Read All About It!

Katherine's story was featured on GoUpstate.com, a newspaper located in her hometown of Spartanburg.

Read about it here: http://bit.ly/lqbA3e

A Note of Gratitude

Throughout and after Katherine's journey across the Southern tier of the United States, many people have sent her cards expressing gratitude towards her. The note below is from a woman who Katherine never met.

Dear Katherine,

I am the sister of Julia Burnett of Spartanburg, S.C. She sent me the wonderful article of your cross-country ride across America, raising more than $214,000 for wound/ostomy care. My husband, Jim and I are so impressed with your dedication to this cause. Since we're living in Europe, he did send an electronic check to you a week or so ago. I've had an ostomy since December 2008. I'm very blessed to have the care of nurses at the wound care center of Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. I've even had good care from my St. Louis Center while living abroad for a year!

Though I've never met you, you are an inspiration to me and I'm sure many others who are aware of your dedication to this cause.

I would like to personally thank you for your efforts.

We will be returning to the states at the end of this month. If I'm ever in the Spartanburg area when you're in town, it would be a pleasure to meet you.

Best regards,
Elizabeth Marchbank

Lessons from the Tree of Life

This old tree, that I call the tree of life, is on the loop I ride in the French Broad Valley in North Carolina. Study it for a minute and you will see the place on the right where the tree was broken and fell about a foot from the ground. No doubt that happened many years ago and it was left to die and disintegrate in the pasture. Instead, the trunk that was so grievously injured has given life and strength to eight limbs. They have grown to great height and fullness.

Every time I cycle by I think of the life events that bring us down and the amazing opportunities we have to grow from them and to achieve unimagined stature because of, not in spite of, the setbacks and losses that occur across our personal and professional lifespan. Failed relationships, job layoffs or changes, illness, unexpected and unfathomable deaths. May this beautiful symbol of nature's redemptive powers remind us that we, too, can be successful opportunists and overcomers.

Recollecting and Reflecting

• I asked for prayers for safety for all the cyclists. No one was badly injured.
• I asked for prayers for no rain. There was not a drop of rain on any riding or resting day during our 58-day journey.
• I asked for prayers for no head winds. There were significant head winds and cross winds, but they didn't last too long; and they taught us to pedal stronger and trust God for perseverance to ride through them.
• I asked for prayers for no flat tires. There were any number of flat tires among the 16 cyclists and 2 guides. I had 3 and they were all in the parking lot - a convenient time and place to change them.

God’s grace never failed me. He was on time, in time, all the time. The epic bicycle trip from coast to coast, from San Diego to St. Augustine, was akin to two months in a prayer closet! My appreciation for the companionship, devotional and prayer time, and help with tedious tasks provided by my treasured friend, riding companion, and roommate, Marge, grew to dimensions that remain indescribable. Our minds were emptied so we could fully receive; our senses were quickened so we could relish the sweet and tantalizing aromas of the early morning —fresh desert air, manure on the crops, piney woods in East Texas, magnolias, jasmine, and honeysuckle in the South; rejoice in the beauty of every sunrise and swoon over every sunset. We descended into canyons and climbed demanding ascents; we marveled at vast desert vistas, endured bone chilling cold mornings and enervating Southern afternoons; we enjoyed excitement and stood down exhaustion. We saw helpfulness and hospitality in all 8 states; and we savored solitude and spirituality during every day. We experienced encouragement and affirmation from guides and fellow cyclists alike. We learned the importance of gratitude for something as small as a patch of shade from an overhanging branch to cool us when the temperatures soared, for a good shower in a motel room that was old and grubby, for the use of another’s cell phone when our provider’s service failed, for help with the dinner dishes from a pair who could have been resting in their rooms after an arduous day of cycling. We were welcomed by a Methodist congregation in Crawfordville, Fl for Easter Sunday worship and brunch. We formed friendships that will last a lifetime and made memories that will never fade. By every measure the trip was an enormous success. We all completed it. We all loved it and became stronger and more competent than we ever imagined we would be. Thanks to contributions from so many of you, my Cycling for Scholarships initiative has now brought in $213,513.00 and donations are still being made. I miss the simplicity of the road as much as I adore being in my own bed and close to my beloved Jack. I long for the challenge of every riding day as much as I delight in the slower pace of home. A bicycle trip across America is a marvelous metaphor for life. I learned that there is nothing in the world ahead of me that I can't handle - as long as I acknowledge God's sovereignty in it and the dozens of people required to go through it. This I know for certain: there is no such thing as self-sufficiency! Please be assured of my thankfulness for all of you who invested yourselves with prayers, checks and on-line contributions, calls and cards. You were crucial to the completion of a grand and glorious endeavor. I can't wait to see each of you very soon. In HIS service and care, Katherine

YouTube Update!

