Running Amongst the Wind

Hurricane Irene brushed by Frederick County last night with the remnants expected to be through the area by early afternoon.

I got up at seven, looked out the window to see light rain and a gentle breeze swaying the leaves in the trees. Though we lost power sometime around one AM. a quick survey outside showed only small branches and leaves strewn around the ground; great time for a run.

Before any of you start calling or emailing, please know the the Surgeon cleared me to start today.

Walking hasn't been much of a problem but I knew that jogging (much less running) would be a different animal. Getting dressed, I put on a specialized garment, essentially a cumber-bun with a pocket to add support. My “test run” was to the end of the driveway and back.

Remember the poem “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly”; it wiggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. The feeling I got jogging to the end of the driveway brought that poem to mind. Reworking my preparations, I added an ACE bandage wrapped tightly around my waist while taking the utmost caution with the safety pin.

The jog to the end of the driveway and back this time seemed “doable”.

At seven forty five, strapped tighter then a Southern Belle before the cotillion I headed out. I'm not going to lie and tell you I felt “normal”, it took a half mile or so to adjust to feelings that things were bouncing or just plain loose. Those feelings were soon overcome with a sense of gratitude and pure enjoyment that I was running again.

Just prior to eight o'clock I arrived at Hamburg Road to an empty parking lot, minutes later two of my trail buddies showed up and off we headed into light rain, gentle breezes and flooded trails. Randy and Steve let me lead for three miles before the trail brought me back home. In total I ran for a little more than four slow miles getting soaked to the skin and loving it.

Amazing how the incremental small steps can be so satisfying.

Just now, as I'm finishing this post, I'm witness to the Sun playing hide and seek with clouds, Irene is past, simply another footnote in history and the outlook is brighter.

Later....... Mike

Never Say Never

This morning in an adventurous mode I decided to try a homemade solution to provide support for my morning walk. I knew I had a "King Size" ace bandage in the bathroom and proceeded to wrap it around myself to see if this would work.

Lacking tape I found some safety pins, secured it and headed out. Three minutes later I was back home as it became very evident that a thunderstorm was about to roll in. Forty minutes later I decided to unwrap myself and guess what.... if you said, "Better be careful with those safety pins" you would be right on target.

The puncture was near the top of the bag so I decided, drum roll ........... to try to seal it with Duct Tape.

Sorry to say, it didn't work.

I later headed back out on a two mile walk thinking I knew how to read the weather map projected on the TV. With only a half mile back to home the sky opened up and buckets of rain smacked my hair challenged head. With little hair to absorb the drops it wasn't long before steams rolled down my face. Soaked to the skin, the dog shaking off the rain I finally stepped on the front porch of the house just as the last rain drops hit the ground.


Later......... Mike

Earthquakes Sleep and Duct Tape

Big news yesterday as the East Coast was shook by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake. Having never experienced one before, I initially thought it was a large truck rambling down the road, perhaps a fleet of large trucks but it continued way too long. As I looked over at my wife's desk I saw her computer monitor shaking back and forth and realized what was going on.

It didn't take long before I heard feet stomping up the back stairs to the office. “Did you feel that Dad, what happened?”, Maggie asked. Kevin followed soon after telling us that Facebook was jammed with talk of an earthquake. Sue called next from her school, she had been doing some pre-school opening volunteer work and once a co-worker let go of her leg she was free to call home.

All very exciting, all very new and boy oh boy did the local news media milk this story all last night.

Yesterday also marked the second night I took an Ambien in an effort to sleep for more than an hour. With the exception of Surgery, when I was knocked out for five hours or more I haven’t slept more then a couple of hours at a single stretch for over a month. I've been getting plenty of rest, lounging in bed for nine to ten hours each night but deep sleep has been elusive.

With the recommendation of the home call nurse I decided a sleep aid would be worth a try. On the first night, worried that I would simply fall asleep on my feet Sue “pushed” me into bed minutes after taking an Ambien. “Wow”, I thought, “This stuff must be pretty good.” Nine thirty became ten, eleven and so on until Sue came to bed around midnight. As she came in I said hello and heard a “Darn It” under her breath. Needless to say night number one was no different then previous nights.

