I have been thinking all week about my blog and what I would write about. This past month has been a whirlwind of events from healing up from my bad elbow wound to doing the 24 Hrs of Ol Pueblo and sleeping in a horse trailer.

Gianna was a tough warrior! Gianna in 2011.  She wrote: "This is me, 2 weeks post bilateral mastectomy.  I hit the trails too soon and paid for it that night with severe chest pain." — Gianna was a tough warrior! Gianna in 2011. She wrote: "This is me, 2 weeks post bilateral mastectomy. I hit the trails too soon and paid for it that night with severe chest pain."

Last Friday, my dear and close friend, Gianna Bianchi passed away after a very long and hard fight with cancer. I was fortunate to see her the day before her passing and able to spend those last precious moments with her. She had looked much worse from the week before as she was completely paralyzed from the waist down and looked like she'd lost more weight. The cancer had spread all over her body and was taking over her brain and spinal cord. There were moments of clarity where she was very chatty and other times where she would see and feel things that were not there. Her mind was playing tricks on her.

Gianna had wanted me to do Leadville so badly as that race had so much significance to her. She had rode just after her first remission from breast cancer in 2012 and not long after was re-diagnosed.

Gianna and Liz on our epic ride up Sunrise trail in 2012.  This wasn't long after Gianna found out the cancer had returned. We will be riding up Sunrise Trail in honor of her this Sunday morning before her services! — Gianna and Liz on our epic ride up Sunrise trail in 2012. This wasn't long after Gianna found out the cancer had returned. We will be riding up Sunrise Trail in honor of her this Sunday morning before her services!

"Get my purse, pretty," she pointed at the closet and I pulled out her purse. She asked me to look through her pocketbook for 'something with Leadville on it'? I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for but all I could find were random cards and nothing Leadville. "The lottery is drawn this weekend, Gianna, and I'll find out if I got in or need to do a qualifying race."

I was fortunate my mother in law, Cathy was in town and was able to meet my friend. I had told her so many stories of this amazing soul. Gianna and I talked for awhile and soon I could see how much pain she was in and how tired she was. She closed her eyes. "Gianna, you rest, I am going to go and I'll come visit you early next week." Cathy took our picture, one last time, and Gianna gave me the biggest hug she has ever given me and more kisses than you can imagine.

I posted this on Facebook: "So blessed to spend precious moments with my amazing friend and now angel, Gianna, yesterday. You will always be with me on every ride girl - I will miss you pretty and your always amazing smile, love, and friendship… — I posted this on Facebook: "So blessed to spend precious moments with my amazing friend and now angel, Gianna, yesterday. You will always be with me on every ride girl - I will miss you pretty and your always amazing smile, love, and friendship."

That night, I cried myself to sleep as I hated to see her suffer like that. I knew if she would just let go - she was a tough fighter, she would be free. And she did, just the next day with her mother, sisters, and husband Jerry at her side.

It's tough to lose a close friend. But like my dad told me, it's a gift to go through a journey like this with someone.

Here's us about a 6 weeks ago, we went shopping for bright colored pillow cases and out for a sandwich and milkshake before her brain radiation appointment.

I had been visiting Gianna frequently and trying to help as much as I could with groceries or making homemade broth or soup for her. Four weeks before, she called me for help, asking if I could get groceries. She always seemed to call when I was at the grocery store so I think she had esp! I had gone over to deliver the food and her close friend Jeff was over. Jeff and Gianna had gone back so far on the mountain bike. He was like a brother to her and always looked out for her. When Gianna had done Leadville, she left early after the race, so she never got her Leadville finisher's belt buckle. Some people do this race for this belt buckle - so it's a big deal!! Jeff had put in a few calls and had the belt buckle expedited and had brought it over. She was overjoyed as she also had been given a Leadville necklace and hoodie. But during that visit she told us that she was saying her 'good byes' to us. She said it so frankly and all of a sudden the realization of what was to come really sank in. Jeff and I made eye contact as if we were thinking the same thing. I never showed tears in front of her as I wanted to be that strong shoulder for her, but you can bet when I went home to Aaron, he had my tears on his shoulder.

So, just a few days after my friend's passing, the Leadville lottery winners were announced. They actually drew the lottery the day Gianna left us! How ironic! My friend Shelby called on Tuesday, "Melissa, did you get in?" I hadn't checked my email. "We didn't get in, check your email." I stumbled through my email, trying to find the spam folder that was hidden. Finally, I found it, "CONGRATULATIONS!" the headline read. I screamed!! "Ahhh!!! I got in!!!!"

So, my dear friend, Gianna, thank you. Thank you for being an amazing soul, mentor, human, and friend. You showed me what it means to really fight for something you believe in, even when circumstances are the worst. You also showed me how to really appreciate all the little moments and things in life. Although you may not be here to talk to, go on epic rides with, or go to the movies together (and eat lots of buttered popcorn), you are always at the back of my mind and seems like you're already looking out for me:) I'll be training hard this year to get that sub 9hr at Leadville like you challenged me to do!

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." - Gianna Bianchi