Race Report -- Richmond Half-Marathon

Greetings bloggers! First, the running news. I've made the decision to specialize -- meaning I've probably run my last marathon. My challenge is to find a distance long enough to satisfy my love for the long run, but short enough that I can still be competitive. I realize that to be competitive at the marathon distance, I need to be in the 2:30 range -- something that is just not realistic for me. However, if I move down to the half marathon, in the 35 - 39 age group, I can place (and maybe even win a few) if I get under 1:30. I think that's well within my ability. So, let it be done -- I'm now a half-marathoner.

That said, today was the Suntrust Richmond Half-Marathon. I had not quite trained as much as I would like -- I ran the Leavenworth Half-Marathon in October with almost no training, then trained about five weeks after that race for Richmond. Still, I as hoping to break 1:40 -- about 7:37 pace. Well...

You've all probably heard of Hurricane Ida. It's been wreaking havoc across most of the east coast, and here in Alexandria it's rained for about five straight days...Richmond too. But, a little light rain isn't much of a deterrent...it actually makes for pretty good running weather, most days. The race started bright and early at 0730 -- parking was plentiful and easily accessible, and only a few blocks from the start. It seemed there were fewer porta-potties than there needed to be given the number of runners, but I was early enough to wait it out in line.

The course was flat and fast...beautiful fall colors, some of the course along the James River, and most of it in either historic oldtown or in one of the many city parks in Richmond. Live music was plentiful, and the water stops were well-placed and well-stocked. Unfortunately, there was almost a complete lack of any fan support -- perhaps because the half-marathon started 30 minutes prior to the full, or perhaps because of the weather, but it was really just a few hardy folks standing on their doorsteps and a couple dozen at the entrance to Joseph Bryan Park.

No problems during the race, but my legs started to get heavy around 10 miles...not sure why, but it made the last few miles some pretty tough ones. I can't really blame the course or the weather, so it was probably just a lack of training, lack of sleep, or nutrition issue. Final time was 1:42:23, about two and half minutes over goal time...398th out of 4578 total, and 45th out of 366 in my age group. Not too bad -- and the five weeks of training since Leavenworth paid off by knocking almost 10 minutes off my time from that race, but still a couple minutes short of my goal. Next up -- the National Half-Marathon, 20 March 2010.

In other news, my next neurosurgery appointment is on Monday (16 November). Hopefully, they'll do a physical assessment and schedule me for reconstructive surgery. I'm really not looking forward to another surgery and another 4 - 6 weeks of recovery, but I'm ready to get this episode over with. Put me head back together, and let me get on with living!

For the "Monkey Fan Club," you'll be happy to know that she is growing like a weed and expanding her vocabulary daily. I'm also afraid she's hit the "terrible twos" about six months early...it's becoming quite a challenge, but an enjoyable one.

Will let you all know the results of the Monday appointment!

90 Days At A Time...

My brain tumor was first discovered almost 10 years ago -- in December 1999. It was a complete stroke of luck, if you believe in such things (I don't, but that's another post). While playing basketball with a city league in St. Louis, I dove for a loose ball and collided with another player, losing consciousness for about 15 seconds. When I regained consciousness, I couldn't move my right arm. An ambulance ride and a CT scan later, I learned that I had sustained significant damage to my C5 cervical nerve, weakening my right arm to the point where I couldn't lift a 16-oz can of soda. I was a Captain in the Air Force at the time, and Air Force policies dictated that I also have an MRI of the brain to rule out any hemorrhaging or potential complications from the concussion. What followed can only be described as surreal.

An MRI of the brain can be an intimidating experience for the uninitiated (of course, I sleep through them now). Your head is immobilized by a plastic helmet, and you are slowly moved into a tube about 24" in diameter. You must be completely motionless -- for about 55 minutes. In my case, there was a small mirror just above my eyes, which allowed me to see out the tube, between my feet, into the MRI room where the technician was sitting. I tried to count the minutes as they crawled by...15...30...40...and about 45 minutes into the scan, a Colonel arrived. Five minutes later, another Colonel. And then another. And another. An hour into the scan, it was finished -- but I was still in the tube, watching with growing desperation as four Colonels pored over the screen where I can only assume my brain was on display. Born in and raised under the care of military hospitals, I knew Colonels were the Chiefs of their various divisions within the hospital -- neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, internal medicine, family practice...who were they? What did they see? After an eternity, the table started to move and I slowly slid out of the tube. The Colonels were gone.