New videos posted to the WOCN Cycling YouTube channel feature Katherine's reflections of the 3,100-mile bicycle tour. She discusses the life lessons she learned and how she'll incorporate them into her daily life post-tour.

Vital Information

It's been a month since our jubilant return in St. Augustine. The rememberance and reflection continue and the vital statistics have been of interest to many who followed the tour.

Some questions I receive include:

• How much weight did you lose?
• What happened to your body?
• Are you sorry you passed up those desserts?

I weigh 118 - one pound more than the day I started the tour. Although I didn't lose weight, I still had to buy new pants. My pant size dropped from an eight to a six. My body fat dropped 10 percent, but those hand help measurements are not the most reliable. The chart says I am in the "acceptable" range, not the "fit" range. You can imagine how that sits with me!

So, am I sorry I passed up some desserts along the way? No, because I have never felt better or enjoyed more energy. I wish the same for each of you.

I'll look forward to seeing my WOCN colleagues in New Orleans next week. It's not too late to donate or give more to the WOCN Scholarship Fund to help us exceed $215,000!

YouTube Update!

Jack, Katherine's husband, created a storyboard of her trip. Visit the Cycling for Scholarships YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/WOCNcycling to see the creative piece Katherine arrived home to after her long journey.

Read All About It!

Yesterday Katherine & the President of the WOCN Society Dr. Bonham interviewed about the journey and how it has impacted the organization and the WOC profession.

To read the article, visit:
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110524/ARTICLES/105241000?p=1&tc=pg

Treasured Trophy

Better than diamonds, pearls, or dollars in my pocket, this trophy arrived yesterday from my dear friends, Mary Nelle and Bill Gore. It is inscribed, "Our American Hero, Katherine Jeter, Coast to Coast, March-April 2011." There is no other stimulant like encouragement. I hope you will join me in setting a goal to be an encourager, to give an "atta boy," to at least one person every single day.

Katherine's treasured trophy from dear friends.

Resting, Recollecting, Reflecting

The glorious ride ended 15 days ago. My coach's imposed rest days have given me more time and energy to recollect and reflect. Time well spent. The resting is now over.

Yesterday, I swam laps for 40 minutes and my body loved the limbering and loosening. Today I rode with a noon riding group that does an hour long loop with some nice hills. What a different cyclist I am now than I was when I left last November! I love the increased strength and competency. Our guides told us it would be so.

And, then, to see the gorgeous cactus blooming on our bike path. I've never noticed it before. My senses have been quickened and I'm grateful for that.

The gorgeous cactus I noticed on the bike ride.

I so look forward to personally thanking our corporate sponsors and member donors in New Orleans. I'll have on bike clothes most of the time, which really simplifies packing! Please introduce yourself if we haven't met. I want to thank you for sustaining and growing our WOCN Society, and I want to know your story.

Resting, Recollecting, Reflecting

It's been 11 days since our jubilant arrival in St. Augustine. Not all of my stuff is put away. Not all the mail has been sorted and responded to. My to do list for the days and weeks ahead is growing longer as I try to get my head back home!

Katherine writes up a long to do list after she arrived home.

My body is thrilled to be back in my own bed and close to dear Jack. I'm amazed by the interest of so many people, people I don't even know. They don't want to hear much, but they do want to express congratulations. So nice.

The question most often asked is, "Did you ever think you couldn't go on? Could not or would not finish?" The answer is, "NEVER, NOT ONCE!" The most salient memories are of WOCN members, friends, and family who turned out at the beginning in San Diego, all along the way, and at the end. You know who you are and where you were to provide encouragement, support, smiles, hugs, help cleaning the SAG Wagon, help with washing and drying the dinner dishes, wound dressings, cool drinks, fruits, coffee, sweet treats, and contributions to Cycling for Scholarships fund. I cherish each memory of your collective kindness. I do want to give a special thank you to the WOCN leadership, the staff in our National Office, and Robbie Sharp, BSN, CWOCN, who mobilized most of Florida!

