tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108530432024-03-12T19:32:01.336-07:00NF2 odysseyWelcome to my journey with Neurofibromatosis type 2, known as NF2, a genetic mutation which causes numerous tumors to grow within my brain and spine. Since 2004, I have undergone radiosurgery and 3 brain surgeries for 7 brain tumors. Life with NF2 is definitely a test of faith and a challenge to keep positive. Join me on my harrowing adventure to keep active and live life to the fullest!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.comBlogger694125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-29484885238744351832012-08-02T12:26:00.001-07:002012-08-02T12:26:07.621-07:00For a Special Lady<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In memory of Wilhelmina Barron (with 3 of her now 4 grandkids)
Two weeks following the marathon last October we did a tower race for the American Lung Association in honor of my beautiful aunt Willie. In mid-September she was diagnosed with lung cancer and given just a few short weeks to live unexpectedly. But with God's blessing she was able to defy the doctor's prediction and enjoyed just over 3 final glorious months of quality time with her family.
This precious photo is one of the last taken of her with all her grandchildren which she carefully planned out to make into Christmas cards for family and friends. I get really emotional thinking of her love behind it as she passed away due to a brain hemorrhage on Christmas Eve. The chemo had failed so they were giving radiation a final attempt to beat the cancer which spread to her brain.
Although hard on the family, this was the golden homecoming she had been waiting for over the last 20 years. In January 1991 (less than 2 years before my cancer diagnosis), her daughter (my 10 year old cousin) was overtaken by a very rare form of childhood cancer. I don't have kids (the human kind ;-)) but from what I have been told, it is the worst emotional pain to endure. How fitting to be reunited with her daughter and meet Jesus on such a significant day?
Amazingly she had it all planned out. On Christmas day we received packages she had sent with meaningful and special gifts picked out for each of us. It was like she was right there standing next to us. At the moment of celebrating her the sun's ray shined through the house onto the centerpiece of white lilies decorating the dining room table. She was there comforting us and telling us things would be ok. I believe she was sending a message to let us know she was happy and was home finally.
So how does this even relate to right now?
Well in the midst of our training for Rainier, it is time once again to shift our training to include preparation for the next tower race which is in less than 3 months!! We will again be doing the Climb for Clean Air and dedicating the Gold's Gym team in memory of my lovely Aunt Willie who is now looking over the dogs and I when I am hiking and running. She was so proud of my marathon accomplishment and I know an important motivator for me to get through training despite leg pain from my last brain surgery and to finish the race! Thank you Aunt Willie! You will always be very loved!
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View from the top of the 51 floor tower in Seattle, WARebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-4714665704200930172012-07-03T18:39:00.001-07:002012-07-03T19:15:34.359-07:00I'm back better than ever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well hello! I may have been absent for awhile but that doesn't mean things have been going poorly. Just the opposite. I am stronger than ever.
The photo above is from my 2011 hike finale with Merrie and Pedro one week after I completed the marathon. It was my biggest hike of the year with almost 3800 feet of elevation gain. That is a little prelude to what I have been doing, where I've been, and where I am going.
Although mid-October was the close of hike season, in NO WAY did climbing stop. As a chapter closed, a new chapter re-opened. Can that happen?
Well anyway, last fall near the end of October and early December, I picked up 2 more tower climbing events bringing my tower climb events up to 3 from once yearly. So when the marathon training came to an end, I got right back to training but of a different nature - focusing on speed for fast ascents of 50+ floors in under12 or 12 minutes. Then, there was a brief pause for the holidays and snowshoe season in the mountains started in the new year. Very happily I got in 10 snowshoe outings this year!
Before that came to a close, it was time to start (or shall I say continue to maintain) my training for tower racing as our Grand Daddy climb of 69 floors was in March.
No sooner did I wrap up the climb, it was almost time for hiking season to start! In reality I could have started anytime in the cooler wet weather on closer and smaller mountains. But I really wanted to get the most out of the snowshoeing season which was what I was doing the last few weekends of March.
The first week of April we kicked off the start of hiking season with my group of cancer survivor friends. Since, I have been a hiking FIEND! Pretty much I have averaged almost 3 hikes a week consistently. I am unsure really what the exact number of hikes I have done over the last 3 months. I kind of cooled it this week by not hiking on Sunday and instead opting to dive for crab.
So amazingly I am stronger than ever! Of course I still have imbalance but my strength is better than it has ever been. If I did not have to contend as balance and vision challenged, I would be climbing mountains for sure!!!! Yet, with my obstacles to overcome, I have been making monumental strides! I am up to doing training hikes carrying a stunning 33 lb pack! I cannot fit anything else into it and need to upgrade to a bigger size!
What a sweet miracle! I am so overwhelmed with gratitude every time I am in the woods. I am now doing many hikes on my own and taking the dogs out on several adventures they have not been on before or that we missed out on for several years. It is joyous indeed.
Although I do still run short distances 1-3 times a week for maintenance, I opted not to run any marathons this year as it was too taxing to keep up with hiking which is what I really love. With my strength the absolute best it has been in 8 years, I wanted to put my full focus into my hiking potential.
As such, I have decided to finally go for camp Muir on Rainier which has been been my desire for YEARS. Yet before the NF2 tumor growth melt down in 2004, I never took the chance to seriously go for it. Now that I finally have the opportunity to give it a real shot, I am not going to let it pass me by!
So in August, Harley and I are planning for a push to the 10,080 foot climber's camp on Rainier! Of course I am not going to climb without a cause! This will be my "Hiking to Muir to bring cheer" event of our foundation's "Never Give Up!" campaign. I will elaborate with the next couple days.
So I am back! And I plan to document my training for the biggest hike of my life! Although I went to Kilimanjaro, our daily hikes were of a lesser elevation gain than we will be pushing for in one day to reach the camp.
Keep checking in! :) Have a happy 4th and stay safe! :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-85810700980050883822011-11-10T13:59:00.000-08:002011-11-10T14:29:59.349-08:00BELIEVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ_QYacn-o0/TrwxnZuh99I/AAAAAAAALMo/Gqzc-lv2u2I/s1600/musclebabes%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ_QYacn-o0/TrwxnZuh99I/AAAAAAAALMo/Gqzc-lv2u2I/s320/musclebabes%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" /></a></div><i><b>my trainer Merrie and I after I finished the Portland marathon for the NF Endurance team flexing our "Gold's Gym strength" in front of the Children's Tumor banner<br />
</i></b>Well yesterday marked 1 month since my full marathon success! Yes! I really did run a full marathon less than 5 months after a 5 hour brain surgery and completed the event in just under 5 hours!!!! I did it!!<br />
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And as a reward.....the purple calloused skin and blackened nail of my second big toe fell off while I was in the pool for aerobics! haha (little inside joke - a fellow athlete friend commented once "toenails are for sissies!") LOL We aren't kidding!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_P8AGtsaFYM/TrxK08JBOkI/AAAAAAAALNM/cHAplLnXsWA/s1600/PA130257%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_P8AGtsaFYM/TrxK08JBOkI/AAAAAAAALNM/cHAplLnXsWA/s320/PA130257%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>my red finisher shirt given after completeing the marathon and my blue participant event shirt given at the expo </i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrBEOTyi5XM/TrxLmoWl2HI/AAAAAAAALNY/93xx4vheBWk/s1600/PA130256%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yrBEOTyi5XM/TrxLmoWl2HI/AAAAAAAALNY/93xx4vheBWk/s320/PA130256%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>my celebratory event roses tucked within a fall bouquet of my mom's - Portland is know as the "City of Roses"</i><br />
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I proved I hope what to be a very valid point.....You work hard, put your heart into something, exercise dedication and determination, and hold strong in your faith, MIRACLES CAN AND DO HAPPEN! If you tell yourself that you CAN'T do something you know what? You are right! Because you do not BELIEVE.<br />
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I could not have imagined running a marathon when I was well, before I lost my balance function and had perfect vision. I did not think it was possible and DEFINITELY would not have believed back then that someone could accomplish such a feat so soon after a brain surgery, having never ran a marathon before! YOU ARE STONGER THAN YOU THINK! Generally it does not come out until you are really put to the test.<br />
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How did it feel and how did it go for me?<br />
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Hmmn.....well actually now it is kind of a blur. Contribute that feeling to coming back and getting into constant things already which have included a giant grand finale hike, another charity endeavor, holiday fun, yet another charity event I am planning for, and coordinating a team. I am constant activity! But from what I can remember, it was my pretty ideal running climate allowing me to wear nothing but a pair of running capris and stripping down to the running singlet you see me wearing in the photo above.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLtM8VkoKog/TrxMy3SishI/AAAAAAAALNk/4Te8x2ZIkZY/s1600/PA110219%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gLtM8VkoKog/TrxMy3SishI/AAAAAAAALNk/4Te8x2ZIkZY/s320/PA110219%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>my friend Jean from Portland who has organized the NF Endurance team for years - She collected my extra clothing layers on the course for me</i></b><br />
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First time running a full marathon in the fall I was unsure of my clothing layers. So I started with 2 long sleeve shirts and a thin pair of gloves that I ended up discarding within the first 2 miles to team support on the sidelines.<br />
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It is a GREAT feeling to start out an event with a team and additionally have someone with you to begin the race. Lucky for me I was able to begin the marathon with our wonderful team captain Janet who was running this event for the I think the 3rd year shooting for her best time. We stayed with each other at least for the first mile until I of course had to make my traditional port-o-potty stop. After the first few miles (you are kind of excited running in the pack), I aim to get in "the zone" and try to remember my pacing.<br />
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It was a real THRILL to spot volunteers with the Children's Tumor Foundation wearing neon yellow shirts and cheering me on from the sidelines. What a motivating boost! My family and husband were included in that group and also offered special energy nourishment I could not carry. I saw my sister ALL over the course which was pretty exciting too! I cannot even recall how many times I saw her.<br />
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Unlike running around a track which quickly grows dull, when you run in a marathon you get to sight see lots of the city and area in a way you could not by taking a car or bus and covering ground too far for walking. That definitely makes it quite interesting and gives one of feeling of exclusitivity. <br />
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When it starts to get tiring, it is a good incentive to keep pushing. Our big hill was such an example. Hills are not my forte so it is a great deal of mind over matter. While I was running and focusing on just making it to the stoplight in the distance which appeared to be the top, I saw a sign about needing an event number to cross the bridge. "BRIDGE?", I wondered with curiosity. Then a few moments later one of the most beautiful older bridges I have admired on every visit to Oregon came into view. My heart thumped with anticipation when I realized I would have the special opportunity to run across it admiring the intricate detail of it minty green medal and the expansive scenery of the Willamette River. As my eagerness built, my footsteps quickened driving me up the hill.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eofwPJk1JX4/TrxNbaDY3LI/AAAAAAAALNw/TybJMDjtIuw/s1600/PA090197%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eofwPJk1JX4/TrxNbaDY3LI/AAAAAAAALNw/TybJMDjtIuw/s320/PA090197%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>my asics running shoes with the orange tag which is the timing chip and activates when crossing the start and stops the time when crossing the finish</i></b><br />
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The weather was in the high 50s and started out as overcast (actually better for my vision) then began to drizzle sometime between mile 8 and 9. By then the light rain is pretty refreshing but would not be too cool if it was at the start.<br />
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I think the most difficult were miles 20 or 21 to the end. I had planned according to the event maps to have energy gels provided for us on the course. So I only brought myself 2 gels to carry in my hip belt and expected to grab 2 or 3 more at designated mileage posts as I needed. (Groan) There was an interpretation error. Whatever happened, the gel stations were not there! The only food energy were gummy bears and pretzels which I am unable to swallow while running. I tried the gummy bears at mile 7 because I could not see what the guy was handing me. I thought it was an energy gel as it was the same area it was SUPPOSED to be provided according to the map. Geez! I nearly choked on them and never did manage to swallow any. It was getting so exhausting to breathe while trying to chew them that I had to reach my finger into my mouth to pull out the ones stuck to my teeth. Blah! That was not a good experience and kind of strange. So going by the guidelines that you should have energy replacement every hour, I was definitely coming up short by the time I reached mile 20. I tried to extend my gas tank as long as possible by pouring sport drink down my throat at several of the stations and downing a can of FRS drink my husband brought me at mile 11. That way I could eat the second gel at mile 18 hopefully. <br />
