Running the Race with Gratitude, Perseverance, Hope, and Faith – Sprint VII

Before stepping into Sprint VII, I want to pause and shine a light on a group of extraordinary women I mentioned in my last post. I met them through my church, St. Mary Mother of the Church, when I first began attending in 2003. Over the years, they have become far more than friends—they are family. Gail, Gloria, Indy, and Shelly have walked beside me through many seasons of life, offering steadfast love and support. I’ve spoken about Gail in an earlier blog, and by now, she needs no introduction. Shelly no longer lives in North Carolina, but she came to visit me in September. At the time, I chose not to share my diagnosis with her; she was here to honor the anniversary of her daughter’s passing—a loss no mother ever truly moves on from. She has always called me “Sis,” a name filled with deep affection and grace. After my surgery, Gloria and Indy, along with Indy’s daughter Lara, came to see me, bringing food, flowers, and constant check-ins that reminded me how deeply cared for I am. I am profoundly blessed to have friends who love me like family.

Sirach 6:14: “Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure.” This verse reminds us that there are friends who are always there, not just when things are easy.  I am blessed to have many in my life that I have met at my church and work.

I’m sharing two photos from my teenage years in the U.S. One captures my 12th-grade graduation back in 1995, and another from during that same season of life.

Those years were not easy. As a teenager newly arrived from India, I didn’t know the language and worked long hours while attending school. I was bullied and called names, and the weight of it all—emotionally and physically—was heavy. Working in fast-food and restaurant jobs only added to the struggle. Late-night meals of free, high-fat food and little to no exercise took their toll. There was no quick fix—only years of discipline, healthier eating, and consistent movement to slowly shed the weight. That journey is why I’ve stayed committed to running and staying active for more than 25 years. It’s still easy for me to gain weight. I don’t believe in restricting foods. For me, it’s about balance and maintenance—honoring my body, understanding my needs, and embracing the truth that I’m not getting any younger. And that’s okay. Aging is something to be accepted, not resisted. I also give myself grace when a few pounds come back, because it is about sustainability, not perfection. We often judge a book by its cover—and too often, we do the same with people—without ever knowing their heart. That kind of judgment is something we must move away from and instead see one another as God’s creation, worthy of dignity and love, no matter how we look.

For this leg of the race, I asked the women one meaningful question:

“Is there someone special or a group of people whose support made a meaningful difference in your journey and who you would like to recognize?”

Their answers—and mine—are woven throughout Sprint VII.

Patti:
First would be my husband.  Having a supportive spouse or partner in general life is necessary.  When your life is at risk – it can be too much for others.  He is my 24/7 cheerleader. 

Next would be my parents and some extended family – Your primary support, like my husband, needs to be supported as well.  Having others that can step up and give the primary a break is important.  My parents check on me every day and they understand that there are good and bad. 

Lastly, a few true friends.  Friends will say they support you and are there for you.  In actuality, they have lives, and they might check in occasionally or only when they see you.  I had a couple of friends – surprisingly less than I thought – who have stayed involved since the beginning.  Constant phone calls, texts, lunch dates or house calls.  You really will learn who the people are that you can rely on when you are at your lowest.

Jennifer:
When I was weighing my treatment options a survivor asked me where I wanted to be in a year.  This helped me make the best decision about my treatment… A coworker shared her journey and it helped me make my decision about surgery…Facebook was crazy helpful. I posted the night before surgery and several people including family shared their cancer stories. I connected and reconnected with people I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Devika:
I feel like I need a disclaimer before answering this because—let me tell you—my village does not play about me! There are truly too many people to name, which is such a blessing.

My husband absolutely deserves an award for riding this emotional roller coaster with me. He’s never complained once and has been there for me without question, every single step of the way.

A special shout-out goes to one of my church mothers, Joann Cook, who has quite literally sent me every card Hallmark has ever made! Sometimes two in one week—and each one made me smile. To Marquita Amos, a survivor who helped me understand what to expect and what treatment would look like, thank you for your guidance and honesty. To my pink sisters, Melanie and Latoya, we’ve walked this journey together and have done a pretty good job of kicking cancer’s butt! And to my pink cousin, Viv Thomas, thank you for the fan (who knew how much I’d need that!) and for sharing your book Healing Beyond Medicine—your words and wisdom have meant so much.

And to my family and friends who contributed to our Meal Train after surgery—it was truly a lifesaver.

I have been blessed with an incredible community of love and support. There are too many names to list, but please know that every prayer, message, card, meal, and hug has meant the world to me. Thank you, thank you, I am forever grateful.

My Response:                                                                                                                                             

I want to express my deepest gratitude to so many people who have supported me along this journey—my children, husband, parents, siblings, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, friends, church family, coworkers, and my pink sisters. I am also thankful for the kind strangers I met in doctors’ office waiting rooms, my dedicated nurses, doctors and surgeon, the incredible UNC Radiation Oncology staff at Clayton, and everyone who reached out after reading my blog with such caring and encouraging words.

A special thank you goes to my dear friend Jaye. For the past few years, we’ve been walking together in the park a few days a week after work, braving some cold and dark evenings without fail. We haven’t managed as many walks lately, but I always look forward to our walk-and-talk sessions.

Above all, I thank God—for the strength, peace, and grace that have carried me through every step of this journey.

Thank you for running Sprint VII with me.

Up next is Sprint VIII, the final sprint, where I’ll share the meaning behind the two photos below.