I had surgery for Ovarian Cancer, stage lllc on October 29, 2008, began chemotherapy November 25, 2008, joined Virgin HealthMiles January 16, 2009 - and it was one of the best things I ever did.
I quickly got into the habit of attaching the pedometer to my clothing first thing in the morning - even before a cup of coffee. On bad chemo days I attached it to my pajamas. Knowing that it was on my hip inspired me to get up and move around even when I wanted to stay on the sofa. We have a loop of 75 steps in our home that I would walk around and around to get moving and get my steps in. On chemo days I would walk in the hospital while waiting to be called to see the doctor, walk while waiting to be called into the infusion area, and walk in the infusion area once I was "plugged" into the chemo. On days that I couldn't walk I would walk gently on the Rebounder.
I found that the Virgin HealthMiles challenges pushed me on to go farther than my comfort zone. They pushed up my personal daily goal each time I participated. When I went to Dana Farber for a dietary consultation this past March, I was told that the most important thing I could do during survivorship is to wear my pedometer and keep moving toward a lower BMI. I had gained 30 pounds during chemotherapy and I have now lost 28 pounds with a goal of 10 more pounds. My pedometer will help me win this personal challenge, I know.
Virgin HealthMiles, thank you, you have empowered me in my cancer challenge to do my very best to help myself win!
Hi Sharon - what an inspiration you are - I need to think of your success when I'm tired and I don't feel like taking another step. Keep up the good work! I know you will make it!
Michele
Posted by: Michele Murphy | 12 October 2010 at 01:32 PM
SHARON, YOU ARE TRULY AN INSPIRATION.I WILL PRAY FOR YOUR CONTINUED STRENGTH THROUGH THIS JOURNEY OF YOUR LIFE.YOU HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO SET NEW GOALS FOR MYSELF.KEEP THE FAITH GOD IS A HEALER.
Posted by: SANDRA PAGE | 07 October 2010 at 10:54 AM
Thanks for sharing your story Sharon, my mom died with ovarian cancer within months of being diagnosised. I'm encouraged by reading your positive journey.
Posted by: Nellie Cloninger | 06 October 2010 at 10:12 AM
Wow Sharon,
You are an inspiration to all! God has given you a special blessing and you are showing his true power to all. Keep up the great job!
Posted by: debbie | 05 October 2010 at 08:53 PM
I commend you for your strength during this difficult recovery process. I am an ovarian cancer survivor and am not certain I could have had your drive to walk when I was so sick. You certainly are an inspiration. Continue to think positive about your future health. Hold a vision of yourself cancer free and healthy. It is in your future.
Posted by: Beth Frailey | 05 October 2010 at 01:43 PM
Sharon,
You are such an inspiration!!! I soooo agree that the podimeter makes you acccountable, plus the challenge of money brings out the competiveness in me!! May God bless you & keep you in His care!!
Friend in Christ,
Lynette Hardesty
Posted by: Lynette Hardesty | 05 October 2010 at 09:27 AM
Sharon,
You are truly an inspiration. I am glad to hear how you are oing and to tell you we miss you. After reading your story I am going to set some new goals for myself. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Stinson
Posted by: Barbara Stinson | 04 October 2010 at 07:28 PM
Sharon, you are an inspiration. Your strenght is amazing. Keep up the great work you are doing.You will be sure to reach your goal and inspire others to reach theirs too. God Bless and take care.
Posted by: Betty Ann | 04 October 2010 at 01:44 PM
Keep up the good work and I hope your story helps other to find a way to get the best out of life. God be with you always.
Posted by: Robin | 04 October 2010 at 11:12 AM
que Dios te bendiga te lo dice una hispana desde Lakeland Florida y gracias por darnos animo yo soy diabetica y estoy luchando por mi salud gracias y muchas bendiciones
Posted by: eva erazo | 03 October 2010 at 10:12 PM
YOU GO GIRL!! We are so proud of you. You are an inspiration to us all. Love and miss you very much. You are always in our thoughts. Donna and Rob
Posted by: Donna | 03 October 2010 at 02:01 PM
Sharon,
I see your name each week in Golden Hill notes and offer a prayer for your recovery and strength. You look great and reveal a great attitude. Keep it up!
Jim Stinson
Posted by: jim stinson | 02 October 2010 at 09:11 AM
We love you Mimi!! Your strength make those around you stronger!! Keep walking; keep farming and keep making us proud.
