Editor's Note: NewsChannel 2 anchorwoman Wendy Chioji is grateful to all of the viewers who have expressed their best wishes as she wages her fight against breast cancer.

Chioji has chosen to use NewsChannel2000.com as her way of keeping the public updated on her health. New diary entries will be posted periodically.

BREAST CANCER INFORMATION Four Steps Promote Early Detection WENDY'S DIARY Oct. 31: Ride For The Roses Oct. 24: Another Cycling Weekend Oct. 18: An Emotional Finish Oct. 17: Singin' In The Rain Oct 16: Rally In Indianapolis Oct. 15: Chilling In Arkansas Oct. 14: Monster Crosswinds Oct. 13: Tailwind To Texas Oct. 12: An Uphill Climb Oct. 11: The Race Begins Previous Diary Entries WEB LINKS Florida Hospital mammography locations Complete Guide For Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Decision Guide Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Breast Cancer Coalition American Cancer Society National Breast Cancer Coalition INTERACTIVE Breast Cancer Survivors: Share Your Experiences Meet Other Breast Cancer Survivors

Hello there. I haven't written in a while, so I thought I would check in.

It's October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That means there are pink ribbons everywhere (ominous pink ribbons, as my friend, Kim, calls them). Suddenly, everybody seems to be holding fundraisers for breast cancer. Leave it to me to be on the cutting edge of a growing trend. Seriously, though, maybe with all these fundraisers, doctors will find better treatment and a cure.

I've been doing a good bit of speaking to survivors and at fundraising events already. It's a busy month. Don't forget, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is Oct. 19, beginning in downtown Orlando. You can get information from the American Cancer Society.

I have been talking to a number of breast cancer survivors lately, discussing the issue of time passage. We all agree that when we're going through the treatment, especially the chemo treatment, it seems like it's never going to end. Time passes so slowly.

But now, when people ask when I started chemo, or something like that, I can't remember. A defense mechanism for humans, I suppose. Or maybe it's just my lack of short-term memory.

I am three days away from my first post-cancer marathon. I actually prefer to think of it as my first post-40 marathon. My whole running group is going up to the Steamtown Marathon, in Scranton, Penn. I hear it's in the mid 40s, which is perfect marathon weather for me.

I am going through periods of confidence that I'll be able to hit my time (I'll take anything sub 4 hours -- the more "sub" the better), but I doubt that I'll be able to finish it well... and disbelief that this time a year ago, I was still doing the Taxotere. It seems like such a long time ago -- a lifetime ago.

Anyway, I occasionally give myself a break about not being as speedy as I used to be, when I remember where I was a year ago. I do plan on making this my last marathon (or, as Kelly says, "You're retiring ... again). I already have plans to do a half-ironman early next summer. The race is longer, but it'll be running, swimming and cycling.

I did another triathlon in St. Pete a few weeks ago. My time wasn't great, but I felt really strong. I passed lots of people on the run, and managed to not come in last from the swim. The swim was in the bay, and I was totally intimidated, but I still managed to get the heck out of the water. Maybe that was my motivation.

I've also launched a new project: trying to get the journal from the last year and a half published. I have an editor. Now, we're trying to figure out the most cost-efficient way to publish, because I plan to turn the proceeds over to cancer charities.

I'll keep everybody posted on big developments. Hopefully, I'll have some soon. Stay tuned!

Wendy
Oct. 11, 2002

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