Pimp My Ride

It may be hard to believe but after four weeks I feel as though I'm getting stronger as I progress through the Radiation and Chemo Therapy treatments. This is not to say it's been a breeze, to the contrary I have had a couple of days this past week when intestinal cramping was so bad I logged quite a few wind sprints up and down the office's circular stairs seeking the bathroom. Can't decide if those should be recorded in my running spreadsheet or not.

Perhaps the only side effect that I'm concerned about is Hand and Foot Syndrome which Xeloda can cause. I have noticed at the end of the week, for the past two Friday's that my hands and feet seem to get warm, to which I sleep with my feet sticking out of the bed. At my Reiki session Friday morning one of the practitioners remarked that I must have fallen again. Confused, I asked why she thought that......she pointed to an area, right above my knee which looked like it had sustained a bad sunburn or “Road Rash”. I remembered while I was in he waiting room, placing my elbow, above my knee as I rested my head. Hummmm

Today Molly and I got in a nice eleven mile jaunt, having the good fortune of running into friends along the way. Tomorrow, hopefully I'll be feeling well enough to log in the same amount of miles with our Sunday morning trail group.

Next weekend is the Mount Saint Mary's Alumni Golf Tournament (Saturday) and the North Face Half Trail Marathon (Sunday) . Since Monday is Memorial Day I'll have an extra day of rest and only four days of treatments so I'm optimistic about being able to do both.

Richard, one of the Radiologist Technicians I see each morning comes to work either by motorcycle or his 1985 Volkswagen Diesel Station Wagon. His wagon, though not pretty is paid for and by the way gets an incredible forty two miles per gallon. Even so Richard's car is the source of good natured jokes and as Laura (the other tech) said “You look at that car and say to yourself, Oh, that poor person who has to drive it.” Friday, I photographed it, and with the use of Photoshop, jacked it up, added new wheels, fixed the dents, gave it a paint job, got rid of copious amounts of bird poop, added a customized logo and a Ford Cobra Souped up Engine. Now there is a car to love! Hope Richard likes his picture when he gets it Tuesday.

Mike “O” 

School Bus

The school bus stopped right at the end of the driveway as it has every school-day for the past fifteen years, yet today was different. Today, Maggie became our last child in high school. For almost every day during those past fifteen years I have been witness to the bus arriving to whisk my children off as I wave goodby.

Where does the time go? We've all heard that before but this morning as I headed down for my radiation treatment I thought about it.

Where does the time go? Perhaps it goes with the everyday mundane tasks of getting up, getting ready, making beds, meals, washing dishes, laundry, mowing the yard and work.

Where does the time go? Maybe it goes with the thousands of trips to the grocery store, taking kids everywhere and the occasional evening out with friends or spouse.

Where does the time go? Seconds tick away, minutes combine into hours, days into weeks, months to years without much fanfare until suddenly you realize you haven't talked with a friend or family member for quite some time. In this process called “living” we take for granted many of our days but occasionally are reminded by an old photograph, a memory, or a sixteen year old girl stepping up on the bus for the first time without her older brother, that every day counts. As I watched the bus pull away this morning, I thought, “where did the time go?”. 

Three Weeks Done

Three weeks of chemo and radiation done, three more to go. So far I seem to be handling it well with only some irritation to my intestines. I need to remember to keep drinking lot's of fluids. (beer doesn't count).

This was one heck of a week for the O'Grady family. Kevin concluded his first week working construction for VTS (Vertical Tower Services).

Patrick was named “Outstanding Senior” at the TJ Band Banquet and took home a second award when the Clarinets won as the best section.

Last night Maggie won “Best Actress” of the year for her role as Little Sally in TJ Stage's production of Urine-town. Patrick had been nominated for best actor, but that award went to one of his friends who did a phenomenal job in Phantom of the Opera.

As for me, well I won the title “Teachers Pet” with my two Reiki practitioners at the Friday session. There is no doubt that I feel less stress and discomfort after every session. I'm so glad I opted to try this out.

Running wise it was a “short” week with only twenty five miles logged. Bad weather and “kid conflicts” kept me off the trail more then I wanted. To get back into the swing of things I managed a ten mile run this morning and hope to follow that up with another eight to eleven miler tomorrow.

Later .... Mike

Investigation

There is an old adage that ignorance is bliss; perhaps that is true but I want to know as much as possible so I can be prepared and ready for what is ahead.

Last night I told Sue that she needs to be ready as well; looking ahead at the surgery I'm going to wake up looking like some sort of Voodoo Doll with pins and stuff coming out of every possible existing and new orifices ! Yikes

Several people have told me that they could not make comments, I changed the comments settings so hopefully that has fixed it.

