leukemia

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Catching Up

May 7, 2009 in leukemia, running, triathlon | 2 comments

I feel like I’m always catching up. Maybe I should stop going places on the weekend so I can instead sit in front of my computer and keep this thing updated. Nah, I prefer traveling. :)

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Here was our car after we picked-up borrowed sleeping bags and air mattresses. It had been full of cans and bottles to drop off with our recycling friends. They take the bottles and cans we collect and then donate the CRV and recycling monies to MS charity bike rides and Eric’s Team in Training events. They had $500 to donate to Eric’s tri this time!! Unfortunately, Eric got to talking didn’t pass the recylcables off so they had sat in our car a few days. Our trunk smelled like a drunk. It was gross.

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Random shots from the weekend. The Avia (shoe company) Wildflower Triathlon was tons of fun. The course was incredibly challenging–lots of hills, some trail running and a steep boat ramp up after the swim into transition. Eric loved it and is already signed up for the Pacific Grove Triathlon in September.

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Dane and Blaine from this season’s the Biggest Loser were participating in the long course (half-Ironman) race on Saturday. They looked good. They said they have lost 300 pounds combined since the season started. Amazing!

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Here’s are ghett0 tent. It was actually a great tent, but we ended up with an extra tent pole that we just assumed wasn’t needed anywhere–when in fact it went over the entrance to keep water out in case of rain. We improvised with duct tape and trash bags until some let us in on that spare pole’s purpose. I think we’ll be camping plenty as it was great fun, but we’ve sure got a bit to learn yet! Like the tarp underneath should be no larger than the tent so rainwater doesn’t pool under the tent. Thankfully, it didn’t rain too much and only rained on Friday.

I’ve been busting my behind this week to get back into training mode. I’ve been lifting weights, ran once, am swimming this afternoon, and had a crappy bike ride today. The first time I rode in California was AWESOME. It was with a group and I managed to keep up and everything. This ride was terrible. I think I was trying to do too much in the ride. First my gears were being wonky and made hideous clicking noises as they refused to shift. Then it was my first ride with my new bike computer and I immediately realized that my natural cadence was at 65, not anywhere near 85-110 range Eric said it should be in. Add to that my intense fear of hills, and it was not pretty. I haven’t even put my clip less pedals on yet. Oy vey! I will keep working on riding though, because it is definitely my weakest triathlon discipline and I know I can do it. Does anyone have any training websites, books, or anything to suggest?

Peace,

Katy

It is that time again…

February 21, 2009 in leukemia, triathlon | No comments

Team in Training schedules are all over our place, gym bags litter the floor, our garage is a mess of bike parts, replacement tubes and some busted tubes–that darned glass in the tread. This time, however, the athlete is Eric. The Silicon Valley team is a bit different than the Gateway team, but just as awesome. Saturday mornings start with Eric snoozing his alarm at least 800 times. We are both up by 7 because of this. :) He runs, swims, and bikes with the team and gets home around noon. Today he pulled out the grungiest, ugliest sweatsuit I have ever seen after he got back and had showered. Thanks, mom. I think it was something she gave him to keep warm in St. Louis, where we tried to use as little heat as possible. I teased him mercilessly, and he didn’t care. He was spent.

His joints are sore from the medicine before a workout happens. His GI track is always on the fritz and it is never predictable. In the middle of a bike ride or swim, it doesn’t matter. But he loves it. He loves their “hang with the gang” time after Thursday core/track workouts. They talk life over a few beers. I’m really proud of him. I know he hides a lot of how he is feeling physically so I imagine it is worse than I’ve described. But Eric refuses to use it as an excuse. Won’t you please visit his fundraising site and donate something? Even if it is just an encouraging comment. He has this easy to remember url redirected to the site. www.ericbeatsleukemia.com

I’m sitting out this season, because I found myself being a bit bossy, who knew? :) , to him about training regimens and whatnot. I want him to enjoy the experience himself. Who knows, maybe next time well do the Long Course, half-Ironman and eventually we’ll join the Iron Team.

Peace,

Katy

Light the Night

October 5, 2008 in Musings, Uncategorized, leukemia | 1 comment

Why is it so difficult to get photos of finished garments? See, I was wearing the outfit on Thursday–and got lots of compliments which are always fun–and still no photos. I had a haircut appointment and being a girl, I thought, why not take photos after my hair is done? Well, then we unexpectedly, but still very excitedly got invited out to dinner. We were about 30 minutes late because of my hair appointment, then Eric had to jet to church for activities and well, no photos.

Friday was amazingly lazy. It was superb.

Saturday was a conference, then Light the Night. Or Night the Light if you ask Eric’s aunt. :) It is a very fun fundraiser. Eric is always so excited he gets to carry a white balloon–because he is a survivor. It is one of the few perks. Sadly half-way through the walk, his balloon flew away. We walked two-miles around downtown Palo Alto. It was neat to see a new area, for me. I was caught off-guard as we walked right past the Facebook headquarters. It feels odd that it happens in a normal-looking office building. Not sure why though.

Here’s some photos.

