As you all probably know by now, Eric did not advance to the finals  of the 200 m  breaststroke.  In spite of swimiming his personal  best time, ( and he has cancer )  he came in 10th.  He was of just .013 out of the 8 that advance.  Just goes to show you how tight these races are.  While I am sure we hoped that he could advance to the finals, lets take a look at the big picture here.

1. Eric was one of the 10 fastest swimmers in the WORLD  in the 200 m Breaststroke.  top 10 in the WORLD at the 2008  Bejing Olympics !  That is remarkable, especially considering everything else.

2. His dream was to compete representing  the United States of America in the Olympic games despite his disgnoses of Testicular Cancer a short time before.  Just making the team and being there is also remarkable. It showed his determination, skill,  and his fight. Eric had this to say afterwards

"It was absolutely worth it," he said. "I am so happy I came here and did this. It's been an amazing experience. It's everything I hoped it would be. Now I've got to take care of my life."

Since going public with his diagnosis, Shanteau has heard from cancer survivors around the world who are rooting him on. The disease had already hit home for Shanteau, whose father Rick is battling lung cancer."

3. So he did achieve his dream, inspite of the fact that he is facing another battle , and at the same time , his father is in the same fight.   You can certainly see  where he gets alot of the strength and courage, and fight .  His father said this after Eric called him with the news

" I told him you can look at it one of two ways," Rick said. "You have cancer or cancer has you."

Eric chose  the former. That is what all of us who know been through or have been touched by this disease called cancer.  He is going to attack this disease, and not allow it to define him. It is just another hill in life.

I know just reading the messages of support from all of you , how much it has touched me, and Eric has spoken about it time and time again, what hearing from  you, and all the people who wrote or e-mailed with messages of support meant and will continue to mean as his crosses  into the next part of the Journey. .  We know it gives a feeling of togetherness, strength through unity.

 I wrote Eric at the beginning that it was the start of something that most people don't understand , and that the Angels will come to him in force. Strangers, friends , families, and survivors and the people that support those touched by cancer.  All of you have proven  it true. As he progresses thru the next few weeks, that will even grow stronger.

All of us that did have cancer, had cancer.  It did not have us.  The same will be true for eric as it is with his father.

So , there was no losing here, there was no defeat. This was a total victory  for Eric.  I think I can speak for all of us, ....... Eric, we are proud of you !

Over the comming weeks, even more angels will appear. I hope everyone will continue to send him their hope, prayers, and most importantly your stength.   Eric will win this battle also.

So I am going to leave this open, and I hope that everyone will continue to send him messages of support.  He will be an important voice in the battle of this disease called cancer.  This young man has proven that anyone can do anything inspite of the mountains placed in front of them.  You can.  As you can see in many of these messages , there is storyy after story who  could have  looked at it as cancer had us, when in fact we had cancer. He will win this race too.

The future is bright, and as many have mentioned, there is a whole different perspective on what our lives are after being touched by this disease.  The future is bright for all of us, if we chose to  have it be.

So, as Eric does a little sightseeing of that beautiful country, I hope that you all will join me , to continue to send him messages of support and share your stories of victory over this disease.

A new member of our family  will get great strength  from you sharing your stories.  During my journey, I will never forget a memeber of my support group Ray, who was very sick.  He always told me to help others.  Even in his last days, anytime I asked him how he was doing, he would always say " no, how are you doing? "    He said" make it all mean something, and help others". I have done that in my 13 years of survivorship, and will always continue to do so.    As many of you do, so will Eric.  at 24, he has proven that anything is possible in life, and that dreams do come true.

So lets continue to support him.

You know, London is a pretty nice place to visit too.  Lance never won the Tour until after his experience.   Eric can do anything that he wants.  he has already proven it. So anything is possible.Anything is posible for all of us.  never lose sight of your dreams.

You guys have been awesome, and I personally thank you.