Daily Quote: "Moments in life that are really hard and challenging, when I look back on those, those were kind of the life-changing moments for me and usually they were followed by the biggest successes because they made me re-evaluate who I was, what I was doing, and refocus on what really matters. I'm hoping that this is the same sort of thing. My personality is such that I usually try to find the positive in every negative, so I'm hopeful that I can do the same again and turn a situation that wasn't pleasant to live through to my advantage. I'm pretty confident that I'll come out of this the better for it." --Shannon Rowbury commenting about her battling back from a persistent lower-leg problem, that was actually an issue with a leg-length discrepancy. Running Times Magazine, July/August 2011, pg 48.
I realize that my lung and tongue cancer is much more severe than Shannon's leg-length discrepancy, but her above quote reflects on my own hopes with my cancer fight, which was indeed a life-changing moment, that I'll have bigger successes because of my cancer. Not only do I wish to improve my fitness, running, chess, but also place more emphasis on smothering my wife with love! She had my back and gave me such strong support during my time of need. Where would I be without her love? I love her dearly. I have a new lease on life and don't want to waste my second chance!
Today was my last radiation treatment!! I have this tremendous feeling of relief and freedom. I am so very happy! I know my battle hasn't been won until I receive a clear PET Scan at the end of this month, which will state my cancer is in remission. Even if my cancer is in remission, I'll still need to have regular health checkups as to assure the cancer hasn't returned and/or spread to some other part of my body. Nevertheless, I feel positive that I'm in remission and the cancer will not return.
It's going to feel weird tomorrow not having my usual 9:00 a.m. radiation treatment, I plan on exercising at the gym during that time slot instead. I must continue to wear my feeding tube until my cancer remission is official, which makes exercising problematic. I use extra gauze tape to prevent the 12 inch tube from bouncing around during my runs. I also need to keep the drainage gauze dry as to prevent infection where the feeding tube connects to my stomach, therefore, after my exercise I will clean the wound and replace the drainage gauze with a new, dry gauze. Currently, the tube's connection has been spotting a small dab of blood, but nothing serious as the stomach entry shows no sign of infection and will continue using the product "Neosporin." I hope after my PET Scan I can immediately have surgery to remove the feeding tube, which will be the last shackle of my cancer fight. My Registered Nurse, Charlie, will continue to visit my home on Wednesdays until the feeding tube has been removed.
My weight is still 170 pounds, which has been my racing weight in the past, but I know my stamina, endurance and muscle fitness needs to improve before returning to racing. Last January I had sent my registration fee for the 2011 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon in December, but doubt I'll be fit enough to race the marathon, but believe I could be ready for the 2011 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon. Tomorrow, I'll start training in earnest, but will listen to my body complaints and strive to improve by baby steps, baby steps. Last week I ran a total of six miles, with most of my exercising being walking. Next week I plan on adding weight lifting, which will help my overall fitness to prevent injuries and make me more durable if the cancer returns.
I have so many people to thank during my cancer battles, my wife, family, friends and the motivational "Bruce's Team." Their support and prayers had been invaluable...God Bless you all!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Only One More Week of Radiation Therapy!!
Daily Quote: "'How often do you (Lance Armstrong) think about your own cancer?' I think about it a lot because I get reminded about it a lot. But 15 years later, umpteen checkups later , [I've] been clear. Mostly my reflection on the disease has to do with other people. Thinking about the stories that I hear on a daily basis, I think, 'It's just unfair.' Many times, that's where I come down on cancer. I look at my situation and all that I've been given after my disease. Some of it I earned, I suppose, but the fact that I was given my health back is great for me, but is really, in a sense, unfair for a lot of people, because they haven't been given that opportunity. I mean I was pretty damn lucky. But types of cancer are so drastically different. People don't understand that. They see me, and they say, 'Hey, I'm gonna do okay, look at [him,]'" --Lance Armstong. Interview by Bill Saporito, Runner's World Magazine, July 2011, article "Strong Man," pg 95.
