832 steps up the Space Needle, check!

I did it, folks. Climbed to the tippy top of the Space Needle this morning. My time: 10:22. Total donations from the generous souls who gave to my Base2Space fundraiser for Fred Hutch: $1,246.

I'm grateful for my health, for my relentlessly supportive community, and for the research that efforts like this make possible. If you're in the mood to give cancer a good kick in the keister, you can make a Base2Space donation today (Sunday, Oct. 2) until 11:59 pm Pacific time. Here's a link to my Base2Space page. Thank you as always for your support, whether you've made a financial gift or you've given me the hugs and virtual high fives that keep me going.

#Base2Space #FredHutch #CaringBridge #cancer #exercise

My mighty fine mammogram

When I was first diagnosed and while I was slogging through treatment, I figured I'd dread my first several post-cancer mammograms. Well, I didn't. Not one bit. I walked into Group Health's breast imaging center this past Tuesday feeling grateful for my good health, hopeful that this next date with the boob squisher would go better than my first, not even trying not to worry. I've become a much more mindful person over the last year. It's become so much easier for me to be present from moment to moment, less focused on the past, less anxious about what lies ahead. So when I got the all clear from my oncologist, it wasn't this huge weight-off-my-shoulders "PHEW!!!" moment. It was more like, "Nice," then back to work and soccer practice chauffeuring and all the other things. I almost forgot to share the news, and realized that doing so might treat you and other members of Team Liz to your own exuberant "PHEW!!!" moments. So here's to acing my first mammogram! Woot! I'm due for another one a year from now. I'll meet with my oncologist in six months, keep taking my aromatase inhibitors and extra calcium and vitamin D, exercising as much as I can — all that good stuff for my bones and mind. And that's about it. This is what you call remission.

#mammogram #allclear #mindful #remission #cancer #CaringBridge #GroupHealth

Climbing the Space Needle for cancer research

832 steps up the Space Needle. That's what I'm gonna climb on Oct. 2 in the Base2Space fundraiser for Fred Hutch. And to think that this time last year, I was just a couple treatments in to a dozen rounds of chemo. Whatever, cancer. I ran eight miles yesterday, longer than I ever have in my life. Last month, I finished a triathlon (my fifth), ranking in the top 15 for my age group. In a couple months, I'll brave my first half marathon. Every day, I wake up feeling grateful for my health. It's a such a gift, never to be taken for granted. In the year since my cancer journey started, several people in my world have crossed their own cancer starting lines. I'll carry their names with me when I climb The Needle. And I'll climb for dozens of other cancer-fighters, past and present: Melinda Earl Roy Inez Birney Ethel Stella Lucyle Margaret Paul Marty Megan Annawyn Laurie Isabella Suzy Christina Sam Alexes Teresa Edith Jeanne Molly George Connie Michael Elizabeth Gardner Kathy Mary Lou Brian Paula Erin Jan Karen Liz Claudia Mitzi Long as this list is, I know I haven't captured everyone I know who's fought cancer. I'll fill in the gaps before Oct. 2. And I'll also add the names of anyone you'd like me to carry to the top of the Space Needle — whether you make a donation or support me in spirit. Please send me the names of loved ones who have had cancer by posting a comment below. Or email me at elizabethmgillespie@gmail.com. Thank you as always for your support. It means everything.

#GroupHealth #cancer #exercise #FredHutch