Up, Up and Up!

Got to work 1 of 2 shifts this weekend on nights. Was called off for the one, we only had 1 patient! The second shift went well, made it the whole 12 hours! Was totally exhausted, but the crew I worked with was GREAT! A little sore today, but not too bad.

Now the big thing I want to start other than working all of my shifts is getting in some strength training on a regular basis along with my conditioning. Our Wii Fit program actually has some good stuff to it, and I am going to use that along with my other things to get back to where I need to be. Basically this year is a wash as far as any kind of competitive cycling goes, but I can use it as a spring board for next season!

I also have been trying to work on my guitar a little more, which has been a lot of fun. Just need to work more on reading music, thank goodness for my wife who understands all of that! When things get a little more under control maybe I will actually enroll in lessons!

Overall things seem like the are moving upwards, just hope they continue that trend!

Findings

So, the colonoscopy went well. They took lots of biopsies, but the meat of the story is that it looks like I have a pretty bad infections that is finally on the way out. There were multiple sections that had areas that showed the ends signs of infection. The problem would have been the infections would cause the bowel walls to swell, thicken and narrow. This would then cause pain every time something passed through, pain, pain and more pain along with nausea! So it looks like we found an answer, and I may never know what kind of infection if was. I'm just happy to know that there was actually something wrong that was causing all this pain and trouble. It's just scary that with all the test I had done, nothing pointed to the infection, and the fact that it had been going on for over 2 months!

So whats up next? Going to get back into the swing of things; work lots of hours, start exercising again and build up my endurance, loose some more weight, and just enjoy spending time outside!

This whole thing has been horrible, and I am hoping that it is all behind me now. While today I still have a little discomfort in my abdomen it's nothing compared to what it had been.

Where no man should ever go!

So, where to begin I guess all my stomach problems really never have cleared up. Scans and numerous doctors later I am still wondering what is going on. I have periods of feeling good, followed up by periods of horrible abdominal pain, sort of like being kicked in the stomach! The nausea is OK, have meds that seem to help with that end of it. The good news is that I am now finally seeing a specialist! I saw a GI doctor on Monday of this week, and already I have a colonoscopy scheduled for the same Thursday, yippee! Not real thrilled about the procedure, but who would be? I guess I am happy that I might start to have answers, and the procedure will tell us a lot of information quickly. While looking where no person should look, they will also take some biopsies to help rule out things.

Some of the possible diagnoses are benign; just a pain in the ass (Ha Ha). Others scare me to death, of which include cancer and Crohn's disease! So as of now all cycling for performance is put on hold. Hell, I can barley afford to live little lone try and afford racing this year. I did go for a very short 10 mile ride about 10 days ago, man did it feel great, but I was beat. Instead I have been doing some easy walking to help rebuild up some endurance and try to get back some of my life.

This whole process has been like living in a prison. I don't dare try to go out and do anything for fear that I will end up in pain again. I also don't dare eat anything normal, for fear of the same results. So I stick to simple, boring foods and a very sedentary life, something I am not enjoying much. Just to be outside, even in the rain is a treat! I have worked very little, cause of the painful cramping in my stomach is so bad at times I cannot get out of bed. Overall right now I feel pretty good. The cramps are not as intense, and don't come on as bad. I have a 2 day stretch of 12 hour nights this Friday and Saturday; and I am praying I get through them without a problem.

I just found out today that my paperwork for my absences needs updating. I'm hoping that is about all it needs and this will be the last time I will have to do this. The thing that sucks it getting the doctors to sign the paperwork and get it back in time to the HR dept, otherwise I have a wonderful risk of losing me job!

I have to say I am thankful for my director at work! She has been so supportive through the whole process, I just cannot thank her enough! Finally I want to thank my wife for her continued support, my family, friends and everyone at church who has kept me in their prayers. Without all of them I would have given up a long time ago!

It always comes down to money

One thing I really hate about some sports is that it comes down to money! I know equipment doesn't make you faster or better, but it sure doesn't hurt either. If you have the right equipment and know how to use it it sure make things a lot more efficient in your training! Example, a piece of equipment I have wanted forever, a Powertap by Cycleops, it's just so damn expensive. I know getting one doesn't instantly make me a better racer or all the sudden faster, but what it does do is make what little training time I have that much more efficient. Same with time trial equipment. A lot of people have dedicated bikes for doing time trials, I don't even have aero bars, lol!

