Treatment Update: A Different Kind of Victory
April 21st, 2008 | by Emily | See all Treatment Update entries |
After enduring weather on marathon weekend in Boston, like searing heat and a nor’easter, I think the weather gods were smiling on the BAA yesterday for the Olympic Trials. The day dawned crisp and cool, and the temperatures remained nearly ideal for marathoners throughout the entire race. The headwind on Memorial Drive in Cambridge was about the only bit of weather with which we had to contend.
Going into the race, I was unsure of my fitness level. I knew I wouldn’t be setting a PR yesterday; my primary goal was to feel good and enjoy the experience. I started in the back of the pack and was happy by how I fell into a nice rhythm early on, despite a fall at mile 2 which left me with “road rash” on my shoulder and knee. I ran mostly 6:15 pace for the first half of the race, and slowed a bit during the second half, although I’m not sure by how much, as I decided to quit checking my splits around mile 15. My finishing time was in many ways insignificant; I wanted to enjoy “the ride”, for the journey to get to this point had been a long one. My final finishing time of 2:45.45 was the slowest marathon I have run since well before Maddie was born, but this race was probably the sweetest victory of any race I have ever run, trumping a then-PR performance at the World Championships in Helsinki in 2005 and PR performance at Boston in 2006.
I was completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for me, Maddie, and Two Trials, as I ran along the loop course. I loved getting to recognize many of these people in the crowd, as they have truly helped to bolster me and my family not just on this day but throughout the last several months. Family, friends, and people who I didn’t personally know, but have followed our journey, deserve a big thanks for helping us reach one of our goals. I enjoyed getting to celebrate this accomplishment with all of you.
One of my post-marathon rituals is a cheeseburger, fries, and either a chocolate milkshake or a beer, but, after getting back to the hotel and chatting with friends and family for a while, I started to feel nauseated. Yuck! It was especially a bummer because David had bought 6 tickets to the Red Sox game which started at 1:35pm. I had to rally! After a brief collapse on the bed in my room (no puking was involved), I choked down a banana and some water and started to feel like a new person. Brad and I were able to meet the gang at the game by the 3rd inning only to find that the Sox were down 2-0 and Manny had just been tossed from the game. It turned out to be a great game; the Sox slowly worked their way back and took the lead in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Jeff, my coach, said,”The race will come a go before you know it.” Even though getting to the starting line seemed to take a Herculean effort, the 2 hours and 45 minutes did pass by quickly. I will keep, however, snapshots of the experience in my mind - the groups of friends and supporters scattered along the course, my family stationed near the start/finish line, and Maddie on Brad’s shoulders shaking a little red cow bell and cheering furiously. Having her here and able to enjoy the experience was bigger and more important than any PR.
While my Trial is over, hers continues as furiously as ever. She didn’t make her counts on Thursday, so this morning I’ll draw her blood again and run it to a hospital here in Boston, hoping that she will now make counts and be able to have treatment on Tuesday involving a lumbar puncture, two new IV chemo medications and one new oral chemo medication. Surprising to me, too, is that her hair has started to fall out in chunks; she is now nearly bald on top and in the back. I suppose the fact that it is falling out is not surprising; it is something that we had prepared ourselves for early on. When it didn’t happen initially, we thought it wouldn’t happen at all. I’ve had a hard time with it, as it is yet another physical manifestation and reminder of her disease. Maddie, however, isn’t phased by it; she just chuckles and hands me chunks of her hair. So, I try to follow the lead of “Little Miss No Big Deal” (as her Aunt Kelly likes to call her); it will always grow back…
And if you’re wondering, I did finally get my cheeseburger, fries, and beer.
April 21st, 2008 at 4:48 am (#)
GO EMILY!!!
My family had such a great time watching you run yesterday. We tried to snap a couple of action photos, fingers crossed they will come out well! Especially the one with a huge grin spread across your face and your fists up in the air. Congratulations on a great run, and thinking of you and your family.
Love,
The Petrillos
April 21st, 2008 at 6:12 am (#)
CONGRATS EMILY!!!