Mike  

Running In The Rain

Tuesday's are “See The Doc” day after radiation treatment is complete. The usual questions; “Are you experiencing any fatigue, yada, yada, yada”; and then perhaps the non-typical question “How many miles are you going to run today?”

Well seeing how I've run twelve out of the past fourteen days, facing a weather forecast of hard nasty rain, thunder and lighting,  I casually replied that I might just skip running for the day.............

On Tuesday's and Thursday's; five o'clock means someone might just show up at Hamburg Road for something of a trail run. At four o'clock I was sure I would “Blow Off” any run, at four thirty the sun came out, at four thirty five I found myself analyzing the weather map. My research complete I was sure Frederick was going to be clear for at least a couple of hours.

Out the door at ten till five I headed towards Hamburg Trail Head. Nine minutes later it was raining.

As I got to the parking area I could see Randy Gessel unlock the passenger side door of his truck so I could get out of the rain. We sat there for a while as rain poured down debating the merits of him either driving me home or forging on. After a few short minutes the rain turned into a trickle, the skies lightened up and since I was already wet, well what the hell, off we go.

I'm convinced that storms have an “intelligence” to wait long enough so you'll experience a full soaking. The gentle trickle we started in turned into a downpour, lighting crashed and trails became streams. Any thoughts of keeping clean vanished as Randy and I discovered that pounding right through the floods and mud just didn't matter.

The run finished, dripping wet, covered in mud I grabbed a towel and headed into the shower, clothes shoes and all.

It was all good.

The Past Weekend

This past weekend my Brothers Bill and Tim visited to help cut down several of the many dead trees I have on my property. The highlight of our efforts was landing our last tree between the Toyota Forerunner and our Minivan, both of which are slated to be crushed or donated to charity. Bill, with his trusty video camera was ready to record an "America's Funniest Home Video" moment but alas the tree landed safely. I believe we managed to cut and split about two to two and a half cords of wood.

It was also a good running weekend with a five miler on Saturday and an eight plus on Sunday morning. Perfect running for me, cool with fog and mist floating around.

Sunday afternoon was spent at the Tibetan Meditation Center for the first of ten classes of "Buddha 101". At the end of the first session, during the questions and answers, a woman asked how she might address those in her family who are convinced she going to hell for taking these classes. Though I know very little about Buddhism, what I gleaned  from the first class leads me to believe that there would be little conflict to most organized religions. 

Amazing how many people are willing to wallow in ignorance.

The Hike

The second highest mountain in New York's Adirondack Park is Mt Algonquin. On a clear day it's treeless summit presents three hundred and sixty degree views and the summit itself is in an Alpine Zone sharing many of the same plants found on much higher summits such as the Alps. I have no idea how many times I've climbed this peak but I would guess at least fifty times in all kinds of weather. Perhaps one of my favorite climbs of all times was on a very cold and windy day, when, after acquiring the summit my brother Bill and I felt compelled to remove our jackets and shirts for “manly” photographs.

Friday I had my second Reiki session, within a few minutes after starting I found my mind wandering and started up the Algonquin trail. I was by myself and half way up I stopped at a water fall which is always a rest stop on the hike. At this point I'm not even sure I was aware of the soft music playing or the fact that hands were being placed on my body. I could see water tumbling over rocks, the small swirling pool of water at the bottom and the trail leading further up the mountain.

I continued up the Mountain, passing a favorite rock formation that most people don't realize is there unless you are willing to bushwhack off trail and climb a wall of rock.

The trail splits about three quarters of a mile below the summit and here you can elect to climb Wright Mountain. For some strange reason I took this path, still all alone and worked my way to the summit. Standing on top of Wright I was suddenly joined my both my brothers and several nephews, we sat down to relax and have some lunch. It was so vivid, I could even see where my walking poles lay as I ate lunch. I was reliving our hike from the past summer.

Soon I realized that tears were rolling down my cheeks, not tears of anguish but tears of pure joy... the moment was so perfect.

The session ended, the lights came up and I found it difficult to speak. When I managed to regain my composure I explained what I had seen and felt. I hugged and thanked my Reiki practitioners.

Whack A Mole

Who remembers the game “Whack A Mole”?

If you forgot or have never played it, the player gets a mallet with a rubber or plastic head. There is a board with about a dozen or so holes from which moles appear and disappear, starting slowly and increasing in speed and numbers as the game goes on. To score points simply whack the mole before he has a chance to naturally disappear back in his hole.

This week I was the mole.

After a week of a whole lot of minor nuisances the “Creme De La Creme” was a eleven hundred and fifty dollar bill for a cracked intake manifold on the car.