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By 20 my mind was toying with me. Somewhere between 11 and 12 when I saw my husband, I told him I was going to need the extra gel I had in my backpack. Unfortunately because I was over optimistic in the course provisions, I forgot I left the extra gel at home!!!! I did not realize this until after the marathon. So while I was running, I had banked on my husband bringing an extra gel for me later in the course (certain stretches were closed to spectators).<br />
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When I reached 20, he and my mom weren't there! So the exhaustion and my mind were really playing me at that point. It had been a long time of just running alone without seeing someone I knew. Then I fretted that I would not see them and get the energy needed to make it to the end. When I finally saw them after mile 22, I was ready to suck down that gel BADLY! I almost cried and started screaming when he told me he could not find it. FORRUNATELY I was able to improvise just as I had in DC when I had to make do with whatever was available. I had bought one of those "stay awake" type of energy shots to have before the race which came in a 2 pack so I had one left over in my bag. Desperately I slammed it down and prayed I would not have a dang heart attack on my way to the finish. I only ever drank one once before on a long run and was not certain how safe it would be to my body to drink a 2nd.<br />
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When I did approach the finish I was pretty exhausted and must have looked like it too as 2 medic volunteers immediately grabbed me and supported me by the shoulders from each side. I was sort of dizzy so they had me drink 2 boxes of orange juice and stayed with me until they were finished and I assured them that I would be ok.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvCdFh3QapY/TrxPK33t9iI/AAAAAAAALOI/TM3KRFXbc2k/s1600/PA090204%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvCdFh3QapY/TrxPK33t9iI/AAAAAAAALOI/TM3KRFXbc2k/s320/PA090204%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>my loot after I had eaten a banana, cheese, and pizza</i></b><br />
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Wow! Were my legs stiff and sore!!!! I think after I drank some water I had to sit down CAREFULLY and stretch for at least a good 15 minutes. Maybe it was longer before I could finally stand up to walk around. In addition to the gold medal draped around my neck after crossing the finish line, the minature congratulatory roses, and my commenmorative seedling trees, there was LOTS of food booty to snatch up in the recovery area. So I brought myself to my feet and scoped out a spare box thrownout to carry all my loot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtBFCM7jTs8/TrxOJuGxKNI/AAAAAAAALN8/ex8i0MMHfnQ/s1600/PA090209%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtBFCM7jTs8/TrxOJuGxKNI/AAAAAAAALN8/ex8i0MMHfnQ/s320/PA090209%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>Merrie, Pedro, and Harley</i></b><br />
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After emerging finally from collecting a good stash of food, I met my family, Merrie and Pedro, and friend Jean to snap some photos in front of the team banner. When ready to hobble to the car, Merrie and Pedro joined us back at my parents in Scappoose for a 40th congratulatory celebration when they also played the ingenious picture game and we finally enjoyed that ice cream cake I made my dad wait for! :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1FstiAozx8/TrxJCn90KgI/AAAAAAAALM0/SG8qQUWI-cw/s1600/PA090207%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1FstiAozx8/TrxJCn90KgI/AAAAAAAALM0/SG8qQUWI-cw/s320/PA090207%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Ok, So I am not looking so great. Give me a break I just finished running a marathon!<br />
</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M76FPRl_yAE/TrxJkN5-9OI/AAAAAAAALNA/6AYcuTNfJQI/s1600/PA090206%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M76FPRl_yAE/TrxJkN5-9OI/AAAAAAAALNA/6AYcuTNfJQI/s320/PA090206%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i><b>Congrats presents from Merrie & Pedro and sporting my finisher shirt and bling<br />
</b></i>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-44153911347155837422011-11-01T02:51:00.000-07:002011-11-01T03:20:17.880-07:00Happy Halloween from the Cabin!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RUAm2hqeZY/Tq_G7flwICI/AAAAAAAALKk/pf8QMMa6OQc/s1600/PB010100%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0RUAm2hqeZY/Tq_G7flwICI/AAAAAAAALKk/pf8QMMa6OQc/s320/PB010100%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YPrkjzuMFc/Tq-7GhOQxuI/AAAAAAAALEY/1DsgJooo8p0/s1600/PB010095%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YPrkjzuMFc/Tq-7GhOQxuI/AAAAAAAALEY/1DsgJooo8p0/s320/PB010095%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAJD6cMRG-A/Tq-7NTnjpsI/AAAAAAAALEk/ud-_xxXsWM0/s1600/PB010101%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAJD6cMRG-A/Tq-7NTnjpsI/AAAAAAAALEk/ud-_xxXsWM0/s320/PB010101%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-isUFBrnKA/Tq_HyN2g9RI/AAAAAAAALKw/Y0JkECg-6to/s1600/PA290506%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-isUFBrnKA/Tq_HyN2g9RI/AAAAAAAALKw/Y0JkECg-6to/s320/PA290506%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-14711490130033283512011-10-28T14:59:00.000-07:002011-10-29T01:35:38.531-07:00Pre-event Fire Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfaILT10Ank/Tqs1jRkujCI/AAAAAAAALAY/rNx8R4HOZnY/s1600/PA080174%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfaILT10Ank/Tqs1jRkujCI/AAAAAAAALAY/rNx8R4HOZnY/s320/PA080174%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>October 8th, 2011 - Merrie and I at the Portland marathon expo displaying the participant tech shirt which I wore to the pasta dinner later on<br />
</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7wlVJ12cyM/Tqslv8l5R8I/AAAAAAAAK98/OlM3Q5znEzQ/s1600/PA080175%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7wlVJ12cyM/Tqslv8l5R8I/AAAAAAAAK98/OlM3Q5znEzQ/s320/PA080175%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>October 8th, 2011 sis, me, and mom with my 40ths cake (40th birthday and 40th anniversary of the Portland marathon)</b><br />
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When we arrived my parents home in Oregon after stopping to get my race packet at the Portland expo, I lucked out and had another 40th birthday celebration. I think I have been plenty spoiled with nearly a month of several continuous celebrations (first in MN with Cheryl my mother-in-law and Harley's grandma in September; then champagne toast with 2 other birthday friends; from my hike group down by Mt. Rainer; then with Harley at Mt. Rainier Paradise Lodge again ON my birthday; at my trainer's the same week; at my sister's the following week; and the culmination of the celebrations the weekend of the marathon in early October. Wow!<br />
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Menu - Coconut Pumpkin Curry Soup, Green Beans, and Thai Chicken Curry with Squash<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abcF37EQfI4/Tqu6Wzc6MVI/AAAAAAAALDw/yXniT90-F1o/s1600/PA050148%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abcF37EQfI4/Tqu6Wzc6MVI/AAAAAAAALDw/yXniT90-F1o/s320/PA050148%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Spud and Jazz there to celebrate with me!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyt2a4TAO_8/Tqu6ooCNT5I/AAAAAAAALD8/7BaqyWap3Fc/s1600/PA050137%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyt2a4TAO_8/Tqu6ooCNT5I/AAAAAAAALD8/7BaqyWap3Fc/s320/PA050137%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Got so excited about Key Lime pie that forgot to put the candles on before cutting into it!</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfDQpUhlD5M/TqsuPu9E9wI/AAAAAAAAK-U/nJhUaWo1NHY/s1600/P9240543%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfDQpUhlD5M/TqsuPu9E9wI/AAAAAAAAK-U/nJhUaWo1NHY/s320/P9240543%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>September 24th, 2011 at the Vieco household - my trainer Merrie, her husband Pedro, our gym mate and another September birthday buddy Randy Thompson, and Harley & I</b><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JA1MftsvoP0/TqsuZ8jhtXI/AAAAAAAAK-g/Gdlvw_Dl4JU/s1600/P9240554%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JA1MftsvoP0/TqsuZ8jhtXI/AAAAAAAAK-g/Gdlvw_Dl4JU/s320/P9240554%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Randy's birthday was on the 25th and mine on the 22nd of September. So we celebrated it together at Merrie's who is our trainer. Randy left shortly after to work for 6 months at McMurdo research base in Antarctica.<br />
</b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mESRGXOzp44/TqsuhyHNlWI/AAAAAAAAK-s/aITlupOwnyI/s1600/P9240541%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mESRGXOzp44/TqsuhyHNlWI/AAAAAAAAK-s/aITlupOwnyI/s320/P9240541%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNpPnjTrAOk/Tqswy2KFRlI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/afsy7rEQQSw/s1600/P9210181%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNpPnjTrAOk/Tqswy2KFRlI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/afsy7rEQQSw/s320/P9210181%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>September 21, 2011 birthday TSNW hiking pals left to right: Denise who just summitted Kilimanjaro, me, and Kristina who summitted Mt. Adams and has trekked in the Himalayas</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IB8jj1wOLeU/TqsyMkzPdAI/AAAAAAAAK_c/xMrFNa1k_NI/s1600/P9210173%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IB8jj1wOLeU/TqsyMkzPdAI/AAAAAAAAK_c/xMrFNa1k_NI/s320/P9210173%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Kristina photographing a marmot on the rock in the distance as Bob comes up the trail</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33hDDtgUJXw/Tqsy8GNPTpI/AAAAAAAAK_o/7qGMGFlYBzc/s1600/P9210189%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33hDDtgUJXw/Tqsy8GNPTpI/AAAAAAAAK_o/7qGMGFlYBzc/s320/P9210189%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>My beautiful Mt. Rainier<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYL7welg4g0/TqszMRbMBOI/AAAAAAAAK_0/js5ntxz0Sv4/s1600/P9210175%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYL7welg4g0/TqszMRbMBOI/AAAAAAAAK_0/js5ntxz0Sv4/s320/P9210175%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>My favorite purple Lupine wildflower</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPSwEWeGBO8/Tqszd9uMthI/AAAAAAAALAA/fn-pVJyrDrc/s1600/P9210199%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPSwEWeGBO8/Tqszd9uMthI/AAAAAAAALAA/fn-pVJyrDrc/s320/P9210199%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>alpine pond at the top of Spray Park</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYVUCUjv0z0/Tqszucxvu5I/AAAAAAAALAM/eEyVZI4KhBE/s1600/P9210203%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYVUCUjv0z0/Tqszucxvu5I/AAAAAAAALAM/eEyVZI4KhBE/s320/P9210203%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>lush pink mountain Heather</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LguNMMo0imI/Tqs8b3fELHI/AAAAAAAALAk/bsAJxmh9XKY/s1600/P9220391%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LguNMMo0imI/Tqs8b3fELHI/AAAAAAAALAk/bsAJxmh9XKY/s320/P9220391%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_m7f68Bq-8/Tqs8lGRBVoI/AAAAAAAALAw/dfNNX3pIaKU/s1600/P9220261%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_m7f68Bq-8/Tqs8lGRBVoI/AAAAAAAALAw/dfNNX3pIaKU/s320/P9220261%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>September 22, 2011 - Paradise on Mt. Rainier Read the quote on the steps.</b><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKCsj7ykLTI/Tqs8vZExCUI/AAAAAAAALA8/utaipw8RN28/s1600/P9220264%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKCsj7ykLTI/Tqs8vZExCUI/AAAAAAAALA8/utaipw8RN28/s320/P9220264%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Paradise is LUXURIANT</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoZA9qH-R8Y/Tqs-sj5cbPI/AAAAAAAALBI/Uq_0mNbKZ_8/s1600/P9220365%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoZA9qH-R8Y/Tqs-sj5cbPI/AAAAAAAALBI/Uq_0mNbKZ_8/s320/P9220365%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>overlooking Reflection Lakes</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnAJKVpojmE/Tqs_AaymQ4I/AAAAAAAALBU/ZBu2lEuUcI4/s1600/P9220377%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnAJKVpojmE/Tqs_AaymQ4I/AAAAAAAALBU/ZBu2lEuUcI4/s320/P9220377%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>alpine pond surrounded by huckleberries</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCcOsryfQ-4/Tqs_zrk_2VI/AAAAAAAALBg/JCBDavEi8ls/s1600/P9220402%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCcOsryfQ-4/Tqs_zrk_2VI/AAAAAAAALBg/JCBDavEi8ls/s320/P9220402%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Harley reflecting over an alpine meadow</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yeaaCQgXmc/TqtAbtEq_FI/AAAAAAAALBs/2EjscKOuR90/s1600/P9220436%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yeaaCQgXmc/TqtAbtEq_FI/AAAAAAAALBs/2EjscKOuR90/s320/P9220436%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Reflection Lake</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozqFzHY4g14/TqtAplWKEaI/AAAAAAAALB4/LSjjU7Cfz4g/s1600/P9220479%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozqFzHY4g14/TqtAplWKEaI/AAAAAAAALB4/LSjjU7Cfz4g/s320/P9220479%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Paradise Inn Lodge</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVtjRgWwLgQ/TqtA6RPO3rI/AAAAAAAALCE/eSV-4KyF9NA/s1600/P9220459%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVtjRgWwLgQ/TqtA6RPO3rI/AAAAAAAALCE/eSV-4KyF9NA/s320/P9220459%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Mountain sunset<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2kdrVhXNOQ/TqtCAL5cEgI/AAAAAAAALCQ/stQdI68BITs/s1600/P9220489%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2kdrVhXNOQ/TqtCAL5cEgI/AAAAAAAALCQ/stQdI68BITs/s320/P9220489%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Harley relaxing after an afternoon hike</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QK9rzidAhaI/TqtCaH83EEI/AAAAAAAALCc/3_SSo-MrJGY/s1600/P9220500%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QK9rzidAhaI/TqtCaH83EEI/AAAAAAAALCc/3_SSo-MrJGY/s320/P9220500%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>nice place for peace and contemplation in the upstairs deck of the lodge<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KALNk6yA4pY/TqtC0NrYK-I/AAAAAAAALCo/06qQjvzKnK0/s1600/P9220512%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KALNk6yA4pY/TqtC0NrYK-I/AAAAAAAALCo/06qQjvzKnK0/s320/P9220512%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Time to fly away! Beautiful hand painted lanterns hanging from the lodge ceilings</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vO9LsN4A3-k/TqtDl1kQcVI/AAAAAAAALC0/MNit4VIBNv4/s1600/P9110082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vO9LsN4A3-k/TqtDl1kQcVI/AAAAAAAALC0/MNit4VIBNv4/s320/P9110082.JPG" /></a></div><b>September 11, 2011 Apple Valley, MN - Cheryl, Harley, and Grandma<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP2GcGGPL6E/Tqu4CNN-9HI/AAAAAAAALDA/258kLxnI5ZA/s1600/PA050154%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP2GcGGPL6E/Tqu4CNN-9HI/AAAAAAAALDA/258kLxnI5ZA/s320/PA050154%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>gift from grandma - my 40th socks :)</b><br />
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Haha! When we came home from the pasta dinner my dad was just DYING to dive into the ice cream cake we did not have time to eat beforehand. <br />
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When we got home after the dinner I had to get to bed quick as it was almost 9 pm and I had to get up at 4 am! So I told dad that we could not eat the cake until after I finished the marathon on Sunday. It gave me an extra incentive to keep running as I wanted some cake too! :)<br />
