Some more info in the positive news department:

My breast cancer survivors' rowing team, the "Pink Ribbon Crew", had its
 first official outing in an exhibition row at the Head of the Grand
regatta in Lansing, Michigan, USA, this past weekend.  While our
finishing time was 18:21 for 3800 meters (in contrast to the collegiate
teams in the 11-14 minute range!), we're still pretty happy with it
given our age and experience level.

There are no race photos on the web yet, but we do have a page with some
pictures and general info at:

http://www.msucrew.com/News/Spring%202003/wecanrow.htm

That would be me in the lower right photo, in the left foreground, the
one with glasses and sweat-drenched dark hair <grin>; as well as in
disguise (sunglasses & hat) in the foreground near the boat in the lower
left photo.

We are all breast cancer survivors, current team members range in age
from 39 to 58, including women only a little over a year out from
treatment to 17 years out, lifelong athletes to reforming couch potatoes
(that'd be me), and none of us had ever rowed before beginning with this
team.

In addition to our exhibition race last Sunday, we also had a dedication
for our boat.  It is a boat that formerly had been used by the
University that sponsors us, would've been traded in on a new boat, but
the manufacturer was persuaded to generously donate it back to the
University for our use.  It couldn't be renamed (thought to cause bad
luck!), but they did put "Pink Ribbon Crew" and a pink ribbon logo on
the deck.

After the races, at the end of the regatta, we opened a couple of
bottles of champagne, and each of us poured a bit over the boat's bow.
(No smashing bottles against the hulls of rowing shells -- too fragile!)
A wonderful time was had by all!

When I was going through treatment for BC, I felt as if I would *never*
feel strong and healthy again.  One of the things that cheered me was
learning about breast cancer survivors' dragon boat racing teams.

I'm hoping maybe this rowing team report, along with Kaye's message
about beneficial effects of her multi-mile power walks (wowie!), may
encourage  others who are in the doldrums of their initial treatment
now.  You *will* get through treatment, and you'll feel better again
eventually -- hang in there.

Ann T.
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