Today was an important day in so many ways. I just got another 3 month full body scan and all was clear. I had a pulmonologist visit and he told me my lung capacity went from 79% six months ago to 88%. And in general I just feel all around “good”.
I’ve been running again. Slow — but I feel a little bit of my old self when I get out there, it’s not always such a struggle. A little bit of swimming, and yesterday I got back out on my bike and that wasn’t a total struggle either.
Today I participated in the Tunnel to Towers run in NYC with Team Shamrock. I got back to participating two years ago and both times were a struggle. Today was the two year anniversary of me ending up in the emergency room at MSK and the discovery that I had a brain metastasis that would require surgery. This year — I pretty much ran the whole tunnel. Stopped twice because my heart rate was getting a bit high, it was so hot! Especially after we stood for two hours in the blazing sun near the stinky porta johns with no water. Definitely a negative which needs to be addressed. But I ran, even though it was slow. I didn’t feel like I was going to die and I was able to breathe easily. It’s something most of us take for granted but I don’t.
I used to scan the banners when we got out of the tunnel to see the faces of all the members of the FDNY that we knew that were lost on 9/11. Today I scanned the faces of the guys holding those banners . . . to see the guys my husband used to work with and were like family to us for so many years. Seeing all the young members of different military programs next, holding the banners with names of all the military lost after 9/11 makes me so sad, but gives me hope for humanity. There are still young adults who care about the future of our country and are willing to put in some hard work.
It was a big day for me, more than anyone realized. I was grateful to finish feeling good. It was better than any of my PRs, Boston, NYC Marathon or Kona qualifications. It’s a glimpse of the old me. More to come! Thanks to all the old friends I saw today and to all the new friends that were there to support me and enjoy the day.
Never stop fighting!
moirahoran 
“Congratulations” Moira.