Tuesday May 31 am

Big week, this week.

First follow up with neurosurgeon.

Continued recovery from surgery.

Put together a plan for the ongoing fight of this crap.

I am ready.

Let's go.

The Only Important, Helpful, Relevant Post I Will Probably Ever Do....

From now until this Thursday, the 11/12 half-marathon (you know, the whole goal of this little blog) is giving a discount for those who want to register early. You can register at: http://www.lscmarathon.com/. Although the website has a nice little FAQ section, I thought I would take this opportunity to answer some of the questions I have heard most so far:

Why Register Early?

From now until June 3rd, the cost of registration is only $50. After June 3rd this increases to $65 and after October 2nd it increases to $75, so it only makes good economical sense.

Also, although there should be no shortage of motivation to enter this race, it is always nice to have that little voice in your head saying "Well, you already paid $50 for this darn thing, you may as well do it.

Can I walk?

That's weak

Seriously, can I walk?

Yes. You can absolutely walk. It is highly suggested that you try and keep a 15:00/mile pace, because after this the people who run the course will let traffic through and you will be forced to start dodging cars (just kidding, there are sidewalks for most of the route). Also, after the 15:00/mile pace, some race facilities start shutting down. This might include water stations and port-a-potties (so think about that for a minute)

Where does the race start?

The new KFC YUM! Center. Meaning that we will be in a long line of people who have attempted to run far away from this place (i.e. decent basketball recruits)

Wow Sam, you have done a really good job of describing the race to me. Why would I even want to visit the website?

Well, thank you. But the website has a lot of cool stuff that I simply don't know how to put on here. For example, you can find a training schedule (for all ability levels), an elevation map, and a YouTube video that takes you through the entire course.

Also, you have to go though the website to register for the race. So it is sort of important. Although, while you're at it, if you would also like to send me $50 that would be acceptable.

This sounds like a fine idea, but I am really lacking the motivation to do this...

Seriously???

Training day #1

Saturday, I began my mini marathon training program (I made the decision to run before Sam, for those of you keeping track at home.) In honor of Dad, I decided to do his old faithful 5-miler. It was not easy. I believe the incline on the Lexington Ave has increased and there must be something wrong with the stoplights downtown because the red lights never worked in my favor for a reprieve. Last month I completed my first mini marathon. Todd, Dad, and I ran the Derby mini. I was pleased with my showing of 2 hours and 11 minutes and even more thrilled once I figured that Dad only beat me by 6 minutes. That is, until we realized that Dad ran the mini marathon with a brain tumor. In fact, one of the first triggers to the family and his doctors that something was wrong was his time in the mini... Apparently my training program could use a little tweaking.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

First and foremost thank you to any and all active/retired military personal that may have found this blog. You will be in my thoughts all day today, especially my dad and brother (Air Force and Army respectively).

HIGHLITES FROM YESTERDAY:

Thanks to Bob and Paula Reister for bringing me communion after Mass yesterday.
Marti and I got in 3 separate walks for a grand total of 2.5 blocks.
We also took a road trip to see her her folks who live in Danville. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last Friday. Congratulations McNaughtons. Marti also showed them the blog. Ralph, I expect to see lots of comments.
By the way, what happened to spring? It was a bit of a warm walk yesterday.

This week the first big day is Wednesday. This is my follow up with the neurosurgeon. We should have a plan of action shortly after that.

I hope everyone has a great holiday today. If you are going to the lake, cooking out or just relaxing, have fun. Of course, except my LSU friends that I abandoned this year. I know you all are hitting it hard today.

I am taking this 3 day weekend off, but I will be doing something on the 4th of July.

By the way the pictures are FABULOUS except for the ladies that broke into my office. I hope you all used hand sanitizer before working on my keyboard.

More updates to come.

Bill

Sunday May 29 am update

Bob and Roberta (brother and sister) returned home to Texas and Florida respectively yesterday. I know you both missed family time with kids and grandkids this holiday weekend, so please let them know how much I appreciated you all being here. John, Sarabeth and grandson Will brought dinner last night. I had forgotten how tiring it can be playing with building blocks on the floor.

Today's goal - to the end of the block and back. No time goal has been set for this adventure.

Saturday am

Sleep in 2 hour increments last night, at least for me. I am not sure Marti has slept yet.

Reality Check

It is GREAT to be home, but a little bit of reality always creeps in. Tonight at dinner Sarah asked if I was going to follow a formal training for the mini or do my own thing. I said the doctor said it would be at least 4-6 weeks before I could start running. I looked at Marti and suggested I start walking with her, but I would not be able to go as far as her normal route. Marti looked up called me a 'weannie.'

Headed home.