The next day I received a call from a doctor in neurology, who wanted to test my right arm to determine the extent of the nerve damage. He also provided me with a referral to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis to see a neurosurgeon. After repeated questions, he divulged that they had "seen something" on the scan, but didn't know what it was. The subsequent neurosurgery appointment confirmed the rumor, but diagnosis remained elusive -- an arachnoid cyst, a birth defect, a hamartoma. A year and a half later, along with second and third opinions at Deaconness and Sacred Heart Medical Center, and still no real confidence in what the thing was. But it was there. And it was growing. And it had to be removed.

Thanks to an article I ran across in Time Magazine and the sheer brilliance of Dr. Keith Black and his team at the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai, we finally got a diagnosis, and scheduled surgery -- going under the knife in April 2001.

That first surgery was followed by serial brain scans (basically MRIs) every 90 days, and for the last eight years, I have been undergoing a similar routine. Life really only exists until the next scan. Is it clear? 90 days of remission. Is there a recurrence? Then the process begins again. Surgery? Chemotherapy? Radiation? You literally learn to live 90 days at a time. Each clear scan is 90 more days of living. 90 more days of running. 90 more days of fighting.

Which brings me to the point of the historic tale. I had another brain scan just a week or two ago, and recently got the results. We're all clear! The infection is gone, and there is no sign of any recurring cancer. No more tumors. The surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and antibiotics have all done their job. 90 more days, baby! 90 more days...

I'm Back!

After six weeks of daily IV antibiotic treatments, I'm DONE. Finally. The good news is that the infectious disease docs think the infection is on the run, I've had the stitches removed, and the incision looks great. As you can see below, my profile still leaves a lot to be desired -- but that will all be fixed with some plastic surgery in December/January to rebuild my skull. The reconstructive surgery itself carries some pretty significant risks, but I won't bore you with those details. Here's the great profile shot:

Well, looks were never my strong suit anyway...and it makes Halloween easy...and GEICO has already contacted me about doing some commercials (just kidding).

I feel fine, and am even slowly starting back to work. Most importantly, the central line (PICC) was removed, which means I can run again! Yes, after, six weeks of sitting on my derriere, I laced 'em up again a few weeks ago. I sure didn't set any land speed records, but was able to run an easy four miles at 8:55 pace...much slower and shorter than my usual Sunday run, but it felt great just to be on the road again (thanks Willie Nelson). The challenge now is to run the half-marathon -- and finish with dignity -- next weekend. I usually train 16 weeks for a marathon, and at least 8 - 12 for a half-marathon...and somehow I'm going to give it a shot after only four weeks of training. I had my last long run today, and did 10.3 at about 8:15 pace. I'm definitely not going to meet my goal of breaking 1:30 for the half, but I'll at least finish. Stay tuned for the race report...it should be an interesting one! I've also registered for the Richmond Half-Marathon on November 14th, so maybe I'll be sub-1:30 by that time, but that's still pushing it.

Many of you who have contributed will be happy to hear that the helmet is truly a work of art. I've added stickers from Washington, Oregon, Texas, Kentucky, and Ohio, as well as a very special one from New Zealand (thanks !) and a few others. I also added a monkey, of course! Sticker count is now up to 30, with room remaining...though I did receive one Texas sticker that was bigger than the helmet itself...not sure what to do with that one. So, here's how it looks right now:

Your support and encouragement has been instrumental in my recovery -- thanks to everyone! Another blog soon, I promise...

