Seriously .... did you say THREE days?

I am actually going to do it! I signed up to walk 60 miles over 3 days in hopes of eradicating breast cancer. I went to an information session and was shocked that the room was packed. All of these people, men and women, who had not personally experienced the pain of cancer were willing to raise $2300 each and walk 60 miles...60 MILES. I was moved to tears and knew, immediately, that I would be joining them on the walk of my life. This is going to be the most powerful, emotional 60 miles of my life.

The Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure is August 5-7. This is the first time I have undertaken such a huge endeavor, but I have to do it. I am doing it in hopes that one day I will not have to live in constant fear of facing another bout with cancer. I am doing it in hopes that my daughter, sister and niece will not have to hear the words "you have breast cancer." I am doing it in hopes that my friends and their daughters will not have to undergo months of chemotherapy or multiple surgeries only to learn they will NEVER be the same person they were before diagnosis.

Between now and August, I will posts updates on my fundraising progress and on my actual training progress. At this point, however, I am in the process of meeting my fundraising goal of $4600.00  So, let me know if you are interested in making a donation. Come on help a girl out! ;) Thank you to those of you who have already made your contribution. It means a lot to me.
Check out the website.

http://www.the3day.org/goto/mandygarcia

xoxoxox
Mandy

Love Laugh LIVE!!!

So, now I have had 9 months of living with the reality of breast cancer, figuring out what it means to be a survivor and attempting to navigate within my "new normal."  While most things related to cancer suck ... I mean really suck.. my new friends are one thing in this cancer muck that put a smile on my face.  I was once told that breast cancer is a sorority with the worst initiation known to man.  That is SOOOO true.  I have these new friends in my life my pink sisters and many others, who make this road somewhat bearable.  These are women, young women, who have gone down this road and continue to remind me that although you've dealt with cancer, and all that goes with it, you are still ALIVE, so remember to love, laugh, LIVE.  Most importantly, they remind me to take time to enjoy ME and all the possibilities in life that are to come.

Ladies Moms - Don't forget to take care of you!  We get so busy with the kids and everyday life we forget about ourselves. Stop putting off scheduling that Dr apt. Stop saying you'd like a relaxing day to yourself. Stop wondering when you could have time in the next 2 months to go get a massage or a mani pedi. Start living for YOU! Cause if you don't no one else will.

xoxoxo
Mandy

2011 Honorary Bat Girl contest

MLB is doing a contest to become the 2011 Chicago Cubs Honorary Bat Girl.
I submitted my story. You are judged on public vote and creativity. I was given a 900 character max.
 So Team Mandy I need your help. I need your votes along with asking everyone you know to take a few seconds to vote for me.

This is what I submitted:

  Mandy 4 Cancer 0
  And now the pitch! On 7/29/10 at the age of 30 I had to step up to the plate and take a mighty swing at a curve ball Breast Cancer. Next inning 8/12/10 This time a fast ball Lung Cancer. The bases were loaded. Over the next several innings (aka 9 months). I could hear and see my fans cheering me on. Left lower lung removal and 18 weeks of chemo. Down to my last out (lung collapses) but I got back up and brushed myself off and stood back in the box ready for my next pitch. 2/11/10 bi lateral mastectomy with reconstruction and 5 wks of radiation and...its a Grand Slam! Mandy wins Mandy wins HOLY COW! And the crowd goes WILD! I continue drug therapy as I recover from surgery. When I'm not at bat, I will NOT be sitting in the dugout crying and complaining. I will be standing up and holding my Survivor title proudly. I would be honored to be the Cubs 2011 bat girl. Please vote for me!

http://mlb.mlb.com/sponsors/komen/gallery.jsp             
Just go to the website. Sort by team click the drop down box click on cubs. Then find me my story. Then you'll see a buttton that says vote. You'll be asked to verify a code and thats it. Its very easy and takes all of 45 seconds. There is no registering envolved. Please send this to everyone you know.

Much Love
Mandy