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Note: <b>Why on earth would I have to wake so early?</b> Argh! That is not at all normal for me and I am NOT a morning person like my dad. However, all marathon start times are really early for 2 purposes: firstly that is tradition as many events are in hotter climates and they want to start it during the cooler hours of the day.<br />
Secondly, it takes much longer for walkers to complete a full marathon. So they start early so the course can be shut down in a reasonable amount of time and before evening approaches.<br />
When you are on a team, the team generally meets 1 hour before the start time which is at 6 am. You meet for a photo and make sure everybody is there and knows where to go for their starting corales (runners or walkers start in different gates based on their estimated finish time and pace; the fastest runners get to cross the startline first).<br />
Often, people from out of town stay at the hotel hosting the expo where you pick up your race packet with your timing chip and number. My parents live about a half hour outside of Portland. Thus I just stay there but that means I will have to leave about 45 minutes beforehand to ensure I get to the team meeting spot.<br />
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I was so groggy in the morning that I wore my underwear inside out and had no idea until I took my ice bath hours after the race!!!! LOL I was also very tired after the race and ran around with my finisher shirt on backwards! Dear Lord what a confused case I was!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-4364347537327340232011-10-22T23:40:00.000-07:002011-10-22T23:51:02.909-07:00The Adventures of Diverbeck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njFF0Xq6_Rg/TqOwi7BMSgI/AAAAAAAAK64/CcUX5ktSGjQ/s1600/PA080176%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njFF0Xq6_Rg/TqOwi7BMSgI/AAAAAAAAK64/CcUX5ktSGjQ/s320/PA080176%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>crafty designer extraordinaire - my mom<br />
</b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IayfNz76iU/TqOwwAfzrWI/AAAAAAAAK7E/r1drkPfN2gc/s1600/PA080177%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IayfNz76iU/TqOwwAfzrWI/AAAAAAAAK7E/r1drkPfN2gc/s320/PA080177%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9GWsoR-N8A/TqOw8gwx2jI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/QItPLRRiNYI/s1600/PA080192%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9GWsoR-N8A/TqOw8gwx2jI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/QItPLRRiNYI/s320/PA080192%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>The creative mastermind of the photo puzzle - my sister<br />
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The day before the marathon my mother and sister through me a very special 40th surprise birthday party.<br />
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One thing you must know, my sister and I LOVE to try to outwit each other! :-) We do this every year by creating the most ingenious clues for an easter egg scavenger hunt. Then we laugh histerically when one of us gets stumped trying to figure out the brain teaser the other was thinking. hehe<br />
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So what my sister did was create a collage of many of my escapades over the years and cleverly made a statement about each picture corresponding number on the photo. All the pictures were laid out onto the table and everyone had to walk around with a list describing each photo but without any numbers on the sheet. They had to determine which statement matched with a photo.<br />
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It was a brilliant game! And no I did not get them all correct but I did get the MOST correct. I almost figured them all out but there was a time crunch because we had to leave to get to the team pasta dinner. So she definitely stumped me! <br />
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Next to the photo of my mom is a photo album my sister put together for me of many spectacular things I have done over the last 6 years since recovering after the bad time I had following radiosurgery (which really shook my world as I knew it). It is one of the most loving gifts I have ever received! I know I live a lot of life but looking back at the collage she put together is pretty amazing. I really didn't know just HOW MUCH I have been living. Wow! It holds a very special place in my heart and I will treasure it for eternity. Someday when I am old and tired out, I will sit in a comfy chair and with each turn of the page I will be reminded of how I captured the most I could out of life. Then I can be pleased when the day comes that it will be time to rest. :) <br />
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The Adventure Lives On!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-azFfsLmIMqA/TqO1bqNUGCI/AAAAAAAAK7c/HvQ4oGpn0uc/s1600/PA080178%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-azFfsLmIMqA/TqO1bqNUGCI/AAAAAAAAK7c/HvQ4oGpn0uc/s320/PA080178%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkytD_7iMDo/TqO1jYcLevI/AAAAAAAAK7o/YcC_Qyc8R_w/s1600/PA080179%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkytD_7iMDo/TqO1jYcLevI/AAAAAAAAK7o/YcC_Qyc8R_w/s320/PA080179%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TejmGgb4RIk/TqO1qWaGRBI/AAAAAAAAK70/WoLIbN-E0Cc/s1600/PA080180%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TejmGgb4RIk/TqO1qWaGRBI/AAAAAAAAK70/WoLIbN-E0Cc/s320/PA080180%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aeXyysIguMI/TqO1yumTwFI/AAAAAAAAK8A/msqrqLAhOec/s1600/PA080181%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aeXyysIguMI/TqO1yumTwFI/AAAAAAAAK8A/msqrqLAhOec/s320/PA080181%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uuyf8e22Vt0/TqO16nD2DSI/AAAAAAAAK8M/iB4HFEQv0q0/s1600/PA080182%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uuyf8e22Vt0/TqO16nD2DSI/AAAAAAAAK8M/iB4HFEQv0q0/s320/PA080182%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUdlVaIey-c/TqO2CS7_l3I/AAAAAAAAK8Y/OtVae0GrkN4/s1600/PA080183%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUdlVaIey-c/TqO2CS7_l3I/AAAAAAAAK8Y/OtVae0GrkN4/s320/PA080183%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reX5qJ6b9XQ/TqO2MJ-aiUI/AAAAAAAAK8k/WFzidCPaHEY/s1600/PA080184%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reX5qJ6b9XQ/TqO2MJ-aiUI/AAAAAAAAK8k/WFzidCPaHEY/s320/PA080184%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccl1lFG4CCE/TqO2T6CL0MI/AAAAAAAAK8w/kw2-tPlGBCk/s1600/PA080185%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccl1lFG4CCE/TqO2T6CL0MI/AAAAAAAAK8w/kw2-tPlGBCk/s320/PA080185%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8OGlAyQyy4/TqO2buYtasI/AAAAAAAAK88/23OnuDqVKrk/s1600/PA080186%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8OGlAyQyy4/TqO2buYtasI/AAAAAAAAK88/23OnuDqVKrk/s320/PA080186%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIDUoLQV5gM/TqO2kezYr5I/AAAAAAAAK9I/vKkAnVoA_h4/s1600/PA080187%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIDUoLQV5gM/TqO2kezYr5I/AAAAAAAAK9I/vKkAnVoA_h4/s320/PA080187%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvY0NXsEOoc/TqO2tBhz5yI/AAAAAAAAK9U/zyLyw3Jletw/s1600/PA080188%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvY0NXsEOoc/TqO2tBhz5yI/AAAAAAAAK9U/zyLyw3Jletw/s320/PA080188%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-58882163970473566582011-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:002011-10-06T14:11:49.780-07:00Final Stretch!Hey all! My 13 weeks of rookie marathon training runs is now complete!! :D It culminated yesterday morning before my weekly strength training workout with my trainer from the gym. The last bit of mileage called for a 3 mile run so I ran for 30 minutes to ensure it was covered.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-JYxxJGwKs/TozGzH2hx0I/AAAAAAAAK5w/ii5RbZW20kQ/s1600/MeMay2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-JYxxJGwKs/TozGzH2hx0I/AAAAAAAAK5w/ii5RbZW20kQ/s320/MeMay2011.jpg" /></a></div>"Keep Climbing" May 16, 2011<br />
Sporting my "Keep Climbing" bracelet from cancer climber Sean Swarner and giving the thumbs up to making it through the 5 hour surgery and ready to rock recovery!<br />
Thanks Sean and Teri! :D<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNHMX-rQ2SY/TozGjkiSwiI/AAAAAAAAK5o/8oYxVTARxAI/s1600/P6110012%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNHMX-rQ2SY/TozGjkiSwiI/AAAAAAAAK5o/8oYxVTARxAI/s320/P6110012%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>First Hike - June 11th, 2011<br />
Squak Mountain in Issaquah with Merrie<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7Cyfxp5ua8/TozKqyAnlSI/AAAAAAAAK6I/pd_MN8Q4pSs/s1600/ShantelleNMeMay2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7Cyfxp5ua8/TozKqyAnlSI/AAAAAAAAK6I/pd_MN8Q4pSs/s320/ShantelleNMeMay2011.jpg" /></a></div>My friend Shantelle with me when I came out of OR and woke up in recovery<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUA3BXR9cM0/TozK_f7tt9I/AAAAAAAAK6Q/jbKvhbMNnvU/s1600/UKPaulNMaddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUA3BXR9cM0/TozK_f7tt9I/AAAAAAAAK6Q/jbKvhbMNnvU/s320/UKPaulNMaddy.jpg" /></a></div>My friend Paul from the UK with his new bride Maddy, of just over a year<br />
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For anyone who has not figured it out from a couple previous posts, I took on the challenge of running my first marathon about mid-summer. The test was to see how I could do running a half marathon shortly after surgery with virtually almost no training. At the time of the half marathon, a good friend with NF2 who came down to Portland for my surgery had become very ill and was in and out of the hospital. I had not known how rapidly her condition was deteriorating and she admitted to me her worry about being able to still be here by Christmas for her children. <br />
Wow! That was an unexpected shock! I wanted her to believe in herself that survivorship is definitely within grasp if you totally believe and put your heart into it - "Give it all you've got!". At the same time, another friend with NF2 from the UK was in and is in a similiar boat. These friends are so special to me that I wanted to do whatever was in my power to convince them to hang in there, have hope, believe, and try their hardest. What better way to walk your talk but then doing it yourself? Therefore, I had to do something great. I had to PROVE it by doing what most others would think impossible in my situation. Who runs their first marathon just a few months after having a brain surgery?<br />
Thus, the whole motivation for pursuing this feat is purely inspired by wanting to inspire these friends as well as others to have hope and represent a charity advocating to help them. You can read more about it on my page at this link: <a href="http://www.active.com/donate/nfportland2011/RDufek2">http://www.active.com/donate/nfportland2011/RDufek2<br />
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I have a few people to thank for inspiring and encouraging me in this direction. <br />
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First of all, Phil Ershler you are amazing! Reading about all you went thru after your surgeries and about how fast you got back on the horse at the gym to get in gear for a 2nd Everest attempt with Susan was astounding! I really think your perseverence and your words of encouragement before my surgery provided me with the mental strength to believe these things were indeed possible. <a href="http://www.susanershler.com/book.html">http://www.susanershler.com/book.html<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUKvxFj-qyc/TozGLnKYELI/AAAAAAAAK5g/pU_jvguzGn0/s1600/P6110008%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUKvxFj-qyc/TozGLnKYELI/AAAAAAAAK5g/pU_jvguzGn0/s320/P6110008%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBG5yi6GKh0/TozKKFzUSvI/AAAAAAAAK54/8HfuYCiM9Xg/s1600/P6110001%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBG5yi6GKh0/TozKKFzUSvI/AAAAAAAAK54/8HfuYCiM9Xg/s320/P6110001%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvrQqa_xv6I/TozKaN3NwJI/AAAAAAAAK6A/_SsdkDZqelY/s1600/P6250079%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvrQqa_xv6I/TozKaN3NwJI/AAAAAAAAK6A/_SsdkDZqelY/s320/P6250079%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Second, I want to thank my trainer Merrie Vieco who accompanied me on my first hike after coming home from the hospital while training for her first full marathon and doing a long run the day prior! I was totally amazed and not sure if I would be able to do the same but that is what I ended up doing this summer! <br />
Merrie ran the June marathon in honor of me with the NF Endurance team. I wanted to be here for her to show my appreciation and support. So I consistently worked on recovery everyday after I got out of the hospital by walking an hour and a half daily so I could go home in time to see her in the event. <br />
It just so happened that when we were hiking that day - perhaps it was the drugs still - that I got a wild idea to run in the marathon too by doing the half. I did well on our 5-7 mile hike the day after doing my first run so I figured I could at least shoot for a 6 mile run and maybe 8 miles. It was total spontanaity, adrenaline, and heart that I ended up running the entire 13.1 miles!<br />
Throughout my entire training before and after surgery Merrie has been incredibly encouraging, pushing me to have faith in myself and do things that before I could not have imagined myself doing. It is all Merrie that I would have any confidence that I could train, shoot for, and accomplish a marathon, especially in less than 5 months from surgery!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlTyzvHUR2k/TozNOGhc-yI/AAAAAAAAK6w/t3dexmWyy9o/s1600/P6250083%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlTyzvHUR2k/TozNOGhc-yI/AAAAAAAAK6w/t3dexmWyy9o/s320/P6250083%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Pedro and Merrie Veico June 25th, 2011<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFijsp-F0fw/TozMUkI6q3I/AAAAAAAAK6Y/AwJDRrsShyk/s1600/P6250087%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFijsp-F0fw/TozMUkI6q3I/AAAAAAAAK6Y/AwJDRrsShyk/s320/P6250087%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm65uZR6KNw/TozMgG0lzFI/AAAAAAAAK6g/K1Lve8xrAqM/s1600/P6250084%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm65uZR6KNw/TozMgG0lzFI/AAAAAAAAK6g/K1Lve8xrAqM/s320/P6250084%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X38ujXqbcOw/TozMp2W_zRI/AAAAAAAAK6o/SASYtnMNf-w/s1600/P6250075%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X38ujXqbcOw/TozMp2W_zRI/AAAAAAAAK6o/SASYtnMNf-w/s320/P6250075%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Harley and Pedro Veico who has also been incredibly supportive of me and Merrie; this is a celebration at the Veico house after the June Rock and Roll marathon.<br />
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Finally, my husband is my most devoted and supportive fan! He always believes in me and helps me to see perspective and keep on track. He totally encourages whatever I do and puts up with my moments of moodiness and crankiness that sometimes accompany the preparation for these events. LOL And he is a really good sport about my ravenous carb binges during training while he has to stick to a low carb diet. Sorry honey but I get so darn hungry following these long runs! It does not help matters that I have an insatieable sweet tooth! Love you lots and thanks for always being my biggest fan! :) xoxoxo <3
So what happens now? While this is the final stretch to the pre-event resting phase which hopefully gets my body fresh and recovered enough for the long haul. That means I am done running until event day and that I don't do anything strenuous. So I will not be back at the gym until I return from Portland.