Live Strong Action

My wife is so awesome!
I've been working with the Lance Armstrong Foundation for a number of years, raising money and raising awareness. The LAF is now initiating "Live Strong Action," where you can pay tribute to those who have inspired you. Take a look at the dedication page my wife did for me. So cool! Even better, if I've motivated or inspired you in some way, feel free to add your name...it doesn't cost a cent!
LIVE STRONG...

Helmet Head

Well, first and foremost -- I think I found the perfect helmet -- thanks REI!

It's even been approved by the neurosurgeon! Of course, you'll notice that it's completely blank -- no stickers yet. More on that in a moment.

Status Update: I'm doing pretty well. I'm not in any pain, just dealing with fatigue and the daily grind. I have medical appointments at either the National Institutes of Health or the National Naval Medical Center almost every day, with visits and deliveries from the home healthcare folks at CORAM at least once or twice a week. I also get daily IV antibiotics, and Pooh is a pro now -- we've got the whole IV thing down to an easy routine. The side effects of the Invanz antibiotics aren't too pleasant, but I won't bore you with the details.

Today was supposed to be a fairly big day...the day I get my stitches removed! We took the hour trip up to NNMC, waited for the neurosurgeon, and upon examination found that about half the incision had not yet healed adequately for the stitches to be removed. So, they took about half of them out...well, it's a start anyway! Back next week to get the other half out. Here's how it looked:

As you can see, I haven't been able to cut my hair for a few weeks. I think this is the longest it's been since high school! In any case, I'm doing well, feeling fine, and resting as much as I can. I'm off the roads and off the bike for at least four more weeks, but I'm still hoping to keep my race schedule intact. I might not meet my goal of breaking 1:30 in the half this year, but it's still on the books...it just might take a bit longer.

Finally, about the helmet. THANK YOU so much for all the stickers and support! Here's the current tally:

1 Ohio State Seal (thanks Jen)

1 Ladybug (thanks Jen)

1 Kentucky Wildcat (thanks Aunt Barb...tough one to use for a Duke fan, but I used it!)

1 "No Brainer" logo (thanks Pooh!)

1 "Good as New" logo (thanks Pooh!)

1 Band-Aid (thanks Brian)

2 Stars (thanks mom)

1 Mickey Mouse (thanks mom)

1 bunch of grapes (thanks La Toscana Winery)

1 Major rank, soon to be upgraded to Lt Col (thanks Don!)

2 American flags (thanks Brian)

1 "Custom Cruiser" (thanks Brian)

3 words: "Conviction," "Hope," and "Commitment" (thanks Sharon)

We're up to 17 stickers, with LOTS of room left. Keep them coming!

And, if I haven't told you before, all you bloggers are wonderful people...as are those who read and comment, but don't blog. The support (and stickers) you all provide is tremendous. Keep running and keep fighting!

Foreheads are Overrated -- And A Challenge to Bloggers!

So, here's the latest -- along with pictures this time, finally!

After a great deal of research I don't pretend to understand, the petri dishes grew whatever they needed to, and we have a name for the bug that attacked my head and face -- enterobacter aerogenes. Go ahead and click the link or Google for yourself -- it's not pretty. Highly destructive, high mortality rate, all the nasties you don't want to read about. Fortunately, it's only really dangerous if you have "a prior history of surgeries in the area, cancer, or an immune system compromised by chemotherapy or radiation treatments." NICE! I'm batting a thousand on that one...but I'm doing well. The infectious disease docs at the National Naval Medical Center were outstanding, and isolated the bug in time to treat it appropriately. Once they found the bug causing my infection, they prescribed the right antibiotic and installed a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line. That was quite an impressive process -- a 43cm catheter that goes from my armpit to my heart -- but in the end it was far less traumatic or painful than I had expected.

With the right antibiotics in hand and the PICC Line inserted, I was discharged from the hospital last night and sent home. This morning a home healthcare nurse from CORAM Home Healthcare infusion services arrived, and provided

me and Pooh with all the equipment and instructions on how to administer the antibiotics -- 30 minutes once a day -- not bad at all. It helps that Pooh's mother, who is a 30-year OR nurse, is staying here with us -- and our next-door neighbor is a transplant and PICC nurse. We're covered! The CORAM nurse walked us through the process this morning, and we're on our own tomorrow!

