Race for Life

[ewein2412]

My best friend from the Folklore Dept. at Penn is having a double mastectomy in 4 days. Given her age (mid 40s, like me), and the fact that her sister had the same pre-cancerous ductile growths in BOTH breasts, my friend is going for a pre-emptive strike. Once it (and reconstructive surgery) are done she will be considered Cured. She is stoic about it; I am a bit wobbly. Sara and I were discussing the situation (“Amanda is going to get better, isn’t she, Mummy? You say you always like to prepare us for the worst. You’re not lying this time, are you?”)… and the upshot is that Sara and I have decided to do the Perth 5 k “Race for Life” together and do a bit of fundraising in Amanda’s name.

Race for Life raises money for cancer research in the UK. As a Girl Guide, Sara’s been helping out on the support end of the Perth event for the past three years, and she was planning to run in it this year anyway, but when this thing with Amanda came up I decided to join her. We’ve set fundraising goals of £100 for me and £50 for Sara, and we share an online fundraising page here:

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/ewein0210elizabethgatland

If you are so inclined, please help us out by sponsoring us with a couple of pounds or dollars or euros.

There has been a bit of hype in the press lately about a rise in breast cancer cases in the UK in the last decade, and they’re suggesting this may be due in part to poor diet, excess of alcohol and lack of exercise…. What is this, some kind of campaign to BLAME THE CANCER VICTIM? Of the four breast cancer victims that immediately come to my mind (one of whom died of it), none of them can be accused of ANY of those vices, and one of them is a teetotaller.

Anyway I suppose my point is that when it hits, it hits, and like a flying bomb it pretty much hits random targets.

The Perth “Race for Life” takes place on 26 June. I am sure you will hear from me again on this subject in the time leading up to it.

In other news… No news is good news.

The radio silence here re. my professional career is mostly due to me waiting for the All Clear to sound. At the moment, I am sort of bound by what I have referred to before as The Official Secrets Act. Oh what the heck, here’s an example (just an example, mind you). The work-for-hire series I’ve been writing debuts this spring in the UK. I can’t tell anyone what it is because it’s published under a pseudonym that doesn't belong to me.

You know, for years and years I used to pray not for my books to make me rich, nor for them to make me famous, but for them to be READ. And I suspect that finally a book I have written is going to be READ. But it won’t make me rich and famous, because I don’t hold copyright and it’s not in my name. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

Comments

[tigertrapped.livejournal.com]

Thank God for people like you and Sarah who get this stuff done. I've pledged and donated, least I can do.

(Would love to know what the ghost series is called...)

[ewein2412]

thank you!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Souds like you've hit on a good response ;o)

[ewein2412]

i can't believe how EARLY you are always up! Thank you for the donation, you're a star!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

The puppies have very firm ideas about the waking schedule ;o)

[ewein2412]

that makes sense!

[(Anonymous)]

o_0 - WHA??? Not in your name????

I'm all atwitter now.

Will make that pledge - go Amanda! My aunt did the same - double mastectomy after finding cancer on one side. it's a tough call, but -- for her, a lifesaver.

tanita says:

[(Anonymous)]

(Oh - that was me.)

[ewein2412]

i knew that was you. thank you!

yeah, i know... fame at last, NOT. but watch this space for news on CNV!

[camille-is-here.livejournal.com]

This was a shock to wake up to this morning. As you know, Amanda was one of my friends at Penn as well. It's a sensible decision, I suppose, but I desperately wish it didn't have to be.

[ewein2412]

yeah, me too, I am privately panicked inside, but she seems to be soldiering on. Probably a lot more panicked than me. So. fingers crossed for all being well.

[mhari.livejournal.com]

*enormous hugs*

I am, as usual, totally impressed by you and Sara, and I will be thinking good thoughts for your friend, and will toss a few bucks in there as soon as I get my check deposited. (originally typo'd "a few busks", which I can't imagine would work as well)

I will just assume you've been doing Merlin novelizations until I learn otherwise. ;) /RUNS AWAY

[ewein2412]

AHHHH you have SEEN THROUGH MY EVIL DISGUISE

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to your friend!

Ow wow--I hope this sekrit book will splash back onto your wonderful books. You deserve to be rich and famous.

[ewein2412]

i'm kinda hoping that too. we'll see!

[ewein2412]

i meant i was hoping about the splashback, not about being rich and famous. Although I wouldn't mind being a little bit more rich and famous, of course.

[tiboribi.livejournal.com]

they’re suggesting this may be due in part to poor diet, excess of alcohol and lack of exercise

My brother's oncologist said similar things to him as well, although given that my brother has been obsessed with athletics forever and a vegeterian since he was like six, it came off as "stay healthy, if you're healthy, you're more likely to be able to fight off cancer."

[ewein2412]

well, of course it's TRUE that healthy people aren't generally as susceptible I suppose, but it just seems like a slap in the face if you ARE healthy and you get cancer ANYWAY.

[estara.livejournal.com]

Just donated myself, as I consider the two of you running for my mum, too. Your mum-and-daughter-team is so awesome!

[ewein2412]

thank you! I like the idea of being a mum-and-daughter team.

[sparrow-wings.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh. I hope everything goes well for your friend!

[ewein2412]

thank you!