Sigh.
I just don’t even know where to begin and am so filled with emotion. We’ve been planning our team for a few months now … getting a team name, collecting donations, and putting together some cool swag bags! And while that’s been fun and exciting … I really had no idea the impact it would have on me when I walked through the doors into the registration area and realized I wasn’t there just to support a cause. I was there to support my cause.
I have tears right now just realizing the full impact that had on me. I don’t think I can even try to come up with words to describe that feeling.
And then to look out in the crowd and see this sea of yellow shirts … knowing they were also there … not to support any ol’ cause … but to support me. Humbling.
And then there’s the fact that people that I don’t even know are supporting me! See these two ladies? They’ve never met me. But they walked yesterday … in Texas … for me. The girl on the left knows one of my nephew’s and has stayed in touch with my sister, who, in turn has told her about my story.
Humbling. And tears.
And then there’s Cathy. I met Cathy last year at a photography workshop and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. Cathy knows my story, but living in Kansas couldn’t be here to walk with us. So what did she do? Not only did she donate to my team, but she also found an MS walk in Kansas!
And then there’s Cyndi, Abbie, Jenny & Cyn who all donated to my team. And of course were with me in spirit! And seriously … a big thank you to all of you who donated and solicited and supported!
I go to my MS doc today for a check up. I’m not feeling great. I’ve had new symptoms surface. Nothing life-threatening or debilitating. Mostly just super annoying is all.
I’m not looking forward to going in … not being able to touch my nose, losing my balance, feeling a loss of sensitivity … and know I’ll get a head nod and be sent on my way. Well … actually, I might need some blood work done. And that will be super fun to be poked. And while I’m sitting in the blood draw chair, it’ll dawn on me that I also have to do my injection later tonight and I might have a little tear start, but will compose myself, tell myself it could be worse and I’ll carry on with my day.
I’m being somewhat sarcastic about how my appointment will go … but quite honestly, the bottom line is … there’s. not. much. that. can. be done!
The good news is that I’m seeing a new MS doc and the appointment I had originally scheduled for June, got pushed up to May. So just another month before I see him and I’m really excited about it.
Anyway. Back to the walk … I have this stabbing pain in my foot that hurts worse and worse. It was hurting during the walk … and I don’t know … I’m not sure what I was thinking with being able to walk 3.1 miles … doesn’t seem like anything I should be concerned about. But I.was.hurting! by the end of the walk and my pace seemed to slow to a crawl.
I literally got in my car and thought “seriously? I need to train for a 3 mile walk?”
By last night I was thoroughly exhausted, but went to bed thanking my very lucky blessed stars for my MS warriors!
All totals aren’t in yet, I know there are just a couple more donations coming in … but as of right now, we’ve raised $7,100.00!! Incredible. Seriously incredible.
And to watch the twitter and facebook messages asking for donations, fighting for a cure, raising awareness. Humbled. Blessed. are the only words that come to mind … along with tears in my eyes.
Look at these girls. I have to chuckle a bit … I’m honestly not sure they know the full extent of what they were walking for. We talked about it, sure. They know I give myself injections and that at times I’m “sick.” But these little warriors were there for me no questions asked. Just another stroll in the park. :)
Heavenly Father,
I asked … and have received. I have been touched by your grace.
I thank you Lord for these warriors you’ve given me. I thank you
for showing me and surrounding me with your love and support
through all these friends that have touched me and shown me love.
You never fail. You never forsake. And for that, I am forever thankful.
A warrior for you … Tracie
It was a great day for a walk and was so happy to be a part of it all! You are an amazing woman and an inspiration to us all. Thanks for the shirts, the swag bags and the most delicious lunch!
SO glad it was such a success – and look at your sweet family & friends all in their yellow shirts! Wish I could have been there in person, but we hiked yesterday in Moab and I was thinking of you…and wishing you strength & courage & answers & hope! Way to go girl! xox, Jenny
Wow! What an amazing group of people walking by your side and around the country for YOU! Although I was walking it in Green Bay for/with my friend Katie, I was thinking and praying for the {stiering} for a cure team and felt so proud to be a part of this movement. With the kind of support and hope I saw yesterday… anything is possible and a cure is on its way!!