I will be able to do anything I set my mind to in the future if I have God's blessing and dozens of people lined up to help me get the job done; this I know for sure. In the case of this wondrous journey, we relied on support provided by so many people, too numerous to count and in roles too diverse to delineate. I learned for certain that there is no such thing as self-sufficiency.

Until the WOCN Conference concludes on June 8, I will plan to post a few more recollections and reflections. In the meantime, my coach insists I rest! Thank you for continuing this amazing trip with me.

Find Out About Katherine's Time in St. Augustine!

Check out the WOCN Cycling YouTube channel and the WOCN Flickr page to see the new clips and pictures of Katherine's time in St. Augustine!

www.flickr.com/photos/wocncycling/

www.youtube.com/WOCNcycling

According to Katherine: Post-Tour Recap

Just a week to the day from our arrival in St. Augustine, I had a fun reunion with my coach, Jimmy Gibson. I couldn't have done the cross country without his methodical preparation. We did a lovely 18-mile ride in the country today. He wants me to rest and stay off my bike for the next week. How can I?

Katherine and Jimmy Gibson, her trainer, pose for a picture after a nice ride.

We Did It!

As Katherine rolled into St. Augustine, Florida and completed her cross-country cycling tour, the WOCN Society counted the donations for a final time. We exceeded our fundraising goal of $200,000 with a grand total of $214,252!

Cycling for Scholarships has undoubtedly been the Society's most comprehensive fundraising effort to date and we owe our success to our member supporters. By meeting our goal, the WOCN Foundation can fund educational scholarships for another five years and award an additional 100 scholarships. What an amazing accomplishment thanks to YOU!

Through it all, Katherine has endured the hot deserts of Arizona, the dusty hills of Texas, and the thick Florida humidity. She truly had an amazing journey. The WOCN Society applauds Katherine for her tremendous sacrifice and determination to raise awareness of WOC nursing. We are forever grateful to her generosity and example.



The bike pedals may stop, but the needs don't stop. If you'd like to continuing donating to the WOCN's Cycling for Scholarships campaign, please visit http://www.wocnfoundation.org/.

**Amount updated 5/23

According to Katherine: Day 57 Recap

A lazy morning by cycling tour standards. We were up at 6:00 instead of 5:15. We strolled leisurely through Old St. Augustine with Linda Moore and Kathy Cirinzione, two WOC nurses from Florida, for breakfast at 8:30, instead of 6:00! I will cycle with our sons later this morning. I'll have to wean myself slowly from my bike. Thanks to WOCN members, family, and friends for investing yourselves in the WOCN Society's future to ensure continuing expert and compassionate patient care.
 

Spinach frittata for breakfast at a reasonable hour.

Katherine and her husband Jack posed for a picture with two WOC nurses from Florida.

Feels so good to ride with our sons, John & Stephen.

According to Katherine: Day 56 Recap

It was easy to fly out of bed at 5:15 for a 6:00 breakfast and 6:45 departure. This was our LAST day. Many emotions were merging and colliding as we loaded luggage and pumped tires for the last time. I had some grapes and a banana for breakfast. Best I could do with all the butterflies.

The ride was 40 miles to the St. John's Fire Department where we reassembled for the 7-mile parade through town and to the beach. On the way, we rode under gorgeous trees draped in Spanish moss, by the banks of the mighty St. John's River, and past acres of potatoes growing. I thought Idaho had the corner on potatoes.

The men at the fire station were most hospitable. Our police escorts positioned themselves in front and back of our column of 17 cyclists with one guide driving the SAG Wagon. People along the way cheered boisterously without knowing what for! We loved it anyway! Most of us cried. Cycling over the Bridge of Lions was a thrill.

We all gathered here to begin our 7-mile ride with police escort through St. Augustine, over the Bridge of Lions, to Anastasia Beach where our family and friends were waiting. Sixteen women now always bonded in friendship by the extraordinary journey we shared.

And then, there we were. There were our families, friends and, for me, members of WOCN, management staff and our generous corporate sponsors. I felt so proud to be wearing the Convatec and Hollister, Inc. logos.

After all the hugs and kisses, we carried our bikes to the ocean where we ceremoniously dipped our front tire in the surf. Before it was over, most of us dipped half or all of ourselves into the cool Atlantic waters. Dr. Phyllis Bonham gave me the glorious news that we had met our goal of $200,000 for the Cycling for Scholarships Foundation. We toasted with champagne that Jack Jeter had brought for everyone.