The above quote hit a chord with me, cancer is just unfair, and all of us cancer victims have different outcomes due to the many types of cancers and our body's ability to fight the disease and/or react to the aggressive treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. I would be tickled pink if I could be given my health back and survive another 15 years like Lance Armstrong, but who knows how much longer I have to live. I hope I have Armstrong's luck!! One thing for sure, I'm a much different person now than I was before cancer as I treat every day as a special gift and strive to live in the moment and still shoot for the stars.
I only have one more week of radiation therapy, and after my radiation therapy this morning, only have five more treatments! Next Wednesday, if all goes well, I'll be finished with my cancer treatments, but still need to see Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a Pet Scan appointment as to determine whether my cancer is in remission or the need to create another round of cancer treatments. I'm prepared, as mentioned in Armstrong's above quote, to have umpteen checkups throughout the rest of my life.
Last week Dr. Treadwell had reset my treatment plan as my cancer tumor on my right chest had shrunk to such a state that it's not longer visible with the naked eye on the radiation machine's X-ray, although the next day with the results from a Cat Scan he did find a a very small nodule on my right chest, which was the remnant of the previous tumor. I had another tattoo made on my chest, which was 1/4 inch to the right of my previous tattoo. I'm very optimistic that my chest and lung cancer will be in remission, but less sure of the result of my tongue cancer...eventually all those cancer remission questions will be answered after my Pet Scan later this month.
I'm happy to report that I reached my goal weight of 170 pounds on my six foot frame; my BMI (Body Mass Index) at 23.1, well within the normal weight category! My lowest weight during my cancer treatments was 159 pounds, which was too low for my doctor's comfort as he feared I was becoming malnourished. I hope to maintain this 170 pounds for the rest of the year, which was my weight when I achieved three BQ's (Boston Qualifier) therefore I believe it's my ideal racing weight. Who knows, I may be even faster and more fit at a lesser weight, but realize for now I shouldn't be too concerned with my weight as I still need to repair my body because my endurance and stamina is very low and I've lost muscle fitness. As always, thinking baby steps, baby steps.
My feeding tube has been causing me problems. Whenever I lift heavy objects or bend sharply my feeding tube causes me sharp pain, also the connection between the tube and my stomach has been leaking a very small amount of blood onto my gauze. I've been cleaning the gauze four times a day now, rather than every 12-hours as requested by my nurse. I spoke to the nurse at the radiation office and she examined the connection, she said I have no noticeable infection, but gave me several strips of the ointment, "Neosporin," which should help prevent infections. I have to wear this feeding tube throughout August as a precaution...in case I still need further treatments on my throat and tongue if my later Pet Scan shows I still have cancer. The nurse discouraged me from any exertions like running, she believes exercise would acerbate the connection problem. Those who know me will realize that her discouraging me not to exercise falls on mute ears!
My sleeping patterns have returned to normal, I no longer sleep 10-14 hours a day, but feel refreshed after 7-8 hours of sleep. My depression for the last two weeks has also magically disappeared! Sometimes my depression has me on this emotional roller coaster ride, where I'm high on life for a period of time, than sink to a low where I no longer wish to be a part of this earthly existence, than return again to over exuberance. Would be nice to have a stable emotional life for awhile. My mood swings must drive my wife crazy, she has the patience of a Saint!
All in all, GOOD NEWS this week! Next week's news should be even better!!
The above quote hit a chord with me, cancer is just unfair, and all of us cancer victims have different outcomes due to the many types of cancers and our body's ability to fight the disease and/or react to the aggressive treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. I would be tickled pink if I could be given my health back and survive another 15 years like Lance Armstrong, but who knows how much longer I have to live. I hope I have Armstrong's luck!! One thing for sure, I'm a much different person now than I was before cancer as I treat every day as a special gift and strive to live in the moment and still shoot for the stars.
I only have one more week of radiation therapy, and after my radiation therapy this morning, only have five more treatments! Next Wednesday, if all goes well, I'll be finished with my cancer treatments, but still need to see Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a Pet Scan appointment as to determine whether my cancer is in remission or the need to create another round of cancer treatments. I'm prepared, as mentioned in Armstrong's above quote, to have umpteen checkups throughout the rest of my life.
