The Bee's Knees

My father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in early 2009.  It was life changing.  My father, the absolute strongest man I know was now weakened by a vicious monster that we refer to as cancer.  Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the blood plasma.  This cancer runs throughout his veins on a daily basis.  He often receives plasma transfusions along with blood transfusions, these help raise his blood count and lower his protein count.  He receives his monthly, multi-day chemo treatment at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.  This month was a bit different for him because it was the first treatment that my mom wouldn't be by his side.  He did great!  BUT, it's Jim Burns, so why wouldn't he?!?  This man is still, despite his bones literally deteriorating inside his body, and every single plasma cell coursing through his veins being contaminated with cancer, the strongest man that I know.  He CAN & WILL overcome EVERYTHING & ANYTHING that comes in his way.

The support of family and friends, thoughts and prayers from everyone who cares about him are what is keeping my Pop strong; that and the wonderful miracles workers at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, the researchers at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation who dauntlessly work at finding a cure for my father and everyone suffering from MM.

Cancer puts loved ones in this uncontrollable place; the same loved ones who would do anything for the person they love.  We are suddenly left helpless; all we have is our faith & put it ALL in every doctor and nurse, ALL of our faith in whatever higher power one chooses to pray to, EVERYTHING is out of our hands.

Clearly I couldn't just sit back, so I did a bit of investigating and found that the Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group held an event called Miles for Myeloma (it was only the 2nd annual event).  This event is a 5k walk/run with one of the beneficiaries being Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.  This is what I had to do!   I coordinated a team in honor of my Pop, called "The Bee's Knees", this year will be the 3rd year we will be 'stepping to take the sting out of MM'.  If you are in the Philadelphia area on Saturday, April 21st (which would have been my Mom's 70th birthday) and would like to join or donate to my team, THE BEE'S KNEES, please just click on the link and be as generous as possible!

We couldn't keep up this fight with out people like you.  HUMANS HELPING HUMANS!!

Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger - FOR REAL!

I have said before that I love my YMCA!!  It is so important to my well being; my mental, my spiritual & of course, physical well being.  BUT...this week it is kicking my @ss.  I spend most of my time in group exercise classes.  My YMCA provides Les Mills fitness classes to it's members.  These classes are all choreographed to music and taught by Les Mills certified instructors.  SO, these classes are no joke.

This past weekend there were a couple of new releases.  Les Mills does this every few months.  Holy moley!!  These have been the toughest releases I can remember for a while.  Every ounce of me is sore & they haven't even launched the new Body Flow & Body Combat yet.  UGH!! 

I am not going to let these new releases kick my butt for long!!  I have my Y Crew.  We cheer each other on all the time.  We notice when each other go above & beyond; & we are elated when each of us bust through our personal goals, almost like we did it ourselves.  It's a pretty cool feeling to have so many people have your back.  The Crew will all be kicking butt in no time!!  Every time we get through another class, we are stronger in EVERY sense of the word. 

For now, Advil is my best friend.

I love my YMCA!!

I love my YMCA!  Yes, it's true.

I have been a member for 2 1/2 years or so.  I go 4 or 5 days a week and most of the time you can find me in a group exercise class.  A couple of weeks ago, it was announced that one of our beloved group exercise instructor would be leaving.  She would be moving back to Florida to accept another position.  She and her family are more then happy to move back to the place that they spent so many years.

All of the members at the YMCA are so saddened by this news.  This woman who is admired by men & women alike.  The YMCA's is about strengthening spirit, mind and body, all of which Cindy represents.  She has warmth and compassion, a positive energy that is through the roof and accompanied by a smile on any given day.  A true roll model for the all members.  Don't let that sweet disposition fool you though!  She will kick your butt in class and makes you want to work for it. Cindy is sweating along with you, wanting you to reach your personal best.

She has brought us together for game nights and fund-raisers; through all these different events she has brought all of her "students" closer.  We all are friends and care about the well being of each other.  We push each other and have this amazing fellowship.  Cindy has done her job and now has to touch other lives the way she has touched all of ours.

Tonight we will be getting together to say bye to her.  To wish her happiness and blessings in the place she loves and calls home.  We are thanking God tonight that she came into our lives and that she has family in the area to come back and visit.