Posted by: Stewart Newman | 02 October 2010 at 07:23 AM
God bless you for your perserverence! My sister just completed her final radiation treatment for stage 2 breast cancer today - she too has worked to stay active and eat healthy. It has really helped her on her year long journey through chemo and radiation. Take care & God bless. Denise Read Philipians 4:6-8 - very uplifting in any circumstance.
Posted by: Denise | 02 October 2010 at 07:16 AM
God Bless you Sweetie and thanks for sharing your story!
Posted by: kate | 02 October 2010 at 01:27 AM
Sharon, read Joshua 1:9 please keep up the spirit you are amazing GOD is with you always. GOD is so good all the time, always is and always will be, stay strong....GOD BLESS YOU......another healthmile friend....go girlfriend.....
Posted by: Carol Griffin | 01 October 2010 at 06:06 PM
God is good...thanks for sharing your experiences. Get well soon...
Posted by: herlinda cardona | 01 October 2010 at 05:18 PM
i will pray for you Sharon your effort says alot about your person Congratulations keep going You inspired me
Posted by: blanca | 01 October 2010 at 02:42 PM
You go girl! Your story is so upplifting,
even to those who are not sick or have not experienced anything close to what you have. Your story is a testimony to God's goodness.
Posted by: Joyce Harwell | 01 October 2010 at 01:27 PM
Sharon,
You are an incredible woman and I pray GODS favor on your life and I pray for a miracle that you will be healed from cancer. Have FAITH in him and he shall direct your path. Continue to have a happy heart and HOPE beyond anything we can imagine, you are a living testimony that nothing is too hard. God Bless
Posted by: Lisa k hayes | 01 October 2010 at 12:55 PM
Sharon, I appreciate so much how you made something positive out of a negative circumstance. It reminds me of my decision to walk to radiation treatments at TG way back in 2001. Exercise is the key!!
Posted by: Jeri Ward | 01 October 2010 at 12:32 PM
You Rock Sharon! Keep it up. I've been having a hard time with my eating lately and have lost momentum. You have inspired met o keep going and never give up. God Bless you.
Posted by: Linda Moore | 01 October 2010 at 12:10 PM
Way to Sharon! You are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing "your" story!!!
Posted by: Geraline Wardlow | 01 October 2010 at 11:49 AM
Dear Sharon,
Thanks for talking the walk, and walking the talk.......or whatever. One step and day at a time does it all. Thanks for the inspiration. Bless you.
Posted by: Pat Matteri | 01 October 2010 at 11:28 AM
Great job Sharon. You have inspired me. I am having issues with stiffness; rheumatoid & lupus have been ruled out. When I walk with the correct type of shoes I feel better. May GOD continue to Bless You!
Posted by: LaSonya White | 01 October 2010 at 11:17 AM
Sharon, WOW!!!! Your inspiring story is so much appreciated. While others sit around scared and loanly, you have overcome and conquered. May God continue to Bless and keep you safe in his arms.
Posted by: Deborah Mathieson | 01 October 2010 at 10:56 AM
Sharon, thanks for sharing your story, it is very inspiring and I am sure will help others. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Posted by: Kim Urbanek | 01 October 2010 at 10:53 AM
congrads Sharon, keep up the good work.
Diane
Posted by: diane braselman | 01 October 2010 at 10:15 AM
Sharon
I know it was God who gave you the strength to continue walking despite your circumstances. Keep on trusting in him and he will direct your paths.
Posted by: Doris Harris | 01 October 2010 at 10:11 AM
Wow! You are an amazing person and you look great! I wish you the best.
Posted by: Joan Horstmann | 01 October 2010 at 10:10 AM
YOU are fabulous. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
Posted by: Lee Morgan | 01 October 2010 at 10:06 AM
You are a strong, beautiful, inspiring woman! Thank you for sharing and blessing us with your story! Women like you make me aspire to be better! God Bless you Sharon and keep walking!!
Posted by: Mary Kohrs | 01 October 2010 at 09:54 AM
Sharon,
Wow, you're an amazing woman! May the Lord
bless you! I pray that you be totally healed and restored.
Keep up the great job! Go Sharon Go!!!
Posted by: Maria Leal | 01 October 2010 at 09:43 AM
Great job!
God Bless you as you prove no matter what life throws your way you have to keep going.
keep it up!
Posted by: Ella Fairchild | 01 October 2010 at 09:38 AM
You are a brave and motivated woman! Thanks for lighting a fire and motivating us all. God's Blessings!
Posted by: Dolly Dietrich | 01 October 2010 at 09:34 AM
Congratulations Sharon! you inspire me as does my daughter, Stage 3A Colorectal cancer, July 2009. She too gained 30 lbs in treatment and has taken almost all of it off and we motivate each other every day to keep moving! God bless you and all others for fighting and being so courageous!
