I draw inspiration from many places, people and events in life. In the last 12 weeks, this has been a major part of my journey. So, as I tried to rest yesterday, I started thinking about the Olympics and my slumber flew out the door. I laid on my bed and could visualize my own gold medel just within reach of my finger tips. Everything I have done for the last 24 weeks will come down to one scan. I pictured climbing the podium to receive my gold medal along with a scan that showed my progress in battling my disease. I’ve already had one promising scan and that just fuels the fire to work even harder for the next one. This is no different than the Olympics.
The athletes that will compete over the next few weeks don’t just practice their sport. Everything they eat and drink, when they sleep, how long they sleep, the company they keep…it all comes down to their thirst for the gold. As a runner it’s not only about running. They cross-train, eat special diets, and sleep. It’s their prescription for success. Ironically it is no different than the model I am working with. Chemo is not a magic bullet so I have incorporated a wellness lifestyle to get me to the gold. Time trials are our scans during treatment. They tell us how we are doing and if we are making progress. I am still three weeks out from my next time trial. In the meantime, I will incorporate a whole person; wellness lifestyle in an effort to keep myself healthy. The end of September will be my BIG scan and I hope to bring home the gold. If not, there are more Olympic games ahead for me. The athletes that don’t win in London this year don’t just pack it up and quit….they are more determined than ever to bring it home four years from now.
I see myself on the podium as they place the medal around my neck. Red Solo Cup playing in the background as I represent my country of Cureopia. Being an Olympic athlete is so much more than just being the best at a sport. And being a cancer survivor is much, much more than scans, infusions, hair loss .. .the list goes on.
So, when you watch the opening ceremonies and the athletes compete, allow them to inspire you to go for the gold. I don’t personally know any Olympic athletes, but the athletes I do know are my everyday heroes and they inspire me every day to keep my chin up and work for my spot on that podium.
Long Distance Hero 
I love it! Go Sue! We are on your team, sister!
As I read this, I imagined you on the stand in some sort of gymnastics leotard, holding up your gold medal, with “We are the Champions” playing in the background! 😉