I'm not in any pain and I feel fairly good, but I sure don't look pretty. Here's the latest shot, taken just before I left the hospital:

There is still some swelling from both the surgery and the infection, but once that swelling goes down, there will be quite a canyon between the top of my head and my brow. I'll probably look like something between a cro-magnon man and a klingon, but that's okay...I was never much to look at anyway, and I've already got a wonderful wife who loves me to matter what I look like! At least, that's what she tells me...

A CHALLENGE TO BLOGGERS

Okay, here's where the fun begins -- because my brain is basically exposed and unprotected (only covered by a thin layer of skin), I have to wear a helmet whenever I'm out and about or doing anything active (including running). So, I'm going helmet shopping tomorrow. Here's your chance to "get involved" -- send stickers! I'll get a plain black biking, climbing, or skating helmet, and decorate it with all the stickers I receive from fellow bloggers against cancer and everyone else. Feel free to get creative as you like -- a state sticker from where you are, a sticker from your last race, a photo, your favorite slogan, whatever -- just please use good taste (no profanity), and I'll find a way to fit all the stickers on my helmet and show off the great support I've always received from blogland. If you don't have my home address, please send an e-mail to moylesm@hotmail.com and I'll send it to you. I'll even upload periodic pictures of the infamous cranium cap! Thanks to Peggy for the great idea...and start sending!

Next blog will have a few race reports and more photos. Signing off with a farewell from the Monkey...love to all!

Made it Through Another...

Greetings fellow bloggers! It's Mike this time...blogging from the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD. Wow, what a turn of events.

Angie ("Pooh") gave a pretty good summary in the previous blog. Basically, I was fully recovered from December's surgery, feeling fine, the what appeared to be just a headache snowballed into a craniotomy #4! Far be it from me to place blame, but from what we now know it appears that something unsterile was introduced into the cranium during my last surgery. That was enough to foster an infection under the frontal plate, which has slowly festered for the past few months. It then exited through my right temple and began to attack the soft tissue above and around my right eye, which is when I first became aware of it. By the time we noticed and got to the ER on Monday afternoon, the infection had destroyed the entire frontal plate and done some damage to the sinus cavity and even the dura (sack surrounding the brain).

Surgery yesterday morning was actually not craniotomy #4, it was craniectomy #1 -- the removal of the frontal plate. After some pretty serious labwork to figure out which bug (or bugs) have been throwing a party in my head for the last seven months, I'll be put on targeted antibiotics and sent home -- probably 3 - 4 days. I'll come back in 14 days for a checkup and to get the sutures removed, then back in about 6 months for a cranioplasty. They've made a mold of the bone that was removed, and will recreate it with either titanium mesh or a plastic polymer. The idea is to make me look basically the same as I looked before the event -- I asked if they could make me better looking, but apparently it's pretty hard to improve on what I've already got ;-).

I feel just okay. Not a lot of pain or discomfort, this struggle is far more emotional. I wasn't ready for this. I didn't have time to educate myself or prepare, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, for this event. The hospital is not nearly as nice as Cedars-Sinai, and it's pretty lonely. I think things will improve as I spend more time here, but more than anything I just want to go home.

I owe quite a few blogs, including several race reports. In short, training has gone very well -- I've hooked up with the FIRST folks, and their training plans have been working for me so far. They've been profiled a number of times in Runner's World, so you may have heard of them. I'm focusing on half-marathons right now -- did the Marine Corps Half, and was happy with 1:41, and had planned to do the Air Force Half on 19 September, but will probably have to miss that one to recover. I hope to follow with the Richmond SunTrust Half and the Oktoberfest Half-Marathon, but we'll see how recovery goes.

I'm on a public PC at the hospital, so can't upload photos...but if you're on FB, I've put a few there. More to follow...I may actually have time to catch up on my blogs now! Thanks to all the bloggers who have already sent me notes and posts on FB...you all ROCK, as usual. Keep praying!