You and Maddie have truely inspired my family beyond measure. I am thrilled you where able to complete your trial and we shall be praying for Maddie to continue to have the same fight as mom! You have gotten faster since Casady
and I believe I gotten slower:). I am happy you where able to enjoy the Red Sox victory yesterday - as you deserved it. Us in the state of TX where not as thrilled, but I can definitely say I am glad the Sox won now:) Keeping Fighting!!
Chris Maxwell (Casady ‘91)
April 21st, 2008 at 7:19 am (#)
Go Emily, Brad and Maddie! I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to cheer you on in person yesterday, but I thought about you all day. Thanks so much for the report, which sounds like a victory in every way. You three continue to inspire me as you navigate each new trial. Kudos to Little Miss No Big Deal in coping with hair loss with her usual aplomb.
With love,
Lucy
April 21st, 2008 at 8:06 am (#)
Congratulations on a great run Emily! I am glad you were able to complete your trial and enjoy the experience with your family. My family and I have followed your journey online and through the news, and have been inspired by the courage of a fellow Bowdoin grad. We will continue to follow along to watch Maddie win her battle and finish off her trial. She seems like an incredible little girl.
Todd Shaw (Bowdoin ‘95) and Colleen Ryan Shaw (Bowdoin ‘97)
April 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am (#)
I see that Todd has beaten me to the laptop today, Emily!
I just wanted to add that you are a credit and an inspiration to mothers everywhere. Maddie has clearly inherited your grace, determination, and winning spirit. I sincerely hope that she too will be victorious as her own trial continues.
As a mom of three little ones, your story, struggle, and journey have touched my heart. We will certainly be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers — cheering you on quietly from our home here in Brunswick.
All the best –
Colleen Ryan Shaw (Bowdoin ‘97)
April 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am (#)
Emily-
We thought of you all day, so although we were not with you in person, we were there in spirit. We have followed your blog and your journey with Maddie. We have been inspired by your spirits (all 3 of you) and your attitudes toward the challenges. We hold you all in our hearts everyday.
Sending love,
Marianne and Jerry Vannatta
April 21st, 2008 at 9:33 am (#)
A view from the sidelines: Emily was the only person we saw smiling and waving to the crowds. She seemed to be enjoying the race and the day, and accomplishing this goal of running in the trials. As usual, her running seemed effortless and strong.
While my vision of a “LeVan: Powered by Dairy Queen” banner failed to materialize, several banners and signs were evident along the route, saying “Go Emily” and “twotrials.org” and “MCS loves Emily LeVan”, among other things. At the race hotel a truly impressive crowd was gathered and erupted into applause when Emily arrived. A huge group photo was taken and perhaps will make it up today.
A few years ago after the Boston marathon we saw Maddie take her first steps at the post-race hotel meetup. I hope that this year the marathon can also be a turning point for you in Maddie’s trial.
Emily and Maddie and Brad - congratulations on this team accomplishment. Even in this time of personal strain and chaos, you’ve managed to transcend your own lives to create this fundraiser that will benefit so many others.
Greg
April 21st, 2008 at 10:29 am (#)
Congrats to all of you on an amazing race and fundraiser! I sent your website to everyone I knew and they were all inspired by you. Its been a while since I’ve seen any of you (Brad was my advisor in Spring of 2000, long time ago). I am hoping to come up to Maine for the MCS reunion and hope to see all of you there and meet Maddie!
Congrats and good luck with what is to come!
Love,
Nora
April 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am (#)
How to go Emily and Maddie! USM is cheering you on.
Anne Keith RN, PNP
April 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am (#)
Huge congratulations to you Emily …. I first read about you in Runner’s World and have been so inspired by you and Maddie and Brad. As a mother and a (recreational) runner I can only say I take my hat off to you all - what a way to meet adversity head on.
We’ll keep following Maddie’s progress on your website, and please know she and all of you are in our Miami prayers.
