USVI-On-Line

Updated with pictures on March 6th.

Came down on Thursday with a group of 7. It's been a whirlwind tour so far and finally found a few minutes to collect some thoughts of this week so far.

This trip has some very special meaning for us. My wife and girlfriends have been so excited about running the 8 Tuff Miles for what seems like years (really 18 months). We like to plan, over-plan, and dissect every aspect of upcoming St. John vacations. After reading other folks posts, I am glad I am not alone. Life can jump up and throw a curveball at you from the blindside and ruin your best made plans. We thought we had one of those situations.

Two weeks ago, my bride, Lynn, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Anyone that has ever been through something like this knows what happens. Scared to death, doctor visit after doctor visit, scans, MRI's, and every known poke and prod come your way. Everything in your life that you so carefully try to control gets thrown out the window.

It was not the first thing we thought of, but soon after, Lynn looked at me and said "What about my race?" She had been so excited about it and trained her butt off! We talked to the oncologist and told us we could put off surgery until after the race!

I am so happy to report that not only did My Hero run the race, she finished 7th in her age group. Her girlfriends kicked butt along with her and they all had a great time.

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Lynn on Far Right with Girl Friends

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In one short week, we will be back to the real world again and facing "the battle", but for this time we have here, we are living it to the fullest. Great food, good wine, fellowship of friends and will have great island memories to cherish.

This week for fun and reflection will recharge our spent batteries for what lies ahead.

I can tell you, without reservation, that I have never been more proud of my wife and this is trip is one more reason why St. John is our cure-all.

Many thanks to the folks of St. John for putting on a world class, organized event. Best I have ever been part of. Many more thanks to a handful of locals that helped me, personally, to pull off this trip. You know who you are and I won't embarrass you individually by naming you.

Glad she got to race a good out look is very important now. Tell her and all the girls congrates for me. You both will be in my prayers.
Tom

good for her for going through with it. her will do attitude will likely be a great benefit to her in upcoming months. your family will be in my prayers. all the best to you and your family, Ben.

sounds like she has your 100% support and you will be tackling it together, that is so important.

I have been married for 30 years and can't imagine what it would be like to get that news, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Ben- I am glad that your family and friends have this week to share. It will be positive energy for your wife to feed off of in the coming months. My thoughts are with you and your wife for her upcoming battle. Congrats on doing so well in the race!

Yep no matter how well ya plan life it will always throw ya a curveball. Congrats on the race with that kind of determination she will beat this.

So glad you were both able to have this despite her health issues. Hopefully the endorphines will kick the cancer cells ass!

Well, yep that is a curveball.

I got that same curveball myself and soon enough it becomes a rollercoaster.

Lynn's attitude is already great by following thru w/ her plan to run the 8 tuff miles. My recommendation is to get more than one opinion as you work thru this process. I got quite a variety of treatment advice after surgery and I kept getting opinions til I found the one that made the most sense to me. I hope you can also find the great care that I received.

I can honestly tell you that this experience has made me a stronger person and brought an already strong, healthy marriage to an even better level. You BOTH go thru this and I can tell that you are doing so many right things by what you have written here. I am so glad that you are on St John to recharge your batteries, thats wonderful!

It's a little over a year since my surgery and I am fine. I am more than willing to "help" in any way imaginable. If you or Lynn want to write me I welcome the sharing process.

I send you two the best vibes I can muster up and I hope you keep us all posted as to her progress. I know we will all be interested in sending special thots and prayers her way!

Carolyn

Ditto all of the above. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I have a feeling with that "Just do it!!!" spirit that is coming through, Lynn and you are going to come through this just fine!. All the best.

may all your jumbies be good ones

Congratulations to Lynn!!!! You will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

Having the determination to run and finish a race like the 8 tuff means she is a fighter. Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you. Just remember to never give up HOPE.

she sounds like a real fighter with a great attitude--I am sending positive vibes your way for the best of all outcomes

Ben - Lynn sounds awesome and she runs a good race! My prayers are with you both.

If she and her friends enjoy Bunco (or as my DH calls it - Drunko), here's a fun way to benefit the cause: Bunco for Breast Cancer. Basically you take your Bunco pot for 1 night and donate it, or like we do make the party bigger with donated items to auction off. www.buncoforbreastcancer.org (I'm proud to say that my neighbor started this fundraiser several years ago when a woman in our Bunco group was diagnosed. I was one of her helpers/co-founders and it eventually grew much bigger than we could handle. It is now run by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and is still going strong!)

Blessings to you both.