Marge and I at the finish line!

We all enjoyed a picnic lunch and then dispersed to regroup later in the evening. WomanTours hosted a final dinner for "just us" or the 16 cyclists and two guides who completed the 3,100-mile tour. Everyone had an opportunity to reflect, remember, and to say good-bye and thank you.

Then we left that party to attend the grand WOCN celebration at the Leitner Museum. What a fabulous occasion that featured a cake, more champagne, the official announcement that to date $208,613 has been raised, and a fun slide show from the ride. I was amazed to be so honored. The Mayor had proclaimed the day as WOC Nursing Day in St. Augustine. Our sons presented me with a colorful metal cyclist sculpture. With their sister and Jack they had sent cards of encouragement nearly every day of the trip.  It was fun to have them participating in all the festivities.

If I've ever been so thankful and satisfied, I don't remember when. We fell into bed at 10:00, so I would be up for a ride in the morning with our sons. We did it!  So many people had a hand in it and deserve resounding applause. I can't imagine how long it will take to put the whole experience into perspective and to be able to express what it has meant and will continue to mean in years to come.

I am so grateful to so many.

According to Katherine: Day 55 Recap

We're poised in Palatka after a 73.5-mile ride for tomorrow's 47-mile ride into St. Augustine. It will be quite a parade and a glorious reunion. We'll celebrate as we put our front tire in the Atlantic. Thank you all for your love and support. It has meant the world and made the trip the defining life event that it was.

Welcome to Palatka! Soon we'll be on our way to St. Augustine, FL!

According to Katherine: With Age Comes Satisfaction

 (source)

Although I’ve given up a lot of things this past year, I’m completely satisfied with what I’ve gained. Many ask me “Has it been worth it?” In other words, have I sacrificed things that I wish I had not? I won’t lie, I have missed some things this past year, including entertaining friends at our mountain home and some of the ski season, but it was all worth it.

I’ve grown as a person. I’m working on maintaining a healthy physique to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. I have met a whole group of new friends. And I hope I'm encouraging young and old alike to be active.

I may be retired, but that doesn’t mean I should sit around and do nothing. It feels good to work toward growing as an individual, while giving back.

According to Katherine: Day 54

The day began with the temperature at 69 degrees and the humidity, 86 per cent. I had yogurt, fresh fruit, and a Lärabar for breakfast and was the first one out of the parking lot at 7:15. That would have been swell if I had gone the right direction!

I got about 5 bonus miles before getting back on the route. The predicted southeasterly winds slowed me down considerably in spots. The rain laden clouds hung low to keep us cool but dissipated by noon. It was our turn to SAG, so Marge and I split the 76 mile ride. We enjoyed pastoral scenes most of the day: cows grazing, sheep and goats munching in their pens, miniature horses, acres of pine forests, irrigation pivots watering newly planted fields, and beautiful wild flowers.

Among the most impressive sights we've seen all across the country are the County Courthouses. This is the Lafayette County Courthouse in Mayo, FL

The stench of the chicken megafarms as we passed them was a shock to the nose and reinforced my determination to remain a vegetarian! The highlight of the day was the visit to Ichetucknee Springs State Park. The water was clear, turquoise, and cold. I resisted the temptation to swim in my bike clothes. I ate my PB&J like I did yesterday: a quarter every ten miles for the first 40 miles. I had nuts and Endurolytes and lots of energy drink while riding.

So wanted to go swimming in the cold spring water!

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

It was a hot 88 degrees when we arrived in High Springs. I had an iced cold Diet Dr. Pepper when we got into our room. I don't usually do that, but it seemed like a good idea. Dinner was chicken in almond butter sauce (tofu for Lisa and me), a variation on Asian slaw, fresh cubed pineapple, and banana pudding. I had a few bites of that and deemed it too high in calories for me!

2987 miles behind us. 113 miles to pedal. 2 days to go.

Dr. Jeter Day 54 on Polyvore.com

Bring Out The Bubbly!

We're so pleased to announce WOCN's Cycling for Scholarships initiative has surpassed its $200,000 goal, raising a total of $208,613.  We truly appreciate everyone who participated in this 3,100-mile journey to share their enthusiasm for the amazing care WOC nurses provide, and to make this career pathway for future nursing professionals.

Katherine and friends toast to the good news!

Donating does not have to stop! If you wish to donate to this great cause, please visit: http://www.wocnfoundation.com/.