Strength in Numbers

The theme for this year's Livestrong Challenge was "Strength in Numbers." One of the things I thought of as I ran through the course was how appropriate that was.  I finally got around to wearing the "official" shirt today, and I thought about Strength in Numbers as I ran around the neighborhood. 

Dan appreciated the power of strength in numbers. From eight years of playing football, from many years in the Scouts, and his time at Penn State, he knew how important it was to be a part of a team.

When Dan was diagnosed with cancer (twice!) he had an incredible support system, starting with his immediate family:

But the support extended out to our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins-in-law...

Through our vast family network, Dan was the recipient of countless good wishes and prayers, from people of many creeds and from all over the world.  Support also came in the form of e mails, jokes, and deliveries of food. (At one point, while Dan was in the ICU, we had a huge pile of fruit, snacks, and a crock pot. There was enough food that we were able to share with other families.) Dan looked around the hospital and saw many who didn't get any visitors at all, and he knew how lucky he was to have a family like ours. It is rare to see so tangibly that you are loved.

Dan also had an incredible group of friends from Olney, from football, wresting, and Scouts...

They got together at least once a year to celebrate Festivus.  But many of them played softball and football together as well.

... and from Penn State...

One of the "bright spots" in Dan's final hospital stay was to see his friends "sneak" a cake into his room to sing Happy Birthday. (The nurses knew EXACTLY what was going on and pretended to not notice.) One of the most touching moments for me at Dan's funeral was when I saw his Penn State roommates walk in... and when I realised that one of them flew in from Afghanistan to attend the service.

I am still not used to life without Dan.  But when I look back, I see that he taught us how to move on: Take strength from those around you.  The actions of those around me have helped to pick me up when I have felt so sad.

My family showed strength when they honored Dan and the Unker during the 2014 Red Baron Memorial Fishing Trip.

We showed this strength when we raised over $4,000 for the Livestrong Foundation in August.(Thanks to Wendy for organizing!)

We showed this strength when the Hellfish held a memorial softball game for Dan on Labor Day weekend (Thanks to Slag for organizing):

And in early September, I gained strength when I met with others who have dealt with the fibolamellar beast... and I met the doctors who are researching a future cure.

We are strong- so much stronger than we know.  In our strength, we will find healing.  And maybe, by focusing our energy... a cure.

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
  And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
  When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
    Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
    Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
    When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
    The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
    When I have crost the bar.

-Crossing the Bar, by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Birthday Shenanigans

I started to write a while post about Dan and Diz and ran out of time to finish it so I could post it for Diz's birthday. Here is a photo of the two of them in action.  They were buddies from the time Dan started rubbing and talking to my belly (the ONLY person I let do that) until the last double head butt that they shared as a part of their secret handshake (about 2 days before Dan died.)

He's With Us Always

Chris finds Dan in the middle of Delaware :-)

Got this photo today from Uncle Chris, with the subject line, "Remembering Dan anywhere, anytime, always."

Photos from the Dan McLaughlin Memorial Softball Game

Bill throws out the first pitch

Nice hit by Taco

Stacey gets ready to throw her first pitch

Pat gets a hit

George dashes to first base

2014 Softball Players

Dan's friend Slag organized a softball game to honor Dan on Labor Day weekend.  Thank you to Slag and the rest of Dan's friends who came out to remember Dan in a positive way! We also had representatives from the McLaughlin and Lauch families to play softball and ladderball.

Mom Reflects on the 2014 Challenge

One more post about the 2014 Challenge- This time from my Mom. 

When Dan was first diagnosed with fibrolamellar in 2005 our entire family was devastated. How could such a young, happy person have cancer? As parents how do you swallow your own fear in order to console and encourage your child that everything will be ok?

Dan was a true soldier. His war was with cancer and he refused to let fibrolamellar dictate his life. We took it for granted that Dan had won his battle as the scans continued to show he was cancer free. But  cancer was not yet finished with Dan. The cheating scumbag disease returned with a vengeance and once more Steve and I heard the awful news one more time from Dan, "Cancer's back and it's not good." Once more we entered the battle along Dan's side not knowing where we would end-up this time. Dan won his battle and we are forever proud.

LIVESTRONG meant a lot to Dan. Not only did he help others with his fundraising it was another way to show cancer he was a winner. When we went into the tent where he got his survivor bib I had to hide my tears as I pinned it to his back. He then filled out a memory card for Aunt Eileen, Unker and Grandpa. Dan rode the race like a man possessed, winning without even training as if to say, "Up yours fibrolamellar!" Tears again flowed when he was presented with his yellow rose.His strength and determination were so inspirational!

2014 was the first time Steve and I actually participated in the walk (there's no way I can bike the terrain around Montco with my knee) although we supported LIVESTRONG and Dan by making sure he achieved his fundraising goal and cheering him on. I thought of Dan with every step I took and thanked God for giving him to us even for such a short time. I thought about how lucky I am to have Steve at my side each and every day and how proud I am of Laura and Patrick and all of their accomplishments. David is truly the light of our lives!

Thank you to all of our family and friends who once again reminded us that we will never walk alone by  taking part in the event and/or donating. Together we keep Dan's dream alive - no more cancer - no more tears!