Congratulations again on yesterday, and all our very best wishes for Maddie’s continued progress.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:44 pm (#)
Emily,
Well you’ve certainly proven that a single-minded person with a goal can make it happen. Your twotrials idea turned out to be a winner, and I know that your family’s fight for Maddie will also be a winning effort. If it’s true that your family is moving to Vermont, then Maine’s loss is Vermont’s gain.
Congratulations!
April 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm (#)
Congratulations! I am blown away by all your successes. Best of luck to all of you and best wishes for a speedy recovery for Maddie.
Buffy Small (Bowdoin ‘99; Camp Agawam ‘95-’98)
April 21st, 2008 at 6:07 pm (#)
I logged on from Arizona on Sunday morning and watched the finish live online. I probably saw you finish in the background of the interviews they were doing, but I can’t be sure. I can be sure that I was cheering for you all morning.
I put your picture and website on my blog in hopes that more people will support you in your trial. I know I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Marcie
April 21st, 2008 at 6:31 pm (#)
Emily! What a joy it was to cheer for you yesterday on Memorial Drive. With the first trial down I have turned my sign over and written Maddie’s name. I’ll be screaming on the sidelines for her now.
April 21st, 2008 at 6:42 pm (#)
Emily,
I read about you in Runner’s World recently, and found my way to your website. Congratulations on a phenomenal performance at the Trials! All Bowdoin grads are wishing you, Brad, and Maddie well. Thanks for the inspiration!
And we were clearly missing out on not having you on the cross-country team … It’s great to see another Bowdoin woman doing so well in the marathon. Good luck to Maddie - she has great parents.
Anathea Powell (Bowdoin ‘95)
April 21st, 2008 at 7:03 pm (#)
Em, you are a true inspiration - as I hope you could see from the smiling faces along the race sidelines as well as read on the pages here. Watching you run yesterday was incredible - you were so easy in your stride and so strong it was obvious that you were running with a strong spirit and drive beyond that of any of the other runners (as incredible as their own personal journeys must also be!).
D was asking “is that Emily” of each and every strong woman he saw and told me he wanted to see me out there (egads: not on your life!) ;)… Mads is a trooper and seeing her with her fan club in the hotel lobby was heart warming. She, with her trial still continuing in full force, is the true center of everyone’s thoughts and you have created a circle of support around her that is as big as this earth and as deep as our hearts can possibly be. Much love to all of you as you transition back to “normal” life! See ya soon!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 am (#)
Congratulations, Emily!
You had a great race, and I made sure that my friends that I was with who didn’t know you personally would cheer for you and know your story by the end of the race.
It was a great day to run, and I got quite a few good pictures of you. I’ll send them along once I’ve had a chance to process them. Congratulations on a great run!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 am (#)
Congratulations on a great Trials race. I know it wasn’t your fastest, but you are one of the most consistent marathoners out there, always running smart and getting what you can out of the fitness you have. Best of luck to Maddie as she continues her “trial.”
I’ve posted a bunch of pictures (with a few more to come) on eliterunning.com. Feel free to use any of them if you have a use for any more. It was nice to see you enjoying yourself a little out there during the early miles. I had to bite my tongue when you ran by mid-race and a guy near me said, “Oh, that’s the woman who has leukemia. I read about her in Runner’s World.”
I am so happy that you’ve met (and far surpassed) your fundraising goal. And it’s also great that you’ve passed that determination along to Maddie as she continues working toward her “goals.”
Congratulations and best wishes!
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm (#)
A friend of mine who is a Bowdoin grad mentioned he had a friend who was “also a crazy runner” - he was talking about you. Yes, I am a recreational runner and 5 time Boston Marathoner. You are a runner, an inspiration and a heroine. My husband and I wish the best for you and your family and a full and happy, healthy life for Maddie. Thanks for making me proud to be a crazy runner and for setting a wonderful example for all of us.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 pm (#)
We hope you will continue to keep us all updated on Trial 2 with Maddie. We feel like we’ve come to know you, Brad, Maddie, your parents and close friends. Our fingers are crossed and our prayers going out to successful treatments and, God-willing, recovery.
