Patricia Fuhrmeister

Judge Fuhrmeister is one of the two people I plan to run this race in memory of. I was able to talk to her husband Jim today and ensure it was okay with him to mention her here and focus on her as Rachael and I work to raise awareness of blood cancer.

I figure the people that get paid to write are better suited to tell you about her history. I have cut and pasted the following from the Shelby County Reporter article published in February. Hope that is okay.

This fight goes to Patricia Fuhrmeister
By BETH CHAPMAN / Community Columnist / Posted: Friday, February 1, 2008 3:17 PM CST
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It is no secret that Probate Judge Patricia Fuhrmeister has been fighting leukemia. It is also no secret that she is an experienced fighter and has a history of winning against all odds.I would hate to be the disease that has challenged her to a fight. There are a few things about her that this disease needs to know before it goes any further.As an only daughter with three brothers, she was sure to have seen a fight or two in her day.She has a track record of overcoming obstacles of great proportion. She was one of the first women attorneys to practice law in Shelby County, and the first one to be president of the Shelby County Bar. It could not have been easy.Fourteen years ago, she defeated not one, not two, but three male opponents to become our Probate Judge and has never drawn opposition since.Obviously, she has a strong work ethic and an incredible record of service because folks are scared to run against her.Why? They know they cannot win because she will out smart them, out work them, outlast them and defeat them - all with dignity, grace and a sense of humor, too.For years, she chaired the Oak Mountain School system's Mind/Destination Imagination program, and the Annual Alabama-Auburn (or as she might say, the "Auburn-and that other school,") blood drive for Red Cross.Name a charitable organization in Shelby County and she has helped it: CASA, YMCA, GOP, Leadership Shelby County, Safehouse, March of Dimes, RSVP and numerous others.However many people she has come in contact with, well, that is how many people whose lives she has touched in a positive way. That is vintage Patricia Fuhrmeister - a champion of causes, a person of prominence and the epitome of humility.Metaphorically, she is the type of person, who, when backed into a corner, will come out swinging. I would not dare take her on, nor would anyone else who knows her. I pity the disease that has done so because it will not win. When she fights - she wins.We need to take our seats in the arena and continue to pray for her and her family. Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson move over, there is a new reigning champion in the ring of life. Without a doubt this fight goes to Patricia Fuhrmeister.

And one more from the Birmingham News:
Sunday, February 10, 2008
NANCY WILSTACHNews staff writer
Shelby County Probate Judge Patricia Yeager Fuhrmeister lost her long battle with leukemia Saturday.
Judge Fuhrmeister, 51, died around 10 a.m. at St. Vincent's Birmingham. She was a native of Pelham, where her father, Paul Yeager, was the first mayor.
She was elected Shelby County's first female probate judge in 1994. Judge Fuhrmeister graduated from Auburn University in 1977 and from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1980.
She practiced law in Shelby County from 1980 until she was elected probate judge.
Courthouse personnel for the past year have received e-mails from Jim Fuhrmeister from his wife's bedside. Friday's brief message was grim: "Tricia's condition is not any better this morning. We are at peace. Be in prayer for her. God bless you all. Jim."
Besides her husband, Judge Fuhrmeister is survived by two sons, Chris, 22, and Will, 16

She has been greatly missed, and we continue to remember her family in our prayers.

July 11 - A long end to the first week of training

I stayed up too late last night keeping up with all that is happening with the Weathers family via email and Caring Bridge. I slept a little late this morning, so instead of running, I got back on the site to check for progress. Unfortunately, the situation continues to deteriorate.

Didn't get too much done at work as Jason continued to weigh heavily on my mind and heart. I did leave for a while and go up to the LLS office and turn in my registration for the Team in Training program. I am now officially participating in the marathon on January 18, 2009.

The real purpose of the program is the fundraising to support the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I think with all that has gone on over the past few days, the urgency to find a cure for others who will be stricken with a blood cancer is clear. I am actually putting together my campaign now and will start looking for supporters in the next few weeks.

If you would like to give now, please feel free to follow this link to my personal fundraising page where you can pay by a credit card, or you can send a check to the mailing address listed in the first post of the blog.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/al/pfchangs09/mmayo

Once I got home today, I did get my run done just before the rain. Covered 2.3 miles in 30:13. Actually felt a little better than I have on any of the previous runs. My feet didn't bother me this afternoon either. This is the last day of the run 1 minute, walk 2 minute intervals. I am supposed to do it tomorrow, but think instead I will go to the Y and ride a bike and rest the feet. Sunday is rest, and then Monday we increase to run 2 minutes and walk 1 minute (we hope).