Also, you work on sleep and trying to maintain good nutrition. Overall I am pretty good about intaking what I need but I have difficulty abstaining from sugar. I LOVE sweets! Although I passed on homemade chocolate chip cookies offered to me at the mountain summit friday, I have not been so strong willed at home here with chocolate. But at least I sort of cut down on it. It was getting out of hand and I was eating everything after my 2 highest mileage weeks.
The sleep is another of my greatest challenges! URGH! I am not a morning workout person. Thank goodness my weekly group hikes forced me to get ready and out of the house at an earlier hour as I rarely accomplished early workout runs on my own. It is going to be really tough! I will be staying a half hour out of Portland so that means I have to get up even earlier! Our team meets at 6 am in Portland so I need to be up at like 4 or 4:30 in the morning! That means I need to hit the hay much earlier than I ever go to bed which is really hard for me. I have not done well at all disciplining myself for this. Hopefully over the next 3 nights I can make a change to try to help my body adjust. For a half marathon this has been doable but I am really worried about being able to have the energy to sustain twice the distance so early in the morning.
DEFINITELY keep me in your prayers to pull this off! I have a hard time when my brain gets tired and my body physically then shuts down. Pray for alertness, stamina, endurance, perseverence, and a safe injury free run!
<b>Note: I think it is most important to let you know that I am a Christian and my faith and belief is the real power behind my accomplishments. I ask and I recieve. I do not believe I would have gotten this far, lived this long, have the things I have, or accomplished what I have done in life without recognition and respect for God. While others have motivated and inspired me, God provides the real tools. He is the one who provided me the instruments of inspiration in the first place. Before every run and hike, I pray and it does not stop there. I pray through the entire duration and then pray thanks afterward.<br />
Just remember......"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! -<i>Phillipians 4:13</i></b><br />
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P.S.- Thanks to my first trainer Paul at Gold's Gym NW for so bravely sharing his faith! He has a tatoo of the verse on his arm.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0xOGxy89s4/TozAe_clqWI/AAAAAAAAK5A/uuK5Hd8HFhM/s1600/GerbNIRR2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="276" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0xOGxy89s4/TozAe_clqWI/AAAAAAAAK5A/uuK5Hd8HFhM/s320/GerbNIRR2010.jpg" /></a></div>TNT (Team in Training program of the WA/Alaska Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) friend Gerb and I at my first half marathon event with the NF Endurance team at the Seattle Rock and Roll marathon in June 2010. My character and ideal of how I try to live my life is modeled after our good friend Skip Sand (my teammate in my first ever marathon walk in 2006) who passed away 2 years ago October from Leukemia. He had a very passionate spirit for humanity and exhibited exemplary committment to charitable causes and contributing to goodness in the world.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD5M9hs9K_I/TozEmAp872I/AAAAAAAAK5Y/_ulFcaJUlxE/s1600/IMG_2907%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD5M9hs9K_I/TozEmAp872I/AAAAAAAAK5Y/_ulFcaJUlxE/s320/IMG_2907%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Our friend Skip Sand who walked an entire marathon in November 2006 AFTER he went through chemo while training. He was a man of remarkable strength with a heart of gold and faith.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-17784656700492586792011-10-03T22:59:00.000-07:002011-10-03T23:28:51.721-07:00Last Long Run!Quick note here before I need to hit the hay and get up early for my final run.<br />
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Well I made it through to the last official week of marathon training! Can you believe it? It is almost hard to believe myself and most especially hard to believe I had a major brain surgery just over 4 months ago. Wow!<br />
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So I hope to fill you in on more details of training as the week progresses but for now just wanted to shoot you an update that I have managed and survived to this point.<br />
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How my week went....<br />
On Monday last week I started out with my usual short run that finally dropped down to 3 miles after running several weeks with 5 miles as my shortest run. What a nice treat. Then on Tuesday my second longest run for the week finally dropped to 6 miles from 8. :D Wednesday I made the smart more to forego the weekly power hike - the group did a very long 9 or 11 mile option with over 2000 feet of elevation gain.<br />
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Still, my heart ached for a nice hike on quickly dwindling sunny fall days good for hiking. So friday I opted for a 4 mile hike with just over 1000 feet of elevation gain to substitute for my second 3 mile run of the week. The dogs and I savored fresh air and majestic peaks of the mountain range on one of our favorite local treks close to home. I hope you will enjoy the photos and get a sample taste of why I love the NW so much.<br />
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Although the shorter days and drizzly cloudy weather is pushing my body into its own little mini hybernation schedule, I did eventually get myself out of the house for that last 8 mile run late Saturday afternoon. Interestingly even with the drastically lower running and hiking mileage, my body still feels sore and sluggish. Yet, I have still managed to maintain a 10 minute per mile pace throughout the entire run while feeling less energetic and slow. The nice thing about learning to run such high mileage is that an 8 miler can become of ease like a 5 or 6 and you can sustain performance better.<br />
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Okey doke! Time for bed. More tomorrow night! :D Sleep tight!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTxA9k2K1rs/ToqeFKPt54I/AAAAAAAAK3A/uIBQ7TrhS-w/s1600/P9290021%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTxA9k2K1rs/ToqeFKPt54I/AAAAAAAAK3A/uIBQ7TrhS-w/s320/P9290021%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Rattlesnake Lake before we started up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpwLfqEKMog/ToqeXAodEzI/AAAAAAAAK3I/KaW5DpkpyKs/s1600/P9290022%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LpwLfqEKMog/ToqeXAodEzI/AAAAAAAAK3I/KaW5DpkpyKs/s320/P9290022%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Who you looking at?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HVsYa4d3A/ToqeizN8zuI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/10GFVA5bgS8/s1600/P9290025%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8HVsYa4d3A/ToqeizN8zuI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/10GFVA5bgS8/s320/P9290025%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Time to go!....Here we come mommy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSUmBE8OBhI/ToqezfmxFdI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/IR9Q8CCbYmI/s1600/P9290029%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSUmBE8OBhI/ToqezfmxFdI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/IR9Q8CCbYmI/s320/P9290029%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>We're going up there!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYjADWZ2g0c/ToqfN8YOkII/AAAAAAAAK3g/JH9m1dZSKNo/s1600/P9290032%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYjADWZ2g0c/ToqfN8YOkII/AAAAAAAAK3g/JH9m1dZSKNo/s320/P9290032%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>The "Rock" - actually there are many of these and even some bigger!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ7WZqSshyU/Toqfhif8OfI/AAAAAAAAK3o/kxXXkd0ErI0/s1600/P9290033%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ7WZqSshyU/Toqfhif8OfI/AAAAAAAAK3o/kxXXkd0ErI0/s320/P9290033%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Dreamy Enchanting Forest<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQLqFA7DcHI/ToqftaeicnI/AAAAAAAAK3w/LZt6OoL2VGI/s1600/P9290035%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQLqFA7DcHI/ToqftaeicnI/AAAAAAAAK3w/LZt6OoL2VGI/s320/P9290035%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>On our way UP! This is the first peak of the lake from the trail.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgRthejUINg/ToqgSgHlplI/AAAAAAAAK34/Vdng64qI0t0/s1600/P9290038%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgRthejUINg/ToqgSgHlplI/AAAAAAAAK34/Vdng64qI0t0/s320/P9290038%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>The "BIG" local mountain I like to climb - Mt Si, 8 miles and about 3700 to 3800 feet elevation gain; I have not done this one this year yet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpBsSU0MC30/ToqjKJdZ1EI/AAAAAAAAK4A/-bFdx2fdGhw/s1600/P9290067%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpBsSU0MC30/ToqjKJdZ1EI/AAAAAAAAK4A/-bFdx2fdGhw/s320/P9290067%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Katie<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11H4Ijmk0V4/Toqj7hdU-JI/AAAAAAAAK4I/kyNxVz7HsB8/s1600/P9290052%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11H4Ijmk0V4/Toqj7hdU-JI/AAAAAAAAK4I/kyNxVz7HsB8/s320/P9290052%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Jake<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sZIkralp0Y/ToqkJiV360I/AAAAAAAAK4Q/8olXh4ldzf4/s1600/P9290049%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sZIkralp0Y/ToqkJiV360I/AAAAAAAAK4Q/8olXh4ldzf4/s320/P9290049%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>With my "kids" - Jake is too busy licking my neck to be concerned with having his photo taken.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sArAujli8w/ToqlI_VY11I/AAAAAAAAK4Y/aRXo5OunDSY/s1600/P9290041%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sArAujli8w/ToqlI_VY11I/AAAAAAAAK4Y/aRXo5OunDSY/s320/P9290041%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>From the summit:<br />
overlooking the Mt Si and the North Bend valley<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bQ-ecnBX60/ToqlzgsYpEI/AAAAAAAAK4g/4FitAvL2esA/s1600/P9290047%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bQ-ecnBX60/ToqlzgsYpEI/AAAAAAAAK4g/4FitAvL2esA/s320/P9290047%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Lake Kachess and east further into the Cascade Pass<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrWbj_cQLoY/ToqmF6H1c6I/AAAAAAAAK4o/xlZVBjy-9ms/s1600/P9290046%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrWbj_cQLoY/ToqmF6H1c6I/AAAAAAAAK4o/xlZVBjy-9ms/s320/P9290046%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>SE of the summit<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRiKjtAVqTo/ToqmZGEu_nI/AAAAAAAAK4w/I-RvLiPXldI/s1600/P9290073%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRiKjtAVqTo/ToqmZGEu_nI/AAAAAAAAK4w/I-RvLiPXldI/s320/P9290073%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Rattlesnake Lake as seen from the top<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ6GYUITJzA/Toqnj-jYA_I/AAAAAAAAK44/VqYw21aqNPo/s1600/P9290100%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ6GYUITJzA/Toqnj-jYA_I/AAAAAAAAK44/VqYw21aqNPo/s320/P9290100%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Hike finaleRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-5973008311962601022011-09-27T17:22:00.000-07:002011-09-27T18:05:26.342-07:00Family - September 10, 2010 Apple Valley, MN<b>Wedding of 1st cousin Courtnie De Grand to Mike Higgins<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IV5KI82h3s/ToJnU9Nx2ZI/AAAAAAAAK1I/PItyx9Pcnpo/s1600/P9100001%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IV5KI82h3s/ToJnU9Nx2ZI/AAAAAAAAK1I/PItyx9Pcnpo/s320/P9100001%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<i>Auntie Barb (dad's sister) looking on as the wedding party walk down the isle</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxLKNRI-PkI/ToJoLZx9zRI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/TH8a2Se4pGs/s1600/P9100007%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxLKNRI-PkI/ToJoLZx9zRI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/TH8a2Se4pGs/s320/P9100007%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>1st cousin Amelia (Barb's daughter - the tiny girl behind the minister) ready to fulfill her duty as the flower girl<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sM9SL2wH4Cc/ToJpylRFjjI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/n-XvgQ6cPgs/s1600/P9100028%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sM9SL2wH4Cc/ToJpylRFjjI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/n-XvgQ6cPgs/s320/P9100028%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>1st cousin Nate, Amelia's brother, peaking out from behind the bench in the front row</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9BvFuyn1zHA/ToJq4TsjrlI/AAAAAAAAK1g/tjgQUW_5r3Y/s1600/P9100017%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9BvFuyn1zHA/ToJq4TsjrlI/AAAAAAAAK1g/tjgQUW_5r3Y/s320/P9100017%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>The groom, the bride's brother cousin Brice (far left with aviator sunglasses), and wedding party look upon with wonder as the bride approaches</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3J91tNozuw/ToJrgpXkMwI/AAAAAAAAK1o/wg-kcylwOgg/s1600/P9100019%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3J91tNozuw/ToJrgpXkMwI/AAAAAAAAK1o/wg-kcylwOgg/s320/P9100019%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>bride Countnie escorted by my aunt and uncle (dad's brother) Al and Sharilyin De Grand</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwyC84L2DhY/ToJseJGRGlI/AAAAAAAAK1w/ei4PdWeoZuk/s1600/P9100029%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwyC84L2DhY/ToJseJGRGlI/AAAAAAAAK1w/ei4PdWeoZuk/s320/P9100029%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>3 generations - 2nd cousin Elaine, aunt Diane, Uncle Wayne De Grand (dad's brother), 1st cousin Noel De Grand, 1st cousin Jennifer De Grand (the mommy), 2nd cousin Miles, Andy (the daddy)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4dgsLeXUA4/ToJu6Yoe0SI/AAAAAAAAK14/koLwXgucb9s/s1600/P9100031%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4dgsLeXUA4/ToJu6Yoe0SI/AAAAAAAAK14/koLwXgucb9s/s320/P9100031%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>Uncle Jason, cousin Amelia, and Aunt Barb watch intently as the couple profess their vows<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0EXGPz_jzPU/ToJvmRWtrGI/AAAAAAAAK2A/W9RY1_5wEto/s1600/P9100034%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0EXGPz_jzPU/ToJvmRWtrGI/AAAAAAAAK2A/W9RY1_5wEto/s320/P9100034%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>Mike utters promises of love to Courtnie the gushing bride</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqBBupVBRdQ/ToJv_44BydI/AAAAAAAAK2I/Yu3jph3ODes/s1600/P9100030%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqBBupVBRdQ/ToJv_44BydI/AAAAAAAAK2I/Yu3jph3ODes/s320/P9100030%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>Mom and Dad gaze on in the joy of nostalgia</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMbifao-yq8/ToJw7CKFfhI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/4C7leKQFlsg/s1600/P9100053%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMbifao-yq8/ToJw7CKFfhI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/4C7leKQFlsg/s320/P9100053%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>The Kiss</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1jXhJE0HA8/ToJxKgds2wI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/-ghrFjo5FXU/s1600/P9100054%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1jXhJE0HA8/ToJxKgds2wI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/-ghrFjo5FXU/s320/P9100054%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>Introduction of the newly married happy couple</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34kjV7zJlUg/ToJxbcXSY8I/AAAAAAAAK2g/Q0R-BX45b-I/s1600/P9100055%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34kjV7zJlUg/ToJxbcXSY8I/AAAAAAAAK2g/Q0R-BX45b-I/s320/P9100055%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>The Send Off</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbJWVbYPFm4/ToJx_xcXSGI/AAAAAAAAK2o/3-ohkYmZta4/s1600/P9100059%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbJWVbYPFm4/ToJx_xcXSGI/AAAAAAAAK2o/3-ohkYmZta4/s320/P9100059%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>The best flavor cheesecake at our table - My kind of wedding! ;-)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKaBmhbjdZ8/ToJyT7idEHI/AAAAAAAAK2w/CN8D5XlhZP4/s1600/P9100063%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKaBmhbjdZ8/ToJyT7idEHI/AAAAAAAAK2w/CN8D5XlhZP4/s320/P9100063%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>Flowers fromt the heart! :)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hoc8EV5NCM/ToJyknjI4tI/AAAAAAAAK24/npDw2a96Nt8/s1600/P9100066%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hoc8EV5NCM/ToJyknjI4tI/AAAAAAAAK24/npDw2a96Nt8/s320/P9100066%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>Our traveling clan - mom, Harley, me, Michelle, and dad</i>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-40342263787636981512011-09-06T22:54:00.000-07:002011-09-06T23:12:19.968-07:00Doing DC.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLcYV9qULYA/TmcE_xkunMI/AAAAAAAAKzk/SLP14g2znTI/s1600/P8250108%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLcYV9qULYA/TmcE_xkunMI/AAAAAAAAKzk/SLP14g2znTI/s320/P8250108%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>Thursday night before the storm</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2g_kUSurkc/TmcGrMoktyI/AAAAAAAAKzs/s-NuDlUYg5M/s1600/P8260337%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2g_kUSurkc/TmcGrMoktyI/AAAAAAAAKzs/s-NuDlUYg5M/s320/P8260337%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>Our nation's capital on a very lovely friday evening<br />