On the “Bright Side of Life” I sit here wearing my “Medicine Buddha” given to me yesterday by Lama Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Rinpoche who met with Kevin and I at the Tibetan Meditation Center. Drupon is Tibetan and as a young man studied at the Drong Ngur Monastery in Tibet. In our conversation with Drupon he spoke about his recent trip to Peru which he quite enjoyed because it reminded him of home. Drupon and I touched upon some of the very basics of meditation and has invited me to see him next week at the Monk's house to further my knowledge.

My Brother Bill will soon be here to spend the weekend with me. The idea was to get a lot of work done; the weather forecast may preclude that but I am looking forward to his visit.

Almost forgot, two weeks done with four more to go, no major side effects raising their ugly heads !

Another Reiki treatment later today, things are looking up.

Good luck to all my running friends today in the MMT 100 miler, wish I could be with you (as a pacer) and to those running the Harper’s Ferry Half marathon.

Finally, to my nephew Matt, you better be training for the Northface Half Trail Marathon.

Later..... Mike

Wednesday May 11

This morning didn't start out very well; I don't know if I'm starting to feel some of the effects of the treatments or not but I must have made a dozen trips to the bathroom with no “action” going on. I need to remember to drink plenty of water. I still managed a three mile loop with Molly on a perfect morning for running.

Last night Sue and I had quite the surprise at Patrick's final Concert Band show. The fifth performance was the “Hebrides Suite”, a four part composition. Before the number started, Christy Caufield, the music director, announced that Patrick O'Grady had come to her and asked if he could direct a piece in the Spring Concert. The baton traded to Patrick, Sue and I watched as he stepped up and led the orchestra. What a surprise, we could not have been any prouder.

The Crown Vic is back in the shop (again) as it rudely spilled coolant all over the M&T Bank parking lot just before one of my treatments. We had just enough time for Sue to pick me up and deliver me on time. After the appointment, Sue was rewarded with a trip to the new, re-done Freeze King for a Coffee Milk Shake. I went all out and spent the extra fifty five cents to have malt added to mine, they were really good.

Today with my car in the shop, Sue having to move kids from here to there we were out in Left Field. A call to my running buddy Larry to bum a ride was answered with “Anytime”. Thanks Larry

Tomorrow I meet with Drupon, I'm really looking forward to this.

Later... Mike

Tuesday May 10th

Nothing exciting to report other then it was a perfect day yesterday to get out on the trails for a couple of runs. Molly went with me in the morning for our three mile loop and looked at me with those sad eyes when I went back out in the evening without her.

Found out that the Rich (the radiation tech) pours wine at a Virginia Winery, Aspen Dale, about an hours drive from Frederick. He's invited me down for a personal tasting some weekend.

After radiation today I have an appointment with Dr Goldstein  (the Oncologist who will be replacing Dr Rausch when he retires in July). I'm going to as a lot of questions about the six months of Chemo following surgery. That one came as a complete surprise to Sue and I.

I don't think I mentioned anything about the Reiki session I had last Friday. Well to be honest I'm not really sure I understand what I felt or didn't feel, I do know that I was very relaxed and a nagging pain in my back seemed vanish. (Until a half hour later when I stepped in a small unseen hole.) I've signed up for at least two more sessions. As I told one of my running buddies, "What's not to like about two women placing their hands all over you?"

 Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Rinpoche , from the Tibetan Meditation Center should be back in town today and I will email him to see if I can get some advise about Meditation. Just noticed.... Spellchecker lit up with his name!

Later... Mike

Mother's Day

Some days are simply better than others and today is one of those days.

After a busy Saturday that included two photography events, U.S. Open volunteer training and Patrick's final Frederick Children's Chorus concert, I woke up at 5:30 to the sound of...... no rain.

I didn't expect a large crowd for the Sunday morning trail run but to my surprise about a dozen people showed up for a relaxed five mile jaunt in the woods. I don't know what is going on, I felt like I could just power up the hills with ease, five miles hardly seemed enough; Nuclear Powered perhaps?

The run over, there was some recover-right, jovial conversation and pictures before I jumped into the car and screamed back to the house (twenty minutes late) for Mother's day brunch. No harm no foul as the Kids were still fast asleep.

Bagels, Salmon, Mini Quiche and Mimosas filled out the menu along with a “fashion show” when Maggie showed off her sheik New York Dress.

Brunch completed, Mom and Dad, who had come down for the concert, packed up and headed down to Baltimore for Grand Daughter Riley's fourth birthday party.

Feeling relaxed it didn't take Sue and I long to lay down for a nap.

