Day 4

So today we started at 615am. We pulled out of Beaumont heading towards Houston. Our stop today was at the Hot Zone conference. It was a HazMat conference hosted by the HFD. During our stop there was a call for 2 to join the South Texas Chapter to make a visit to a cancer center in Baytown, TX. Bob and I jumped at the chance. We took a police escort to get there and was fortunate enough to see about 100 survivors in attendance. After visiting with them and doing a pink balloon release we continued with our visit. Today 2 people stuck out, the first was a lady named Ms. Mandy. Mandy was a 30 yo who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer back in February. She was very up beat and told us that her cancer was genetic. She was 1 of 6 grandchildren that was diagnosed  with it. She said that after her diagnoses she was bitter until she met a 7 yo that was doing chemo for cancer. The 7 yo told her it would be ok. She said after that her view had changed concerning her situation. It brought tears to our eyes. There was another that had just finished cancer and I gave her a hug and told her that I came from Memphis, TN to giver her this hug and she broke down into tears saying thank you and telling me that I didnt know how much it meant to her for me to tell her that. I thank Bob for suggesting to me that we take the trip to the cancer center. Our choice was to stay at the event with first responders o r do the visit. I think it was a no-brainer.This is what I was talking about when I said the high of highs and lows of lows.

    So today we also added more to the mix on the tour. First lets add Jeff from Arizona, I like to call him Mac. And Ken from Connecticut. He works with Bob. We havent given him a nickname yet but I feel one is coming. And oh yes, I was given the nickname Memphis......go figure. Also, I can't forget Vicki from the South Texas Chapter. I like to call her Vicki Valencourt, can you guess why?...lol..And the only person that we lost was Tin Cup from Texas. But he assured me that he will see us again on Sunday when we are due in his city.
     One thing that I have learned from being here is that I have gained more brothers and sisters from all over that I can not only call friends but family also. We have all bonded on this trip and we all feed off of each other. Go figure when we all are used to being in a fire house. Anywhooo, after leaving the cancer center we went back to the event that everyone else stayed at earlier in the day. When we got back, I had to move Karen to the back parking lot and have her set up as a backdrop for the final events of the day. Everyone that stayed at the event did a lap around the parking lot for Reliant Stadium. Bam Bam asked if I would ride shotgun with him as he was leading the walkers with his Pink squad car. Being that we were at a HazMat conference, we had alot of first responders there. After leaving the event we went to dinner. Do you know how hard it is to get a table for 20? It was not fun...
       But enough with how filling our day was... Bob and I just recapped our day and discussed this blog. I want you all to know what life is like on this Tour. But, one of the most important things that I really haven't gone too much into is what really am I feeling. Well, let me tell you. I have the greatest opportunity by being able to share my love and hope to those battling cancer or that has beaten cancer. I feel that I have changed even though I have only been here for 4 days now. Karen (my wife) and I had a great conversation tonight about it also. I have the privilege to tell a person battling cancer or that has survived cancer that I am here for them. And that I am here to give them a hug and show support to them. With some of these people they may not have heard that before since becoming diagnosed in the first place. But to see there faces light up when they see us or to have the opportunity to sign one of the trucks, the feeling is undescribable. We are bringing a message of supporting the women in our lives. We as a nation or community have to start there. To let them feel wanted or special again. I so very much enjoy listening to their stories. About how they have fought cancer and are winning the battle. Like I said yesterday, doing the home visit just brought chills through my body. These are things that you cant make up. How many of you took my challenge from yesterday and told a person that is battling or who have battled that you care about them. How many of you shared a hug with them.
      Also I had to make a correction in yesterday's blog. JR was at ground zero on 9-11 but he was working on an ambulance that day and not working as a fire fighter. I wanted to share with all of you about the different people that I am with on this journey. But not take away from why we are really here. We all are here because we all want to share in this movement by supporting the women in our lives. And to help these communities that we visit in doing local fundraising so that the money that is raised can be given back to the communities in which they live. A good friend of mine lost her husband a very short while ago to a 5 year battle with cancer. He was upbeat and smiling all the way to the end. He was 38 years old. People that is young! There are many people that are out there in the same position. Lets get with them and share all of love with them and let them know that we care about them. Lets all help in assisting in finding a cure.