandfather. My grandfather was making a visit to Ingleside and stopped at Dairy Queen (classic for small towns). He was sitting by himself so my friend decided to visit with him. My friend learned he was my grandfather, and my grandfather had the privilege of meeting a dear friend of mine (David Alvarado). Because David and I shared the same last name, we always told people we were cousins. It was not long after their encounter that my grandfather passed away from lung and prostate cancer. I was with my grandfather in his last moments, and he passed away not long after I left his side. I remember my Grandma Viera telling me..."he was waiting for you mija."

For this "race"…for this journey…for the long road ahead...I am "Cancer Commander India Maria"

More to come~Love, Clarissa AKA "La India Maria"