The response to the blog has been OVERWHELMING! The response to the run, not so much. I was able to get up and walk around a little bit this morning. I still have a nasty headache. The other point that keeps being reinforced is that no matter how bad you feel or hurt there is always someone just as bad if not worse. I am so blessed to have such a strong family and support group. Please do not take your foot off the prayer/positive comments pedal. There is a long way to go. Once more I am this far because of all of you. I look forward to handshakes and hugs when I get back home in a couple of hours and hope to make it to work in a few days. (daughter disclaimer: Dad is home and resting well. He wrote this right before we left the hospital. He is clearly as optimistic as they come which is exactly what the dr ordered...right Dr. Baeker?)

He's Baaaaaaaaack!!

Sarah, Todd, and I just got back from seeing Dad. Some notes:

-I told Dad the Cubs won. His response? "I feel better."

-He asked Sarah and Todd if they were going back to work.

-He asked me if I had gotten any law school grades.

-He told the nurse he was ready to walk to his MRI

Classic Dad.

p.s. I love lists

Let the official training begin.

Dad is out of surgery and all is well on the home front. Dr. Pittman (Dad's neurosurgeon and current knight in shining armor) was able to remove the tumor. He believes that although radiation and possibly chemo will follow, the surgery was an overall success. Dad is awake and alert in recovery. Up to this point, his only request is for someone to bring him his glasses (we are pretty sure that all loved ones are an unspoken request). We will be allowed to go see him in a minute. The nurse has told us only 2 people are allowed in at a time. The three children were trying to figure out who will go in first with Mom. John was given the privilege because neither of us wanted to play second fiddle to Mom (sorry, John). From here on, Dad will be able to follow up with Tom Baeker (Pollom family hero).

Once again, we can't thank you enough for your support and prayers through this. Dad is a fighter. He just wanted to remind us.

xoxo,
Sarah and Sam

While we wait....

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but hospital waiting rooms are not exactly the most exciting places in the entire world. To pass the time, here are some of my random thoughts (in no particular order):

1. We're expecting the procedure to last about 3-4 hours, meaning we have about 2-3 hours to go.

2. Contrary to what Dad says, I am hilarious.

3. This week has been interesting, to say the least. My boss this summer was nice enough to let me do some work from Danville for the past week, so I have been camped out at home. With Mom and Dad constantly running to appointments, this left everyday chores to yours truly. For those of you who know me, this thought is terrifying. For example, one day Mom asked my to do the weekly grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. This is what I came back with:

Apparently this is not what they had in mind.....

4. I have been informed by my dad and sister that the goal of this blog is to run in some half-marathon in November. If you look at the picture above you will get a decent idea of what my current lifestyle looks like. Now you see the problem.

5. Some of you have already offered to drive the "Beer Cart" during the half-marathon. I would like to go and record and say that I do not think that is going to help.

6. Mom would like you to know that we are sitting next to artwork made by Danville's own Stephen Powell in the waiting room. Here's proof:

She thought it meant something, but to be honest, in the time it has taken me to write this post I have forgotten. And if there is one thing I have learned this week, it's not to ask ridiculous questions (which is very hard for me). So let's just admire how nice it looks and leave it at that.

7. On a serious note, we want to thank you all so much for all the love and support this past week. It is truly amazing. Of course anxiety levels are slightly elevated right now, but if you know Dad, you know that he is absolutely kicking butt right now. No question about that.

8. Here is a picture of my nephew Will. If you didn't like this post before, you sort of have to now.

More updates to come soon.

Much Love,

Sam

Surgery update

Dad is currently in surgery. After pre-op stuff (technically speaking) and the anesthesia had set in, surgery started at 2:38. The surgery was scheduled for 2:40. I can't wait to tell Mr. Punctual this when he gets out.

let the games begin

I have only been on one blog in my life, my daughter in law and son set one up for their family to be able to share info and pictures quickly. I have NEVER posted on a blog so this is going to be very interesting. Marti and the kids suggested I try this. As you might guess my first reaction was that was stupid. Who would want to follow a topic like this? And more importantly who in their right mind would try and write about it while going through it. Well given the "right mind" comment we may be close to the reason I am here.

It is 11:00 am 5/26. I have had an MRI and they have marked me for incisions. Marti came back and took a picture. I am starting to think it is contagious. Who does that?

Surgery still looks like it will start in the 2:30 to 3 pm time frame. There maybe several people that provide updates. Mine will be the humorous ones, Sam's will no doubt be an attempt at humor. John's will be just the facts. Marti and Sarah will edit and try and keep us on track.

Why am I doing this?

2 reasons. I have a very specific goal. I am going to run a mini-marathon in Louisville on 11/12/11. (hence the blogspot name-11/12 run 13.1) Anybody that wants in, start training.
The second reason is that I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and concern. For theses reasons we will do our best to keep you informed.

Thank you so much for caring. Bill