<i></i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1qECD_PcJfk/TmcHANLsB2I/AAAAAAAAKz0/PixT2TQy23g/s1600/P8260331%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1qECD_PcJfk/TmcHANLsB2I/AAAAAAAAKz0/PixT2TQy23g/s320/P8260331%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoAfIC_R7ro/TmcHldQApnI/AAAAAAAAKz8/Bf5G6tJ-cKI/s1600/P8270365%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoAfIC_R7ro/TmcHldQApnI/AAAAAAAAKz8/Bf5G6tJ-cKI/s320/P8270365%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>Dad and I in front of the White House early on Saturday - We got drenched!!!</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYoOYjYk75U/TmcINUsubrI/AAAAAAAAK0E/vw61GgxO7Wk/s1600/P8270368%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYoOYjYk75U/TmcINUsubrI/AAAAAAAAK0E/vw61GgxO7Wk/s320/P8270368%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b>The Washington Monument as seen from the front of the White House<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qB9yxStt-RQ/TmcJnbDgx1I/AAAAAAAAK0M/vil4mdZmqmM/s1600/P8270376%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qB9yxStt-RQ/TmcJnbDgx1I/AAAAAAAAK0M/vil4mdZmqmM/s320/P8270376%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvwprgcxzsE/TmcJyl9bnpI/AAAAAAAAK0U/09F56qPwtlU/s1600/P8270387%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvwprgcxzsE/TmcJyl9bnpI/AAAAAAAAK0U/09F56qPwtlU/s320/P8270387%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Saturday night as the hurricane touched down - It became really misty and you could not longer see the Pontomac River in either direction</i></b><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtS8mQ3Rag0/TmcJ7uzdEGI/AAAAAAAAK0c/0WiNXacHCUo/s1600/P8270388%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtS8mQ3Rag0/TmcJ7uzdEGI/AAAAAAAAK0c/0WiNXacHCUo/s320/P8270388%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttj2VeA3Xwo/TmcKFITPuUI/AAAAAAAAK0k/-QINI0zDuCI/s1600/P8270389%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ttj2VeA3Xwo/TmcKFITPuUI/AAAAAAAAK0k/-QINI0zDuCI/s320/P8270389%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EcJgmQuWdo/TmcLEAH3hiI/AAAAAAAAK0s/uNmsdxhOwnA/s1600/P8290498%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EcJgmQuWdo/TmcLEAH3hiI/AAAAAAAAK0s/uNmsdxhOwnA/s320/P8290498%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><b><i>Same view Monday morning</i></b><br />
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Well I guess it is about high time I give you an update! I have been busy traveling, running, and hiking.<br />
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About a week ago dad and I traveled to Washington DC for my 5th checkup at the National Institutes of Health. Like a good little trainee, I brought my running shoes with me so I could do a 5 mile run the Wednesday evening we arrived our hotel in Bethesda, Maryland. To my great luck and unplanned, there happened to be a running trail just a few blocks from the hotel.<br />
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Wow! hehe TONS of elite runners! Good thing they were going the opposite direction. I think maybe they were running clubs or teams from the University and nearby schools. <br />
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It felt great to get off the plane and subway to get out for a good run after sitting so long which is kind of difficult for me. I do not prefer hot weather but fortunately at the time I went out the sun was mostly going down and it had cooled to a tolerable temperature. Boy am I glad my sister bought that matching running skirt and bra for Christmas that I did not think I would be brave enough to wear in public! I could care less what this nearly 40 year old body looks like in the heat if it means being comfortable. And THAT I have done alot of lately! Comfort outweighs looks. ;-)<br />
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So the plan was to take 3 days off of running for travel (one day for medical appointments and 2 for sight seeing and flying back home. My 16 mile run I would do the day after our return which be a Sunday (only 1 day later than my regular running schedule). Seemed like a good plan until I got a message on my text phone from Harley after 9 pm on a Thursday night that our flight was cancelled. Apparently the hurricane that was beat down North Carolina was estimated to arrive Washington DC Saturday evening when we were scheduled to fly. All flights were shut down and the soonest flight available was only Monday night. There goes my running plan. <br />
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Sunday morning we tried to get on any of the flights going out but they were all full. As it turned out, we only recieved a tropical storm in DC with lots of rain but nothing as devestating as the media made it out to be. The next 2 days were gorgeous! However, by the time it was determined we could not get on any flights sunday, it was approaching the hottest hour of the day which does not make a good recipe for a run for this cool west coast runner.<br />
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That left me Monday morning before we flew out. If I didn't get out Monday, there was no chance of doing the long run for the week in my training schedule. As it was, I would already be jumping 2 days later into the following week. Thus, I scramed together and improvised some provisions to try to get me prepped for a long run in hot weather. All there was near our hotel was a Rite-Aide in the underground mall - no FRS drink, GU energy gel, hydration belt, or english muffin with peanut butter and banana. <br />
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Hunting around the store I at least found some gatorade, 1 liter of bottled water to carry (gratefully that a lady walker recommended to me when I was scoping out the length of the nearby trail), a marathon bar, and some tiny bottle of 6 hour energy shot. Thank God I brought my running attire and body glide along!<br />
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Ironically however, the trail just outside our hotel was the exact same trail I had always seen on the shuttle ride from the airport to the NIH. The trail followed the road and Pontomac river through beautiful scenery and past views of the captital, WA monument, Jefferson Memorial, and some other scuplture. I always marveled and fantasized at how great it would be to walk or run along the trail. But alas, I never stayed in DC up to this point where it would be a possibility. I had NO IDEA prior to arriving that this same trail would be just a couple blocks from where we would be staying.<br />
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Rising early and stretching in time to get out on the trail before it became too hot, I downed a last granola bar I had brought with me and found a fruit and nut bar in my dad's bag to try to get me some breakfast energy. I also had some pizza pretzel combos I tried quickly snorting down yet I could not eat too many as they were hard to swallow. Since I had no belt to carry the energy shot or water, I had to gulp down the shot before the run. The 1 liter bottle I had to carry in my hands continually switching off every few minutes until my wrist grew tired.<br />
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Although I did not have the "ideal" things, I think I threw together a pretty good mix so unexpectedly. The weather was hotter than I am used to but boy was that a cool run! I probably got through as long of a run as I had because I was so stoked going on an exploration I love sauntering along new paths and seeing new places. With little time left, I got to search around more places in DC than I have ever had the time or opportunity to! <br />
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Our hotel was near the airport in Crystal Springs. The trail followed the Pontomac River from the city past the airport and towards DC. I passed all the monuments and crossed a bridge in the into the old town part of DC descending down to a trail along a dried up canal. After running along the canal for awhile the trail came back up to a cobblestone and brick walkways leading me back past the lovely historic buildings.<br />
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When I crossed back over the bridge again heading back the way I had come, I veered off onto some island. There the terrain changed from urban running to off road. I went from crushed gravel and compact ground to boardwalk and then to a hiking trail sort of path until ran the entire island.<br />
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After the island I veered off another side trail leading me to Jefferson Island through a nice pine tree park and past a little boat marina where many of the boats were still on their trailers in the parking lot. From there I headed into the heart of the Federal Triangle past the Jefferson memorial and a block in front of the Washington Memorial.<br />
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In front of the Washington Monument is one of the only public restrooms so that was a good place for me to stop off and drink the rest of my water my hands were cramping from carrying. With 20 minutes left and the temperature rising, I was a little light headed and dizzy. So I rested for a minute more and guzzled some more water from the fountain before headig back to complete the 3 hour excursionRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-15744227084451250222011-08-20T15:44:00.000-07:002011-08-20T16:53:55.008-07:00With Healing, New Paths Can Be Forged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cIhyzG9BPg/TlA3u-03nUI/AAAAAAAAKzM/UIWPNsjZiuI/s1600/P8170067%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cIhyzG9BPg/TlA3u-03nUI/AAAAAAAAKzM/UIWPNsjZiuI/s320/P8170067%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqb83cJiCYo/TlA38TBtkyI/AAAAAAAAKzU/YpD7Hlj-eoM/s1600/P8170066%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqb83cJiCYo/TlA38TBtkyI/AAAAAAAAKzU/YpD7Hlj-eoM/s320/P8170066%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNXAZ567HFk/TlA4HnbJvtI/AAAAAAAAKzc/05ljVaU2Qy0/s1600/P8170063%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNXAZ567HFk/TlA4HnbJvtI/AAAAAAAAKzc/05ljVaU2Qy0/s320/P8170063%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><i>This post is dedicated to my fellow NF2 friend and runner Olivia who is struggling with some of the same feelings and issues I encountered after radiosurgery in 2004. Don't give up and don't give in!</i><br />
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For those who have been with me over the long haul, you know most of the story that brought me to this chapter of my life. For those who don't, let me brief you on how I arrived at training to run a full marathon - something I could have never seen myself doing 7 years ago.<br />
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Question??<br />
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Was I always a runner? <br />
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Well, not exactly. I guess it depends on how you define what it means to be a runner. While I did run on the cross country team and long distance events for track my senior year in high school, my running after that point consisted of occassional running over the years to try to stay in shape. (And by that I mean a weak attempt as I grew older to try canceling out that freshman 15+ that tacked on to me and seemed to ride along for the next 15 years!). Beyond some of my undergrad college years, running became maybe an annual 5k event. I have no idea if I ever ran 10K distance up until 2009 when my fellow cancer survivor buddy and team in training teammate told me when he was in the hospital that he believed I could do it. So I did!<br />
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But let's back track to summer 2004 after I finished graduate school. I recieved the news in the spring that one of the tumors in my head got really damn big fast. Fearful that I would not live through a brain surgery or even worse....become physically and maybe even mentally screwed up, I opted to take an avenue that I expected to be a kinder and easier approach. WRONG! It is a long story but let's just say I got sick for a long time which included loss and impairment of many of my "normal" ways of functioning. I was pretty devastated and spent a long time being lost and walking around like a zombie. I felt like my soul was dead and I was just a shell of a person walking. My soul ached when I could not be hiking in the mountains anymore, could no longer have the stability to scuba dive, and roller blading was just plain over.<br />
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In my sadness I walked myself into recovery. Thankfully I had my dogs to get me through my heartache. In addition to adding joy to my life, our walks gave me a good excuse to spend an IMMENSE amount of quality time with them and feel I was still serving a purpose.<br />
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Anyhow, in the photos are my new shoes which are actually only my 2nd pair of marathon running shoes! I have worn the same pair through 4 half marathons since I started running them in 2009. For me, making a major purchase takes me a long time. I am too indecisive and worried if it will be the right choice. Happily, these shoes have gotten me comfortably at least 48 miles so far!<br />
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I snapped these photos in the Carnation agricultural valley where I started walking the dogs back in spring 2003 when we moved out to the country. Later I found the 32 mile railroad grade trail about a mile or 2 down the road which I eventually came to walk in an entire day following this whole rift in my life. It is also the place where I began to make a transition back to running.<br />
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As I mentioned, during my first recovery I spent much of my time walking my dogs daily. At one point I even had to walk with a walking stick! While I was out there taking time to rediscover myself, within a couple years I was inspired to become "inspirational". Hence began my shift into becoming a charity athlete. After losing my balance function, my very first running event was 3 miles around a high school track in a "Relay for Life" event for cancer May of 2006. After completing the last lap around the track I totally collapsed and could not stand up! I kept pulling myself up on a lawn chair and would continually come crashing down. The paramedics rushed over but fortunately with some hydration, after 10-15 minutes on the ground I was able to rise to my feet.<br />
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To train myself to even be able to run 3 miles, I had to run with my walking stick. Within 10-15 minutes of a run when I started back into running, I would become greatly disoriented with my legs quivering like jello and my eyesight flying all over the place. I would imagine the inability to properly walk after finishing would be comparable to what a person with cerebral palsy experiences. At least that is how I felt stumbling around deperately trying to walk straight during a cool down.<br />