Last week Dr. Treadwell had reset my treatment plan as my cancer tumor on my right chest had shrunk to such a state that it's not longer visible with the naked eye on the radiation machine's X-ray, although the next day with the results from a Cat Scan he did find a a very small nodule on my right chest, which was the remnant of the previous tumor. I had another tattoo made on my chest, which was 1/4 inch to the right of my previous tattoo. I'm very optimistic that my chest and lung cancer will be in remission, but less sure of the result of my tongue cancer...eventually all those cancer remission questions will be answered after my Pet Scan later this month.
I'm happy to report that I reached my goal weight of 170 pounds on my six foot frame; my BMI (Body Mass Index) at 23.1, well within the normal weight category! My lowest weight during my cancer treatments was 159 pounds, which was too low for my doctor's comfort as he feared I was becoming malnourished. I hope to maintain this 170 pounds for the rest of the year, which was my weight when I achieved three BQ's (Boston Qualifier) therefore I believe it's my ideal racing weight. Who knows, I may be even faster and more fit at a lesser weight, but realize for now I shouldn't be too concerned with my weight as I still need to repair my body because my endurance and stamina is very low and I've lost muscle fitness. As always, thinking baby steps, baby steps.
My feeding tube has been causing me problems. Whenever I lift heavy objects or bend sharply my feeding tube causes me sharp pain, also the connection between the tube and my stomach has been leaking a very small amount of blood onto my gauze. I've been cleaning the gauze four times a day now, rather than every 12-hours as requested by my nurse. I spoke to the nurse at the radiation office and she examined the connection, she said I have no noticeable infection, but gave me several strips of the ointment, "Neosporin," which should help prevent infections. I have to wear this feeding tube throughout August as a precaution...in case I still need further treatments on my throat and tongue if my later Pet Scan shows I still have cancer. The nurse discouraged me from any exertions like running, she believes exercise would acerbate the connection problem. Those who know me will realize that her discouraging me not to exercise falls on mute ears!
My sleeping patterns have returned to normal, I no longer sleep 10-14 hours a day, but feel refreshed after 7-8 hours of sleep. My depression for the last two weeks has also magically disappeared! Sometimes my depression has me on this emotional roller coaster ride, where I'm high on life for a period of time, than sink to a low where I no longer wish to be a part of this earthly existence, than return again to over exuberance. Would be nice to have a stable emotional life for awhile. My mood swings must drive my wife crazy, she has the patience of a Saint!
All in all, GOOD NEWS this week! Next week's news should be even better!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
No Radiation Therapy Today?!?
Daily Quote: "How did the disease change you (Lance Armstrong) and your body?" Number one, the therapy is destructive to pre-existing muscle and conditioning. and two, you're just not doing anything. You're lying around. I lay around. I slept 20 hours a day. So you're not going to maintain any of the muscle mass that you had. I came down (in weight) significantly. but also, when I came back, my view of the sport was very different. All the things that I didn't do before when it came to training...I realized, like I said a minute ago, I'm coming back. I've got my life back. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be here next year, and I don't want to mess this up. So I was just more focused than I had been before. I was a total underachiever in the early '90s. Although I did okay, I guess." --Lance Armstong. Interview by Bill Saporito, Runner's World Magazine, July 2011, article "Strong Man," pg 95.
The above quote was quite inspirational to me as I identified so closely to Armstrong's cancer experience. Like Armstrong all I wanted to do is sleep, but I don't have the luxury of sleeping 20 hours a day as I have to work 12-hour days as a cab driver due to my financial responsibilities. I also came down in weight significantly, my lowest weight during cancer treatment was 159 pounds, just before treatments I was 177 pounds. I hope that when I return fully to running that I'll be more focused than I had been before too!
I only have nine radiation treatments left. Today was like any other radiation day. I entered the office, waited for my turn at the radiation machine, undressed and lay on the machine's platform, two technicians maneuvered my body into position for the radiation targets, they left the radiation room and shut the huge, thick, bomb-shelter-like doors as I waited for the radiation lasers to start blasting me...I waited, waited, and waited some more...then the nurse entered and stated that she couldn't see my tumor on the radiation machine's X-ray...thus she could not target the cancer mass on my upper chest. I was then led to a Cat Scan machine as to find the cancer mass that has shrunken so small that it can't be seen by the naked eye.
