CRNA Tonia Caribardi Shares Her Story About Why She Chose to Participate in the Iron Goddess Triathlon
This may not be an inspirational story but it's one I hope will soon have a happy ending.
Two years ago while celebrating my 38th birthday, I received news of my first melanoma diagnosis. One surgery and a few months later, I was informed that it had metathesized to multiple locations. Being in the medical field myself, I was aware that this news brings with it grave outcomes. I shared my misfortune with only my family and three of my closest 'Ski Bunny' friends. All of my life, my mother has told me "God would not give me more than I could handle". However, when my father died only days after my second surgery and start of chemotherapy, I had to question just how strong did God think I was? I endured updating my will, so that my two young children would be cared for if I was not here to see them grow. I survived a few more surgeries, a year of taking more pills than food, giving myself daily injections and knowing my near future still holds more surgeries to come. So, when my "snow skiing girlfriends" asked me how I wanted to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday? Dinner? Movie? Party? I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by doing what we all deem the impossible... a Tri Goddess triathlon.
This event comes only 13 days after the completion of my medication regime I'm the heaviest I've ever been (got to love the drugs), completely out of shape and short of breath just walking a flight of stairs. But, like my mother says, God wouldn't give us something we couldn't handle. So my sister, my three closest friends and myself will be there at 6 am on Sunday morning to prove just how strong one can become when surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. We are ALL Goddesses in our own way!
Thank you for your hard work and dedication in helping to make us healthier-
-Tonia Caribardi, Aka soon-to-be Goddess :)
Iron Goddess Event Photos
Pictured (left to right): Debbie Compeau, Fran (Tonia's sister), Stephanie Labelle, Christine Shrewsbury, Karen Hubbard, Tonia Caribardi and Lisa Loerlein
Pictured (left to right): Debbie Compeau, Fran (Tonia's sister), Stephanie Labelle, Christine Shrewsbury, Karen Hubbard, Tonia Caribardi and Lisa Loerlein
CRNA Tonia Caribardi Shares Her Story About Why She Chose to Participate in the Iron Goddess Triathlon
This may not be an inspirational story but it's one I hope will soon have a happy ending.
Two years ago while celebrating my 38th birthday, I received news of my first melanoma diagnosis. One surgery and a few months later, I was informed that it had metathesized to multiple locations. Being in the medical field myself, I was aware that this news brings with it grave outcomes. I shared my misfortune with only my family and three of my closest 'Ski Bunny' friends. All of my life, my mother has told me "God would not give me more than I could handle". However, when my father died only days after my second surgery and start of chemotherapy, I had to question just how strong did God think I was? I endured updating my will, so that my two young children would be cared for if I was not here to see them grow. I survived a few more surgeries, a year of taking more pills than food, giving myself daily injections and knowing my near future still holds more surgeries to come. So, when my "snow skiing girlfriends" asked me how I wanted to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday? Dinner? Movie? Party? I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by doing what we all deem the impossible... a Tri Goddess triathlon.
This event comes only 13 days after the completion of my medication regime I'm the heaviest I've ever been (got to love the drugs), completely out of shape and short of breath just walking a flight of stairs. But, like my mother says, God wouldn't give us something we couldn't handle. So my sister, my three closest friends and myself will be there at 6 am on Sunday morning to prove just how strong one can become when surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. We are ALL Goddesses in our own way!
Thank you for your hard work and dedication in helping to make us healthier-
-Tonia Caribardi, Aka soon-to-be Goddess :)
Iron Goddess Event Photos
Pictured (left to right): Debbie Compeau, Fran (Tonia's sister), Stephanie Labelle, Christine Shrewsbury, Karen Hubbard, Tonia Caribardi and Lisa Loerlein
Pictured (left to right): Debbie Compeau, Fran (Tonia's sister), Stephanie Labelle, Christine Shrewsbury, Karen Hubbard, Tonia Caribardi and Lisa Loerlein