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Many people without any real serious medical conditions or limitations remark to me how it is amazing I can run so far but comment how they could not possibly run beyond a 5k. You have NO IDEA what you are capable of! Yet neither did I once. <br />
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Running is not my favorite thing to do either. I do it because it has been a gift and a talent granted to me - a tool with which I can help others. Granted I am nowhere NEAR great runners but I CAN do it. I may be slow but hey! At least I am out there giving it my best shot and doing it for a greater purpose. When it hurts, I think of my fellow patients who are in wheelchairs or missing legs. I bet they would be damn estatic to have this ability! I know that must be how they feel as just going through losing my balance gave me a deep sorrowful longing to have uninhibited ability to do even lunges at the gym and all these fantastic things which were once so simple.<br />
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So why waste it?<br />
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Speaking of that, I need to get out here and shoot for that 16 mile run now that I have had 24 hours for my body to rest following 3 days of mountain hiking.<br />
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Life is grand! Look for it Olivia! Love ya! :)<br />
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Please help encourage my path by supporting my run! http://www.active.com/donate/nfportland2011/RDufek2<br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-77501685285072943772011-08-17T19:14:00.000-07:002011-08-17T21:17:01.594-07:0010 years of unconditional love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SUKRFRPf_oo/Tkx1mFVPZ6I/AAAAAAAAKyk/7JsNi_KxRvY/s1600/P8140298%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SUKRFRPf_oo/Tkx1mFVPZ6I/AAAAAAAAKyk/7JsNi_KxRvY/s320/P8140298%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3KNtlP9zK8/Tkx1-iVN-LI/AAAAAAAAKy0/l1SDLZ4KpeQ/s1600/P8140294%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3KNtlP9zK8/Tkx1-iVN-LI/AAAAAAAAKy0/l1SDLZ4KpeQ/s320/P8140294%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CoMTKvzb5k/Tkx2Ftm8jPI/AAAAAAAAKy8/xOO7rtYvai4/s1600/P8140302%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CoMTKvzb5k/Tkx2Ftm8jPI/AAAAAAAAKy8/xOO7rtYvai4/s320/P8140302%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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I suppose the pictures are self explanatory but if not, we were overjoyed to celebrate the 10th birthday of our dogs this weekend (they are brother and sister).<br />
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While you might find it comical or ridiculous that we went all out to have our own little "dog" birthday party in our little family, well that is just it......They ARE our family and our kids. As a matter of fact as I am sure all the parents and moms out there think of their grown children as their babies still, I am no different. hehe On ocassion I will shout out "puppies" and they come running!<br />
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Let me tell you the full story though. 6 years after gratefully experiencing cancer remission I was diagnosed with brain tumors. It started out as hearing loss and sadly the slow decline of hearing was not the only problem. My brain is LOADED! There are so many tumors that it has actually been quoted in some MRI reports "too numerous to count".<br />
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So that is a pretty heavy issue. On top of that, the disorder which causes my brain tumors is genetic. Not only is my health a consideration but also the health and future of an unborn child. So the consensus was not to become birth parents. Yet that had not sunk in my mind in the beginning.<br />
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Within the first couple years my hearing declined rather rapidly as far as hearing loss goes. I was warned that it was a very high if not most certain probability that I would become deaf (entirely with no sound). For most of my life I have been pretty social and talkative. <br />
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Harley wondered how this aspect of my personality would be affected. He was saddened that I may find life very lonely (and yes it does take quite a bit of an adjustment). So when my 30th birthday rolled around, he brought these babes into my life that brought me lots of joy as well as motivation for recoveries.<br />
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When you are a patient, a pet can give you so much love and fill a big gapping hole which has puntured your heart. When I got them and told my elderly neighbor stricken with cancer for the third time, he chuckled and said "Oh boy! That's just what you need!" I was not quite sure I completely understood the meaning of his words but now I do. He spent his final months sitting happily in the sun stroking his furry feline friend sitting on his lap with a big grin. That is pure joy...to be given unconditional attention and love no matter your disposition, your health, or even your presentation.<br />
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As the years went by and I lost all my hearing, went through many falls while losing my balance function and screamed my head off, many tears and fits of rage, days when I either could not get up from the daybed or go outside, days of puking my guts out and more crying, the frustrations of enduring recoveries through 1 radiosurgery and 3 brain surgeries, my babies have always been there to heal my heart. When I have been hurt either physically or emotionally, immediately they have come to the rescue licking my tears away until they turns into outburts of laughter.<br />
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So with this 10 year celebration, we say THANK YOU for giving me life and bringing us such incredible joy to overcome the heartbreaks this disorder has tested my family and I with.<br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-74599046870708239142011-08-02T16:08:00.000-07:002011-08-02T16:14:21.320-07:00Not Missing a Beat!<i>Ollalie Lake</i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNfwbshHbiU/TjiDFpeDtTI/AAAAAAAAKxc/BFOaRG_QNCk/s1600/OlalieLake%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNfwbshHbiU/TjiDFpeDtTI/AAAAAAAAKxc/BFOaRG_QNCk/s320/OlalieLake%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Photos by Team Survivor NW member Diane Bowlin</b></i><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6rfavweqt8/TjiDMSHuSHI/AAAAAAAAKxk/t5Js95-MII4/s1600/TigerLily%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6rfavweqt8/TjiDMSHuSHI/AAAAAAAAKxk/t5Js95-MII4/s320/TigerLily%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Alpine Tiger Lily<br />
</i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e9ryOOe33zY/TjiDRJ3xqBI/AAAAAAAAKxs/N9BcB3qSBaA/s1600/VibrantGreenFoilage%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e9ryOOe33zY/TjiDRJ3xqBI/AAAAAAAAKxs/N9BcB3qSBaA/s320/VibrantGreenFoilage%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrIpgPL2or0/TjiDa-J15JI/AAAAAAAAKx0/sj_DhOcX6N0/s1600/ElaineSarahMe%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrIpgPL2or0/TjiDa-J15JI/AAAAAAAAKx0/sj_DhOcX6N0/s320/ElaineSarahMe%2B%2528Small%2529.jpg" /></a></div><i>Hike Leader Elaine, Sarah and Me at one of the many stream crossings</i><br />
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I REALLY love hiking and do everything in my power to not miss anymore of my weekly hiking escapades with my cancer survivor friends. HEHE I make a point to try to schedule my medical appointments on days of the week which do not conflict with our Wednesday hike time. So I request appointments either at the end of the week or beginning so I am either back in time for a hike or leave the next day. For this last trip I made darn sure I went on the hike Wednesday, left on the train for Portland Thursday morning, and then took the train back to Seattle Tuesday afternoon following my morning appointment so I could be back on the trail again the next morning! :D<br />
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The exception is that I could not coordinate my NIH visit around my group hike day. They have me leaving early Wednesday morning August 24th for travel all day and then appointments on the 25th. :( grumble.....So I will miss at least one more group hike this season. Hopefully it will not be at too cool of a trail or at least something closeby that I can make up on my own time. (I do not drive too far anymore.)<br />
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I also have to figure this in to my marathon training schedule while ALSO doing strength training and working with a trainer once a week. I run 4 days a week with increasing mileage per week and as the week unfolds. So far I am keeping up but I drastically had to cut back on my strength training either cutting down the amount of days I go or greatly decreasing the amount of weight I lift or both. That is ok because what is important right now is that I have the energy and stamina to take on longer and longer runs. I had a difficult time last week with training immediately after a 4 mile run. My nutrition was off so I was so tired and felt weak having difficulty focusing during my session with Merrie.<br />
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This week so far I am only hiking one day because I am catching up on all the work I slacked off on during "playtime". Tomorrow I plan to be back out there again.<br />
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I forgot my camera in someone's car but cancer pal Diane Bowlin was nice to share a few photos with me of our Pratt Lake Basin hike last week.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-38803326734680726412011-08-02T15:37:00.000-07:002011-08-02T15:43:28.002-07:00NF2 Buds Unite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaYc6ZGO00U/Tjh7B0Rx2uI/AAAAAAAAKwk/uS9ONqqCJAo/s1600/P7260594%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaYc6ZGO00U/Tjh7B0Rx2uI/AAAAAAAAKwk/uS9ONqqCJAo/s320/P7260594%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJZHUHmiXOU/Tjh7ZtcRjdI/AAAAAAAAKws/7IH44_w7CRE/s1600/P7210426%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJZHUHmiXOU/Tjh7ZtcRjdI/AAAAAAAAKws/7IH44_w7CRE/s320/P7210426%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amH-_np70to/Tjh7omDTQBI/AAAAAAAAKw0/y9uKjuv9T34/s1600/P7210406%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amH-_np70to/Tjh7omDTQBI/AAAAAAAAKw0/y9uKjuv9T34/s320/P7210406%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3N0nBI1nzhs/Tjh7x07v4aI/AAAAAAAAKw8/9wxFKaKxpjU/s1600/P7210427%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3N0nBI1nzhs/Tjh7x07v4aI/AAAAAAAAKw8/9wxFKaKxpjU/s320/P7210427%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVGETS5Zxk/Tjh777BCQNI/AAAAAAAAKxE/xJlQp74GPIQ/s1600/P7210418%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVGETS5Zxk/Tjh777BCQNI/AAAAAAAAKxE/xJlQp74GPIQ/s320/P7210418%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJmWIG4Q7L0/Tjh8GCN2ihI/AAAAAAAAKxM/uDeTPGaWJUE/s1600/P7210404%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJmWIG4Q7L0/Tjh8GCN2ihI/AAAAAAAAKxM/uDeTPGaWJUE/s320/P7210404%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8ptK0RdmRg/Tjh8MFxKWBI/AAAAAAAAKxU/HvgjxkbMcyI/s1600/P7210398%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8ptK0RdmRg/Tjh8MFxKWBI/AAAAAAAAKxU/HvgjxkbMcyI/s320/P7210398%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
A week ago I had to make another trip to Portland for my 3rd facial rehabilitation appointment with a therapist to <br />
A) See if my face has improved any <br />
B) See if I have been doing the exercises correctly and issue additional exercises and <br />
C) Monitor if there is unwanted movement in the opposite side of my face which will inhibit function on the full paralyzed side.<br />
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I don't know how much I should really talk about it because I don't want to come off wrong as "the glass half empty" kind of gal and to detract my focus.<br />
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I will say that although not monumental, I did gain the tiniest little bit of dimpling at the corner of my mouth when I try to smile.<br />
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In any case, it was a great excuse to travel down to Oregon to spend quality time with my parents and also meet up with my friend Vaughn who I have not seen but briefly one afternoon during my recovery in June. Prior to my surgery, we had not seen each other since we met in May 2009 when my sister and I stopped off on our way back from the Eugene marathon.<br />
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Vaughn has NF2 like me and even had a recent brain surgery with the same surgeon in January. As a result of the latest surgery, Vaughn is new to complete deafness. We are a rare bunch so it is always great when NF2 friends can get together to share and swap stories, especially when there are similiarities that others may not understand.<br />
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Being the true pal he is, Vaughn traveled into the city to meet us at the zoo when my train rolled into town. What a great sport! I arrived in the afternoon and the zoo closed at 6 pm not leaving us a HUGE amount of time to see everything. Of course you have my mom "miss speedy walker" and then me "the marathon runner". LOL So we certainly gave Vaughn quite a workout while we covered it all! We had a fabulous time! Here are a couple snapshots of us.<br />
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Also, Vaughn came to my appointment with us on my last day in town. Afterward, we went to the rose garden to visit for an hour before my train departed back to Seattle.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-9135493005442547502011-07-28T19:18:00.000-07:002011-07-28T19:43:07.782-07:00Sneak PeakI was up in the mountains again yesterday morning and then last night Harley and I tried out some full face dive masks in the pool at a Seattle dive shop with wonderful instructor Dominic. As evidenced in a couple photos from June when we stopped by one of the shops to try a mask on, I was equally as pleased with the mask under the water. It rocked and I did not want to come up! :D <br />
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The reason for giving the full face mask a test drive is not due to eagerness to have a new (AND EXPENSIVE toy). With most of my face now paralyzed, the ability to hold and keep a regulator in my mouth underwater is a big issue. As it was when we took a dive a couple weeks before my surgery, the partial paralysis on the right side of my face caused me to blow the regulator out of my mouth ever so often especially when turning my head one direction. No biggie as I am pretty comfortable under the water and have many dives under my belt over several years. What I noticed is that I really depended on the fully functioning left side of my face to bite down and use the facial muscles to keep the reg in my mouth.<br />
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Now however, the left side barely moves and I have recently noticed a major loss of muscle tone in both the cheek and chin. I cannot even keep my mouth closed to eat so how on earth will it work to keep a regulator in and water out???? Hence Harley came up with the idea of seeing if a full face mask could work. When they first became available years ago I was not too eager to ever get one for fear of it flooding but I absolutely loved it! So we will see what we can do when the winter comes around. For now I can keep myself plenty occupied by training for the Portland Marathon which will be October 9th and fully taking advantage of hike season.<br />
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As part of my visit in Oregon, I enjoyed a nice day on Mt. Hood Sunday hiking with my dad. I just got back to Seattle Tuesday night via the amtrak train. For years (since 2007), I have admired the mountain from the hospital after every surgery. Finally I had the opportunity to go there and set foot on the mountain which has beckoned me. Here are a couple photos from our Mt. Hood adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfl7dpdEH3c/TjIdbPw4VtI/AAAAAAAAKwM/8FOtYKB_5K0/s1600/P7240474%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfl7dpdEH3c/TjIdbPw4VtI/AAAAAAAAKwM/8FOtYKB_5K0/s320/P7240474%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Dad makes such a cute photo model! ;-)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-75322041059012270242011-07-16T17:33:00.000-07:002011-08-02T16:23:15.347-07:00It's A Happy Anniversary Day!Today not only marks our 11th wedding anniversary but is also exactly 2 months since my 3rd brain surgery.<br />
