Saturday, November 8, 2008

A Beautiful Morning!

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Lung Cancer Awareness run/walk today. It was wonderful to be with my family, old friends, new friends, work colleagues, survivors, out-of-towners, and even my doctors. Everyone was represented. Next year we will do it up big, with Team Dream t-shirts, and maybe even custom water bottles. We will be raising some serious awareness. In the meantime, congratulations to Brigette for placing second in her age bracket. She looked like a rocket streaking by.

As for me, I am dragging butt in a big way. I can't seem to get back to myself, or even close. Now that I have spoken with people who have had surgery to remove a lobe, not even their full lung, I am hearing that 3 months is a more realistic recuperation time. I spoke with someone today who had 2/3 of her right lung removed and subsequent chemotherapy and she said it took her a year to truly recover! And I am still facing more treatment. I am on the verge of making a decision on the chemotherapy regimen. That decision will likely come this week. In the meantime, I have signed up to begin a 24 session pulmonary rehab program. It is 2 1/2 hours a day, 3 days a week. Maybe pushing myself through this program will help. In the meantime, I have a difficult time getting the energy to leave the house, but I am bored to tears, literally. And...... not only did I miss a bunch of fun stuff tonight, they probably won't even be making fun of Sarah Palin on SNL.

I probably should have some cheese with this whine, but I guess I'm entitled.

10 comments:

Scott K said...

Wish I could have been there at the walk today....I am stuck in St Louis!...I am so glad it was a great day and fantastic turnout!!...Hoping your recovery goes quickly and smoothly...

Scott

Lenore and Scott said...

It was GREAT to see you today and wish you could have joined us last night. In spite of all this shit, you really look great. I am relieved to hear the recovery process is longer than you expected....at least you know what you're going through is normal under the circumstances. The pulmonary rehad is probably going to be a good thing and if nothing else, it gets you out of the darn house. Keep on keeping on and Lucas and I will try and pay you a visit in the coming weekend if you're up to it! Oh and Brent thanks again for the "burp hug" :)

Lenore and Scott said...

oops...it was great to see you YESTERDAY.

Anonymous said...

We really enjoyed the run, but are paying the price today, Lindsay worse than me even though he outran me (hee, hee) The old legs just aren't the same. Keep on, keep on, the better days are just ahead.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you were well represneted at the run....Hope you guys enjoyed the rest of the weekend......Arrived in Shanghai after 16 hour flight....go rehab

Neil

Anonymous said...

Well it's snowy and cold here in Utah! I'm glad to hear that another Bridgette rep'ed my name in the race and did well:)Glad to hear your recovery experience is normal and that your just an over achiever! That must be a relief. Rehab sounds like a great idea--if anything it gets you out of the house and talking with people. Hope this week finds you feeling better and with more energy! BIG HUG!!! B

Anonymous said...

My Leg does not run
But I am still happy guy
now the whole golf course beckons

It was with much humility at the AVLF wine tasting that I admitted who I was to the two separate people who met me, saw my name tag, and said " Joe Rosen? Aren't you the bad Hai Kuer?" Apaprently people really do read this blog beside "Ms. Lunggone" My biking mentor Amy actually witnessed one of my identifications as the challenged Hai Kuer.

Joe Rosen

Anonymous said...

LOL, poor Joe, the bad "Hai Kuer"! It was good seeing him at the AVLF function (but I was not one of the ones who mentioned the haiku).

You should take up freelance writing. I could do a little research for you if you're interested. It's something I've always wanted to do, so I could point you in the direction to get started.

I hate that you're bored, but I can understand your body needing all that time to adjust to the assault it's taken. We just have to find something challenging to do to keep your mind occupied.

The run/walk on Saturday was awesome. I even jogged a bit. And as my lungs were burning heading up this tiny little incline on the back side, all I could think was, "Well, at least I have two of them." As you start to feel better, if you want to come walk the Greenway, I'd love to join you.

xoxo,
Patti

Anonymous said...

