I have been so touched by this experience! Though I did not speak at the reception, had I spoke I would have reminded everyone that although my job (as a myeloma nurse practioner) is tough I really am the lucky one. The fact that I am able to treat patients with Multiple Myeloma and watch them (as Gary said) go about a normal life is an incredible feeling. I am blessed to have been a part of this group.
I will never forget this experience. It was so much more than just running a marathon. Finishing the marathon was an incredible feeling and accomplishment but doing it for research made it so much more meaningful. I thought to myself that morning on the bus I am crazy? Will I really be able to do this? I truly believe that when I no longer made it about me but rather for all my patients and families that took me to the finish line. I lost my mom 5 years ago to a cancer other than Multiple Myeloma and I knew she was looking down at me, as she always is, saying "run for the other people in need, run to do the right thing". That was who she was and who I've become and I love her for that!