Last night I did seem to sleep in one stretch for about two and a half hours but if it was from the Ambien,  I'm just not sure as I managed to walk seven plus miles during the day. Progress or fluke it still was a welcome break from the hourly clock Virgil's. Perhaps tonight, as they say three times a charm, will bring the deep sleep I search for.

Duct Tape has nothing to do with Earthquakes or Sleep but it has been on my mind and on those of my fellow runners, many of which who have offered solutions to stabilize “DA Bag” after I return to running. Only one, Larry took the “high road”, from his email.

I'm delighted to hear that you'll be running again soon. However, when you come up with a solution to your little problem, ("I need to find a way to support the bag so it doesn't pull or sway as I run.") please don't let the solution involve duct tape.

Alright the rest of you guess what? I would be right there with you with the Duct Tape suggestions so your “Off The Hook”. Nice to know I have a wide depth of suggestions to consider. None of which, I can assure you, will involve Duct Tape.

Thanks all, keep on laughing .......... Mike

Pie Run

This morning about fifty runners gathered for the Frederick Steeplchasers annual Pie Run, a 10K event whose "entry fee" is as the name suggests, a pie. Pies serve as the entry fee and and all awards as the runners pick the pie of their choice with the male and female runners alternating in order of finish. It's a popular event.

Guess some of you might have thought that I was "cleared for running", alas that just wasn't in the cards this morning. I was there simply as cheerleader and photographer. Even so there is lots of good news to share.

Upon inspection of my missing body parts it appears the tumor was downgraded to a T2 from a T3N1.
What this means is that there was no evidence that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. This is good news but it does not change the course of treatment as "my plan" is based upon the orginal diagnosis. So as Dr. Berg said, "Ok Mike, suck it up and get through your chemo, your going to be fine." I really like the confidence and staright forwardness of the doc. He also happens to be the race director for a 5K in September that I am now planning to run in. In a flattering enticement he said I would be his "ringer" in my age group; we'll see.

So anyway, one week from tomorrow I am cleared to start jogging and to start driving a car again; freedom is near.

It's somewhat funny as I mention to my running friends that I'm soon to start running again, there often is a silence and then the question, "You think you can actually run with that thing?". To make it ackward I ask, "What thing?".  Then the conversation turns serious and I say that I need to find a way to support the bag so it doesn't pull or sway as I run, I think I've found what I need and will be placing an order early next week.

Well boys and girls things are getting better, about an hour ago I had a slight cough that I couldn't control or get my hand onto my stomach for support, it didn't send me through the roof. Who would know that such a simple thig could bring such a measure of satisfaction.

Finally, Joe, Mel and Laura stopped in to bid farewell as they head back to California. We had a nice visit and just before Joe got into the car to leave,I pulled him aside and said something like, "This whole process has really redefined for me what taking a dump means".......... I must be in recovery, my sick sense of humor is returning.

Later, Mike

Moving Day ?

This afternoon I have my two week appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Berg.

I am hoping that he will "free me" to begin so low level jogging and allow me to start driving a car again. This not to say that being driven around for the past two weeks has been a difficult adjustment. In fact, I have come to the realization that Patrick and Kevin may never get a drivers license because they have it too darn good!

This past week has had it's share of ups and downs. I can honestly say that I believe that each passing day finds me a little better off until a sneeze, cough or simply a wrong move jolts me backwards. I had discontinued pain pills four days after surgery and this past week found myself taking some at bedtime so I could get to sleep.


I am continuing my walking, had a real nice walk with Joe and Mel on Wednesday, morning walks with Susie and evening walks by myself. Most days I'm getting three to six miles in.

Getting use to the colostomy bag is not as big a deal as I thought it might be but by no means is it pleasant. Hopefully my skin will adapt, right now where the bag attaches gets sore from the tug and itches like crazy sometimes. I have to look into some sort of "support" so that when I do return to running it won't yank on me with each step. I'll figure it out.

Off to the Doc soon, I'll let you know how it went.