Hold tight to that little one…
Our love and prayers,
The Spear Family of Kennebunk
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm (#)
Emily-
Watching you on on Sunday was incredible! All you ladies were so fast, but seeing you go by with a big smile on your face was the most exciting part. I’ll be thinking of you all and sending positive vibes Maddie’s way!
Kristy Andrews
MCS 37
April 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm (#)
Emily & Brad,
It’s been a long time since our Bowdoin days. My parents still live in Maine, and they alerted me to your story recently.
I was so sorry to hear about Maddie, but encouraged to hear about your incredible courage and grace under the most difficult circumstances. I am married (to a Colby graduate) and we have 2 kids (Abby, 6 and Nate, 2), and I can’t imagine your ups and downs, but I can say that Maddie is lucky to have your as parents. Keep fighting the good fight for Maddie.
Matt (”Cooter”)
April 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm (#)
Dear Emily,
I wish I could have seen you running. As you know, Bill and I wanted to go down on Sunday. I am sure he was there in spirit, watching you with pride.
My heart goes out to you, Brad, and Maddie. She is so brave. It seems that the younger you are, the braver you are. I hope she still has the purple t-shirt that I gave her with the golden “TWO TRIALS” on it? When I think of her, it helps pulls me out of my own self pity, for my loss of Bill is still very fresh.
I saw you on NBC news and am so impressed with how you engage with the media. You are one special lady.
And, anything under 3 hours is AWESOME!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Glad you got to eat the cheese-burger!
Love,
Kathy Paradis (of Rochester Runners Club
One of the first clubs to donate to Two Trials!,
Rochester, NH)
North Berwick, Maine
April 28th, 2008 at 9:17 pm (#)
Emily,
Regardless of your pace, final time, or place - your race that Sunday was by far the most impressive I saw.
What was awesome - is that you did it with a smile on your face and seemed to appreciate each step you were running.
Very, very cool.
Maddie has a great model to look up to in her many healthy years to come.
Happy, positive, and healthy vibes to Maddie.
Go U Bear,
Caitlin
April 29th, 2008 at 10:28 am (#)
ON THE RAINIEST DAY THIS MONTH, THE SUN JUST CAME OUT AS I STARTED TO WRITE THIS MESSAGE TO YOU! I WISH FOR SUNNY, CLEAR SKIES FROM HERE ON, IN YOUR LIVES…
CRYSTAL & ISABELLA ROLLINS
(PREVIOUS STUFFED CHIPMUNK OWNERS, FUND RUN IN PORTLAND)
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm (#)
Emily–
I have been thinking of you, your daughter, and your family since I heard of your daughter’s illness. I am deeply impressed by your courage, your generosity of spirit, and also your amazing recent performance at the olympic trials.
Go u bears,
Eileen, Bowdoin ‘93
May 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm (#)
Hey Oakie!
You rock…keep up the great work- running and fundraising and being a mommy! Loved the youtube news segment and getting a glimpse into your life and the farm. Good luck conquering Maddie’s illness and treatments.
I am living in New Haven,CT - and I am an ER nurse too! My husband Shawn is a musician- he plays guitar and works from home. We get up to Maine quite often as my folks have retired in Harpswell…but our true love is traveling abroad (see my blog).
Best wishes to you and your family for health and happiness…thinking of you.
-Molly Fey (Persinger)
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:46 am (#)
Emily,
Congratulations on the trials! You have become such an amazing marathoner - and mom
I have been following your story in Boston and telling everyone about you and your family over marathon weekend. I was just up at Bowdoin for reunion and lots of people were asking and talking about you guys and saying how concerned and proud they were of you. All my best to you, Maddie and Brad through the rest of this struggle.
Take care,
Jean McCarthy
Bowdoin Track Team ‘93
June 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm (#)
Hi Maddie, I hope everything is going better for you and your family. I hope treatments are going better for you, and in between treatments i hope you are enjoying life as much as possible. i am really sorry to hear about you having cancer and the fact someone so young has to go through such a thing.
Take care, kathleen Hedberg
June 21st, 2008 at 3:43 pm (#)
Hey Emily!
How’s everything going?
Ann M.