Week one Done

Today I finish the first week of Chemo / Radiation and will have a Reiki Session just prior to being “Lit Up”. It has been a good week with perhaps only minor side effects from the treatments. A couple of days ago,  I felt "off"  but this probably had more to do with pollen and spring allergies then anything else.

Managed to log thirty plus miles on the trails this week in perfect running weather.; also managed to tweak my back somehow. Might have been the two bad falls I've taken in the past week, the only bad falls I've taken all year. I'd blame it on “Chemo Head” but the first one happened prior to starting the drugs. Can't wait until Jessica see's the bruise on my right hip, yesterday she noted how good it was healing up. 

Speaking about taking drugs, seems ironic that for someone who never takes takes drugs (hardly even an aspirin) that now I'm on some really wicked stuff. The instructions for Xeloda recommend that you open the package wearing gloves and safety glasses in case the pill coating is compromised! Wow

Busy day tomorrow, The Frederick Half Marathon, US Open (Golf) Volunteer Training and the Frederick Children's Spring Concert and perhaps some last minute Mother's Day shopping.

Later.... Mike

Susie's Card

I really liked this ; I found it while searching for a wedding card, simply had to buy it for Susie. This is the attitude I would like to try to maintain throughout this and onwards.

Good News

Some good news yesterday; after the Radiation Treatment Dr. Gagnon met with me and informed me the MRI did not reveal any cancer in the Liver. This means, so far there is no evidence that the cancer has spread.

The treatments will not be changed and I will continue to be treated aggressively.

So as Bill Murray said in Caddy Shack, "I got that going for me and that's nice"

Ran three miles yesterday morning and five more in the evening. I felt a bit tired but I think it has to do more with seasonal allergies starting to kick in then anything else.

Later........ Mike

May 2nd

May 2^nd

One down twenty nine to go.

New first experiences today, MRI and Radiation.

The MRI will hopefully clear me of any cancer in the Liver but might just show up a Coors Original imprint buried somewhere deep inside, only time will tell. Except for it being a might bit noisy it wasn't bad at all but I guess some people really freak out. My advice to those who are claustrophobic; easy just close your eyes.

I didn't know I was getting “Contrast” in the MRI and was quite disappointed with it. When I had “Contrast” with the CAT scan, the sensation reminded me of taking a double shot of Jack Daniels after a long day of hiking. That feeling of warmth just flowing through the veins. Today it must have been a quarter shot because it didn't do much for me. Hey doc up the dosage!

After the MRI I headed home for a while and then bolted down into Frederick for my first radiation treatment. This one I was told would be my longest because they had to get me set up. Well what I didn't know was that once again my white ass would be the bearer of new drawings. It wasn't bad, I got three, one on each cheek, sort of on the side and one dead center around, well you know where.

These are the radiation fields that are designed to deliver maximum shaped radiation to the tumor, I understand that. What I don't understand is why in the good Lord's name one of them has to be shaped like the state of Texas? I'm so grateful it's not football season, I can just imagine my embarrassment if someone were to jerk down my shorts during a Skins / Cowboy game. How the hell would you explain that one!

I was also disappointed that the “Artist” didn't sign her work and if she happens to be there tomorrow I shall undoubtedly mention it.

Mom called at the end of the day to see how I did; we shared a good laugh when I suggested that Dad may have made a great MRI technician. When someone freaked out he'd simply call them a “Candy Ass” (Family Joke) and to get on with it.

Anyway it was a good day and I'm grateful.... Mike

May 1st

Sometimes the anticipation of something is far worse then the actual event.

This morning I woke up at 5:15 A.M. Realizing that some of my running friends had just crossed the twenty four hour mark in their quest to complete the Catoctin 100. (CAT 100) At 7:45 as I left the house for my Sunday morning trail run, another group of running friends started the Gettysburg Marathon. As for me, my trail run of eight miles was a delight in itself.

I had been dreading the conversation with my Mom and Dad about the cancer, not knowing if I or my parents would hold it together. As we got closer to their house a buzzer went off in the car, five seconds later there we were on the side of the road with an overheated engine.

Sometimes luck wins out; the fact that my kids are such slobs finally paid off. You see, they take bottles of water, drinking only half before just throwing the bottle on the floor. Often when picking up a friend these bottles will make it to the trunk of the car. The kids idea of making the car presentable does not involve emptying the bottles with placement in recycling, nope, cleaning means just heave everything in the trunk.

Fifteen minutes and eight deer park bottles later we added just enough coolant to make it to a grocery store to purchase a gallon jug of water. Whatever is wrong, the leak must be very slow because we had no trouble making it home.

Poor Sue buried her hands in her face as I broke into a chorus of “Pressure, Pressure we just need more Pressure”

The conversation with Mom and Dad, fantastic. 

Mike