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 WESH.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

If you didn't know Jim "Mij" Kirwin, you didn't get to know an angel on earth. ("Mij" is "Jim" spelled backward. Very appropriate after you've talked to him for 45 seconds or longer.)

Mij ran the Marathonfest program for the Track Shack Foundation for more than a decade. He literally got thousands of runners of all different abilties up off the couch, and out of bed, to run around the track before daybreak, or through the "hills" of Winter Park in the sweltering evenings.

He was the biggest cheerleader as we raced to make our goals, the most sympathetic ear when we got injured or disappointed, the one with the most zest for life, the one who appreciated every minute, every person, every opportunity.

Mij was diagnosed with stomach cancer a few months after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. We shared funny stories and horror stories and what became very familiar stories as we went through cancer treatment. He was feeling better for a while, talking about getting back to run one more marathon when he got sick again.

This time, no surgery, no chemotherapy. He told me in July he was at peace, and his wonderful wife, Sandy, was at peace, and he was ready to start his final journey home.

My photographer, Jason Morrow, and I interviewed a tiny fraction of the people Mij touched and who loved him on Friday. They talked about what a wonderful running coach he was, but more importantly, what a wonderful friend and inspiration he was. Mij died the next day, Saturday, appropriately, on the day of a Track Shack Grand Prix race.

On Wednesday, hundreds of us gathered for the saddest, funniest, most poignant memorial I have ever attended. It was a lovely goodbye to a lovely man who was taken from us too soon. Mij said he was ready to go. We just weren't ready to say "goodbye."

There are many people who were closer to Mij Kirwin than I was, but he and I shared what I suppose can best be described as "the cancer connection," a bond that folks who are touched by cancer share. Mij dying hits close to home, very close to home. It makes me think, it could have been me. It's a stark reminder of my mortality, that cancer is a killer, and that I was blessed.

In fact, another four-month Dr. Dave visit came and went this week. Everything's OK. In fact, Dr. Dave and I spent most of my appointment time talking about Mij, who was also a patient of Dr. Dave's. Tough times for the doc, as well.

Slideshow

TOUR OF HOPE PREVIEW See Wendy's Pictures

Also this week, I got to speak to lots of the folks who work at Florida Hospital's Cancer Institute. I hauled the yellow bike over to tell them all about the Tour of Hope. It's hard to explain to normal people how I choose to ride 350 to 400 miles a week (I spent nearly 24 hours, one full day, on the Trek last week).

They may not get that, but they get the mission of the Tour. I talked to them the day the full-page Tour of Hope ads appeared in major newspapers across the country. Did you see one? That was me in the polka dot jersey, right next to Lance Armstrong. I figure we'll be best friends by Oklahoma. We'll be pushing for better treatment, pushing for a cure. Two weeks and two days and counting.

God bless you, Mij.

Wendy
Sept. 26, 2003

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