Mike

Lamaze

Who would have thought that Lamaze classes I attended with my wife twenty two years ago would come in handy for me at this point in my life.

Sunday, an uncontrollable sneeze rocked my midsection with a jolt that took my breath away. "Huff and Puff" was what I used to regain some composure and comfort. Well I be darned if it didn't happen again after dinner last night. This time the pain managed to spread itself out to the point that my back and legs started hurting as well, I was a mess.

Good thing I only used five pain pills out of the thirty prescribed for me after I left the hospital, plenty left. Taking two (which I had never done before) and with Sue rubbing my legs for an hour I slowly recovered and became quite comfortable.

Here is the "odd" part; I haven't had a good nights sleep in a couple of weeks, so perhaps a benefit of the medication might have been some restful "ZZZZ's" . Should have been except I had a dream, I left a meeting with eyes as heavy as freight trains. I wanted so much to get home I fought hard the urge to fall asleep and actually woke myself up.

UGH!

Mike 

Weekend

It was a full weekend marked with Patrick heading out to Shepherd University for two weeks of band camp prior to starting his college career. As the jeep headed out the driveway packed to the gills with clothes and supplies I couldn't but feel a sense of pride and excitement for my son as he starts on this great adventure.

Saturday I ventured out in public for the first time to volunteer (Photography) at the WDF (Women s Distance Festival), a file kilometer race for women only. It was well attended and the weather held off long enough so that no one got a free shower during or after the race. My favorite picture of the event ended up being of a future participant instead of an actual one, I'm just a sucker for kids.

The weekend also brought my college roommate Joe and his family for a visit. No matter how much time has passed it always seems as though it was just yesterday that we last saw each other. Joe and I managed to get a walk in, watch some golf (The PGA Championship) and just BS the afternoon away. Hopefully, if the weather cooperates Joe and Mel will come down for a four or five mile walk later in the week. They are both training for a half marathon later in October, hopefully I won't slow them down too much. Walking fast is not as easy as it sounds!

Sue is doing a great job of nursing me back to health. As you might imagine there have been a number of changes to get use too not the least being that I am supposed to drink two liters of Pedialyte a day. Two liters equates to 67.6 ounces of the salty sweet mix, not even as much fluid as a six pack of beer but lordly lordly it's not easy to keep chugging it down.

About the only real negative aspect of the weekend occurred when I could not control a sneeze. I swear I thought I had busted some stitches and the pain I felt was far greater then anything I experienced in the hospital. Even today my midsection is really tender.

Well all, I promised Sue that there would be no more jogging until after we speak to the doctor this coming Friday. I am hoping he will release me for some easy training but if not I'll just keep on walking. I'm typically getting in four to six miles a day in two or more walks.

Later.... Mike 

Small Steps

This morning was almost perfect, with a temperature of just under sixty degrees there is a hint of Fall in the air.

Sue had to take Kevin to a job site so she was not able to come with me on my morning walk.

Half a mile into my walk I felt like I might be able to start a slow jog, the segment of trail I was on was flat, smooth and "calling to me to try". To an outsider, seeing a bent over trail runner moving slightly faster then a quick walk  may not have been inspirational but to me it was a moment of complete satisfaction. I only made a hundred yards or so but it is a start.

I am happy.


Mike

PS> Sue, when you read this please don't be mad at me. I really think I know what I'm doing.

Making Weight

Most mornings I start my day by stepping on the bathroom scale, most mornings there is no great surprise but this morning, this morning I saw the dial stop short of mark that I've not seen in over thirty years, one hundred forty nine pounds.

The last time I can remember being this weight I was living in Walkersville Md, in a farmhouse with my good friend Jim Draper and his newly wedded wife. I had come back to Maryland to attend grad school at Mount Saint Mary's, the plan being to rent this farmhouse, a bachelor pad, with Jim and my other close friend Mike McGinley. Just prior to coming back to Maryland I received a call from Mike,

“Hey O, you still coming to Maryland? I've been transferred to Florida”. That put a small kink in the works but plans were set, Jim and I would be sharing the farmhouse.

