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Cathy Parmley is one of the few people who found a silver lining in last weekend's Hurricane Charley. While she feels horrible about what happened to the people in Florida, she's glad the storm caused the postponement of the fourth and final race of the Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series to Sunday. The rescheduling gave the 32-year-old Goose Creek wo-man an opportunity to close out one of the most trying years of her life. Last summer, on a challenge from one of her bosses, she entered the triathlon series and enjoyed competing in two of the first three triathlons. But on Aug. 8, 2003, just a week before the fourth race, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And it was serious. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, and the tumor, while relatively new, was growing 80 times faster than usual. Her doctor quickly scheduled a surgery to remove the lump and the lymph nodes. She then underwent chemo-therapy for the next 6-1/2 months followed by radiation five times a week for 7-1/2 weeks. On May 11, her doctor gave her the OK to start working out again, and she desperately wanted to do another sprint triathlon, which includes a .3-mile swim, 13 miles on a bike and a 3.1-mile run. She got a lot of help from her bosses and husband, Charles. Her bosses not only gave her some time away from her job at Johnson & Johnson insurance to train, but also helped her with workouts. Francis Johnson swam with her at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool. Harry Johnson helped with bike workouts. Her husband looked after their three children while she took evening runs. It wasn't until the anniversary of her diagnosis rolled around that she checked the Charleston Triathlon Club Web site to find out when the final sprint triathlon of the series, the one she missed last year, would be. It was set for Aug. 15. Too late, she thought. But when Hurricane Charley came, she saw a glimmer of hope and was glad to hear that it was postponed one week. She e-mailed triathlon director Paul King, telling him her story and hoping that she could get a spot in the event. Part of the e-mail read: "I want nothing more than to prove to myself that I have officially reclaimed my body. Would you please let me know if you are able to accommodate one more?" King said there are plenty of registration slots open. Parmley -- who doesn't consider herself a swimmer, cyclist or runner -- said she feels strong enough to finish. However, she asked that the Johnsons and her family not come to James Island County Park to view the race, which starts at 7:15 a.m. Sunday. She has, instead, offered to call them after she finishes. "This is my moment. If I cry, I don't want to have to explain it." Contact David Quick at dquick@ postandcourier.com or 937-5516.
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