So it is making me rethink the whole racing scene. I mean I really love the excitement of taking corner at 30mph with 50 other guys around me, but the cost is getting ridiculous. The team kits, dues, license, race fee, tires, tubes, nutrition, and up keep is about to put me into bankruptcy. I keep putting money away, but dang its never enough. Maybe I should take up watching grass grow, that can't be that expensive.

Finally Over

So things were on track and I was feeling great with my training. I had cut out sweets completely, been on the trainer consistently and overall feeling really good about my progress.

Then, starting last Tuesday it hit me hard...stomach cramps and nausea! It was all pain from there on. I ended up missing 3 days or work (that is going to hurt the paycheck), a trip to the ER in which I got some meds for pain and my nausea, a CT with and without contrast dye, and a wonderful IV with a liter of fluid. I was told it was viral and to get seen if it does not get better...guess what, it didn't! So I was honored to go and sit in urgent care for 3 1/2 hours while they ran every test again...only to tell me they think it’s my gallbladder. My symptoms don't exactly fit but ok. After having continued abdominal pain and being constantly nauseated, yesterday I started to feel semi-human again. I didn't have to take pain pills till after diner, a real plus.

Now today...I feed great! Some abdominal pain here and there, no nausea, and I don't feel so run down. All in all it’s been a huge set back in my training, but I am trying to look at it from a positive point of view. I don't eat anywhere what I use to, so my weight should continue to come off, and it has let my legs rest a bit...other than that it’s still a downer.

So today I get on the bike, nothing hard, just some easy spinning on the indoor trainer...yippee I cannot wait!

Good-Bye Maggie

So over the weekend tragedy hit the house. My 13 year old Border Collie-Aussie Sheppard mix, Maggie, passed away. While we knew she had arthritis and it was bothering her some this came as a large surprise. At about 0400 Saturday morning my wife heard a thud in the hall way and called me out of be. When I came to her she was laying with her front and back legs sprawled out and head leaning on the wall. She was not real responsive. I picked her up and moved her next to my bed to keep a close eye on her and bestow her all the love I could. Her breathing was beginning to become labored and she was not moving anything. What was frustrating was that I had to get ready for work about the same time. So I prayed that she would make it through my shower but would go before I had to leave for work. After my shower her breathing became almost aginal, so I made sure to get the girls up to say good-bye to their friend. We gave her all the love and attention that she deserved in her final moments with us, passing away shortly after the girls came in.

What makes all this even harder is that earlier this year we had to put down our 18 year old Springer Spaniel. So loosing 2 long time friends in the same year really sucks! The up side is that this spring we got a Golden Retriever...a wonderful little girl! She really brought out the puppy in Maggie, getting her to play chase around the yard, wanting to go for walks again and just getting her moving again.

Maggie was a wonderful companion through the 13 years. She was there with me in Duluth, Mn when I would go for runs. She was wonderful with my girls, allowing them to dress her up in play clothes. And she was always there when thing seemed at their worst, coming up to you and putting her head on your lap to show some love. I will miss her greatly, but am glad she is in a wonderful place.

Good-bye Maggie, I love you very much and will miss you greatly!!!

Fall Memories

My cycling has not been going as well as I would like. Mostly due to work schedules. The other night I was on for a 20 hour shift, 12 hours of patient time which is my regular shift then another 8 hours for a skills day for CVICU specific applications. To make things worse I have not been sleeping and managed to be up for around 47 hours, not too conducive to good training. So while the weather is nice here (mid 60's) I am going to try and get in some good road time...not trainer time.

While the indoor trainer is great and all it really does suck at making you want to ride. Nothing like suffering while going no where. But it's great come spring time when you do get outdoors...wow you really appreciate all the time put into the trainer.

My other wonderful hobby right now is raking leaves. We have two beautiful maples out back, but they are hell come fall. So this year I spend some money on a leaf blower/muchler! The best money I have ever spent. Yesterday I managed to get the whole backyard moved into two giant piles of leaves in less than an hour! The kids love the piles, they roll in them, and have a blast playing in the mess. I takes me back to when I was a kid playing at the park when the piles of leaves were giant. It was so much fun to dig and bury each other in them. Only to have that kind of ambition and energy again!

On another note, I managed to survive taking my two oldest girls to see High School Musical 3 yesterday. All in all it was not too bad. Of the three I like the music in the second one the best, but this was pretty good. The girls loved it! Once again it makes remember back to times when I was in high school and all the silly stuff that went on. Disney really has hit it big with this group of movies...but I am glad to see them done. So now I get to hear request for the sound track and the never ending blaring of it from speakers. At least its not too bad to listen to.