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I AM ALIVE AND WELL!<br />
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To celebrate we are heading down to Mt rainier to spend the night at the Paradise Inn which is the highest altitude hotel in the state. After a relaxing evening and a comfort dinner in the beautiful log lodge, we will hopefully wake up to a stunning view of her majesty to enjoy a great day of hiking at altitude. Maybe we will even catch a glorious sunset as the sun has peeped through the clouds now. :)<br />
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This month I have been occupying myself with catching up the hike season, working on getting into full gear again, and commencing with my next big training endeavor which will require lots of discipline and fine-tuning a healthy life balance for optimum energy. So far this month I have spent 6 days of hiking, 4 days of training runs starting last week - 1 mile of a 5 mile walk, 30 minutes, 50 minutes, and 6.1 miles yesterday; returned to water aerobics this week, and started training with kettle balls again which is quite a workout. After working with Merrie on the kettle balls I am very sore for the next couple days and have taken Thursdays off as a either complete rest day or easy walk day with the dogs.<br />
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There have been some very beautiful days in the mountains. I am on the iPad right now so no pictures today. I will try to post a few photos early next week before I leave to Portland again on Thursday. I am returning for facial and eye appointments.<br />
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Stay tune for a report of my hike adventures! Enjoy your weekend!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-42130634975381951592011-07-08T13:00:00.000-07:002011-07-08T13:40:34.130-07:00Deafie has a FUNTASTIC 4th! :D<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBtxKyGp3lk/Thdh8rB2ngI/AAAAAAAAKsE/g5f7b0Rvnc0/s1600/P7040193%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBtxKyGp3lk/Thdh8rB2ngI/AAAAAAAAKsE/g5f7b0Rvnc0/s320/P7040193%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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So how does a deaf person enjoy a parade with music, dancers including horses, and loud fireworks? It's all visual entertainment baby! ;-)<br />
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I gotta admit I was a LITTLE apprehensive to go worried that I might get bored but MOST OF ALL, anxious that it could possibly interupt intended hiking plans or even cancel them on such a glorious day. Harley REALLY wanted to go to the nearby rural Carnation parade and the 4th only happens ONCE a year whereas hiking is all summer and there will be plenty of other nice days. Therefore I agreed to a compromise.<br />
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We were late for the parade and immediately became distracted by the classic car show in the bank parking lot. I had forgotten how cool and enjoyable it is to see all the cars. I really love and admire how owners take such immaculate care of their trophy cars and add such unique detail. I am a REALLY big appreciator of detail so all the uniqueness is right up my alley. <br />
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Before deafness I had always paid particular attention to detail which became even more enhanced after I lost all my hearing.<br />
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While busy happily snapped photos to forever capture the art of antique vehicles, Harley heard music up the street of the parade still hsppening and wanted to catch the tail end of it. So we ventured to the middle of town in front of the Mexican restaurant where I was pleasantly surprised to find a cow boy bouncing gracefully upon his big black beauty dancing to the serande of a small marachi band. Yes! By beauty I mean a big black stallion of a horse with fancily long haired feet! How entertaining! It did not matter if I could not hear a thing! The horse was marvelous with keeping in step and ever so often did a little back step kick like a lephercaun kicking his feet up in the air. I was so intrigued by its cleverness! Seriously, I could have watched that for hours!<br />
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Meanwhile other cow boys, some with Mexican outfits, sat on their horses in the background waiting for the center of attention to finish so they could take turns dancing. One horse was particularly excited and kept eagerily bouncing his head up and down while the other horse was dancing. Haha! I called that one "The head banging horse"! ;-)<br />
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On the way to the focus of everyone's attention we passed a group of ladies dressed up in colorful Mexican skirts. Darn! I was disappointed to miss them (so I thought). Then as we were watching the horses doing their jig, the ladies ran out in the street waving their flowing dresses as they spun in circles. What a treat! I was thrilled!<br />
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After they were all finished we returned to the car show where they had some of my favorite cars on display......stingray corvettes and MUSTANGS! :)<br />
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Following the show we headed for our Poo Poo Point hike to see the paragliders and finished in time to journey back home for a quick shower and food before hitting the Lake Union fireworks in Seattle. Because my husband is a "rockstar" agent, he just sold a SWEET condo on the 24th floor of the Cosmopolitan in Seattle that his client welcomed us to enjoy the fireworks show from. <br />
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Isn't life GRAND!<br />
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LOL Check out the people in the background of these photos! Notice how most of them are plugging their ears with their fingers. This is at the "Hot Rods and Harleys" show on 4th of July in our small neighboring town of Carnation, WA.<br />
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Harley was totally tickled and took an IPhone video of me cluelessly walking around getting photos of this hotrod at all angles without a care in the world while the people surrounding the green machine were cringing due to the loud exhaust. I could feel the low rumble vibrate entertainly through my body but had no idea it caused all the hearings great discomfort.<br />
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How fun to be able to walk around so closely to a roaring (maybe screaming) machine to admire it without any bother what so ever!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-28665951480483791012011-07-05T22:27:00.000-07:002011-07-07T19:04:13.020-07:00Back In Action!I am already back to my beloved passion for hiking!<br />
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Before the half marathon I got in 3 hikes in June (2 with significant elevation gain and more distance requiring a jaunt of over 2 hours.<br />
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The last weekend I was at my parent's before coming home (June 4th), dad and I did some scenic tourist hiking to the marvelous waterfalls outside of Portland. It was a good practice adventure for gearing me up to rejoin my friends in the cancer survivor hiking group weekly. Many of the trails were short and some paved, but they had steep inclines and narrowing of the trail which were great for challenging my brain to coordinate with my balance and vision.<br />
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The first Saturday back, my trainer Merrie and I hit the trail together for the first time since our Kilimanjaro trek in October. There are not spectacular views on the Squak Mt hike we traversed but the NW woods is so lovely and pretty! Further, for most of the trail the terrain is wide and pretty easy which made it a good hike for me to start on post-surgery when I was still combating with abnormal vision.<br />
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The Wednesday following, I went out to an easy (but quite a workout with over 2000 ft elevation gain) on the neighboring Tiger mountain. For not hiking for a month and running 16.5 miles over the previous 5 days, I did amazingly well and was not tired out or out of shape. YES!:D<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTZ33tUHtgY/ThZDrAIE36I/AAAAAAAAKqE/0Tig03vsPCk/s1600/P6150059%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTZ33tUHtgY/ThZDrAIE36I/AAAAAAAAKqE/0Tig03vsPCk/s320/P6150059%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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With the half marathon approaching on the 25th of June and my legs then insanely sore from doing a week of marine core rampage (21 miles ran and 2 hikes of 9-11 miles combined with over 3000 feet of elevation gain), I felt it best to cool my jets for 2 weeks from running or hiking - 1 week to rest up for the event and 1 week of recovery afterward. So NOW it is time to get back to it! ;-)<br />
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Summer has finally really hit here with sunny days and temps in the 70s and 80s. Fortunately those days Harley had off! :) So we hit the other trails on Tiger Mountain which is the closest mountains to hike locally (saving time). Sunday we ventured on the back side of the mountain (Dwight's Way) which he had never been on before. Unless someone shows you, you would not really know the trail is there. I learned of it from my hike group and I missed the hike with them this season as I was down in Oregon recovering. <br />
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Yesterday we went to another shorter hike on the front side of the mountain that I also missed during my time away. The day was brilliant with barely a cloud in the sky and an awesome view of Rainier in full detail. The trail meanders up to the point where Harley, my sister, and I paraglided off the mountain to celebrate my 15 years of cancer remission a few years ago. With such a fantastic day, there were LOTS of gliders floating in the air! I counted up to 19 before we entered the dark woods to begin our ascent.<br />
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Tomorrow I will be doing the first strenous and long hike this season with the hiking group to Annette Lake deeper and further east into the Cascades. There are lots of talus rock fields to cross so it will take a great deal of concentration for me throughout the hike. Gotta get off the computer so that I can get my stuff ready and to bed as I need to wake early.<br />
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Happy July and summer! :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-68537723602044685392011-06-28T23:09:00.000-07:002011-06-28T23:23:18.138-07:00BELIEVE! 13.1 miles in 2 hours 15 minutes 51 seconds<i><b>Our spectator and supportive husbands Harley and Pedro and Merrie and I at their home Saturday evening where we celebrated our accomplishments with a bbq :)<br />
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<i><b>Merrie and I wearing our NF Endurance jerseys and our "Rock and Roll Bling" finishers medals - Merrie finished the full marathon in 4 hours 5 minutes; her first in MANY years<br />
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<i><b>Writing I wore on my legs during the event:<br />
"40 days AFTER brain surgery"<br />
"Still Strong"<br />
"Never Give Up" - our NF2 motto<br />
"4 Shantelle" - my run dedicated to my friend Shantelle struggling with NF2 currently<br />
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</i></b>Miracles never cease to exist! By the grace of God with only 1 week of real training which means running, and exactly 40 days following brain surgery, I ran an entire half marathon on Saturday in the Seattle Rock and Roll event. Not only did I run 13.1 miles but I did it only 10 minutes and 10 seconds slower than my time for the same course last year when I had at least 10 weeks of prior training. It is truely a miracle no doubt!<br />
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When I say to you that I was really unprepared for this event, I am not kidding!!! In January I was thinking about doing this event but slacked off on starting the training. If you follow the 10 week marathon rookie site, I had leeway to start training the second to last week of April at the LATEST. However, I like to throw in 2-4 extra weeks in the training to account for any possible downtime I might have to take off to heal injuries. That would have brought the start of my training to exactly right after the Big Climb skyscraper race I do every year which I now lead a big team in. The event was on March 20th so earlier in the year I was focusing on team recruitment and a different type of training for the racing up the tower which is more of a sprint type of stamina rather than endurance.<br />
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During the first week of March I was hit with the bomb that my tumor/s operated on in 2009 grew back in less than a year and a half. Utterly shocked and in disbelief, I tried to put it out of my head to focus on the upcoming big climb to which our team had outstanding success both in fundraising for the LLS and athletic acheievement. After the event was over, I had to put off training and try to figure out what the heck I was going to do. <br />
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In the past, it has taken me YEARS to decide on a surgery. I am like the student in class wanting to be the very last person to walk up and give my speech. I want every last second possible to prepare. I tend to be the same way in my approach to surgeries. Yet, I was getting the impression across the board that it would not be a good idea to wait too long this time. Not wanting to wait until AFTER the marathon and miss my hike season in recovery, I made a first ever ballsy decision to get the surgery in May. That meant the marathon would definitely be out of the question. I made this decision sometime in April but to tell you the truth what really pushed me is that I did not want to miss out on my hiking. LOL Otherwise I would have tried to put it off for longer. ;-) I was a little bit disappointed that I would not be running to represent the NF Endurance charity team but I also had the option to run for the team in another state in the fall. Hiking however is a small window and with NF2, you never know how long the luxury of taking in this pasttime joy is going to last.<br />
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So I ruled the marahon out and did not train. I just maintained running 2-3 times a week for 3 to 4 miles at a time to keep in shape for the upcoming surgery and also to hopefully bounce back fast so I could get back to hiking as soon as possible after the surgry.<br />
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You must always thnk positive before a surgery but in truth it is pretty much out of your hands. One can get in the best physical shape and get the mind and spirit in the right place but at a certain point it is totally out of our hands. Not being 100% certain of the outcome, I did not register and the event was sold out after I made it through the surgery.<br />
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However, I did really want to make it back home by the marathon so that I could be here for my trainer who was running the full in honor of me and to support the team. So although my leg really hurt still from the surgery, I walked everyday to move my recovery along. A fellow patient once gave me the advice that as soon as you get out of that hospital bed you get moving! You walk and then you walk some more.<br />
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By the time I came home, I contemplated that first week if I could walk the half marathon (I did walk the Seattle November half marathon 39 days after my 2nd surgery so it seemed only natural that I should find a way to do this one). By the end of the week I decided to take a little run to see how it felt. Surprisingly, I ran 2 trail miles in 20 minutes and walked the 2 miles back! Excitedly, I shared my desire to walk/run the half marathon while hiking with my trainer the following day. Sadly though, I did not think I would be able to get registered at such a late date. But alas, as always Merrie has all the answers and had a solution for me. Thank you Pedro for passing off your spot to me! :)<br />
