Day 21: Mom and Dad & Day 22: Nana

Today we ran from Evansville, IN to Nashville, TN. 

My partner was Molly! We left the church a little after 6am. They had baked up some bacon and egg casseroles for our breakfast!

Myself, Pam and Molly

A woman from the church that had worked very hard to get us GU donations from a local running store, joined Molly and I on our first 2 mile run. Pam said she has ran 3 half marathons in the past two years and began losing weight when she ran the first. She’s now dropped over 100 pounds!! She told us that if we ever get the chance to run a Disney half/full marathon to do it! Do it for fun she said. We let Pam pick up the rock and put in back into the van. Molly and I are so glad she joined us this morning. It means a lot to have supporters that try out what we are doing. Pam said she wouldn’t want to run that 5 more times and that she’s proud of what we are doing. These types of things are what keep us going. We know we are taking a little bit of pain away from someone suffering against cancer.

Molly and I finished up our 12 miles and let the rest of the van finish theirs before our van stopped for lunch. I say stopped but we didn’t go to a restaurant. We just wanted to take the cooler out of the van before opening it because it stinks! Our options for lunch were lunchmeat and bagels, PB&J and fruit. We then had 2 hours of driving to get to our host in Nashville.

My parents were waiting when we got to the church! I’m glad they came down to visit. I got my things, helped dad save a frog from the swimming pool, and left to go check in to their hotel with them. Mom, Dad and I then took a shuttle to downtown. We walked up and down Music Row and stopped in a couple places to hear some live music. Mom bought me some delicious popcorn from Savannah’s Candy Shop. While we were in Savannah’s some of my teammates saw me and yelled to get my attention. They came in for some treats. The team had split up into two groups to explore. I was so tired though so we headed back to the corner we were dropped off at the take the shuttle back to the hotel. When we got to 5^th street the rest of my teammates yelled for me to join them. I went into Legend’s just to chat for a while but I got sucked into staying longer. And then we went to meet up with the other group of teammates at a Karaoke bar. Nicole and I sang Ready to Run! And two other girls took a turn on stage too. It was really fun to hang out with the team besides in the vans while running.

Mom Dad and I then went back to the hotel so I could go to sleep.

Today I ran for my parents. They are the biggest and strongest support system in my life. They’ve supported me when I’ve done great things and when I’ve made poor decisions. I know they will always be here for me and they will always love me. It means a lot to me to have the support of them and my siblings. Every day after we finish running I text mom to let her know we are heading to our next host. She checks on me every day too. They drove down to Nashville to be with me today and tomorrow on our rest day. They said they wanted to be sure I get a good nights rest and some good food before we finish our last week heading to Baltimore.

I couldn’t do this without the support of my Mom and Dad. They make me stronger than I could be by myself.

-Thank you for everything you do for me! I love you all very much! 

Day 22 was for Nana. This day was our rest day in Nashville. I dedicated this day to my mom's mother - Nana - because I know she would like to think that I am getting to rest a little bit. This morning I got to sleep in; I still woke up at 7am though. Mom, Dad and I went to Firehouse Subs for lunch and then we went to see Man Of Steel. We went to a McDonald's to try and get WiFi but it wasn't working. We met up with half of my team at the Hope Lodge to cook and eat dinner with the patients there. We made a taco bar for them. After introducing ourselves, we all sat down at different tables and bonded with the patients we were serving and running for. Mom and Dad then took me out to dinner before they headed home.

Nana and my sister Rebekah

My Nana, Vivian Johnson, was diagnosed with melanoma several years ago. She beat that and was in remission for quite some time. About 4 years ago, Nana was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She first noticed a hard nodule in her neck area. The bump had come on suddenly so she went to have it removed and biopsied. It was found to be lymphoma. Nana started treatment with Rituxan - every month for two years. Then she had follow up scans. From the very beginning we knew that Nana would never be rid of the disease. She recently (in fall of 2012) had a flair up and had to begin treatment again.

It's difficult knowing that my only living grandparent has a deadly disease. When Nana was first diagnosed four years ago, I was scared. I thought to myself then that since she's older she might have a more difficult time going through treatment. Luckily her treatment has seemed less intrusive than chemotherapy. I feel like Nana is a normal healthy grandmother even though I know she's been through a lot. I don't go to school in town, so I don't see much of Nana during the school year. And I try to visit more often over breaks. I talked to her on the phone today :) and I am going to see her within a few days of finishing this journey.

I love you Nana! I hope Mom or Nancy or someone shows you this blog. Always know that I am praying for your health! I'm gonna come have sleepovers and dinners at your house more often! Can't wait for you to visit me at WashU this fall!!