I leave tomorrow for Tuscaloosa Alabama, the first race in my series of Epic Triathlon Mayhem. I’m really excited for the wild races to begin, and can’t wait to race!
A few weeks back some of you might have seen a “Cancer F’ing Sucks” on my facebook status, and you may have seen a few of my tweets about my friend Amy. I got to visit Amy today and after getting her permission I wanted to share a small tad of her story.
Amy and I met in Colorado Mountain Mamas as new moms and bonded after finding out that we had the same birth experience with our kiddos. We went through the craziness called raising an infant together as friends, getting together weekly if not more to “survive”. Neither of our kids liked to nurse, and we banded together to push through it.
When the triathlon bug hit me, it hit Amy too. She surprised me and drove up early in the morning to support me and cheer for me during my first triathlon.
Amy is a rockstar, she overcame her hatred of running and became not only a triathlete, but a half marathoner, and a snowshoer as well. Amy has tons of goals for where she wants to go…Ironman is one of them.
But first Amy really wanted to have another baby. After months went by without a pregnancy I could tell every time I talked to her that she was torn up about not getting pregnant. She either wanted to be doing tris or she wanted to be pregnant, being in limbo was grating on her. Time heals all things and early last spring Amy told me that she was pregnant. I was so ecstatic for her, pus I was ready for her to get on with the baby thing and get back out there doing tris with me!
Two weeks ago, Amy was in her 36th week of pregnancy when I found out that she had just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was floored reading the email, couldn’t believe it and really couldn’t do much the rest of the day.
On Monday, at 38 weeks, Amy was induced so that she could have her baby early, so that she and the doctors can start battling her cancer. I am happy to say that Amy was able to have a tough, yet completely natural (besides the Pitocin used to induce her) birth. Tyler was born at 7:30 Monday evening.
Amy now faces a double mastectomy less than two weeks after having a baby and then she starts chemo, which she will go through for months. All of this with a newborn. It’s really hard to type that. Amy is just a hair over 30. She has been so strong, and she has a lot of support.
As long as Amy is battling cancer, I race for her. Bottom line. Fighting cancer is hard work, the woman deserves some schwag. She needs to know that people are thinking about her, and praying for her. It’s just necessary.
Also, Amy is going to need to shave her head before all her hair falls out….and well, she wants others to do it with her. Gulp… probably gonna do that too…
Right now Amy is nursing Ty for a couple more days. Donated breast milk is coming her direction so Ty will keep his immunity up. I was so happy to visit with her today and to meet baby Ty. I’m secretly hoping she calls me over to help her out when I get back from Australia. I wanna hold that baby!
Amy: I love you girl, you are being so honest and real through this and I applaud you. Tears and Laughter. Tears and Laughter.
The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. ~C.C. Scott
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Tim Litzinger (Jumper) says:
You’re on facebook? Do you take non “real” friends as friends?
We know breast cancer. A friend of ours (my wife and I) is dealing with breast ca that has spread to the brain and spinal cord. My mom has had a double with chemo and we have had other friends that have recovered well too! We will make sure that Amy is in our thoughts and prayers, especially this weekend when my wife is walking the 3-day!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Gaye says:
That was really beautiful, Son.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
A Mama's Blog- Heather says:
This breaks my heart for Amy. My God! But her strength is amazing, and you are a great friend, Sonja.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help Amy- if she needs a meal cooked, or someone to come hold Tyler while she rests, etc.
I know too well how exhausted cancer can make you. Please keep me in mind for any way I can help.
All my best to Amy! She will beat cancer’s ass!
August 19th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
PIC says:
Your post brought tears to my eyes. Amy is a tough cookie, Ty is a beautiful baby, and you are a wonderful friend. My prayers are with Amy. I can’t wait to see her at track again!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Jim says:
God love you, Amy. You’re beautiful, super strong and a cruise ship of inspiration. Thanks for sharing, Sonja
August 20th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Mom says:
Oh Amy–what a beautiful baby! I know you will come through your treatments stronger and ready to kick butt in anything you choose to do.
I’m thinking about you every day–you’re a fighter!!
Great blog write up Sonja!
From Sonja’s Mom
August 20th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Susan says:
My thoughts are with Amy as she travels this journey. A beautiful post for a beautiful friend, Sonja.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Sara Cox Landolt says:
Hi there,
I found your post randomly, but have similar current experiences. A college teammate of mine also has breast cancer and shaved her head recently. I’ll include Amy in my prayers for my friend Tammy. What a beautiful little boy. I’ll pray for strength and patience during the coming changes.
Best to you.
Sara
August 20th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Taryn Murtagh says:
Amy is going to beat this, Sonja. It will be a bigger battle than all the races combined, but she’ll beat it!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Renee says:
that was awesome, we’re going to be right there with her fighting this thing until it is gone. Amy is an amazing strong, beautiful fun woman and if anyone can beat this she can! Very nicely written…. See ya soon. – Renee
August 21st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Laurie says:
Sonja – what a beautiful post for Amy. She is amazing, I’m lucky that I’ve gotten to get to know her a little bit too, and I know she’ll kick cancer’s ass like she has everything else.
Laurie
August 27th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Gaye's Stuff : Yes, we're still alive! says:
[...] with, and she has become a good friend. Sonja said it much better than I ever could in her blog (here), but Amy has been such a wonderful addition to my life. She helped bring me into the whole [...]
August 27th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
A Little Help From Your Friends | Sonja Wieck says:
[...] have been racing for the past few weeks for my friend Amy who is currently battling breast cancer. Since day one Amy has made it known that she wanted to have a head shaving party. I told her, [...]
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm