Paying Attention

If there is one lesson I need to pound into my head it's that it is imperative to pay attention and not forget that I need to stay on top of Chemotherapy.

I forgot on Saturday and paid for it on Sunday.

Saturday was a full day with Rugby in the morning and a March of Dimes Trail run in the afternoon. Not to make excuses but dealing with an Ileostomy requires that I watch what I eat or drink prior to venturing outside of the comfort and convenience of my home and office. Before heading up to Mount Saint Mary's I had a half a cup of coffee and an Ensure. Thinking the Rugby “Halves” were thirty minutes I calculated plenty of available time to view the game, make it home and to the March of Dimes Trail Run to assume duties as a volunteer.

Needless to say I was wrong, I was there to watch the “A” side game, “A” side halves are forty minutes.

My nephew would be playing in the second half so I stretched my time, staying until the last possible moment. Nothing I could do next except to head straight for the race, no lunch, no fluids, no common sense. As the Boy Scout Motto proclaims, “Be Prepared”, I was not.

Chemotherapy requires me to drink at least two to three quarts of water a day, returning home mid-afternoon I had hardly downed more then a pint. I am embarrassed to admit that a few beers was not a suitable substitute for my hydration needs and I most likely fell into a state of slight dehydration.

For the very first time, the Sunday morning trail run resulted in a bust. The morning was cold, (high twenties) I was ready with double gloves and hand-warmers. I felt fine but within a half mile I started gasping for breath even as we ran at warn up pace. Gasping caused stinging in my throat and only through breathing through my nose would it stop. I stopped.

Those who can't run, walk and clear trail, that was my new mission. I managed to cover about four and a half miles running some of the last mile. (it had warmed up by then).

The rest of my day was spent on the couch sucking down as much fluids as possible. (No Beer). I felt lousy and even an afternoon walk, always my salvation failed. As an added consequence of my stupidity, I missed a Sunday evening choral concert Patrick was in. Susan said it was wonderful.

Maybe one day I'll grow up ..................... hope not.

Mike