Sunday, April 25, 2010

Uneventful is good?

It's been such an uneventful week. I guess that's good as it means I haven't been sick or injured--my main goals between now and marathon day. The weather's been cool and clear and I've been running 12-15 miles on most days. (I take one or two days off each week and cycle 50+ miles.)

We're winding down the semester, which means I gear up. Lots of work, including hours and hours of grading. I really need to re-think how much work I assign (I say that every semester, but feel it's all important!). Next week is the last week of our Wegmans' reading program. It's been so much fun and so successful, but will give me time on Saturdays to do long runs with Bob. So much to do before the semester ends, including going to Tommy's first birthday party in Maryland in two weeks (May 8) and then going to a Yankees-Tigers game in Detroit on May 12. We're taking a quick trip between my finals and graduation.

Billy got his (paid) lab job at Michigan. Before starting the job (and his spring term class), he might even come home next weekend. It will be a quick trip, but he hasn't been home since New Years. Hard to think he's finishing his junior year.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Finely tuned animals

We must be such finely tuned animals that when anything goes wrong, the body sends out signals. After you've been sick like me, they become warning signals. The last warning signals were high liver enzyme numbers. There are many causes of elevated numbers (that is where the internet is helpful, but also can cause alarm!). Luckily, after a CT scan, I can safely say my liver is healthy. Right now there is not a known reason for the numbers, but there might not be any reason. I will not run before my next blood test--strenuous exercise can be a reason for the elevation. At any rate, I have a healthy liver!

Now I just have to get through the stress test. After running a steady 20 miler this weekend, I doubt my heart is stressed. I feel like you can just wind me up, let me go, and 3 hours later I've run a (slow) steady 9 minutes per mile 20 miler. I may not be good at much, but I can run a very steady pace for a long time.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Blown in!

I had my muga (heart) scan yesterday. The number was a little low, but high enough that they felt it safe to continue the herceptin. And I was informed I have only three more treatments. I'll be happy not to have to do it, but on the other hand, it's nice to feel like I have some protection from recurrance. My body has to do the work after that.

While I was at the hospital preparing for the test (you get a shot of some radiological material, wait a half hour, get another shot of something that sticks to the stuff in the first shot, and then have the test--I wouldn't make a good doctor with these explanations). Anyway, I was just talking to the lab tech. She's a young girl who runs. She asked what I was training for. I casually told her the San Diego marathon. She told me she was 5 months pregnant, but was having trouble running because she had to constantly go to the bathroom I was telling her that maybe the elliptical machine might be a little more comfortable. We were just chatting.

Well, she must have told someone that she had a patient who was running a marathon. It somehow got to the cardiologist who called my doctor to have her tell me I probably shouldn't be running. She tried to explain to him that I was careful, not running hard, kind of knew what I was doing. She also asked him if he warns his patients that sitting on the couch all day could be harmful to their hearts! I liked that. He insists though that I take a stress test to make sure my heart can withstand the run (little does he know I've already put in a 19 miler). I'm sure part of it is concern for me, but part is probably for liability. I'll get the test, but I feel I'm fine.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Check out my fundraising thermometer--it's over the top! http://giving.roswellpark.org/kimtruesdell With so many generous donations from individuals and then the comedy fundraiser (which raised $3200), I have exceeded my goal of $5000--and there is still time for more. I just can't thank people enough for their generous donations.

After I saw the total this morning, it seemed as if the birds were chirping a little louder on my 12 mile run. It was an absolutely beautiful morning. Because I go so early, before the cars come out to pollute the air, I can really smell springtime--newly mown grass, flowering trees and bushes. It's really the best time of year for the scents (and senses).

I passed my fundraising goal; now tomorrow is my heart scan. Hope I pass that so I can continue with the herceptin treatment.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Everything is blooming, except the weather

The trees are starting to bud, the daffodils are out, the grass is green--spring in Buffalo can be beautiful. Now if only the weather would cooperate again! I had to run home fast this morning after only five miles--I've read enough stories of people being struck by lightening while running. It wasn't raining yet, but it stopped me in my tracks a couple times by the jagged streaks and the brightness. When you hear a siren a minute after you see the lightening, you know it's too close to be outside. Now tomorrow they are predicting a possibility of a little snow. Oh where are you record high temperatures of last week? (I know, I can't be greedy!)

Less than two months until marathon day. At this point, the focus becomes staying injury-free and healthy. I know I will be ready to run the distance. The sad news, AJ, my nephew who was to run with me, tried to enter last week, and the race was sold out. There is no way for him to enter now. That is really too bad.

Random thoughts of the day--
Today is Tommy's 11 month birthday. Where did the last year go? I was in treatment all year, but it still seemed to fly by. Only 5 weeks left of the school year, and so much more to accomplish. My students are anxious, but panicking over all the work they have left to do.
New grandbaby is due in less than 3 months. That's exciting, but it means Lauren, Andy and babies will be moving far away two months after that.
Lindsay has become an active exerciser--now we know the world is tilting the wrong way! Proud she's become a big sister to a young girl in Buffalo.
Billy can take a deep breath after he finishes his physics test tonight. So much to study for still. Needs to find the class he has to have this summer. Needs to get a lab job. Needs to do well on the MCATs next month. When does the worrying of a mother end?

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Summer!!

I was wearing fleece pants and gloves as recently as Wednesday and wore shorts and a tank top today. It was 84 degrees--smashed the record high. Couldn't have asked for better spring break weather. I got my bike out and rode the last couple days. It's been great! Back to reality tomorrow, but it could be worse. There's no snow in the forecast. We're actually on track to have the shortest winter ever. It was an odd winter--short but cold! No freezes and thaws--it stayed frozen for months.

Did a 19 miler this morning. It was probably marathon temperature--60s t0 70s. I had no trouble--I don't even need food or drink during that time--but Bob will struggle if it's in the 70s. He doesn't have a good cooling mechanism. (I do need to try to practice drinking water and/or gatorade. It's not good to dehydrate.) I am slow though. Maybe it will work to my advantage and I'll keep the pace up throughout the entire marathon. It's annoying though, but I can feel I don't have the strength or energy or something to go faster. Maybe if my next heart scan in 2 1/2 weeks is low and I have to stop the herceptin for a few weeks my heart function will improve and I'll be able to go a little faster. It will be an interesting experiment.

Spring break is over and there are 6 weeks left of the semester. I worked all week and did our project at Wegmans this morning, so not much break. I had a great turnout from my students and from children in the community at the grocery store. We were very happy for the day before Easter. The families involved seem to really enjoy it. At the store, my students do global book read alouds with the children and then do an activity related to the book. Now we need to find an activity for the parents (a book club for them?). They have become very social with each other now that the kids are comfortable with the structure. My students have done a great job and are so invested in it now. It's been so great, even though it means working every Saturday.

It was fun today--after Wegmans, I met Bob and Lindsay for lunch on Elmwood. If anyone thinks Buffalo is a dying city, they should walk down Elmwood at anytime, but especially on a beautiful spring day!

I dropped off my fundraising check to the hospital yesterday--$3200. I've raised over $6000. Can't wait to see it posted and see the thermometer go over the top. My goal was $5000, so I've exceeded it.