First Cyclocross Race!

One of the things I got after brain surgery and PT for my leg was a new Cyclocross (CX) bike. I had wanted one for long while. I put it to good use this past weekend in my first attempt at CX racing at the Tacchino CX in Upper Marlboro. It was muddy and hard and a blast! It was fun, before, during and after. Crashed (not bad) in warm-ups but not in the race. Brats and beer taste even better when mixed with the mud and sweat from the event. The atmosphere of the event is very cool, too. It is a lap race with much slower speeds so the fans can really see the cyclists and cheer them on. There was a live band and many beers and good food for a Sunday morning. Like a muddy festival.
Probably will do another race in two weeks in Hyattsville.

Two Years?!?!

The girls and I called my Aunt tonight to wish her a Happy Birthday. In the conversation, she mentioned that it was two years ago that I had my surgery. Wow. I knew that anniversary was around this time but I had forgotten the exact date. Things were going pretty fast at that time so I had lost track of the calendar dates. I think it was a Monday.

But I am here and very alive and very busy. So tonight, I poured myself a stiff drink and raised a toast to myself (after I got the daughters to bed.) When Marcie gets back from Belfast this weekend I will raise a toast to her for always being there with me.

And I drink a toast to all who are fighting this fight with me.

This triathlon made me very happy!

Eagle Lake Short Sprint Triathlon:
2nd in my age group.
12th out of 200 overall.
4th in the cycling stage.
I assume I was the highest finisher with Brain Cancer.
I will take it!

This whole event was kind of a surprise. I was not even aware of this race until four days prior to it. We were going to be in the area of this race in Michigan staying with some dear friends, Paul and Deirdre. I don't know if Paul was daring me or joking with me when he sent an email telling me about the race just a couple miles from their lake home.

I had already packed my bike and running shoes so I figured, "Why Not?" I had not been really training and figured it was short enough that it wouldn't be a pain fest. So I had a good swim and better bike. It was a very short run that did not allow enough distance for the true runners to catch up.


I also had a GREAT cheering squad of Goeke-Moreys, Rowlands, and Worlands cheering me on at the swim, transitions, and finish! I also have a wonderful wife whose responds to most of my crazy ideas with, "You should do it!"

Now I am psyched for more races. Warrior Dash or Primal Mud Run, anyone? Cyclocross races? Who is with me?

July Update

Hi everyone,
Again I am a lazy blogger. Just had two weeks of wonderful vacation. A week in Florida with Marcie and the girls. After that, the girls' awesome Grandparents took them for another week so Marcie and I could have our own vacation. We had a great week of camping in Maine. So peaceful and beautiful and great weather. Hiking and exploring during the day. Bottle of wine around the campfire at night. Total relaxation.

Once we returned, I had my quarterly MRI reading. More good times! The reading showed a small area of shrinkage and no growth! Such a relief. I will continue with the chemo pills and a decision will be made at the next clinic visit to decide whether to continue beyond 24 cycles.

Cheers!

I am so happy to be 41!

Yep, made it. Looking forward to more birthdays! My birthday fell on Mother's day so I got to spend it with my wonderful wife and beautiful daughters. Gorgeous day for breakfast outside and a hike on Roosevelt Island Park. I like birthdays, I REALLY like birthdays now.

Race for Hope 2011

For the first time in years I ran a 5K, a very special 5K. This was the Race for Hope to benefit the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. It was a cool but great day on Pennsylvania Ave in DC. I ran pretty well, not fast but not slow. Brain tumor survivors (me) had special yellow t-shirts and got many special cheers. (Eyes got a little moist). What a great event! (Aunt Barbara: I made the video quickly before my race and I am in it.)

I met some amazing people there. Finally met Natalya Jagger, founder of BT Buddies from the UK. She brought along works from her Behind the Mask Exhibition.

One of the masks exhibited was from another survivor, Deidre Kohler of South Africa.

Latest Scan (A Good Friday) and some random thoughts

Spent the evening of Holy Thursday at NIH getting my quarterly MRI scan. Returned on the morning of Good Friday and got the result. The tumor appears to continue to slowly shrink, yeah! Very relieved. I will continue the same plan of Temodar every fourth week through 24 cycles. I am at 18.

The news is quite good and quite relieving. As this fight goes on though, it is mentally and emotionally tough. Physically I feel pretty good. I am more fit now than two years ago before this fight started. Staying positive has always been my aim.

Maintaining a positive mindframe over an extended period is draining. Marcie has been great and sees when I am down. Other times, I have to let down the facade and let her know that I need "Help!" or I need to just vent. Sometimes I just need to let the tears flow.

Don't get me started on my "wise" choice to take an online grad course this semester. Marcie heard me curse myself all through that course. The class was fine, I just bit off more than I could chew. It just took up more time and energy than I could afford to give it. I did end up with an "A", learned enough, fulfilled some professional requirements, but sacrificed time that is so precious.

Spent last week in the Great Smoky Mountains with the kids and some great friends. It was wonderful to get out of town and get into the woods. Saw a bear!