is what I will be with my fundraising for the 3 Day by the end of this week. My parents neighbor gave my mom a check for $50 towards the 3 Day and I just got it in the mail today. I'm so psyched to still be getting donations even after I made my fundraising goal AND after the 3 Day is over. People this year have just been awesome!

There's a great new practice management software that's out that helps doctor's offices organize patients medical health records. It's called Enterprise Practice Management (EPM) Software and was designed by NextGen. This software does a number of things: it helps reduce the time required to respond to any patient inquiries, it helps to speed up the patient registration process while at the same time reduces staff training time and reduces overheard, staff and IT costs. It can also help reduce the number of procedures performed on inellgible patients, it supports HIPAA compliant transactions, it increases the security of patient records and reduces data entry errors. It is a very user friendly Windows application which helps with billing, patient information, appointment scheduling, insurance claims submission and even collections. Every doctors office needs to have this new software!!!

I just posted an article over on my Spice World blog about one of the many emails I received after walking in the 3 Day thankging me for my efforts and what I've been doing with trying to find a cure for cancer. Below is yet another one of those emails, this one from my cousin.

Congratulaions Kim! You did just great!!! Your walking paid off. I have a good friend who has just completed radiation for her recurrence of breast cancer, so it needs to be cured asap. She was foggy for a while after her chemotherapy two years ago, and now must endure fatigue for up to two more years - takes about 2 years after radiation for the effects to completely leave the body. Still, she has never taken disability, but has worked during both rounds, just using up some of her PTO (paid time off/vacation) from the company. Thank you for helping her!

Linda

I've been told that I have the best smile. I've actually been told that since I was in elementary school, throughout middle and highschool, college and even still to do this day. My teeth were at one time straight. I had braces when I was in highschool. But, I wasn't too good when it came to wearing my retainer every night. I'd often forget so my teeth have moved back somewhat. But, I've been told, I still have a beautiful smile. I guess that's always been my trademark. And everyone that has ever said that to me also adds, it's beautiful because it also reaches my eyes which can be very telling for some. There are some out there who know how to fake smile. Unless I'm in a huge amount of pain, my smile isn't fake.

Sean needs some dental work done. Actually, he needs alot of dental work done. Since we live in an age where alot of people are superficial about looks, he's a bit self conscious about his teeth. I wish we lived in Beverly Hills because I hear there is a great Beverly Hills cosmetic dental place to go there. Dr. Maddahi is the dentist there who can perform complete dental makeovers. He uses advanced dental techniques such as painless air drills, minitaure cameras and digital x-rays to get you that smile you want and deserve.

It's been a little over 1 week since the 3 Day and my feet are ok, my knees are ok (they were bad after last years 3 Day) but my right hip has been killing me! I noticed during the event that my hips this year were hurting more then usual. But I thought the pain would go away once the 3 Day was over and I came home and stopped walking so much. No such luck. My hip just won't stop aching and now my lower back is hurting too. I'm hoping it will eventually go away and I won't have to go to the doctors for it. But I have noticed I've been walking with a limp - I guess over compensating for my hip?

I'm trying to find a sturdy stroller for Kieran. Yes, he is 5, but I noticed just this past weekend while we were at a theme park that his little legs do still get tired. And, because he IS 5, carrying him around is just not an option.

Mutsy has some great strollers. The one I was looking at was the Spider. It's description says that it's lightweight and easy to fold. Those qualities right there are a plus to me. Kieran weighs about 55-60 pounds so a stroller that won't add on too much weight is perfect! I also like the modern, futuristic design. It goes with all the new modern designs of buildings and cars, etc.



They also have some great seating devices as well. My kids have grown out of that but some of my friends still have younger kids that could use these for sure. They have what is called a Grow Up seat which basically lets your baby sit on any grown up chair comfortably. It's flexible and has a harness which makes sure your child is fastened safely in the seat and won't fall out. That seat would actually make a nice gift for a friend.

My feet actually weren't as bad this year as they were last year. Last year I had like 5-6 blisters on each foot! Both of my pinky toes were done - had two blisters each. And I had huge, quarter size blisters on the side under each big toe. And then even more all over my foot.

This year it's not so bad. My left pinky toe did again have 2 blisters. And I think I'll be losing that toenail within a few months. The medic at the lunch stop popped the two of them for me because they were horrible looking and hurt.

On my right foot, my toe next to my big toe had a blister underneath my entire toenail. The medic also popped that one as well. That one did get infected and my doctor gave me an antibiotic to take which helped! Otherwise he was going to have to cut it more - EW! That toenail I will definitely be losing. It's already lifting up a bit and looking kind of yucky. Other then that though my feet are fine!

Recently, I've been looking online at Laptop Batteries for our laptop. The current battery we have doesn't last that long so I'd like to have another one as a backup. The online store that I've narrowed my search down to is called AllBatts and they have batteries for all different kinds of laptops. You can get one for your Dell laptop, your Sony laptop, or Panasonic or for the one I'm looking for: HP.

AllBats website is layed out nicely too. It's very easy to navigate. All you need to do is choose the manufacturer of your laptop and voila; you've got the battery you need. They have more then just laptop batteries as well. They sell batteries for cell phones, DVD players, MP3 players, two way radios and even power tools. So you can search by category or by manufacturer name.