Oh, T! What a great day with your awesome tribe of warriors! So happy to hear it went so well…to feel the embrace of such love and support of so many people standing behind you is an awesome feeling! We are humbled and proud to have been part of it, even in a small way. :)
It was truly inspiring Tracie! My kiddos were talking about “fighting the disease” the whole way there! So happy to be a part of your team and so excited by how much we all raised! Thanks for everything!
So happy to be there for my brave friend Tracie and praying for a cure for MS. What a blessed day!
What a FANTASTIC picture of you and your girls — LOVE IT! I’m praying for you today and hope you learn there ARE things that can be done to make your new annoying symptoms go away. The fact that you live your life in pain most days and yet continue to have such a positive outlook is so inspiring. So inspiring, in fact, that had I not had a friend visiting from St. Louis this weekend I would have tried to find a way to get to WI and walk with you. Your positive outlook & caring ways inspire me every day and I just wish there was something I could do to help bring you pain free days. I’ll continue to pray for your symptoms to let up & hope you’ll let us know if there’s every anything else we can do to help.
oh Tracie! You, too, are a warrior: using your voice, strength, and hope to mobilize this army of support! Though most of them *thought* they were there walking for you, they were really walking for all of us with friends and family affecting by this disease.
(Related: have you read anything about the XMRV virus they recently discovered? They think it may be involved in some MS, especially atypical presentations. knowledge is power!)
Hugs.
humbled to be called a warrior when truly, just as you said about the girls, I just wanted “to be there for you” and fight this disease however I can.
i’m so proud of our incredible team…our sheer numbers, in both people & donations, was astounding. Someone on the walk path asked if our team was for just one person. Yep, one incredible, amazing, loving, & awesome person who i am truly blessed to call friend.
I spent some time on the walk observing the other people walking, the other teams…everyone was smiling, everyone was with the most important people in their lives (their friends & family)…just incredible the support all around us. I also noticed that in most cases it was impossible to tell who had MS and who was a friend of someone with MS. And yet those with MS, like you said, were hurting even as they smiled. As Trisha has said before, MS truly is a silent disease, but I hope through days like yesterday, blog posts, fund-raising efforts, prayer & love we can make more people aware, raise funds & find that cure!!!!
Thank you for letting us all walk beside you. We’d love to do it again next year but are praying a cure will be found & we won’t have to! All my love, h
what a great day it was. the support you received is truly because of you……who you are and what you do….you are our inspiration. thank you for the t-shirt, the bag and for your friendship. i pray that a cure for this awful disease comes soon!!
no words can begin to describe how i feel about you…. i’m so lucky that i have you in my life, and that i will always be your pillar of strength and support when you need me the most!!!
What a beautiful day in every way! That photo of all you girls is just stunning. I’m so glad that you can feel us all cheering you on in this day-to-day, hour-to-hour and moment-to-moment struggle. I hope your new doc is a key to some relief for you. I know what that would mean :)
-Cyn
amazing. amazing. and then, this party of five girls? a little more amazing. hurrah for warriors.
I just want you to know you are one of my hero’s and I give you credit for trying to hide what you are going through. You are one tough cookie and always have been. Thank you so much for the T-shirt and the goody bag. Andrew and I keep you in our prayers every night. He wishes he could have walked with us but he was their in spirit. I love you with all of my heart and soul!!
A huge and HEARTFELT congrats on this AMAZING project. YOU have touched so many lives—- your inspiration and zest for life is contagious. I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. I adore you tees and that photo. I’m a complete BUM and didn’t donate in time. DARN IT! I so admire what you stand for and I want to help! I’m going to go see if I still can now. THANKS for being the wonder-woman that you are!!!!!!!! God is using you in the most spectacular ways!!!!!
I am so proud of you for doing it even with your painful foot! What an amazing support group you have surrounding you. I am so grateful for people, such as yourself, who are giving this disease a face & people around you hope. You are completely awesome!
*My walk is next month and now you’ve gotten me all pumped for it!
I knew you would make it through it! I wish that Cyndi and I could have been there, too! Maybe next year!! I am SO glad to hear that your appt. has been moved up. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
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