The doctor will eventually exam the Cat Scan photos, target and mark where the cancer mass is, and should proceed later this week, maybe even tomorrow.
Called my wife at her work office and she was ecstatic about this morning's non-event as this shows how much progress I've been making. I've been pretty depressed and defeated lately and my wife couldn't help herself as she repeated, "I told you so, I told you so," as she believes that I've already conquered cancer. She has seen me achieve many things and has had no doubts that cancer is just another challenge for me to conquer. I'm more cautious as I know how unjust and unfair cancer can be...you could be a great athlete, very religious, and still die of cancer. I must admit, my wife's enthusiasm is contagious! I'm so fortunate to have her in my corner!!
Today I drive my cab for twelve hours (12pm - 12am), which will be a very slow cab business day as we have no major conventions during the summer and not many tourists as it's just too hot. Being a slow business day is a mixed blessing, we desperately need the money, but my body could use the rest too. Today is my Friday and tomorrow I start my days off (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off)!! I'm looking forward to catching up on my sleep tomorrow.
The above quote was quite inspirational to me as I identified so closely to Armstrong's cancer experience. Like Armstrong all I wanted to do is sleep, but I don't have the luxury of sleeping 20 hours a day as I have to work 12-hour days as a cab driver due to my financial responsibilities. I also came down in weight significantly, my lowest weight during cancer treatment was 159 pounds, just before treatments I was 177 pounds. I hope that when I return fully to running that I'll be more focused than I had been before too!
I only have nine radiation treatments left. Today was like any other radiation day. I entered the office, waited for my turn at the radiation machine, undressed and lay on the machine's platform, two technicians maneuvered my body into position for the radiation targets, they left the radiation room and shut the huge, thick, bomb-shelter-like doors as I waited for the radiation lasers to start blasting me...I waited, waited, and waited some more...then the nurse entered and stated that she couldn't see my tumor on the radiation machine's X-ray...thus she could not target the cancer mass on my upper chest. I was then led to a Cat Scan machine as to find the cancer mass that has shrunken so small that it can't be seen by the naked eye.
The doctor will eventually exam the Cat Scan photos, target and mark where the cancer mass is, and should proceed later this week, maybe even tomorrow.
Called my wife at her work office and she was ecstatic about this morning's non-event as this shows how much progress I've been making. I've been pretty depressed and defeated lately and my wife couldn't help herself as she repeated, "I told you so, I told you so," as she believes that I've already conquered cancer. She has seen me achieve many things and has had no doubts that cancer is just another challenge for me to conquer. I'm more cautious as I know how unjust and unfair cancer can be...you could be a great athlete, very religious, and still die of cancer. I must admit, my wife's enthusiasm is contagious! I'm so fortunate to have her in my corner!!
Today I drive my cab for twelve hours (12pm - 12am), which will be a very slow cab business day as we have no major conventions during the summer and not many tourists as it's just too hot. Being a slow business day is a mixed blessing, we desperately need the money, but my body could use the rest too. Today is my Friday and tomorrow I start my days off (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off)!! I'm looking forward to catching up on my sleep tomorrow.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Only Two More Weeks of Radiation Therapy!
Daily Quote: "It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ~Abraham Lincoln
Only two more weeks of radiation therapy!! My last scheduled radiation day is on Friday, August 5th, but will see my oncologist, Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a PET Scan as to see if my cancer is in remission. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I continued my walking/running last week, but at a reduced amount as to allow my body to heal from the cancer treatments, and still feel that I'm easing into my return to running.
I've gained three pounds since last week and currently weigh 166 pounds (my lowest weight was 159 on June 30th); I hope to return to my racing weight of 170 pounds during August.
I have no pain at this time, which is a relief in itself, but do feel tremendous fatigue and had deep depression during last weekend. In the past when I felt depression my running habit had helped relieve my symptoms, but now since I've been off depression medications for many years and don't run during the weekends, my depression does return with a vengenance. I just have to tough it out for two more weeks and keep a stiff upper lip.