I'm wondering if I should maybe get one for my dad and my brother as well. Christmas is coming up and that would make a good Christmas gift. I have no idea what to get either one of them this year and I hate getting them stuff they'll never use. A laptop battery is something I know they would use for sure!

Below is the email I sent out this morning to everyone that helped me reach my fundraising goal!

(from left to right - me, Colleen, Kim H. and Tara is kneeling)

Before the 3 Day started I was a nervous wreck! I hadn’t trained much at all and didn’t really know my teammates too well. Plus, having walked it last year, I knew what I was in store for.

But, I made it “home”. And it was yet another amazing weekend – one that I will never forget.

Once I upload my pictures and start writing about each day I’ll let you know. I didn’t walk all 60 miles. And it wasn’t for lack of training either. The heat and humidity on Friday was horrible! And anyone that knows me knows I don’t do well in the heat. I’ve been known to pass out at the top of the Empire State Building just standing still due to the humidity so walking in it was even worse. Friday we were supposed to walk 22.8 miles. I remember calling Sean around mile 8 or so (actually mile 8.7 at a Grab and Go stop) and telling him I didn’t think I was going to be able to make it any further. And if it hadn’t been for my tentmate and teammate Colleen pouring ice cold water on my head, I wouldn’t have. The heat index for that day was hazardous. We did make it to the 2nd cheering station at mile 13.8 and at that point I was getting tunnel vision and chills so we took the sweep van to the next pit stop. And called it a day. I have never seen so many people take the sweep vans or the buses back to camp as I did that day. So many people were either red carded (which means they couldn’t walk the next day) due to dehydration or were on IV’s back at camp to get rehydrated. It did rain for about 30 minutes that day but, for those of you that live in Florida, you know that doesn’t bring any relief – only makes it worse.

I did walk all 18.9 miles on Saturday. And again, had it not been for my teammates Colleen and Tara, I wouldn’t have made it the whole way. For most of the day that day the weather was gorgeous! Overcast/cloudy with a wonderful breeze. But towards 4pm it got humid again.

Sunday we were supposed to walk 16.1 and I walked about 14. At one point the blisters on my feet were unbearable and I actually had to have one lanced at the medic tent at the lunch stop.

I thought going into this that if I couldn’t walk all 60 miles I’d be really disappointed in myself. But I wasn’t at all. I raised the money – even more then my goal. My goal was $2200.00 and I’m now at $2690.00! With 4 more weeks to fundraise too. I had Sean cheering me on at both cheering stations on Friday. Sean, the kids and my mom at the 2nd cheering station on Saturday. (and they were there for about 2 ½ hours that day waiting for me). And then Danon (my tentmate/friend from the walk last year) and Sean, the kids and my mom waiting for me at the finish line on Sunday (and they were there for at least 4 hours before I got there). Who could ask for more?

My walking doesn’t stop with this past weekend either. No, I’m not walking in the 3 Day again next year – it falls on Halloween weekend and I think I need one year off right now from the 3 Day. I might help crew it, I’m not sure. But I can’t imagine going a year without doing something so my teammates and I have talked about possibly walking in the Avon 2 Day in 2008 or maybe the Race for the Cure. I just can’t stop walking. Maybe it was the story of the man who was walking this year who lost 2 wives to breast cancer, or the woman I met at a pit stop who had no hair left and just had her last chemo therapy session 3 weeks ago, or the woman from Channel 10 news here in Tampa who is a 10 year survivor and now has a 4 year old daughter even after all of those chemotherapy sessions, or maybe it was watching all the survivors come “home” at closing ceremonies on Sunday. I walk for them and I walk for my children and for everyone else’s children so that they don’t have to!

Now that I’m a bawling mess, I better go. Thanks for your support! Once I write everything up about those 3 days and upload pics I’ll let you all know. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love to all!
Kim

Here are some of the emails I received before walking in the 3 Day this past weekend.

HEY KIM-GOOD LUCK FROM NEW JERSEY!!!! hugs DENA M.

Best of luck Kim! And Happy Belated Birthday! Jennifer L.

Good luck and have a great walk! Linda H.

good luck, I know you'll do fine. I'll be in class all weekend, but will be cheering from Gainesville. Peter R.

Good luck!!! Make sure the kids and Sean take lots of pics. Love you! Michelle L.

Good Luck Kim !!! Gaynor B.

Oh Kim, you KNOW I’m going to be checking that webcam! Know I’m with you there in spirit! LOVE YOU! Kim B.

Good Luck.... and my you have NO BLISTERS!!!! Carol D.

Good luck! Robin B.

BEST OF LUCK KIM!!! WE'LL BE ROOTING FOR YOU!!!!! LOVE, The Bierhorst Family

Kim, I just wanted to wish you well. Here’s hoping for good weather and NO BLISTERS!!! I’ll be thinking of you,
Shannon E.

I know you probably won't have much time to chat on the phone today, so I wanted to wish you luck this weekend! I know you will do great and will be ready to sign up again for next year Sunday night (Even though I won't let you -yet!!!) ;-) Anyway - have fun and I will try to call ya Monday or Tuesday! Hugs!~ Tammy D.

hey good luck this weekend so proud to say i know someone who is making a difference in the cure for sick people stay safe and call me as soon as you recupe kisses kristin n.