Race For The Cure

On Saturday I participated in the Race for the Cure in Des Moines. This is the second year that Danette and I have walked the 3.1 miles (5K) to raise money for breast cancer research. Last year I walked 3 days after my grandma's funeral. I remember thinking that it was very ironic that Danette asked me to participate with her in this walk for a cause that my aunts and uncles had dontated to in my grandma's memory.

This year as I thought about doing it again I could not believe that it has been a full year that my grandma has been gone and a full year that Clint has been battling with his cancer. The more I think about it the more I think that I will continue to walk every year in memory of my grandma, and most likely very shortly Clint too.

I know that my grandmother did not die of breast cancer, and her husband and son (obviously) did not either. But I think once we find a cure for one type of cancer it will only be a matter of time before we find cures for other cancers. I think that this will just be my one way of remembering every year those who came before me and the lives that they lead.

As for Clint, he is hanging in there. They admitted him into the hospital last Tuesday with the thoughts of getting him first in line to see the breathing specialist. Unfortunately, they have yet to discharge him, and it is now looking like that may not happen. In investigating why he was having trouble breathing they have discovered that he may have congestive heart failure.

Several years ago Clint had a major heart attack and has continued to be a heavy smoker, so the news that his heart is weak is not a surprise to us. What is a surprise is the fact that they are now suggesting that he may die of heart failure before he dies of cancer. I suppose in the end it really makes no difference either way but it has hit our family hard. When he was at home it was easy to convince ourselves that he was still fighting. Now that he is in the hospital with the prospect of him going home dwindling it makes it all that more real that our time with him is slowly slipping away.

So next year I will walk again in the race for the cure and in any other cancer walks that I can find. For my Grandpa, both of my Grandmas, and for Clint.