The check has been presented!

Finally, I was able to present the check for $6450 to Dr. O'Connor. The true people who helped are everyone who donated money, time, resources--and there were many people.

Dr. O'Connor already has 20 women in her study and can now hire someone to help manage the interviews, paperwork, and programs. Once she gets 35 people, she will write large grants. I am such a fan of this research that I am very honored to have helped in some small way. I can't wait to see the results of the research. I truly believe it will impact these women's lives. The true people who helped are everyone who donated money, time, resources--and there were many people.

Last day

So I am currently sitting in a chair receiving my last herceptin treatment. I hope I didn't insult the wonderful nurses by telling them I really hoped I never saw them again (at least in this setting)! I am happy to have the procedures over, but it also makes you nervous as now you know it's up to your body to keep you healthy, and obviously my body hasn't been very successful doing that.

Now I am on to other things. Lauren's baby is going to arrive at any time. I am going to go down to Maryland to help out when he comes. Tommy will be my partner-in-crime as we explore the zoo and other places. We will have so much fun together. From there, Bob and I are going to continue heading south to check out Charleston and Savannah. We will also stop and see his brother in Aiken, SC and head over the border to Washington, GA--the site of my first teaching job in 1979. It was a very old and beautiful town, but still so very segregated back then. I'm interested to see how it has changed. We just like to wander while on vacation--no real specific destinations/timeline. We always have fun!

I continue to run--am back to my routine schedule of about 10 miles 5-6 days a week. I also cycle as often as possible. We've had more rain in the last couple weeks then anything, but hopefully summer will soon kick in.

Marathon Pictures

The first is a shot of the starting line with an insert of me finishing. This was from official pictures of the race. The second is mine and my parents' back with the shirts we wore on race day (you can see a little of Bob's arm). My skin was so pale then. Now it is leathery and peeling from the sunburn I got during the run.

I was back running easy yesterday and today. I can tell I'm not fully recovered, but my legs don't hurt at all; they are just heavy. The Susan G. Komen race is this weekend. Bob and I are volunteering at it, not running. I plan to take a (long) break from racing, seeing as I can't run hard anyway. Last herceptin is next week; then my heart can start to get stronger.

Billy is doing good work these days. He's working in a lab that is researching ways to stop prostate cancer from metastisizing into the bone. I don't pretend to understand, but he's been doing something to a gene that has been found to quickly metastisize. It is nice to see him doing meaningful work, no matter how small a role he is playing in the research.

I finished...

and I qualified for the Boston Marathon. But I am definitely not running it. I did the first half (13.1) in 1:54+ and the second half in about 2:01, so I finished in 3:55.15--6th in age (I have to find out how many were in my age group, but I'm guessing a hundred or more). I'm very satisfied with my time. I need to retire from marathoning while I'm ahead--all four have been under 4 hours. Around mile 22 though, I was remembering why I hadn't done one in 10 years--it's really not fun at that point!

The day dawned cloudy and 60s, which is what it's been since we got here. Naturally, before we hit the halfway mark, the sun burned brightly. That is the one weather type that Bob cannot handle. He gets dehydrated so quickly, and that did him in today. I also have to take some blame, because I went out a little faster then what we'd planned (9 minute miles). It's really hard when your adrenaline is going and there are lots of racers to pass.

Weather doesn't really bother me, except for the sunburn I got. The bands early on were great early on; I can't say I paid much attention during the last 5-6 miles. There were lots of cheerleaders too and twice there were groups of men in drag. I couldn't tell if they were the same or a different group. I tried to watch as much as possible, but that's not my strong point when running.

What I did love is that I wore all pink, so I really stood out. I ran, for the first time, in a skirt--and I loved it. It was so comfortable and no chafing. I also had my name on my arms and people called out with my name or referenced the pink. I also had a lot of people come up to me with heartfelt words (because of the shirt I was wearing). They really helped drive me to the finish. One young man who could read English, but not speak it, passed me at about the 22nd mile and said some word to me--I have no idea what--but the tone of his voice was so sincere. I saw him at the end and he said a few more words and then hugged me. It was really touching! I could just tell by his tone and gestures that he was a really good person.

The finish was quite emotional as I thought about it being just about a year to the day that I started chemo. Even though the marathon hurt more, it was many times better!

When I get one, I will post a picture. I have to say, I'm glad this is over. My new goal is to just run for fun!

And off we go...