I'm still sleeping over ten hours a day and with naps too. I often feel that when I'm awake my head is in a thick fog and can't think quickly. My short term memory is horrible lately. I don't feel that I'm fully living, only existing day by day. I've lost all desire to do anything except sleeping. The year 2011 is a lost year with my mind lost in a blur. I must wrap my thoughts with the realization that my cancer situation is temporary and it's almost over.
Only two more weeks of radiation therapy!! My last scheduled radiation day is on Friday, August 5th, but will see my oncologist, Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a PET Scan as to see if my cancer is in remission. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I continued my walking/running last week, but at a reduced amount as to allow my body to heal from the cancer treatments, and still feel that I'm easing into my return to running.
I've gained three pounds since last week and currently weigh 166 pounds (my lowest weight was 159 on June 30th); I hope to return to my racing weight of 170 pounds during August.
I have no pain at this time, which is a relief in itself, but do feel tremendous fatigue and had deep depression during last weekend. In the past when I felt depression my running habit had helped relieve my symptoms, but now since I've been off depression medications for many years and don't run during the weekends, my depression does return with a vengenance. I just have to tough it out for two more weeks and keep a stiff upper lip.
I'm still sleeping over ten hours a day and with naps too. I often feel that when I'm awake my head is in a thick fog and can't think quickly. My short term memory is horrible lately. I don't feel that I'm fully living, only existing day by day. I've lost all desire to do anything except sleeping. The year 2011 is a lost year with my mind lost in a blur. I must wrap my thoughts with the realization that my cancer situation is temporary and it's almost over.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Only Three Weeks of Radiation Therapy Left
Daily Quote: "Being a cancer patient is just a whole different deal. You feel it in your bones and skin -- it eats away at your mind. Life seemed clear before, but suddenly there's this question mark in front of you. Cancer is this amorphous thing. It works on a cellular level that you can perceive intellectually, but that you can't see. Running, by contrast, is all about focus and structure. Once I got cancer, I appreciated running on a whole new level. I had always thought of it as fun, a game, a toy, but now I realized we could use it as a weapon, to. Use it in our own minds and bodies, as a fund-raiser, and for unity." --Bill Rodgers, (age 60) four time Boston Marathon winner, Runner's World Magazine, July 2011, Article "Team Effort," pg 84.
Boston Billy (Bill Rodgers) was a hero for many runners when he won the Boston Marathon four times, he's my hero for setting an example for us mere mortals who are striving to return to running after our bodies have been decimated by cancer treatments. The above quote from the article "Team Effort" also explained that Rodgers "was preparing to run Boston in 2007 when a routine physical revealed he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Rodgers underwent a radical prostatectomy, followed by radiation therapy. Cancer-free, he returned to the Boston Marathon in 2009, finishing the race in 4:02." Geez, yesterday I was disappointed because I had a tough interval, although I'm still taking radiation treatments, but Boston Billy finished the 2007 Boston Marathon in a mere mortal time of 4:02 to race and raise awareness for the cancer disease! I am embarrassed for myself. I will never be disappointed for my training nor racing again.
I now have only three weeks (15 radiation treatments) of radiation therapy left!! My last scheduled radiation day is on Friday, August 5th, but will see my oncologist, Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a PET Scan as to see if my cancer is in remission.
Today my weight is 163 pounds, which means I only gained one pound last week (my lowest weight was 159 on June 30th); I hope to return to my racing weight of 170 pounds before August. It's easier to gain weight since my throat is healed and can swallow food without pain. I've lost muscle tone and strength during my cancer treatments and once I gain back the muscles I'll be a bit heavier too. Needless to say, my returning to running last week probably made it more difficult to gain weight as well.
The dead, dark, skin on my throat has all peeled off leaving a pinkish and slightly wrinkled neck. I think the wrinkled neck might be due to my weight loss and not the radiation, heaven forbid it's because I'm older! Also, my pectorals no longer hurt! I do feel tremendous fatigue, but that goes with the radiation territory. I'm at the point where I'm tired of being tired! My beard has turned totally gray and has bald patches, but find it miraculous that I still have a full head of hair, although it too is grayer. I can live with gray hair!
