Amy Baker's Team In Training Page
In Honor and Memory of...
Welcome to my Team In Training home page!
UPDATE! CHECK OUT WWW.SUCCESSINSPIRES.COM
Last year, I ran the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco in memory of Jerry Askew. Thanks to the generosity of SO many friends, I raised over $3800! Since then I have mentored triathlon participants, as well as marathoners.
This year, I have more personal reasons to join Team In Training and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Tom Stead, a friend of ours in Orlando, had a bone marrow transplant mid-August. Tom was diagnosed with his first bout of Hodgkin’s Disease in 1970 while attending college. After one year of intensive radiation therapy, he seemed to be in remission. In 1983, shortly after moving to Orlando, Tom was once again diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. This time the only alternative was to do chemotherapy because he had received as much radiation as he could without becoming paralyzed. Tom spent the next year and a half going through those treatments and was once again cleared of cancer.
Tom has been cancer free until this year when he was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia Syndrome. MDS is a blood disorder (bone marrow cancer) that was caused in his case by the chemo given to him during his second bout of Hodgkin’s. He had a bone marrow transplant the middle of August, and his brother was the donor. Please follow his updates below.
When he is not running his company Millwork Sales in Orlando, Tom enjoys playing golf with his wife Mary Ann, son Ryan, and daughter Karyn.
In addition, I lost my dear friend Steve Yazzie to cancer this year. He lived only 3 months after his diagnosis, and most of that was spent in painful and debilitating treatments.
I knew when I found out that I needed to do this. I was planning to run the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 7, 2007 in honor of Tom Stead, as well as my nephew Justin Silva, who battled leukemia as a child and won. I suffered a stress fracture in my left fibula and decided to switch my fundraising to a future event, as yet TBD. At that time, I also will be running in memory of Steve Yazzie and Jerry Askew.
I cannot do this without your help. PLEASE help me raise $5,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and help me honor not just my honorees, but all cancer patients. Any size donation helps. Thank you in advance for your help!
Sincerely, Amy (Lent) Farrar-Baker
(aka Amy Baker) I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently. To see Tom's progress over the past 5 months, please visit http://blog.myspace.com/amybunny. Thanks for your support!
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UPDATES ON TOM'S PROGRESS:
January 14, 2007 Almost 5 months post transplant--Yes, we are home, and it is wonderful to be back in Orlando! Tom's parents took great care of us after we left Tampa in mid December. We stayed with them in Clermont until the house was clean and somewhat put back together. We moved back into our house shortly before Christmas, and we were able to spend a few hours Christmas Day at Ryan and Jessica's house with ten family members. It was a happy celebration! We still spend many days back in Tampa--We were there all day Thursday and Friday--But at least we can drive "home" at the end of the day. Tom was supposed to have his port catheter removed from his chest, but his GVHD and CMV have come back, so he's back to getting some transfusions and infusions with his beloved "IVY". Tom's immune system is still fragile, and as many of you know, he'll need to receive all of his childhood vacinations again (measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc...) in another six months, because that immunity was also lost when he went through the transplant. These days, we are extra careful about going out with too many cold and flu viruses around. We do love visits from our healthy friends, and we've gone out a couple of times to small gatherings (Thanks Hardings & Richardsons)or met others for late lunches. Those times are very much enjoyed. Although our time still moves incredibly slow, and the healing process is not an easy one; we are so grateful to be doing this well--and being HOME is the best! We know Tom's counts will rise again soon, and we'll be able to do much more in just a few more months. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2007!
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UPDATES ON AMY'S PROGRESS
1-14-2007
I have not run since my last update due to a stress fracture in my left fibula. To think I ran 22 miles on that! I seriously considered doing the marathon, but after remembering all the reasons I was doing this, and realizing that I would not be able to walk around the Magic Kingdom with my family (except pushed in a wheelchair) afterward, I decided to transfer my fundraising to a future event, as yet TBD. I am looking at next year's Walt Disney World Marathon, but I will need to be adopted by a chapter who is doing it, as our local chapter is not participating in it next year. Hopefully, Tom will be able to come out at that point, and I will be smarter with my training. I will keep you posted on what event I decide to do.
11-26-06
Thanks to everyone's support, we have raised almost $4000! That is really amazing, and with several weeks to go!
Also, I have been highlighted on a website. Check out www.successinspires.com.
I have been battling an injury and have not run in a week, but my last run was 22 miles, and although it hurt, I know I could finish that marathon now if I had to. When I get down about my training and not being able to run, I remember Tom and why I committed to this in the first place. We are really SO lucky, and I am fortunate enough to be able to do this in his honor, as well as Justin, Jerry, and Steve. I don't know if Tom will be able to make it out for the marathon, but certainly I will carry him through the entire 26.2 miles.
10-22-06
Milestones! We surpassed $3000 today, with 2 months to go! I also ran the Duke City Half Marathon this morning and set a new PR. I drew a lot of strength from my thoughts of Tom and Mary Ann. We are halfway there!
10-21-06
I just read that Tom is having a rough time, as is Mary Ann. I have been sitting here, stressed out that my calf hurts and I have the Duke City Half Marathon tomorrow, plus tons of studying to do for next week. Somehow, Mary Ann's words help yet again to put things in perspective. My stresses are just that, unnecessary stresses. The real things that matter in my life are good. We are all healthy, which means I can go out tomorrow in my Team In Training jersey, and instead of worrying about whether I am going to beat my last time of 1:48, I can think about Tom and Mary Ann and their whole family. I can be strong for them.
10-15-06
Halfway there! Two months to go, and I have already raised half of my goal. Thank you so much to all that have helped out!
9-3-06
Today is our 1st wedding anniversary! I ran a fairly fast 12 miles this morning in preparation for my half-marathon next weekend, and Les played in his golf tournament. I check on Tom's progress daily and pray for the best. August 31st would have been Steve's birthday. It was weird to have it pop up on my calendars, but I keep it in there to remind me, not only of who he was, but of why I am doing this.
8-22-06
WE made the front page of the UNM Daily Lobo! Check it out at www.dailylobo.com.
8-18-06
Well, yesterday I finished 2 days of orientation for pharmacy school, and last night I received my official white coat in a nice ceremony. I am now officially entering the healthcare profession, and only 5-6 years away from treating patients with cancer. Finally!
8-14-06
I did a 10-mile run yesterday with those training for the Nike Marathon in October. I want to get a "leg up" on my training. Even though my calves are killing me today, I am more focused on Tom. He leaves for Tampa for his transplant tomorrow. I have received several emails from friends and family, many of whom I hope to meet in January.