We're leaving for San Diego bright and early tomorrow morning. This is when all my neuroses kick in! Have I trained enough? too much? have I tapered enough? am I still in good enough shape? will my heart hold up? (I guess that's my biggest worry.)

How will my pace be? I know there will be 25,000 runners, so it will be hard to get any speed and it will mean an even slower time then I could run. That makes me crazy, but I have to remember I am out there to enjoy myself and finish--I need to be happy I can finish, even if it's a 4 1/2 hour marathon. My big mistake was looking up the Boston Marathon qualifying time--4:05. I know I could make it if there wasn't such a crowd. Why do I care though; I have no intention of running Boston again. I'm supposed to run very easy and keep my heart rate down, but I know people expect more--but why do I care? (See, I have a lot of neuroses at this point!!!)

It could be worse--I could have unplugged the computer before the end of the MCAT test! Now that is stress! Billy is so much more calm then me (and just about anyone I know!).

It could be worse--the umpire just robbed the Tiger pitcher of a perfect game. Unbelievable!

None of my kids will be there, but mom, dad, and a couple of my sisters will be there. I got a nice goody bag from Roswell Park Cancer Institute with shirts for Bob and me and 4 shirts for spectators, plus signs and a couple noise makers--they better use those early; after 20 miles I am focused on just finishing and don't want talking and noise. The closest thing I can liken the last few miles of a marathon is childbirth--only because after my first marathon, I told someone I hadn't felt that bad since childbirth. Independently, Bob said he hadn't seen me so cranky since childbirth--so I guess that's the closest analogy. We'll see what happens here.

Keep me in mind on Sunday. The race starts at 6:15 a.m. pacific time (9:15 eastern). I don't expect to get over the starting line until 7:00 or so. We're in corrals based on our estimated finish time, so I'm way back. If I'm not done by noon (3:00 p.m. eastern time), I'm guessing there was trouble.

My biggest and most important triumph has already happened--I raised $6400 for my doctor's research, which she has already started. It's important research and will improve the quality of life for many women.

I had some explaining to do!

I had my second to last herceptin treatment yesterday. First I had to see the doctor and explain why she didn't have the results of my stress test. I had to explain my grandson's 1st birthday party was a higher priority. Not really a good explanation for a doctor, but she understood. She was going to have to explain it to the cardiologist though--he was not going to be happy!

We leave for San Diego a week from today. Looking at the weather there, it's going to be a lot cooler than in Buffalo. The Buffalo marathon is this weekend, and it's supposed to be over 80 degrees. That is mighty warm for a marathon. At this point, it's only supposed to be in the 60s in San Diego--perfect for me!

I'm supposed to be cutting my mileage, but I'm not doing too well. I did a 15 miler today. I'm afraid of losing my conditioning if I back off too much.

It's been absolutely beautiful Buffalo weather this week--mid to upper 80s all week. I think it's been better then any week we had last summer when it rarely stopped raining. I've loved having my bike out. I've been riding everywhere. Last summer I rarely rode because I was doing chemo. It feels good to air it out and have the breeze blowing through you. It really is nice to be healthy this year, and I feel like I'm in such good shape.

Mmm...Cheerios

Buffalo may be cold and miserable 8 months a year, but when it's nice, it is hard to beat. Yesterday was a gorgeous morning (until it started drizzling about mile 9), so we set off for South Buffalo for one of my favorite runs. It's a very eclectic run--industry, parks, old neighborhoods. It really is a snapshot of what Buffalo looked like 75 years ago. The neighborhoods are mostly tidy little houses that were built around factories. You can still see where trains went right into the buildings to take away whatever they were making. You start in the center of the business district and work your way down cobblestone streets and lots of neighborhood bars--it's South Buffalo (Irish) after all. Part of the run is along the lake, past the botanical gardens, the Basilica in the distance and then the best part--right past the General Mills plant where they were baking Cheerios. I just wanted to stop, get a spoon and start eating cheerios off the assembly line (or however they pack them). It smelled SO good! We only went 12 miles, but I'd been 17 the day before. I'm supposed to be cutting back, but had my high mile mark last week (72 miles from Sunday to Saturday). I promise myself I will cut back this week. I do feel strong right now and ready to go.

Billy finished his MCAT for better or worse. He said the test was much harder then any practice tests out there. Hopefully he can take a breath and relax a little.