The big news for me at least, is I started running last week. Running intervals with walking breaks, yesterday I had troubles finishing the last, fourth interval, but Allen's comment on my blog yesterday made me think, he said, "Going back to 2 minutes walking helps, but you're still subjecting your body to relative high stress from the running. I think I would vote in favor of reducing the overall stress level on your body by reducing your running. In fact, if it were me, I wouldn't run at all until I was done with the radiation. Running, even the small amounts you're doing, puts a lot of stress on your body, and your body is already getting high stress from the radiation. Walking puts stress on your body but less stress than that from running." Maybe I can make a small compromise and walk every other day with the weekends off and just run a small amount, like three days a week? Running makes me feel whole again and hate the idea of stopping altogether. I know my doctors would not approve of my running as they feel that I need all my energy to fight cancer, the rest and recovery is a big part of the treatments. Dr. Treadmill is still flabbergasted that I'm still able to work for twelve hours with my body being so weak and he probably would totally flip out if he knew I had returned to running.
Today after my 9:00 a.m. radiation treatments I rushed to 24 Hour Fitness as to complete my exercising and later a small lunch before I leave for work at 11:30 p.m.
24 hour Fitness on Rainbow Boulevard. Life Fitness Treadmill set to a 1% grade. Walked 45 minutes at 3.5 mph. Several times during my walk I wanted to break out running, but kept on trudging with my walking. The effort was very easy with just mild exertion on my part, I didn't even break into a sweat. After my walk I didn't feel the "high" that I get from running, but did feel that I accomplished at least something! I am not disappointed with my walking as I do realize my body is in a weak state, but the hunger for running is still there.
Must finish my peanut butter and jelly sandwich and leave for work soon. I wanted to post comments to Bruce's Team at about.com, but as usual I'm pressed for time, hopefully they'll keep up with me on my blog. It's going to be a very long night at work.
Boston Billy (Bill Rodgers) was a hero for many runners when he won the Boston Marathon four times, he's my hero for setting an example for us mere mortals who are striving to return to running after our bodies have been decimated by cancer treatments. The above quote from the article "Team Effort" also explained that Rodgers "was preparing to run Boston in 2007 when a routine physical revealed he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Rodgers underwent a radical prostatectomy, followed by radiation therapy. Cancer-free, he returned to the Boston Marathon in 2009, finishing the race in 4:02." Geez, yesterday I was disappointed because I had a tough interval, although I'm still taking radiation treatments, but Boston Billy finished the 2007 Boston Marathon in a mere mortal time of 4:02 to race and raise awareness for the cancer disease! I am embarrassed for myself. I will never be disappointed for my training nor racing again.
I now have only three weeks (15 radiation treatments) of radiation therapy left!! My last scheduled radiation day is on Friday, August 5th, but will see my oncologist, Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a PET Scan as to see if my cancer is in remission.
Today my weight is 163 pounds, which means I only gained one pound last week (my lowest weight was 159 on June 30th); I hope to return to my racing weight of 170 pounds before August. It's easier to gain weight since my throat is healed and can swallow food without pain. I've lost muscle tone and strength during my cancer treatments and once I gain back the muscles I'll be a bit heavier too. Needless to say, my returning to running last week probably made it more difficult to gain weight as well.
The dead, dark, skin on my throat has all peeled off leaving a pinkish and slightly wrinkled neck. I think the wrinkled neck might be due to my weight loss and not the radiation, heaven forbid it's because I'm older! Also, my pectorals no longer hurt! I do feel tremendous fatigue, but that goes with the radiation territory. I'm at the point where I'm tired of being tired! My beard has turned totally gray and has bald patches, but find it miraculous that I still have a full head of hair, although it too is grayer. I can live with gray hair!
