Updates

Our mailbox got trashed last night.

This morning Susan asked me if I had heard anything strange around four A.M. Even though I did not sleep well last night I must admit that I completely slept through it. Some guard dog I would make.

There was a time in my life where this event would have angered me, instead I only feel sorry for the “dumb ass, or asses” who purposely destroyed our mailbox and newspaper holder. It was a poor job to say the least, I won't have to purchase a new post, I can straighten out the newspaper pole and can use a mailbox that mysteriously appeared at the end of my driveway months ago. (Sorry to whomever lost it to in the first place). Is there no pride with those who vandalize these days, or was this simply the work of cowards, afraid to spend adequate time for a job well done ? We may never know.

The past two weeks have been difficult for our entire family as my mothers condition grew steadfastly worse. The drugs she had been receiving caused the horrible fatigue that I managed to avoid. In addition, the impact on her GI tract was such that during her waking hours she felt horrible. Last week a CAT Scan revealed that the drugs were simply not working to an extent which justified a continuation.

Kids with Mom and Dad this Past Weekend

Each of us has a Public and Private persona which might be incredibly different from one another. To say my mother has an incredible Public persona is without a doubt an understatement of the fact. It's her Private side I hope will bear up well as the months progress. Mom has reassured us that she is accepting, grateful and content with the events as they have evolved. This is typical of my mother, never one to complain and always one to reassure.

As for me, ..... well I have been at a point where I've actually been telling people who ask, “Mike, how are you doing?”, more then they really cared to know........... It's how I cope.

With less then a month before JFK I have managed to pull or tear something in my abdominal region. I did it on the “Knuckle Buster Trail”, a windy mountain bike trail I run quite often. Rounding a turn my left foot slipped and stretched underneath me, I felt a pop immediately. That was ten days ago, it is a constant discomfort which seems to lessen after I start running, so far it does not appear to get worse with miles but I'm certainly not running fifty. I am going to back off my training somewhat in an effort to heal it as much as possible.

We are at "Peak Color" here on the Mountain, it is a beautiful reminder of what is good, even though challenges lay ahead ............. Mike 

Another Week

It is quite an interesting exercise to sit down to recall what has passed in the short span of a week. Perhaps this is why a diary would be a fascinating adventure, I can only imagine what I might have written ten, twenty or thirty years ago. It would be interesting to go back to see my life develop as Sue and I started and raised a family. If I could go back even further, I feel I would uncover many shinning bright spots obscuring blunders I wish I could take back. The irony is that blunders forge the personality as much as success.

One of my “Successes” occurred Wednesday when Susan and I celebrated our Thirty First wedding anniversary. My day started off well, an eight mile trail run in the morning followed by a hot shower and something to eat. My plan was to head off to the mall for a gift but to my complete surprise my GI track had other plans. Several hours later I was totally “beat up” realizing I would not make it to the mall. (Ugh) Susan saved the day by returning home from work armed with a bottle of Champagne, shrimp and mussels for a wonderful Anniversary dinner.

A good portion of Thursday was spent waiting with my father for a medical procedure. We were on-time, Dad was stuck with an IV on-time and then waited four hours for the Doctor. When Doc finally arrived there was no apology or attempt at explanation. To say I was displeased would have been a gross understatement, yet I held my tongue.

I had mixed feeling about the upcoming weekend as I had dropped out of the Steamtown Marathon. Withdrawing however, gave me an opportunity to run a 5K Breast Cancer Run/Walk in Frederick. It was a perfect morning for the event, cool and dry as showers held off allowing the event to go off without a hitch. This time I would not get off course and ran a 21:18, the best time I have run in a number of years. With two hundred yards to go I “Heard Footsteps”, intent not to be beaten I pushed hard with the inevitable result of heaving (Dry Heaving Fortunately) as I  shuffled, bent over out of the finish lane. My time was good enough to finish seventh overall and first in my age group. The “Funny Thing”, was, that the footsteps belonged to a high school kid who attended one of the kids training programs I've assisted with. Hows that for payback ?

After a five mile Sunday morning trail run with group, Sue, Kevin,Maggie and I headed up for an afternoon with Mom and Dad. Mom looked great and maintained a good level of energy all afternoon. After a “recorded interview”, followed by dinner we left sometime after six, calling when we arrived home. I was quite surprised to hear Mom's voice answer, we assumed she would lay down as soon as we left.

Of course much more happened during the week, good news, bad news good feelings and not. Amazing what goes on in the normal course of a week.

Appreciate Your Week ............ Mike

Thirty One

More then a week has gone by since Susie's cause and it's been once again a roller coaster ride.

After much “soul Searching” I have decided that Steamtown just isn't meant to be for me this year, just too many much more important items on my plate. I will instead concentrate on family and JFK Training. There is no doubt that right now, running is a crutch, one I rely on to deal with my recovery and the issues I and my family will face over the next few months.

Though I am progressing well my body reminds me that I'm not one hundred percent. There were a couple times this past week when I curled up in a ball waiting for relief from medication or rest. Amazing that I can run for hours some days with no ill effects and then trigger a bad response from a slight change in my daily routine.

Yesterday was one of those changes in routine that brought along a bad response. I played golf in a event to raise money for St Jude hospital. I thought we were to start at nine in the morning when in fact we started at eight. Thank goodness I checked my emails early Monday morning as there was a reminder for all to be at the course by eight. Thank goodness as well I have lost nothing when speed dressing ! Five minutes after seeing the email I sprinted to the car with Golf bag in tow, shoes untied and a glass of juice for breakfast. Not wanting to take a chance with coffee at the Golf Course I skipped eating. (Big Mistake).

Another “mistake” happened on the second hole of our round after one of my partners bragged about how long he hit the ball. I don't consider myself a long hitter but a couple times during a round I'll hit a drive square on the club face sailing it into the “somewhat long” category. This is what happened on our second hole; this lead to “Game Over” for my “Long Hitting” friend as he spent the rest of the day swinging for fences. Yes, there were indeed some impressive shots produced, to the right, left or grounders decapitating some poor worm who had the misfortune to poke his head up at just the wrong time.

I enjoyed the outing, it was a beautiful fall day but I did pay the price when I got home and I'm afraid I'll be paying up again today.

Tomorrow will be Susan's and my thirty first wedding anniversary. We “skipped” last year, this year, there won't be any barn busting party but there is joy and gratitude, I have come to understand how truly remarkable my bride has been and will always be.

Happy Anniversary Susan .......... Love Michael