Last day of chemotherapy for mom

Today I am sitting with mom & Julee while mom gets her last chemotherapy treatment. It is a big day! After this she has reconstruction and then radiation. Then she is done with treatment and we pray that she is cancer free forever!  We had a big cookie made for all of the nurses, admins, doctors, etc., etc. that mom has gotten to know very well over the last 5 months.  They have done an amazing job over the past several months!

In running news, we just got home yesterday from Disney World. Travis, my brother-in-law and I completed the Goofy Challenge and it was hard. I don't advise anyone to do their first marathon the day after running a half marathon. I hit the wall or something like that at mile 22 although I don't know if it was a typical wall hitting experience. I couldn't catch my breath and started to cry. I walked for a bit and thought I was ok....I wasn't. My hubby made me walk for three miles. We ran the last one. I'm glad I did it but I really don't think I will run another. I will stick to halfs and triathlons!

Marathon Taper Has Begun!!!

We are two weeks from race day and are in full taper mode.  Partially by design, and partially because we are sick.  Both of us.  I think the 20 mile long runs have caught up to us.  I'm seriously thinking that another marathon is not in my future.  I bet everyone feels that way two weeks before the race and maybe my thoughts will change but right now I don't see how.

On a very good note I passed the 1,000 mile mark for running in 2010.  This is a pretty big accomplishment for me.  I can't say as I ever thought I would run that far!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas.  Ours was good - rather eventful but still good.  We spent Christmas day with my mom, sisters and their families for the first time since I don't know when.  Mom has always worked on holidays - it is good for the extra pay but since she isn't working right now we took advantage of it.  We all went to church on Friday night and then came back to our house for soup and the plan was to decorate cookies for Santa and then maybe play a few games.  Then we would track Santa for a bit and hit the hay.  Well, it didn't turn out that way.  After we got home from church my 4 year old nephew and his sister were pretty wound up.  My nephew ended up slipping and hitting his forehead on the coffee table which opened up a decent sized gash in his head.  My sister and I took him to the ER to get glued back up.  Santa was at the hospital when we were there and visited him.  He got four presents!!!!  He did so good - and was so brave.

After we got home my sister and I decorated the cookies and had a glass of wine.  It was fun.

On Christmas day we headed to my other sister's house for lunch and present opening.  The food was great and we got to take a few good pictures.  When we got home Travis started feeling a little crappy.  He was running a fever and just feeling rotten in general.  He didn't eat or really drink anything the rest of the day.  At about 11:45pm I decided to head to bed and woke him up (he had been snoozing on the couch).  He got up and followed me to the bedroom and went into the bathroom.  I jumped into bed.  A few seconds later he opened the door and then I heard a horrific thud.  He passed out and was laying on the floor with his eyes open but he wasn't responding to me.  It seemed like an eternity but I'm sure it was no longer than 30 seconds.  When I first got over there it looked like he had blood coming out of his ear.  That made me nervous.  Then I noticed the blood was actually coming from his chin.  He must have hit the foot board of the bed on his way down.  The gash was decent sized and I knew we needed to go to the ER.  He just wanted me to put a butterfly Band-Aid on it (he is such a manly man you know).  I called the Ask A Nurse line and they said that yes he did need to go to the ER. 

I got Travis up and out into the car and then went to get Sam.  She looked a little dazed and confused but she did great the whole time we were there.  She sat on my lap and played with her doll and then ate some cheese crackers.  We were there until around 2:30am and Travis got 7 stitches.  But that isn't the end of the story. 

On Sunday night he thought it was swelling a bit and by Monday after work he decided he needed to go to the doctor.  His wound had started seeping pus and blood.  Ick!  He is now on antibiotics and had to stay home from work today.  The doctor told him he should call the hospital and complain about the fact that he developed an infection.  Now that we think about it, I don't know that they even washed the cut out before they sewed him up.  I know they wiped the blood away but I don't think they cleaned it out.  That is disturbing.  To add to things I have a sinus infection and until about 4 hours ago I was feeling pretty crappy as well.  Thank goodness for antibiotics! 

Sam Update:  Our baby girl is now 18 months old.  I can't believe it!  She is so much fun now.  She is learning so much every day and is so excited to share her knowledge with us.  She is also very generous with hugs and kisses and is so sweet most of the time.  

Mom Update:  She is doing well.  She has 3 more taxol treatments and then will get her spacers taken out and her implants put in.  Then she has 12 weeks of radiation.  Hopefully the radiation won't damage the implants too much.  I also want to put her in a bubble to protect her from all of the illness that is around her right now.  My sister's entire family went through or is going through some sort of a stomach bug complete with a low grade fever.  Mom has a sinus infection and got some antibiotics for it on Sunday.  Hopefully those help her out.  Keep her in your prayers.

I'm sure I won't post again before Saturday so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Toddler Menu

Bread, corn & peaches.  That is pretty much it for the little one.  I think she is on a hunger strike right now.  Oh wait, I can get her to eat organic graham cracker bunnies on occasion as well.  I wonder how long this is going to last?