Eric and his white balloon–yay for Gleevec!!

Walking–the balloons have lights on the inside.

Waiting to Start.

So since this was sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, they also had information about Team in Training. I’m awfully nervous about this–but I’m pretty sure I’m going to sign up for the next event. The Tour de Palm Springs–a century ride. This be my fourth Team in Training event, and the final leg of my Triple Crown–a marathon, a triathlon, and a century ride. I’m hoping to get Eric to join too. Right now the LLS is short on donations because of the troubling economy. Each company that files bankruptcy, or dissolves is also not making corporate donations. Without those donations, new drugs cannot be developed as easily. Team and Training developed the drug that saves Eric daily–Gleevec.

Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon. I highly recommend Eric and my favorite Sunday evening show–America’s Funniest Videos. The season premiere is tonight.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

I’m an HGTV Junkie and Other Musings

July 10, 2008 in Musings, artist way, family, leukemia, self care | No comments

So, I’ve been watching a fair amount of TV lately. TV has never really been that exciting partially because I’ve never had cable. But HGTV is worse than any drug. I watch a show that convinces me I could remove the tile in our new kitchen and re-purpose it as a concrete counter. Did I mention we’re renting and I’ll not be allowed to do that? Still it is fun to dream. We visited the house yesterday. It is fabulous. The bathrooms are so 50s. Bright bubblegum blue tile in the studio and chartreuse and Kelly green in the main house. We love it! It is huge too! Eric’s called dibs on one of the bedrooms to use as a photo studio. It’ll be fun to see it with our furniture and things.

I’ve been working out a bit with my aunt at her gym. I never knew workout equipment could come with a built-in fan and TV. Is it weird I watch HGTV to work out? See–I’m totally addicted. I don’t think any of the gyms I’ve been a part of are that shabby, but I’m beginning to wonder… If only I could get up early enough to beat the heat and get a few runs in. I am so intimidated to get out on my bike and ride the hills around here. They are crazy! Currently, Eric’s brother and a classmate are using my bike to ride in Southern California. They did a few rides up north and confirmed it was very difficult. 

I was at a job interview yesterday. I really like the company and the position–but a few of the interviewees asked me what it is I want to do with my life, and I just don’t know. It feels like I have a million and one options, but I just don’t know. For so much of the last few years, I’ve been in survival mode. Eric and I got engaged spring semester of my senior year. We didn’t start dating until the Thanksgiving before. One minute I was planning on moving to NYC and working in the industry and then bam–I met a great guy. So I thought maybe I’d get an MBA–without finanacial aid it was too scary for me to commit. As each road block came up I stopped being offensive and planning and began to be really defensive. Eventually life was all–Get hubby through school. Deal with hubby’s cancer diagnosis. Provide health insurance ($3000 monthly chemo without insurance is crazy).

So I share all that to say, I’m ready to be in the driver’s seat again. 

Peace,

Katy ^_^

 

I’m a triathlete

May 19, 2008 in leukemia, running, self care, triathlon | 6 comments

Eric spoke at the pasta party–pre-race. He mentioned how because of Team in Training, he is able to be on medication that keeps him alive. Everyone was teary-eyed including him. My mom and dad were in Memphis all weekend cheering me on. It was fun to spend some time with them, even though I was slightly nervy until the race started.

Race day started bright and early with a 3:15am wake-up call. We met in the lobby at 3:45. Got to the park, and off-loaded our bikes and got the tires pumped up and pedals put on.

3:32:32. My goal was 3:30 and I was well on my way to getting there but had a difficult 2nd half of the run. The heat got to me–and I have a pretty nasty sunburn. I did apply sunscreen, but not frequently enough.

Here’s me at the finish line, trying to run without puking. Crazy that despite that, I am already ready to sign up for another race and trying to figure out how to increase my times!

Here’s me before the swim. I didn’t realize I would get a little motion-sick in the water. And the swimming portion is definitely a full-contact sport. Lots of people got kicked in the face, swam over and what-not. Who knew?!?!

Here’s me zooming in on the bike. I rode it in over 16mph, which is 2mph faster than my 15.5 mile race 3 weeks ago!! I got to say hydrating on the ride certainly helps!

Thanks again for all the well-wishes and support.

Peace,

Katy

I am a Cat Lover

May 2, 2008 in Musings, cats, leukemia | No comments

Sorry for the sparse posting. I did the tri! I even ran the entire 5 miles at the end and despite crazy wind, not hydrating on the bike and massive hills, I only fell over once and had to only walk up three inclines. I have a lake swim (race distance 1500m or more) tomorrow and am planning a long ride (22-35) miles Sunday.

So I have two cats. Two cats that have become my children–I am totally “one of those people”. I love my cats because whenever they choose to sit in my lap for a scratch, I know they really want to be there.

We’re a little disappointed with our Scotch right now. He has the smelliest number two’s ever. We’ve told him again and again, if you do it, you have to light a match afterwards. But he doesn’t even try. Probably a good thing with his track record with candles. His tail hair has been trimmed because it hovered a little too close.