The big news for me at least, is I started running last week. Running intervals with walking breaks, yesterday I had troubles finishing the last, fourth interval, but Allen's comment on my blog yesterday made me think, he said, "Going back to 2 minutes walking helps, but you're still subjecting your body to relative high stress from the running. I think I would vote in favor of reducing the overall stress level on your body by reducing your running. In fact, if it were me, I wouldn't run at all until I was done with the radiation. Running, even the small amounts you're doing, puts a lot of stress on your body, and your body is already getting high stress from the radiation. Walking puts stress on your body but less stress than that from running." Maybe I can make a small compromise and walk every other day with the weekends off and just run a small amount, like three days a week? Running makes me feel whole again and hate the idea of stopping altogether. I know my doctors would not approve of my running as they feel that I need all my energy to fight cancer, the rest and recovery is a big part of the treatments. Dr. Treadmill is still flabbergasted that I'm still able to work for twelve hours with my body being so weak and he probably would totally flip out if he knew I had returned to running.
Today after my 9:00 a.m. radiation treatments I rushed to 24 Hour Fitness as to complete my exercising and later a small lunch before I leave for work at 11:30 p.m.
24 hour Fitness on Rainbow Boulevard. Life Fitness Treadmill set to a 1% grade. Walked 45 minutes at 3.5 mph. Several times during my walk I wanted to break out running, but kept on trudging with my walking. The effort was very easy with just mild exertion on my part, I didn't even break into a sweat. After my walk I didn't feel the "high" that I get from running, but did feel that I accomplished at least something! I am not disappointed with my walking as I do realize my body is in a weak state, but the hunger for running is still there.
Must finish my peanut butter and jelly sandwich and leave for work soon. I wanted to post comments to Bruce's Team at about.com, but as usual I'm pressed for time, hopefully they'll keep up with me on my blog. It's going to be a very long night at work.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tentative Running Schedule
Daily Quote: "I know that marathon training is not really important compared to pneumonia and all the complications that would go with it, but for a runner, losing that which keeps us positive and on track is frustrating and disabling. Only another athlete can understand that. The race itself is merely frosting, it is what I gain mentally and physically from the training that holds my life together. I’m going buggy laying around watching movies and sleeping between coughing fits." --Wendy Nail, from her blog, which I find extremely motivational and can totally understand her current frustrations.
My tentative running schedule is taking form, I'll be running Monday through Friday, immediately after my 9:00 a.m. radiation treatments, which should give me enough time to eat and prepare for my 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. shift (I drive for Checker Cab) on Monday and Friday.
My days off from running will be Saturday and Sunday, which isn't ideal to have two rest days together, but my wife has the weekends off from work and it wouldn't be fair to leave her in the mornings. Also, work is very stressful during the weekend (I drive Fridays through Mondays) and really shouldn't compound my stress with the fatigue of running.
I immediately rushed to the gym after my 9:00 a.m. radiation appointment.
24 hour Fitness on Rainbow Boulevard. Life Fitness Treadmill set to a 1% grade. Warmup: 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Intervals, 4 x .25 miles at 6.0 mph (10 minute miles). Walking intervals, one minute. Cooldown, 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Shoes: NIKE Air Structures. No Polar Heart Rate Monitor as it's in the way of my feeding tube. I was panting after my last running interval and amazed how decreasing my walking intervals by one minute was so difficult to complete my workout. Tomorrow I'll return to two minute walking intervals. I'm disappointed with today's effort, but do realize I'm going to have plenty of fallbacks during my return to running, and have to take today in stride. Baby steps, baby steps.
My tentative running schedule is taking form, I'll be running Monday through Friday, immediately after my 9:00 a.m. radiation treatments, which should give me enough time to eat and prepare for my 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. shift (I drive for Checker Cab) on Monday and Friday.
My days off from running will be Saturday and Sunday, which isn't ideal to have two rest days together, but my wife has the weekends off from work and it wouldn't be fair to leave her in the mornings. Also, work is very stressful during the weekend (I drive Fridays through Mondays) and really shouldn't compound my stress with the fatigue of running.
I immediately rushed to the gym after my 9:00 a.m. radiation appointment.