Here's a question. Would you ever ride a train again if you'd been on this one? An Amtrak (so passenger) train went through Buffalo on its way to Toronto on Friday. It hit and killed a woman walking on the tracks in Buffalo (I ran across the tracks in the exact spot last Saturday). When it neared Toronto, the same train hit and killed a man walking on the tracks. Neither accident was the engineer's fault, but I would think he'd have a hard time driving a train ever again. I think I'd have a hard time being a passenger either. Very traumatic!

Two weeks until marathon day. It's coming fast now!

3 weeks to go!

The countdown is on--3 weeks to marathon day! I finally finished another sort of marathon this afternoon--end of semester grading. It takes total focus and a disciplined brain for many days. I am happy to say, I am finished (and most students, though not all, did well)! Graduation was wonderful last night--I got to hood many of our masters' degree awardees. I have to write two reports tomorrow--I'm not doing them today--and then I can put this semester to bed. The rest of the week I have all-day meetings preparing for fall.

Yesterday, Bob and I ran 20 miles up by the river. It was a beautiful morning and I felt like I could run forever. We even negative splitted. I felt like I got even stronger the last 5 miles. I was wishing it was marathon day. Normally I don't eat or drink anything when I run--so bad--but we left later then I normally go out so I ate a banana beforehand. I also had a few swigs of Bob's water during the run. I'm guessing that helped with my energy at the end. I will have to practice eating and running these next couple weeks.

That was the last 20 miler before the marathon. I will do a long slow taper now. I want my legs as fresh as they can be on marathon day.

Wow, have I been busy!

This has been such a busy week, but very little has revolved around running. We have managed to see all the kids during the week and I've also managed to finish classes and exams and do major amounts of grading. Last weekend, we went to Silver Spring, MD to celebrate Tommy's first birthday. What a good and adorable little boy. We had so much fun with him--and with Lauren and Andy. They all seem so good. Next time I see them, they will have the second little boy. We also did get in a 13 mile run on the Capital Crescent Trail.

We came back Sunday and then Bob, Lindsay and I left for Ann Arbor, MI on Wednesday to see Billy and continue our tradition of going to a Yankee game. Since Billy isn't coming home this summer, we decided to go to a game in Detroit. The Yankees were only playing in Detroit once this year--this week. We had to work out the game between my finals' schedule and Billy's class and work schedule. No easy job. Luckily, we ended up at the only game of the series that the Yankees won (8-0). The weather wasn't too bad either, which means we didn't get rained on. We had great seats and the kids had fun together. And, to make them happier, Eminem and Jay-Z were there and we got to see them.

Happy Birthday to Dad--he turns 81 tomorrow. It won't be as fun as last year's birthday (when the whole family showed up to surprise him), but hope it's still a good one.

This is such a fun time of year, even though I haven't been in town much. Actually, all the driving has helped me get my grading done. Bob drives most of the way while I work. Tomorrow morning is our department's Honors and Awards Breakfast. I get to introduce my student teacher as she's winning a major award. Saturday is graduation. I get to hood the masters' candidates from our department. It's all very rewarding to see how far the students have come.

Also Saturday is the final 20 mile run before the taper begins. We are getting down to the wire.

Countdown

One month to marathon day! I feel like I'm ready. I had to cancel my stress test tomorrow. We're heading out early to Maryland instead. It's always such a quick weekend that I like to get there as early as possible. And it's important we are there for Tommy's 1st birthday. It may be the only birthday for a few years that we get to be part of. They couldn't reschedule the stress test until after the marathon, so I don't see much sense in rescheduling it. As Bob asked though--what would I do if they told me it was inadvisable to run the marathon. I would probably run it anyway. I'm this close to it and I've already done 2 20 milers.

It will be fun getting in a long run on the Bethesda-DC path. I love running there. (I just love it there, period.) The only downside is that I have three big bags full of papers/projects to grade. At least it's a long drive where I can get a lot done. Next Wed/Thursday we're driving to Michigan and back to go to a Yankees-Tigers game, so I'll have time to grade then too.

Last day of classes today. Can't believe we're really coming to the end of the semester. It's really gone by fast. This is the fun time of year. I got to go to the athletic banquet honoring scholar-athletes and seniors (I'm on the athletic board for the college). I've also been to the Honor's Convocations and Who's Who ceremonies with students--I love when they ask me to come. I was also given a faculty appreciation award from one of my students--such an honor. Now my student teacher is winning one of the top student teaching awards, plus I get to hood all the masters degree candidates in our department at graduation next Saturday. So much excitement this time of year. It's so rewarding seeing the kiddos do so well. There is so much growth from the time they enter until the time they graduate.

wind me up

Wind me up and let me go. Completed another 20 miler this morning in just under 3 hours. I tell myself I am ready for the marathon, and then remember I still have an hour of running left. The bands at every mile will keep me going. It was amazing--70 degrees at 6 a.m.

