How to Run a Marathon and Still Feel Pretty – By Ambassador Kristen

Pricey Beloved Types,

I’ve been considering about how to update all of you on my chemotherapy solutions this summertime, which just so come about to have fallen suitable smack dab in the middle of turning out to be a Beth Millner Jewelry ambassador. For a even though I was not certain if it was the worst timing or the very best timing when I was preferred, but then I recognized that this is accurately how lifetime goes: you never get to pick out the timing of your life’s issues or your prospects. You only have handle on how you pick out to think about them, and how or if you determine to act upon them. For instance, I could say that breast most cancers is the worst matter or the best thing which is took place to me, because both are accurate. Surgical procedure and chemo aren’t specifically matters that folks rush to indication up for, but at the similar time, which is particularly what it took to learn how numerous angels I have in my corner and how form and generous and thoughtful the environment can be. 

 

Now that I’m approaching 7 days 8 of the 12-Week Chemo Marathon that I under no circumstances desired to signal up for, sponsored by the club I’d under no circumstances required to be a part of (breast most cancers), I have realized a own fact: marathons suck. I necessarily mean, I’m certain there is at least 1 man or woman out there who loves jogging so a lot that they look ahead to beating the crap out of their bodies for miles and miles, and that it’s possible there is some strange runner’s euphoria I’ve nonetheless to faucet into, but dang! Not gonna lie, it was a lot easier at the starting when you’re at the starting line and there are a gazillion of your bystander peeps watching you and cheering you on. And I’m certain there will be just as lots of there waiting around for me to cross the end line. But when you’re on mile 8 of 12, and there aren’t as quite a few folks on the sidelines viewing you any longer, your managing will get very unappealing, and so do your ideas. 

 

And speaking of that, there’s nothing at all that’ll stir up your notions of elegance and ugliness rather like a good round of balding chemo. But then once again, that’s the whole position of this tale, a reminder that we have full handle of how we opt for to see some thing, and we can either seize an option or let it go us by. 

I really don’t know about you, but given that I did not strategy on possessing all my hair tumble out multiple occasions in my existence, I figured now was the probability to transform a couple lemons into lemonade. 

It was a few months back when I was capable to start off pulling all my hair out in clumps, rather substantially correct on schedule, about “mile 4” in the marathon. I realized that as difficult as it was, I’d require to make peace with stating goodbye to my hair, as “unpretty” as that might make me come to feel, and I’d had a outstanding strategy that would distract me sufficient to get as a result of at the very least the upcoming handful of miles. 

I was likely to laugh my way via the complete matter, and I was likely to make certain that another person else benefited from it, much too. 

And that’s just what I did. I went out on social media and explained to all my buddies that for each $20 they donated, that they’d get their names set in a hat for a big drawing, and that the person whose title was drawn would get the honor of picking the style that my Mumma would attract on the again of my bald head, as soon as I’d shaved off all my hair. The proceeds were break up similarly in between the Delta County Most cancers Alliance and Wildlife Endless of Delta County. Jointly my angels elevated virtually $2,500 to split among two of my most loved charities!

It took me three haircuts this yr to get to my bald canvas. Those people of you who realized me six months ago knew that I had extensive hair down to my lessen back again, so my hair was a major component of my identity. I donated the initial foot of it to Little ones With Hair Decline, so that a person else would be ready to dress in a wig that I was capable to improve for them myself. I’d performed this after prior to and experienced determined that once my hair reaches a specific length, I’m heading to keep undertaking this until finally I’m no more time around to hold increasing it. Imagine of all the wigs that’ll be out in the world after so quite a few a long time! Can make me smile. 

My next haircut party was going from my shortened bob haircut length to tomboy size, which was shockingly more durable than likely pool-cue bald. Perhaps it reminded me of the past time I’d experienced my hair this short in 2nd grade, a small kid mistook me for a boy, and my psyche by no means recovered. Possibly it is due to the fact I just really don’t feel brief, brief hair is all that flattering on me. Whatever the rationale, I experienced to electricity-smile my way by means of that total 7 days in advance of the true shave took location, and that gave me a thoroughly clean slate in additional means than a person. 

Very little claims “I really like you” pretty like your great hairdresser friend agreeing to flip you into a bowling ball (I’ve been instructed I have a flawlessly spherical head) and your 75-yr-previous mother agreeing to attract a little something on the again of your head for charity. And which is exactly what they did. The gal whose name had been drawn needed a hummingbird and a pink breast cancer ribbon in the structure, and looking at that the canvas was moveable pores and skin covered in a mild stubble, I imagine my mom genuinely kicked ass on the concluded products! 

It’s been two weeks working about my corner of the environment with no hair, and the element I haven’t stated right up until now, simply because I’ve been far too occupied pretending that getting bald is a full hoot and a hilarious adventure, is that oh boy, there are days when I sense sooooooo hideous. I have put a several pictures of my new fashion out on social media, and a lot of folks have commented on how wonderful I appear. But I really don’t definitely think them. I’m confident that they are expressing it just to make me truly feel superior, because, you know, Mile 8. The aspect wherever I’m “ugly running” and folks really do not have time to sit there on the sidelines and cheer me on just about every next of the day because they have their possess lives to reside. 

I realized without a doubt that I’d have unpleasant times in the course of this marathon. The point is, even when you know there will be struggles uphill, occasionally you don’t see them coming right up until you’re right smack dab in the middle of a person. And all you can do is accept the hill, suck it up, buttercup, and retain plodding since faster or later on the ground will be stage once more. 

The elegance I’ve been able to acquire with me on this marathon considering that the beginning is my Beth Millner parts. Irrespective of whether I’ve had very long hair or small hair or no hair, they’ve been with me for the entire marathon, like a talisman defending me from sensation unappealing or from experience like a comprehensive failure. They remind me of so lots of life lessons I want to discover this time about. When I head into each chemo mile marker, I’ve got a different function of art accompanying me. 1 week it is my bumblebee pedant, reminding me to hold busy and to keep transferring. The following it may be my heart pendant, reminding me of all the enjoy and support I’m taking with me into each of these periods. Yet another is my butterfly assortment, symbolizing the adjustments that I’m heading through. Maybe I’m sensation ugly at this stage of my journey simply because which is how it’s meant to go, like how the caterpillar may possibly sense ahead of it cocoons. But appear at how I’ll be transformed at the conclude of this marathon!

I’m on the lookout ahead to sharing with you my end line, my transformation, and my story as it continues to unfold. I’ve often explained that my goal is to guide these an unconventional and attention-grabbing everyday living so that I’ll have truly very good tales to explain to when I’m 100 a long time previous in the nursing property, and boy, is this year ever making! Thank you, my angels and cheerleaders, for positioning yourselves alongside my marathon route and rooting for me. 

Coincidentally, next week you could basically cheer me on, if you are in the Escanaba-Gladstone place. My partner Todd and godson Noah and I are all “competing” in the MISH mini-triathlon on August 27. Noah will be carrying out the 3-mile kayak portion, I will be biking 13.5 miles, and Todd will be managing the 5k finale. I’m not positive I’ll be breaking any data for speed on Saturday, but you can most assuredly rely on me not currently being a quitter. 

Let’s go, Staff G! 

Be pleased, be well.

Kris G