Polar Bear

Polar Bear….

This past weekend I became a polar bear for a brief moment in time.  Here is how things went down. I originally blogged about Lenn and Camp Sunshine to help raise money in memory of Lenn’s friend Will who recently passed away from brain cancer.  There were so many of my friends and family members that sent in money to help Lenn’s cause. I was amazed by the show of support.  (I know I promised you something, message me your address and I will mail it out to you).  Then one thing led to another and I found myself in a hotel room within walking distance to the beach. I brought my bathing suit and towels.  However, I was not sure if I was going to go into the Atlantic. First there was talk of a huge snow storm.  Then, my ear started hurting.  I committed myself to going down to Long Branch so I was definitely getting on the beach to support Lenn.  So, I popped some Motrin for my ear pain, put on my fleece hat that I wore when I was bald, wrapped my breast cancer scarf around my neck and headed towards the beach. As I walked my mind was going back and forth about actually plunging (to plunge or not to plunge, that is the question).  We make it to the beach house and I spy my uncle. I was not sure if my cousin was really going to plunge. He had mentioned that he wanted to.  I see my cousin Matt all ready to go plunging with a cheering squad nearby.  I am not sure if they were there to cheer or to remind us how stupid we were for going into the Atlantic when it was so cold out.  Well, question answered…..If Matt came down to join me in the plunge, then I was plunging.

Man it was cold out.  

                                (Yes, I went in with my hat and glasses on....I knew I was not going under)

Couldn’t feel the rocks under my feet because my feet were frozen.

We ran into the Ocean but the water only went up to mid leg.  We had to keep going….

I made it to about my chest area and then started to head back.

Matt said “I going farther, I am going under”

I said “bye, I am going back.”

                                                                  Plunge accomplished!!!!

I made it back to the sand….numb feet, got my flip flops and had my cousin Lindsey come with me back inside to clean off the sand.  Brrrrr

                                                                  (our support group)

                                                              (thanks for coming!)

I cleaned my feet (I was super worried about my toes from the side effects of chemo) and put my socks and snow boots back on.  Ahh the feeling started to return.

Well, I did it!  I plunged into the Atlantic in January.  It was January and one of the coldest days we have had in a while.  There was snow on the beach.  There were girls making snow angels in the sand.  It was an experience I will never forget.  I am happy that I was able to help Lenn raise over $15,000 for Camp Sunshine.

Here is Lenn with three of his former teachers.  We did it!  Lenn was diagnosed with cancer as a 7th grader.  He just had his birthday and has received his license to drive!  Way to go Lenn!