It was my last Saturday of the Book Hour, so I won't have to head out so early after this weekend. Next weekend we will be in Maryland for Tommy's birthday. Can't believe he will be a year old. I do love running on the paths near Lauren's house. And now that I don't have to work on Saturday morning, Bob and I can go out together.

Random thoughts for today: the new grandbaby is due in 2 months. Another cute baby boy. Lindsay had a blast at the very muddy Kentucky Derby today and even had $5 on the winner (won $45). I thought she might like the horse because of his name (she has no money so is a Super Saver; she said it was because she likes the ragin' Cajun jockey). Since President Obama was the speaker at Michigan's graduation this year, does that mean they'll have a lousy one next year when Billy graduates? I asked Billy what he was doing after his last exam this week--his response--going to the library! Three weeks until the MCATs. I'm probably more anxious then he is for them!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

In like a lamb, out like a lamb

What a terrific March! I don't think we had more than a ground cover of snow all month. It started with a lot of sun, and it's ending with a lot of sun. In fact, in a very unusual occurance, it is supposed to be 70 degrees for Easter this Sunday. I can't wait!

I'm running a lot, but mighty slow. It's discouraging, but I have to accept it. I have a MUGA scan in two weeks, and I have a feeling my numbers are going to be low. Ever since I had the flu, I've slowed down quite a bit; I have a feeling it is because of the low output of my heart. Or, it could all be in my head!

I'm on spring break, but it just means I get to observe my student teacher without hurrying and to get caught up with work. My Global Book Hour at Wegmans on Saturday morning is a wonderful project, but is taking up a lot of time. At least it's a different pace. I still need to put my house back together after finally getting new carpeting after the most recent flood.

Running in Michigan

A beautiful morning 12 miler in Ann Arbor, MI. Came to visit Billy for the weekend since he never comes home. Last fall when we were here, we found a giant park along the Huron River. Since then, we've been waiting to come back to run it. We parked in the heart of the park and took off in one direction. It was a little complicated to follow the path; at one point you have to go on the road for a bit and need to know where the path is--we did not! Bob has an incredible sense of direction though, so we meandered on and off the path for a few miles until we found our way. It was great though--we got to see a lot of places not many people see. The other way would take us to Eastern Michigan University--we'll try that next time. I've spent time at EMU since two of my siblings went there. It was a cold morning (24 degrees when we started), but very calm, so it wasn't bad.

This was a big change from Wednesday. It was a herceptin morning, so I didn't have to hurry to get to work. I decided to do an 18 miler. It had rained hard for 2 days and was 32 degrees. When I hit the road I knew it was kind of slick, but not too bad. Listening to the radio though, it sounded like bumper cars on the raod. I'm not sure if I'd have made it to work if I had to--it seemed like all the ramps to school were closed because of rollovers. I've never heard about so many accidents. I did the entire 18 though, and only had to catch my balance twice.

Sometimes I feel I lead a rather eclectic life. Worked 13 hours one day, ran 18, had an anti-cancer treatment and went to the musical "Grease" the next, rode 59 miles a couple days later, and now I'm in Ann Arbor for the weekend. I guess it can't get boring!

Next treatment is preceded by a heart scan. Hope all will go well, but I'm not totally optimistic. If I score to low, I'll have to hold off on the treatment. I just want to get them over with!

Smells like spring

Spring is officially here, and it smells like it. There is that damp, musty smell in the air today. Normally it is not a pleasant smell but, in early spring, it's a welcome smell from the winter smells. We've had an unprecedented March so far, weather-wise. I even have a crocus blooming.

After being sick last week, I've had a lousy week of running. Yesterday was the first time I didn't feel sick while running, but it's still slower--and I was slow to begin with. I've got to get the consistency back.

I am so busy these days that I'm not in a good routine. I am doing lots of interesting projects at work, but really bogged down with grading and meetings. Spring break in a week--hopefully I can catch up then. Bob's been doing a lot of traveling, so he is working long days also. I'm hoping we can slow down long enough to go to Ann Arbor next weekend to see Billy.

Go 'Cuse. We gave Lindsay our tickets--she's a proud Syracuse grad. Hope she's having fun. The game shows a sea of orange.