Posted by: Beth Gilbert | 01 October 2010 at 09:33 AM
congragulation,keep moving and good luck
Posted by: rose dyson | 01 October 2010 at 09:30 AM
Congratulatios Sharon! I know it is hard for some of us to get our steps in on a good day much less fighting your battle. What an inspiration you are! I wish you continued health. And always remember..Philippians 4:13..."I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Posted by: Nancy Mixon | 01 October 2010 at 09:17 AM
Sharon, I love the picture of you. You absolutly glow. God's blessings to you in your journey.
Posted by: Martha Roth | 01 October 2010 at 09:12 AM
Hi Sharon, your an inspiration to us all. May God continue to bless you each and everyday. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Mortesha Perkins | 01 October 2010 at 09:11 AM
Don't walk faster than your Guardian Angel can fly to keep up:) God has already blessed you:) You are a great inspiration!
Posted by: Amy McKeehan | 01 October 2010 at 09:08 AM
Thanks for you letter, you are an inspiration, you just didn't just sit around and felt sorry for yourself, you were motivated and used your pedometer. Best wishes for healthy recovery.
God Bless
Pat Tibball
Posted by: Pat Tibball | 01 October 2010 at 09:07 AM
You are an absolute inspiration. May God bless you! Thanks for sharing your story.
Posted by: Martha P | 01 October 2010 at 09:02 AM
Congratulations Sharon, may God bless you every day. You are an inspiration to all of us. Keep up the walk with God and healthmile's.
Posted by: Rosie Colon | 01 October 2010 at 08:54 AM
I love the way you found time to get those steps in. Congrats. You should be so proud and stay strong and walk off that cancer. You are a winner. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: JulieV | 01 October 2010 at 08:52 AM
Hi,Sharon thanks for sharing your story. You have inspired me to continue and be keep moving forward.
Posted by: Thelma Pritchard | 01 October 2010 at 08:49 AM
You are amazing! My mother-in-law had surgery in Nov. 1999 for Stage 4 ovarian cancer. She is 65 years old and still surviving today. The fighting spirit you and she both have is a true blessing and model that we should all live by. Stay strong and enjoy life every day! Congratulations.
Posted by: Noel | 01 October 2010 at 08:42 AM
Hi Sharon, Way to go girl. I too was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 3c in March of 2008. Dr Alveraz at UAB is my doctor. I was cancer free as of Dec 2009 and joined heathmiles this past May. I just wish I had joined sooner. I also have joined the gym here at Protective and am feeling better all the time. We truly have an awesome God. I wish you this best in every thing you do and you are in my thoughts and prayers.LOL
Posted by: Linda M Fowler | 01 October 2010 at 08:35 AM
Sharon,
You are a true fighter! May God bless you with even more strength and a cancer free body. Thanks for sharing your story.
Posted by: Julie Florence | 01 October 2010 at 08:30 AM
That is GREAT!!! Thanks for inspiring me.
Posted by: Stacious Baker | 01 October 2010 at 08:26 AM
You are one incredible lady. Your story is very inspiring.It is amazing what we can do when we dig deep down within ourselves. God Bless You.
Posted by: Barbara Greenwell | 01 October 2010 at 08:21 AM
You are doing great! Keep Going!
Posted by: Roy Cowing | 01 October 2010 at 08:18 AM
Way to go! You are an inspiration to us all.
Posted by: Brenda Grant | 01 October 2010 at 08:07 AM
Congratulations - how inspiring you are!! Keep moving and God Bless.
Posted by: Pam Rosswurm | 01 October 2010 at 08:02 AM
Congratulations, Sharon! Wonderful! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Happy walking!
Posted by: Ursula Mincey | 01 October 2010 at 07:55 AM
Sharon,
God Bless you! and what a inspiring story, keep up the good fight and you are a true warrior.
Posted by: Cheryl Capel | 01 October 2010 at 07:43 AM
What a terrific example you are for me. God's speed in all the miles you walk.
Posted by: Lori Miller | 01 October 2010 at 06:58 AM
What an inspiration to us all...congradulations and God Bless...those kind of stories keep us all going.
Posted by: Mikki sheridan | 01 October 2010 at 06:29 AM
Congragulation's Sharon, So much can be accomplished by never giving up. Be strong,you have gone so far,now you'll go even further. healthmile friend !!
Posted by: Susan Gilbert | 01 October 2010 at 12:07 AM