Nearing Year End Thoughts

Wow - another year is almost done!  I've always thought that time went by too quickly but since I've become a mom I think someone put the clock in super speed mode.  Really, can we just slow it down a little bit!  In many ways 2010 has not been a good year (mom diagnosed with BC, Travis still not loving (who am I kidding......I should say not even remotely close to liking and simply tolerating because it is the right thing to do and he is a great guy) his job, my company deciding to close it's doors and being lucky to still be employed but not doing a job that I would have hand picked for myself, Travis' dad having multiple surgeries, etc., etc. 

But I can't be all gloom and doom.  The things I am thankful for are plentiful as well.  Mom is doing pretty well & we are praying every day that she is healthy and that she, the medicine, and doctors do what they need to do to keep her that way.  Please God, bless her and our family with health and happiness.  Please bless her with continued employment as well!  I am still employed and did get a promotion and I really enjoy the people I am working with.  Sam is growing like crazy and is a huge blessing in our lives every single day!  My older sister and her family moved to town this fall.  My hubby is amazing!  I have a great vacation coming up in January!  And did I mention my hubby is amazing???????

It has been a busy year of training as well.  I did two triathlons this year, a few 5Ks, and I trained for a half marathon and a 20K that I didn't end up running at the last minute do to illness.  I am in the home stretch of training for the Goofy at Disney in January.  Looking back at 2010 here are my training stats so far.  I'm hoping to get to 1,000 miles running by the end of the year!

2010 totals through the end of November

Bike: 64h 46m 03s - 1064.34 Mi

Run: 149h 46m 59s - 883.57 Mi

Swim: 6h 38m 38s - 14000 M

We spent Thanksgiving with Travis' family and took some great pictures of Sam outside.  It is hard to believe that the temp was 55 degrees on Saturday.

 

This weekend we are planning on a 10 mile run on Friday and a 18-20 mile run on Saturday.  It is time to get ready for the back to back that will be the Disney Half and Disney Marathon.  Wish me luck - hopefully I'll be relaxing on Saturday night basking in a Big XII Championship for my beloved Huskers!  GO BIG RED!

My Toenails Are Going to Fall Off

So about a month ago I did an 18 mile long run with toenails that were slightly too long.  BAD IDEA!!!!  Now both of the toenails on my big toes are turning colors.  Other than the fact that they are turning colors they have been a little tender but nothing too major. 

Tonight I ran 7 on the treadmill at a pretty good clip and my right big toe is starting to swell a little and it feels warm.  The funky color of the nail now looks more purplish.  I don't need toe issues with six weeks of training left before the Goofy!  Does anyone know how to speed up the healing process of your toes??????

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the toenails either fall off quickly or heal quickly.  Either way, I promise not to share any more icky foot stories.

Happy Running!

Trader Joe's has arrived

I've read so much about Trader Joe's and I was so excited when I heard one would be opening in my area in November.  It opened about a week ago and I hadn't gone until today.

I had today off for Veteran's Day and I made the most of it.  I got up and took Sam to day care (I always feel guilty taking her to day care when I have the day off).  Then I put in 8 miles on the treadmill.  After my run, I cleaned my bathrooms, scrubbed my floors and did some light dusting.  Then I headed out for a hair cut.  After that it was time for a quick lunch - Subway turkey & ham with apples.  Then I headed to TJ's.  The place was a mad house.  I bought a few things such as organic chicken breast, organic wheat bread, lobster ravioli, sprouted wheat bread, some greek yogurt and some fresh salsa.  The experience wasn't that great - way too many people.  I didn't have time to really look around.  I'm happy they are here though.  The prices for the organic stuff were cheaper than what I am used to paying.  Hopefully this will spur some more competitive pricing.

For dinner I decided it was time to really cook.  I was hungry for Mexican and found a recipe online for Mexican Chicken Casserole from Cooking Light.  I have never cooked anything from Cooking Light that has turned out worth a darn but this stuff was awesome.  It took me an hour to prepare (which is why I don't cook much) but in the end it was worth it.  I topped it with some of the Trader Joe's fresh salsa, which was outstanding, and a little light sour cream.  The picture above is from myrecipes and it actually looked like that when it was done.  That never happens to me!

Twenty Miler......I Survived!

Wow you marathon runners are amazing.  We did our 1st ever 20 mile run this morning and I am mentally drained!  My feet are some too and my legs were really tight.  Now they are starting to swell up a bit.  I woner if the leg poofiness is normal.  I hate the Michelin Man feeling.

The first several miles were hard.  It was 24 degrees when we started running and my lower half wasn't dressed appropriately.  My buns and thighs went numb and stayed that way until mile 10.  10-15 went ok and after that things got progressively worse.  The last two were tough but we made it!  I'm proud of my hubby too!!!

In two weeks we go 22.  Two weeks after that is 24 the 26 and we are good to go.