Haiku is too hard
For me the simple minded
Need a diploma


Susie Gerchicoff

Steve Beagle said...

Good morning Ali - a real treat for me to see all the Denny's this weekend at the 5k fundraiser and then John last night. Shout out of Apology to Amy and her mom and walking friends when I ran by and did the mock vomit heave.. once a comedic prankster always a comedic prankster. John who woulda thought you would enjoy Sisters of Mercy.. Awesome show. Thanks for the invite. I always highly enjoy your company.

Ali - keep up the good work and don't be so hard on yourself to recover tomorrow.. Rome was not build in a day.. need a bit of inspiration pick up any of Lance Armstrong's books.. then you will realize the time and energy it takes just to start up again..

Prayers and a speedy recovery to you mom as well Ali..

Ok - even though we lost Sara getta clue Palin there is still plenty of comedy out there..

LH&P - Steve

______________________________

In the country of Sierra Leone, 6 out of 10 male newborns at Freetown's main hospital were named Barack. Six out of 10. Even more amazing? At least 23 babies born in North Carolina last year were named John Edwards junior.

President Bush took President-elect Barack Obama on a tour of the White House. At one point, Barack Obama opened a closet and Bush said, “Don’t open that!” and a huge stack of unread intelligence memos fell out.

Barack Obama attended a parent-teacher conference at his daughters’ school the other day. Very positive meeting. The teacher said both girls are already reading at a President Bush’s level.

As you know, President-elect Obama promised his daughters a puppy if they moved to the White House. He’s already getting advice on what the best breed of dog to get.

For example, today Bill Clinton told him that the Oval Office is a great place for a husky female.

Top Ten Things Overheard During The Bush/Obama Meeting

10. "You sure you want this job?"
9. "Actually, sir, I do mind if you call me 'Barack-odile Dundee'"
8. "Let me know if you want the Secret Service to frisk you for fun"
7. "I appreciate the offer, but you can take the spittoons with you"
6. "Honest opinion — would it be a mistake to pardon Amy Winehouse?"
5. "Is that Roger Clinton sleeping on the sofa?"
4. "The red phone is for talking to world leaders; the blue phone is for ordering Domino's"
3. "When there's a big crisis, you might be here as late as 4 p.m."
2. "Other than the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, the deficit, the crumbling infrastructure, our energy policy, Gitmo, and global warming, is there anything else I need to fix?"
1. "When can you start?"

Beautiful day in New York City. So beautiful, people don’t mind still being in line to vote.

President-elect Barack Obama and his wife went on their first date since the election. It’s weird having a Democrat in the White House who actually dates his own wife.

Earlier today, Barack Obama met with President Bush at the White House. So you had the president-elect and the president inept.

As soon as Obama shook hands with President Bush, Obama’s ratings went down 10 points.

According to a new report, thousands of pregnant mothers in this country are planning to name their baby Barack. After hearing this, Sarah Palin told her daughter Bristol, “Don’t even think about it.”

Earlier today at the White House, President Bush had a private meeting in the Oval Office with President-elect Barack Obama. Then, afterwards Obama met with Dick Cheney to see how things really work.

Since becoming the president-elect, Barack Obama has been getting the same daily national security briefings that President Bush receives. Except when they brief Obama, national security advisers are allowed to leave in the “scary parts.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently wrote a note to Barack Obama congratulating him on winning the presidency. What’s weird is that Ahmadinejad ended the note with the question, “Do you like me? Check ‘yes’, ‘no,’ or ‘maybe.’”

There are some people who want a national holiday in honor of Barack Obama. Isn’t this a little soon? Even Jesus had to do some stuff before he got his own holiday.

A lot of people have been naming their babies Barack. I guess Barack is the new Chad.

It’s not all good news for Barack Obama. His friend Oprah Winfrey is ending her show. I share your pretend concern. I share your “don’t really care,” too.

She’s starting her own TV channel. It’s called “OWN.” I don’t know what it stands for, “Oprah Wants Nachos” or something.