One week before heading to Maryland the phone rings, it's Jim, “Hey O, you still coming to Maryland?. I'm getting married”. With those last three words the vision of a wild, party burdened farmhouse vaporized into thin air. “Yea Jim, I'm still coming”

My imagined “Wild Life” in the bachelor pad changed into a more civilized routine part of which was running the back roads of Walkersville. I found I really enjoyed my runs and as I got into it more miles were added and I slowly got lighter and lighter.

Getting dressed one morning I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and didn't like what I saw, I was skinny! A quick run to the bathroom scale quickly confirmed what I saw, I was now one hundred and forty five pounds, way to light for a guy playing Rugby.

I resolved that I would gain back at least ten pounds quickly and set forth by adding copious amounts of beer and ice cream to my existing diet. It worked and within six weeks I was back to a comfortable one hundred fifty five pounds.

How ironic that I had planned on getting down to one hundred and fifty pounds to run this years JFK Fifty Mile Ultra. I've made weight, but certainly not in the fashion I would ever had expected.

Later....... Mike

Nap Time

Yesterday I decided to discontinue taking pain medication, hoping that enduring some additional level of discomfort would speed up healing. While there were times I felt uncomfortable it was no worse then a couple of days after running a hard ultra.

One of the changes I did notice was a level of tiredness (don't want to say fatigue) that I felt after each one of my walks. No problem however as I simply would lay down and take a nap.

Nap time seems to be one of the “benefits” of this entire experience, the ability to lay down at one o'clock in the afternoon to doze off for a couple hours is liberating. Today as I laid down I started thinking about how the “Size of My World” changed so dramatically over the course of less then a week.

Last Friday morning, when I awoke “My World” was a bed, a view to a bathroom and a room populated with family and friends. I was the “Voodoo Doll” I imagined weeks before with various attached tubes and the occasional stick of a needle.

By Friday evening however “My World” had expanded now the bathroom was reachable and the world outside of my room had been partially explored.

I'm not going to go into detail of every day but because it's simply not important. The lesson I think I've learned was that the “Importance of My World” changed in direct proportion to the “Size of My World”. On Friday morning it simply was not important that I wasn't at work, running or just hanging out at home, my world had changed as did all of my priorities.

Perhaps it would be advantageous for some of us to occasionally try to “Downsize our World” to bring to light what truly is important.

No Place Like Home

“There's no place like home, there's no place like home”, mutters Dorthy as she clicks her heels to leave the land of oz. My heels weren't clicking but my feet were walking soon after I woke up Friday morning following surgery.

Modern pain medicine is simply amazing, without it I doubt I could have gotten up and around so quickly but even with, that first contraction of my abdominal muscles to transition from a laying to sitting position was eye opening.

My first walk was with one of the nurses, a simple five minute jaunt up and down some dead end hallways complicated by the various tubes protruding from almost every orifice of my body. Even so I did well enough to receive the announcement, “I could walk with a family member on my next outing.” That was the good news, the bad was that the Cather I was sporting leaked all over me during the walk and a hole was found on the tube. I proposed we tape the hole with duck tape but no-one would hear of it. For Gods sake, where is good old American Spirit?

Thank goodness that the team of nurses who put in the new Cather could rival any number of NASCAR teams for a quick pit stop change. With their skillful “Low Impact Quick Change” I managed to get up several more times on Friday. On one of my walks I found a much better route, a loop that measures somewhere close to a quarter mile in total. Each walk started out slowly with me pushing the IV stand, holding the IV, the Pain Button and the Drainage bag in the other. The first few minutes were “warn up” until the stitches in my belly loosened up and allowed me to push the pace somewhat.

Saturday, I knew the key to getting “sprung” on Sunday would be to be as active as possible without being just plain stupid. I managed fourteen laps and was able to stay awake for most of the day to chat with family and friends who dropped in. The day went well and at eight o'clock in the evening the nurses pulled the Cather. FREEDOM ! LET FREEDOM RING ! Now all I had to do was pee in next four hours to maintain that freedom. At ten thirty, watching with Sue the movie, “The Pelican Brief” my freedom was assured. Ahhhhhh

After a night of almost no pain medication I started to notice Sunday morning more of my body awakening to the fact that some drastic changes has occurred. Sunday was also when my pain medication would be downgraded, but perhaps for the good as I would have no decision in the delivery. It all seemed to work well and when the Doc saw me sometime after lunch he saw no reason to keep me any longer.

