Made it to NC

As you may or may not know, I have made the trip with Mom and Dad to Duke. My parents have been making this trip for 2+ years. They have this trip down to a science.  They know what stops to make (what gas station is close to half way with clean bathrooms and cheap gas) to the best Mexican restaurant within walking distance from the hotel. Dad checks into the hospital tomorrow morning. Blood work starts at 9 am. Surgery is Tuesday.

An oldie, but a goodie. Pops and Claire on her birthday. We FaceTimed with Claire Bear tonight. In between giggling and offering her sippy cup of whole milk through the phone, she sent Pops all her love.

Here We Go Again

Here's where we are: We leave tomorrow (Sunday) for Duke. I will be admitted Monday, sign the paperwork, have another MRI and basically get ready for surgery. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, exact time TBD. If all goes well I will be discharged Wednesday, however they have asked us to stay in the area for a couple of days. So, we will probably come home Friday.  As an added bonus, our only daughter and middle child will be making the trip with us. Sarah will handle the blog updates from the hospital.

This week has been quite a bit different than the week leading up to surgery last time. I have honestly felt great and have run just about every day. Last time the week leading up to surgery was all about doctor visits and taking steroids. This time other than working all week, we  have been basically just waiting to get started.

Marti's sister Pat will be here to watch the house and take care of their parents while we are away.

We have a plan of action if the tumor is determined to be cancer. It is too involved to go into here, we will cross that bridge if we have to. If it is scar tissue, then I will go back to the treatments I have been on for the past couple of years.

Sam and his fiancé Sarah Davis (of course her name is Sarah, you can't get enough of a good thing) are here this weekend I think to check me out but to also enjoy the 3rd annual KY barbecue festival.  It will probably come as no surprise that I will be working the beer tent this afternoon.  Please no comments about drinking all the profits.

The only symptom I have had is Marti said I was mowing the yard funny last night. She might have meant because I was mowing it at all. She usually does that.

At any rate let's get started. Thank you for caring enough to muddle through this nonsense.

We're baaaaaaack!

So this wasn't what we were hoping for...clearly. However, Sam and I are thrilled for the blog to be back. We didn't think it should have ever left. Why stop when so many people were constantly offering love, prayers, and support? (Plus, Sam and I were SURE we were on the verge of advertisers begging for some  blog space) So this is where we are. Welcome back to where we make fun of Sam, question John's weird elusiveness, and have a good time all while randomly discussing Dad's health and running.

Also, Todd and I had an adorable daughter. Her name is Claire. We think she's perfect.

The blog is back (damn it)

Just to catch you up a little bit, I have gone for 2 years with no problems. Every month we go to Duke for a vaccination and every other month I get an MRI. Well 2 months ago the MRI revealed some changes in the area where the tumor was originally. A PET scan was done and it was determined that whatever this was it was not cancer. 2 months later and another MRI showed that whatever this is has grown significantly. So, a week from tomorrow we leave for Duke and I am scheduled to have a second surgery on Tuesday 9/10. Going into the surgery 2 years ago, everyone was pretty sure it was cancer. I think there is at least some question this time. That said, whatever it is it needs to come out. The only thing left to do now is set a goal post surgery. Well, the Louisville half marathon worked last time, so why not shoot for it again? I have already paid my entry fee and have maintained my base mileage, so even if it just a couple of months away, I think I can do it. Stay tuned and once again thank you for caring.

In the home stretch!

Saturday (RACE DAY!) is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  However, please do not do any of these things in the final few days.  In fact, don’t do much of anything.  You’ve done enough.  This is easy for me to say, coming from the one who has dropped out of the race with the best excuse I could think of:  Mom and Dad’s first granddaughter.

I believe walkers start the race at 7:30 and runners take off at 8.  If you are interested in meeting up before, we can plan on meeting on the great lawn (across the street and down a little from slugger field, the starting point).  We will all have our phones on us, so call your favorite Pollom if you need further directions.  My cell # is 859-583-1563. 

I have emailed Brooke, one of the organizers of the race, and inquired about what those of us who could no longer run or only wanted to do part of the race (and be waiting/cheering at the end) should do logistically.  Below is a portion of her email back to me in case you had similar questions:

I spoke to our director of event operations, Troy Killian regarding your questions and he is completely supportive of the idea of you all starting the race with your dad and then meeting him at the finish line.  If you will just remove the chip from the back of your bib before you put it on, that would be great.  That way if you make it to the finish line before the lead runner, the timing isn't affected.

As far as the medal is concerned, you are absolutely welcome to get the medal at the finish line.  I would just jump back in the race before the chute closes the finish line off and go through like you have completed the race.  It might be cool for you to do that as your dad finishes. 

Thank you so much for passing along the link to your dad's blog.  It is so inspiring to read about his journey and the training he has gone through.  He is truly an inspiration and I wish you all the best of luck for a wonderful run on November 12th and a very healthy life as a family.

Finally, because this blog is in serious need of a picture and the support from everyone has been amazing, I’m thrilled to share this sweet picture of my cousin’s daughter Madison.  My cousins’ children have been some of Dad’s biggest cheerleaders with posters, bracelets, letters, glitter, etc.  Below is Madison supporting Dad and the Rangers at the World Series.



Safe travels to everyone!  Look forward to seeing you pre-race, racing, and relaxing afterward at Drakes.

xoxo,

Sarah

Less Than A Week

I can't believe it but we are less than a week away from the race. I just checked Louisville weather for next Saturday and they are calling for a high of 52, a low of 42 and 0% chance of rain. I hope that holds.

Friday night Chris Ball has arrainged for the West Lafayette contingent (and anyone else brave enough to put up with us) to meet at DiFabio's restaurant in Louisville.

If you want to meet before the race Saturday morning, we can assemble on the river side of the I 64 overpass on the The Great Lawn. We will have some bags you can put sweats or other stuff you are wearing to stay warm but don't want to run in. Sarah (pregnant daughter) will gather this up and have it at Drakes after the race.

Speaking of Drakes, Marti and I really hope you will be our guest there after the race for a celebration. They open at 11:15 and we have a room reserved until 2:00 pm.

For those of you staying Saturday night (and are not too sore to walk) we will probably check out 4th street live in downtown Louisville.

The hard part is behind us. See you this weekend for the reward.

Thanks for caring enough to be part of this journey to completion.

Marti Pollom Goes 13 Miles

Today Marti got in her first 13 mile training event. I'm pretty sure it will be her last 13 miler before the race and I am positive a big part of the reason she did it today was because she had just spent 7.5 hours in the car with me.

A couple of other quick notes about the race.

If you are coming from Indiana you need to know that the I-65 bridge is the only interstate aross the Ohio River these days and the traffic has been brutal, especially if you are attempting to exit on I-64 or I-71. Marti spent over an hour last Sunday night trying to get across. So please allow plenty of time or stay on 65 and exit in downtown Louisville and then make your way from there. Also I thought the race started at 7:30 but I received an email today saying 8:00. You may want to double check their web site.

A quick health update. Marti and I just got back from Duke today. The checkup went fine however I am still not in the clinical trail. They actually had us stay an extra day just in case the approval came through, but it did not. It really seems like it is just a procedural issue they are trying to resolve but we have been down this road before. The next opportunity for this to be approved is next Monday. The good news is the doctor at Duke believes the treatments I am getting here in Danville are working well enough that not starting this for another month will not be a problem.

See you in 19 days.

Thanks for caring