Just a quick note to ask you to keep Tara in your thoughts (and prayers, if you're so inclined) tomorrow.  She'll be doing a swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco.  It's a mile and a half - really nothing to an experienced swimmer, but between the currents, 5 species of sharks (bottom-dwellers, I'm told) and the extremely cold water (high 50's), I'll admit that I'm a bit anxious.

She's completely excited about doing this swim, and is already scheming to do future ones for Moyamoya awareness.  I'm so proud of her heart, ambition, desire, and just everything about her!

We have an early morning, but I'll post late tomorrow, once her swim is complete.

Thanks for holding her close!

[smiley=heart.gif] Jill    

WOW that's just awesome!!! YOu must be sooooo proud.Many prayers for a safe swim.Can't wait to hear all about it.
Mary Grace

We've already got it marked on our calendar!!   ;;D


Hey mom, Just remember to breathe!!!!  LOL

We are SO proud of her!!!

Love,
Steph, DJ, Conner and Brandon

Jill,

I will be cheering Tara on tomorrow and keeping "you" in my thoughts and prayers. It's not Tara I'm worried about. LOL!

Sit back, relax and enjoy Tara's ambition, tenacity, commitment and accomplishment to the cause. You can be the "proud" mom and know she has worked hard to earn this opportunity.  I'm proud of Tara for even attempting such a feat.

We're proud of you Tara!    

Go Tara! Go Tara!

Hugs,

Lore

Jill,

Shane and I ALWAYS hold Tara very close to our hearts, but we will especially do so tomorrow.  She's a great kid and she has you and Campbell to thank for that.  

We will be thinking about her tomorrow.  Please give her a big [smiley=hug.gif] for us.  And we will be praying for her.

We love you all !  Good Luck, Tara!

HI,

That's quite a feat for anyone.  But after what she's been through, I know your so proud of her.
I'll keep her and you in my thoughts and prayer.  Love and luck,

Margaret

Good Luck tomorrow Tara! We’ll be right there with ya in spirit, and no matter how you finish; you’re already a winner!! We’re so proud of you!!! You go girl!

I agree with Lore, Mom is the one I worry about…LOL No one has more faith in ya than her, but until you're safe on shore, she’s gonna need a drink or some drugs. LOL

Hang in there Mom, she’s got all our prayers with her!! [smiley=hug.gif]

Love,
Mar

Jill,

I’ll definitely be keeping Tara close to my heart. I'm anxiously waiting to hear how it went. Tell her we’re so very proud of her.

Fran

Oh.....add me to that list! I'll be rooting for her too!

That is just amazing!.....I don't think I could complete such an endeavor...to save my life.....Hmmm...except maybe....back floating and hoping for a rescue! LOL

She dropped me a line a few days ago, and I havn't written back to her yet......(we're getting ready for back-to-school in my house) do give her my warm-wishes and hoping YOU and TARA have a super day tomorrow!

smiles....Diane : )

ummmmmm, ok, where are the pics?!?!?!?!


;;D

Hey guys,  
 
Thanks so much for the responses and well-wishes.  Today was such an awesome day!  Aside from the fact that we arose at 3:40 am, the day was spectacular.  It was so much fun watching the contestants board the ferry, go out to Alcatraz, jump off and swim back!  (Truth be told, we really couldn't see anything but tiny white splashes as they jumped in the water as it was so far away, but it was cool knowing that the race had begun.)    
 
Tara finished the mile and a half in 46 minutes and some odd seconds.  She was one of about 600 or 700 swimmers, and was awarded a medal for being in the first 100 to reach shore (not bad for a first-timer in the SF Bay, huh?  Hmmmm, didn't she also have a couple of brain surgeries 4 years ago?????).  We'll know more about her exact place once the results are posted.  She announced that it was much easier that she had expected, and that she intends to do the Golden Gate swim in late October (2.2 miles this time!).  We had about 15 of us to welcome her back to land, and then we all went to lunch on Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf.  So much fun!  
 
We're about to crash, but will go to bed with very happy smiles.  Thank you so much for your support - it meant the world to Tara (actually, all of us) knowing that her Moyamoya family was behind her!  As I mentioned previously, she fully plans to pursue the Moyamoya awareness angle, so stay tuned . . . . .  
 