Click your heels Michael, your going home!

Slower Traffic Keep Right

Breakfast:  He’s moved up the food chain from liquid to soft bland:  grits… no butter, milk, salt – just good old grits and vanilla pudding.

Mike has completed four walks so far today totaling thirteen “hall laps” --  estimating a hall lap at ¼ mile that’s just a little over three miles!  He greets all the nurses and staff as he passes them in the hall.  They are probably not much different than the spectators at the races -- they are cheering him on: “There goes the marathon walker!”  “Here he comes again!”  “He’s moving!”  Mike motors down the hall pushing his rolling IV stand next to him. We rounded a corner to find two lab techs pushing carts (rather slowly) side-by-side down the middle of the hall. I thought I was going to have to say something like, “coming through”  ---  because he wasn’t slowing down!  But they must have heard us because they both turned around at the same time to see him closing in and very quickly moved out of his way!   Or possibly they moved aside because word has spread on the hall about this guy who is racing down the hall with just one gown on, tied in the back, who is rumored to have a nice derrière. Hard to tell.

He’s getting a bit spoiled with all this attention.

The kids came by yesterday afternoon and he was serenaded and entertained by comedy skits.  Sue washed his hair today -- the process?  Place warm shower cap with special shampoo “stuff” on his head, massage, massage, massage, remove cap, towel dry and “style” as desired!  He looked kind of cute with that shower cap on his head – pictures available upon request  J …

Seriously, he is doing great. He has done everything and more that they have asked of him. He has maintained a very positive attitude.  Luckily he will be out of here soon or we would have to purchase a bell to attach to his rolling IV stand to warn unsuspecting hall pedestrians of his approach or hang signs in the hall:  

Doctor Was Smiling

Let's start with the important information and then track backwards. Mike is doing great. The doctor had a very large grin on his face when he met with Sue and assorted others after the surgery yesterday. He said that the surgery went even better than expected. Mike is alert right now and we are waiting for the doctor to give updates this morning as he makes his rounds. Once the doc has seen him, they will let Mike get up and walk around...which he would really like to be doing now!

Tracking back. Mike's surgery started around noon and lasted about 4 hours. Mike had his entourage in the preop area: Sue, brother Bill, sister Kathy and his Mom, Pat.  Sue said that she thought that the staff must have thought that they were crazy because there was a lot of laugher and light hearted conversation. Mike was making friends with everyone that he met!  Don't you know he is just their dream patient!  He is upbeat, very positive and cooperative. When the nurse came into the preop area and asked him if he had anything that needed to be removed to which he replied, "Apparently I do." --- this of course sent everyone in the room, including the nurse, into laughter!

He's appropriately sleepy for someone who had major surgery, but is in good spirits and still his sense of humor... the ice chips really aren't cutting it anymore so he's hopeful for something more substantial...like...a popsicle...yum yum...

Uploading a picture that I took at the race on Saturday of Mike's feet. I have named the picture "Warrior Feet" which is appropriate don't you think? 

He will most likely get sprung from the hospital on Monday -   More later. Trish

It's Now Post Time

I'm not a big horse race track fan but I always got a kick out of the announcer shouting out "It's Now Post Time" just before the horses were ready to  leave the gate. We'll now it's post time for me as I prep for surgery tomorrow.

The potion I'm using tonight is named Movi-Prep; sort of makes you think that a bowl of popcorn should be somewhere close by, but alas not to be. After a wonderful three and a half mile trail run this morning I'm sure that in a few hours the sprints to the bathroom will be somewhat less enjoyable.

Sue will try to provide updates as to how I'm doing.

Thanks to all, your prayers, letters, calls and visits have made this process so much easier.

Mike