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So I decided on June 11th that I was going to walk the half marathon and maybe run possibly 4-6 miles of it. Ok....I fantasized about being able to run maybe even 8 miles. At the time, I thought I would have 3 weeks of training but was not yet aware of how soon the date was arriving. Monday I threw myself into training by going for a 6.5 mile run. Realizing now that I grossly miscaculated and only had 1 real week left to train (the last week is a rest week), I concluded I was going to have to do my longest run the following day!!!! My leg was hurting and I was not even sure I would be able to run 6 again! Amazingly I pushed out 8 in 1 hour 20 minutes on a paved trail! Woohoo! Friday although painful, I managed to run another 4.5 on the trails in the watershed preserve. After that running was OVER until event day. I tried running about 20 feet Sunday afternoon and winced in pain from the tightened inflamed tendon behind my knee of the leg that has bothered me since surgery. <br />
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Seriously, I started having reservations from the day throughout the rest of the week if I would even be able to finish WALKING the event. The wee hours of Thursday night/Friday morning did not boost my confidence either as the tendon behind the knee started spasming in pain jolting me from my sleep. Friday evening at the team pasta dinner, the captain announced to all in attendance that I was planning to RUN the entire half marathon! Embarassingly I thought. "Oh No! I don't even know if I will be able to walk the whole thing to finish!". Yet after she said that, I think I made it up in my mind that I was going to do the best I could and if that meant I could run the whole thing, then so be it! Also, I wanted to do my very best and finish to show my friends Shantelle and Paul that they can survive and get better if they really put their minds to it like I did for this race.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-83310965928620549402011-06-23T21:11:00.000-07:002011-06-23T21:34:46.961-07:00Women of Character<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3kllyDYQxg/TgQPEtHq3qI/AAAAAAAAKo0/u_SQEGeCD50/s1600/P6220061%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3kllyDYQxg/TgQPEtHq3qI/AAAAAAAAKo0/u_SQEGeCD50/s320/P6220061%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621634808370880162" /></a><br /><strong>"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." - <em>Helen Keller</em></strong><br /><br />I am pictured here with my friend Shantelle who came down to my surgery in Portland and I posted a photo of her with her son back in May. Shantelle also has NF2. Right now she is experiencing a turbulent time with her medical situation, way more concerning than my dang face. <br /><br />Over the past year one of her tumors grew to an immense size causing her the side effect of swallowing problems. As a result, she lost 40 lbs in a short period of time sapping her strength for surgery. Therefore, her doctor had her get a feeding tube put in to help her gain the needed weight. Unfortunately the darn thing became infected so she had to go to the emergency room to have a "pic" line put in her arm that will deliver strong antibiotics straight to her bloodsteam. She also had to spend a couple nights at Swedish Hospital in Seattle until the medical team had her on her way to healing.<br /><br />The picture was taken late yesterday afternoon as she was being happily discharged. It gets pretty boring lying in a hospital bed for such a long time.<br /><br />Shantelle has a long way to go so please keep her and her 4 children who need her in your prayers for healing, strength, courage, and a promising treatment.<br /><br />P.S. - I am doing quite well and my physical fitness recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. As a matter of fact, I am going to do the Seattle rock and roll half marathon this Saturday. I will run as far as I can (Hopefully half of it - 6 or 7 miles) and then walk the remainder. My leg is still sore and the pain shifts between the inner thigh, outer quad,the tendon behind the knee attaching my calf to my hamstring on the outer part of the leg, my IT band extending into the glute, and the entire skin of the leg to the bottom of my foot which increases with sensitivity with long durations of running or hiking. <br /><br />Last week I ran a total of 19 miles and hiked 2100 feet which would rightfully make me sore if I have not been doing that for a month! So this week I am resting. I went for a fast 2 hour walk monday night but all other days it has been under an hour with 1 day off. Hopefully that will do the trick to get me ready to get through the event with tolerable pain.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-60486970878950654692011-06-19T10:11:00.000-07:002011-06-19T11:05:50.685-07:00Happy Father's Day!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twcsoN5xy2U/Tf428oA69AI/AAAAAAAAKos/cbO-7bJQRYA/s1600/P5260640%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619989800166290434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twcsoN5xy2U/Tf428oA69AI/AAAAAAAAKos/cbO-7bJQRYA/s320/P5260640%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYhNiATCgu8/Tf42fapznSI/AAAAAAAAKoc/9HK9024t6n0/s1600/P5260643%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619989298363473186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYhNiATCgu8/Tf42fapznSI/AAAAAAAAKoc/9HK9024t6n0/s320/P5260643%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a>
<br /><div>"You may be ill physically, but as long as your mental state is strong, it most certainly will exert a positive influence on your body. There may be no better remedy than hope." </div>
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<br /><div>- John Walsh, father of Patrick Walsh who lost his battle to an NF related cancer</div>
<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/john-walsh/connections-of-the-hearts/10150208869433867" target="">Connections of the hearts</a>
<br />Next week it will be one year that our son Patrick left this earth and went to heaven. He fought a tough battle with NF related cancer right to the last day. I will always remember the day before he died in a very special way. The day before he died was... Father’s Day 2010, he fought the pain and got out of his bed to go and take some pictures of us and our next door neighbor JR. Patrick had helped his friend JR rebuild a classic car until he got sick and couldn’t do it anymore. JR finished the car and wanted Patrick to see it completed. With the help of Ronnie another close and good friend of Patrick we managed to get Patrick next door for the pictures. Patrick look at his friend JR as the picture was being taken and said, “You know I’m not going to be around much longer.” Most of us that heard that were trying to hold back tears. To me this was a very special Father’s Day gift. I learned how to be strong and keep going even when faced with challenges. We must challenge the circumstances in our life and steadily keep moving forward. That day I awoke a sense in me that I put aside for a long time, that being attitude. Now I try to keep it positive, that way it not only elevates my own aurora but also that of those who are in my life and have contact with me. As much pain as Patrick was in that day, he tried to be positive and wore that best smile that he could. His apparent happiness to see the car and his family and friends gathered around quickly became the happiness of all there. Never avoid what you must face in life, just reach out from where you stand and there will be a hand there to help you to the next step. That is what happened that day. Patrick reached out for help to get to the car and at that time even though in denial I think he reached out and prepared us for the next step, which was his leaving us here on earth the next day. I found this past year a new connection with my family, my wife Galdys and Daughter Jennifer, my Mom and Dad and my brother and his family, also my friends and coworkers and Facebook friends who have been there for us through these trying times. It’s a connection that I can’t express in words I just know it’s there and it comes from the heart. It keeps me strong and doesn’t allow my weak side to dominate, if I let it do so it will surely mean defeat. As Patrick said, “Keep up the fight.” and “Enjoy life that’s all that matters.” I know he is wherever I am, and I thank you all for being where you are.
<br />By: <a>John Walsh</a></div>
<br /><span style="color:#330099;">John's story is a beautiful tribute to the perseverence of his son, the loving relationship of a father, and an example of how to make the most of living by deciding to.
<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">I often cross this path too and am forced to make that choice of deciding how I am going to respond to something. Situations challenge the way I perceive the circumstance taunting me to give in to misery but I fight back with joy.
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<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">I have to say that my first week out of the hospital was that kind of week, a broken face trying to snuff out my spirit and continual pain in the muscle and skin of my entire leg.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="color:#330099;">Yet I was very excited for the opportunity to be at my parent's home in the middle of the week to share my dad's birthday with him to help him celebrate. It would not have happened otherwise. It was so much fun to be there for this moment!</span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">For those who do not know, my dad as well as my grandpa, his dad, have been an source of strength for me encouraging me to press on. </span></div>
<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">When I was a kid in grade school, I used to race cross country skiing in the Upper Penninsula State Winter Games. I was so excited to have the honor to represent my school at the games the first time when I was in 5th grade. </span></div>
<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">Race day was pretty hectic and nerve racking with tons of spectator parents, families, friends, and a crowd of athletes. For this first race, they had everyone start in a pack by the shooting of a gun. At the startline another skier fell onto my skiies making me immovable as the pack nearly drifted out of sight. I was wildly frustrated and disappointed. I imagine back then I felt like poking the person to a pulp with my ski pole to get them off. Yet, that is a trait my father taught me not to do. So I patiently but anxiously awaited for the skier to get to a stand freeing me.</span></div>
<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">By the time we became untangled, the pack was long gone and my heart was in tears. How on earth was I supposed to have a chance at coming in with one of the fastest times let alone catching up to the pack? Desperately I tried going as fast as my out of shape body would take me to try to rejoin the other racers.</span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">Although I tried my hardest, I just could not keep up and my lungs burned with fire as my body as well as my spirit lost strength. Finally it was just too much and I realized that I could not have the thrill of victory that I wanted. So my young mind chose to quit as tears rolled down my cheeks in defeat.</span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">My dad was there encouraging me to press on but my spirit was too embarassed and broken. Quitting was a horrible feeling. No matter what place I was in, my dad was there to support me and at the time I did not realize that just finishing was what was important.</span></div>
<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">Although discouraging, it was a very good life lesson which compelled me to never quit again and I think that is probably why I am still alive and keep ticking.</span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">In addition to the strength of character, my dad and grandpa shared with me their passion and sense of appreciation for the natural wonders of the world. I cannot tell you how much this has brought joy to my life and continues to getting me through multiple life trials.</span></div>
<br /><div><span style="color:#330099;">Thank you Dad! I love you! :)</span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-54081751526755873222011-06-18T21:38:00.001-07:002011-06-18T21:38:55.005-07:00Bringing me HopePosting out of sequence so go to the following link: <a href="http://diverbeck.blogspot.com/2011/06/swimming-to-bring-me-hope.html">http://diverbeck.blogspot.com/2011/06/swimming-to-bring-me-hope.html</a>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-89194551411207828902011-06-11T23:37:00.000-07:002011-06-12T00:01:49.675-07:00Intermission - Deception Pass, WA<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuUxcRuEkyQ/TfRkBBl2MbI/AAAAAAAAKoU/ySMMpGHZ7to/s1600/P5010328%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617224604007674290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuUxcRuEkyQ/TfRkBBl2MbI/AAAAAAAAKoU/ySMMpGHZ7to/s320/P5010328%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZbShK6OFfA/TfRjzdXwXAI/AAAAAAAAKoM/2g5f2uaq8-U/s1600/P5010305%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617224370946595842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZbShK6OFfA/TfRjzdXwXAI/AAAAAAAAKoM/2g5f2uaq8-U/s320/P5010305%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBG429-XozE/TfRjkmIE_hI/AAAAAAAAKoE/b2fF-dv7PKM/s1600/P5010306%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617224115598720530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBG429-XozE/TfRjkmIE_hI/AAAAAAAAKoE/b2fF-dv7PKM/s320/P5010306%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_pI7SlNUeQ/TfRjR0_AkMI/AAAAAAAAKn8/1C3LMFguSrY/s1600/P5010299.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617223793169699010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_pI7SlNUeQ/TfRjR0_AkMI/AAAAAAAAKn8/1C3LMFguSrY/s320/P5010299.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJRVWSM5dis/TfRijlhLv9I/AAAAAAAAKn0/6efgGkJkJs4/s1600/P5010283%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617222998744088530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJRVWSM5dis/TfRijlhLv9I/AAAAAAAAKn0/6efgGkJkJs4/s320/P5010283%2B%2528Small%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our pre-surgery adventure to Deception Pass connecting the mainland of WA state to the northern tip of Whidbey Island after our tulip field tour on May 1st<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10853043.post-24092579037794882932011-06-10T22:45:00.000-07:002011-06-10T23:03:50.005-07:00The One Eyed Leopard<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCGmFdSsRPM/TfMBi1NY3XI/AAAAAAAAKns/qQJ7Vp8YFtw/s1600/P5190575.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616834858171555186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCGmFdSsRPM/TfMBi1NY3XI/AAAAAAAAKns/qQJ7Vp8YFtw/s320/P5190575.JPG" /></a> Thursday morning before the eye surgery<br /><br />Wednesday night we had to tape my eye shut at bedtime because the eyelid would not fully close allowing it to partially drift open when unconscious. As a result, my eye would be sore in the morning and also in the daytime even with gel drops inserted in my eye. Therefore, when the ENT doctor came to visit me on Wednesday, he mentioned that he was considering the eyelid weight implant for me which MAY be permanant. We do not know yet if my facial paralysis will heal and to what degree.<br /><br />Last friday was my followup appointment with Dr. Stephen of the OHSU facial plastics clinic to give a look at how the eyelid healing is progressing 2 weeks post surgery. It looked good and I have taken great care with it. I think for a week I taped an eye patch over my eye at bed so that I would not unconsciously rub my eye either scratching the cornea with the weight or dislodging it all together. But I got tired of the tape sticking to my cheek and forehead the next day and reverted back to wearing an eye mask at night which worked well. (just the eyemask with gel drops inserted in my eyes....NOT the tape)<br /><br />The appointment was very enlightening. Dr. Stephen is a GREAT doctor!!!! He said that if the facial nerve DOES come back and I find that the weight is unnecessary, then they will go ahead and remove it as over time it can drag down my eyelid.<br /><br />I am never thrilled about another surgery, but that one I WILL TAKE WITH PLEASURE! If a removal became necessary, than that would probably mean my face would come back too!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11258414765006397310noreply@blogger.com0