Today I found out that my hero had passed away. The news came as a bit of a shock. I mean, it shouldn't have, I know all to well how devastating a GBM brain tumor is. Most people only live for a few months, a year or two after being diagnosed with a GBM. But Jen was different, she had survived for SEVEN YEARS and I started to believe more and more that if anyone could beat this terrible disease it was her.
I saw her for the first time on a video from her Today Show appearance. Three years into life with a GBM tumor, and she had just ran the New York Marathon. It is easy to say now that watching that video would change my life forever. But at the time, I still was afraid. I knew I wanted to attempt a half marathon, but my fear was holding me back. After I saw the video, I would think of Jen every time I ran. A few months later, I finally got over my fear and signed up for my first half marathon in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jen was on the team and I began to correspond with her. I still remember the first time I talked to her on the phone. She called me and we had a brief conversation about running in Nashville, the golf tournament, and that "bastard of a tumor". I got off the phone and it felt like I had just talked to a long lost friend, someone I had known my whole life.
I was fortunate enough to run with Jen in Nashville. It turns out it was her last marathon, and I am so thankful I got to meet her and be on the same team! A few weeks after Nashville, Jen called me and asked me to run the Chicago marathon with her. Wow, a whole marathon. I had watched the Boston Marathon before but actually running one myself? A dream maybe, but it would be to hard, impossible even. But there was something about Jen. The answer "no" never even came to mind. Jen was and always will be the ultimate inspiration leader!
Some people thought I was crazy to be convinced to run a full marathon from someone I barely even knew. To this day, I tell people that saying "no" to Jenny just wasn't an option. I don't regret my decision and I never will. My life changed forever the day I watched that "Today Show" video.
I now live in a different world than "Pre-Jenny". Sure I still say, "I can't....", sometimes. But I'm always reminded of "think about Jenny" either subconsciously or by someone close to me afterwards. Those little words make me "suck it up" and deal with what life has in store for me.
Jen, you were the reason I joined Team McGraw. You are and always will be the heart and soul of Team McGraw. Cancer may have taken you physically away from us, but it can never take the memories and inspiration away. We will keep fighting for a cure all the while keeping you close to our hearts.
I'll never forget you my friend.