Sake is so darn cute because she will start purring if you look at her. It has almost become a game to see if you can catch her not purring. We’ve been unsuccessful so far.

Scotch has the habit of “crying” his little pathetic meow when we turn off the tv or sneeze. You don’t believe me? Watch this.

Anywho, where I’m really going with this is, have you ever seen a cat smell something stinky? Generally a dirty sock or similar item? They smell it, then they raise their head with a half-open mouth. Total disgust is on their face. It is so absurd, but at the same time you start to feel bad that you smell that gross. You almost want to apologize. Then you realize it is a cat. As Eric likes to say, they lick their own butts and should be treated accordingly.

I’m still a cat lover. They are too quirky, loving, faithful, and down-right funny!

Peace,

Katy ^_^

Projects

April 23, 2008 in leukemia, running | No comments

So, the blue dress wasn’t finished. I had much more I hoped to get done than I had time–my main focus is the tri right now. I will keep you posted on sewing projects, but I’m not sure how many will be finished in the next few weeks. I have my practice tri this Sunday (400m pool swim, 15 mile bike ride, 5 mile run). May 3 is another lake swim. Then the big day is May 18th!

Peace,
^_^

$#%* Cancer

April 16, 2008 in Musings, cooking, family, food, leukemia | No comments

I hate cancer. In fact, there are coffee mugs that say $#%* cancer and I’m almost to the point I’d buy one of those. In case you don’t know in about two months my husband will be a interning for a year then officially ordained as a pastor. Society, and my mother, keep telling us that cussing and church don’t mix. Though I’d be the first to admit more than sometimes I say bad words.

A co-worker’s mother has been battling cancer. Things were not going well, but hope always seemed to be lurking in the corner. Now she is in hospice. No freaking fair! My co-worker isn’t old-she is 25.

I just heard of another co-worker who has a brother with terminal cancer. And friend of a friend–though we’ve eatten a meal together so we’re closer than that–who has a dad with stage 3 colon cancer and a mom with stage 4 breast cancer.  I’m so sad for them. I wish I could say the “right” things–at least something real and honest. Cancer sucks. We all hope for the best, sometimes it doesn’t happen. Makes me think of tentatio. A term I’ve found much comfort in. Here’s my better half-explaining the meaning.

Tonight we are eating and hanging out with a dear friend. The photos on my site are of her. She was bribed with wine and happily amused when she found out we were going to use them!

Peace,

^_^

Demolition Ball and Procrastination?!?!

April 6, 2008 in Musings, leukemia, running, sewing | 1 comment

Yesterday was a full day. I had a group training ride of about 20 miles with a brick thrown on the end–a 6 minute run immediately following a ride. Talk about weird sensations–jello-legs comes to mind. Lead feet too. Then a meeting in the middle of the day and an honored teammate social in the evening. Honored teammate socials give the Team in Training Team an opportunity to meet and interact with the “official” honored teammate. Several people have personal honored teammates as well that can be invited. Eric is our official honored teammate.

The honored teammate social was playing Demolition Ball. Bumper cars, two teams full of competitive people, a plastic ball and plastic scoops, with a play by play announcer has never been so fun. It was amazing. And yes, the round we did girls verses guys we scored the winning point with 8 seconds left. It was legendary!

Now to the procrastination. This week was also full. I was able to sew a futon cover for a friend last Sunday so it started off super-productive. Then hit training, catching up with friends which was awesome–and so needed, allergies hitting–but yay Spring is here, and school meetings for Eric. So sewing and writing were put on hold.

Since this is Eric’s last year of classes, we officially hear of our placement on April 22, but are pretty sure we know where we’re headed–it would involve some serious packing. We’re pleased as punch. That means the next goal is finishing the blue Vogue dress by April 22. You’ll laugh to know I started it a week before the 4th of July holiday 2007 in hopes of wearing it on our vacation. So here goes! It really wants to be worn, but any more than 2 buttonholes scares me.

Progress will be posted soon!

Peace,

^_^ Katy

Fundraising Fun Continued

March 24, 2008 in leukemia | No comments

First off, this post is way overdue. Second, if I overlooked you–please, please, tell me. It was just a silly human error, everyone’s donations are amazing. Thank you all.

Karen–a fellow swimmer and triathlete. She has done a relay tri with my mother in law.

Debbie and Billy–relatives, friends.

Andrea –co-worker, quiet but always listening. Very kind.

Tracy–co-worker, lots of inside jokes. My favorite joke–I was complaining about my high-water pants. She said, oh that happens to me when I gain weight. And we’re still friends after that.

Nicki–co-worker. She likes to laugh and is always patient to answer my many, many questions.

Donna–friend. Her husband died of leukemia in December 2005. I dated her son in school for a bit, but broke up with him because I was scared of boys.

Jodie–friend. Her daughter and I goofed off a bit in high school!

Laura and David–friends. He was a student at the school Eric is at now. Fellow Texans!

Aaron and Jill–friends. Both college buddies of ours. Swing-dancing fools.

Tony–friend. Crazy beer-loving, mead-making, liberal, but he’s still a very dear friend.

Peace,

^_^

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