24 hour Fitness on Rainbow Boulevard. Life Fitness Treadmill set to a 1% grade. Warmup: 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Intervals, 4 x .25 miles at 6.0 mph (10 minute miles). Walking intervals, one minute. Cooldown, 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Shoes: NIKE Air Structures. No Polar Heart Rate Monitor as it's in the way of my feeding tube. I was panting after my last running interval and amazed how decreasing my walking intervals by one minute was so difficult to complete my workout. Tomorrow I'll return to two minute walking intervals. I'm disappointed with today's effort, but do realize I'm going to have plenty of fallbacks during my return to running, and have to take today in stride. Baby steps, baby steps.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Ran One Mile (with walking intervals)
Daily Quote: "My final thought is for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis or any other disease that slows you down. Nothing is impossible to overcome. You have to take advantage of the good days to make gains and those gains will help you though the bad days. I know runners with cancer, auto-immune diseases, heart problems, and even cerebral palsy. They enjoy their vigor and strength when they can find it and muddle through the weak days knowing there are better ones ahead." --WendyBird's superb blog, which can be read here. I love her blog's introduction, "I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2001 when I was 32, and have been struggling to maintain control of my body ever since. I began running in 2007 and have gone from not being able to run for a minute to running a full marathon. I hope my story will inspire others to reach for the stars, even if they feel chained to the depths."
I finally ran one mile today, granted the mile was interspersed with walking breaks, but my achievement felt like I had ran my first marathon! It's great to be able to run again as I don't really want my cancer to define me.
Immediately after my 9:00 a.m. radiation appointment went to 24 Hour Fitness and jumped on a treadmill. I had abundant energy as I slept for 10 hours last night and yesterday had a restful afternoon.
Life Fitness Treadmill set to a 1% grade. Warmup: 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Intervals, 4 x .25 miles at 6.0 mph (10 minute miles). Walking intervals, two minutes. Cooldown, 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Shoes: NIKE Air Structures. No Polar Heart Rate Monitor as it's in the way of my feeding tube. Felt like I just jumped the moon accomplishing my first running mile! Tomorrow will run the mile again, but will cut my walking breaks to one minute.
I started the blog several years ago as to answer many questions from my running friends who wanted to know how I qualified to run the Boston Marathon as most of them have never achieved a "BQ" (Boston Qualifier), since I started this blog I now have had three BQ's, which is a major milestone for an accomplished runner. The blog at that time showed how I trained, rested, ate, all the while working 12-hour nights. Also the blog highlighted the results and experiences of my races. Now, my blog has morphed into my struggles and battles with cancer. When I first started writing about cancer I really didn't wish cancer to define me, now I'm hoping that my return to running will show that cancer can be conquered and I'm better from the horrible experience, that you can't keep a good runner down. I love Wendy's attitude that "I hope my story will inspire others to reach for the stars, even if they feel chained to the depths."
I finally ran one mile today, granted the mile was interspersed with walking breaks, but my achievement felt like I had ran my first marathon! It's great to be able to run again as I don't really want my cancer to define me.
Immediately after my 9:00 a.m. radiation appointment went to 24 Hour Fitness and jumped on a treadmill. I had abundant energy as I slept for 10 hours last night and yesterday had a restful afternoon.
Life Fitness Treadmill set to a 1% grade. Warmup: 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Intervals, 4 x .25 miles at 6.0 mph (10 minute miles). Walking intervals, two minutes. Cooldown, 10 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph. Shoes: NIKE Air Structures. No Polar Heart Rate Monitor as it's in the way of my feeding tube. Felt like I just jumped the moon accomplishing my first running mile! Tomorrow will run the mile again, but will cut my walking breaks to one minute.
I started the blog several years ago as to answer many questions from my running friends who wanted to know how I qualified to run the Boston Marathon as most of them have never achieved a "BQ" (Boston Qualifier), since I started this blog I now have had three BQ's, which is a major milestone for an accomplished runner. The blog at that time showed how I trained, rested, ate, all the while working 12-hour nights. Also the blog highlighted the results and experiences of my races. Now, my blog has morphed into my struggles and battles with cancer. When I first started writing about cancer I really didn't wish cancer to define me, now I'm hoping that my return to running will show that cancer can be conquered and I'm better from the horrible experience, that you can't keep a good runner down. I love Wendy's attitude that "I hope my story will inspire others to reach for the stars, even if they feel chained to the depths."
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