Big hugs to everyone,  
 
Jill  

P.S.  I'll get pictures sent to DJ soon . . . promise!  

Congratulations, Tara - what a wonderful achievement!
Kim

Jill,

What a fantastic and admirable outcome for Tara and especially with the total number of swimmers. I'm glad to know you survived your "baby girl" swimming the Bay.  [smiley=winkkiss.gif]

Wow! Tara! Awesome! What an accomplishment! [smiley=sayyes.gif] You are an inspiration to all and even more so for those with MM. Goes to show "if there is a will, there is a way." There can be an active and fulfiling life living with MM as you have proven over and over again with your ambition, tenacity and perseverance.

You are very special and I am proud of you.  

I look forward to hearing all about the upcoming Golden Gate swim and whether or not "mom" will be heavily medicated! LOL!!

On the cover of Sports Illustrated? Box of Wheaties?Never say never.

Love and hugs, [smiley=heart.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

Lore

GREAT JOB Tara!  Thank you for the updates Jill... we've been thinking about you guys.

Sweet!

 WAY TO GO, TARA !!!  YOU ARE AWESOME !!!

  I told Kate that I had talked with you yesterday, and she
  sends her love and congratulations.  Said she wished she
  could have been there.  We do, too.

  Stay warm and well be thinking of you for the next two
  months of practice.  (Don't let the fishies get your toes !!!

                Lots of Love  [smiley=heart.gif] and hugs  [smiley=hug.gif] from your Texas family

                  Cass  [smiley=cowboy.gif] Jon  [smiley=cowboy.gif] Kate  [smiley=cowboy.gif] and Greg  [smiley=cowboy.gif]

Way to go Tara!!! That is awesome, wish I could have been there to see it.

:)Christy

Good Job Tara!  I'm sorry that I miss all the fun,was your mom need a brown bag while she watching ;;D, I'm sure she had a strong drink when you guy go to lunch. ;;D.

I can't swim, for a mile and a half on the bay, you're # 1.

Hug
Kieu

Yay!!!  You made it!!!  And to think I was nervous having Emily ride her bike to school today!!!!   [smiley=laugh.gif]

Hey Tara - Sorry I missed the excitement but I'm so proud of you!!  Congrats!!!

-Shari

Well, Tara has 2 more SF Bay swims in the near future, so I thought I'd ask for your thoughts and prayers once again.

This Sunday (10/19) is a 1 1/2 mile swim from Treasure Island to the city, and the following Sunday (10/26) is the 2.2 mile Golden Gate swim.  

I'll admit to feeling a bit better about all of this.  She did a 2 mile swim in Lake Tahoe a couple of weeks ago.  Comparable water temps, but no currents or sharks (what a relief!).  Tahoe's issue is the altitude - the lake is at 6,300 feet, and Tara indicated that that swim was definitely the most difficult to date.  She did very well, though, and is feeling more than ready for the upcoming bay swims.

While we have no idea how her goal of promoting Moyamoya awareness will pan out, she's certainly taking steps and getting these few preliminary races under her belt!  Even not knowing where this will all head, I'm just as proud of her as a mom can be.  I keep hearing her say "I don't EVER want another patient to be told to wait and see by a doctor!"  

Thanks again for love and support everyone here has given Tara.  We WILL change this . . . one person at a time!

Big hugs from out in California,
Jill


 

Hi Jill,

We fly in on Sunday.  Would love to know where to go to see her swim on the 26th.  We see Dr Steinberg on the 27th.  I think Annamarie would love to see that and meet her.  I know I would.  Let us know the details please.

Margaret

Hi Margaret,

What time do you arrive in SF?  These swims are usually quite early in the day (i.e., swimmer check-in is between 5:30 and 6:30 am, ferry leaves at 7:30, and they jump from the ferry at 8:00 am).

We'd LOVE to have you there if time allows!  Let me know if somehow it might, and I'll send you a link with all the info, o.k.?

Either way, we're looking forward to seeing you soon!

Jill

We arrive at 2pm on Sunday, so can't do this one.  But we could do the one on the 26th.  We would love to come and support her.  After all, she is supporting us.

Margaret