To The Moon!

Do you guys remember that the year I was diagnosed (2010) I was training for an Olympic Triathlon? Well, obviously that crumbled, but this winter I decided to use my good health to take a tour of not what could have been - but is about to be. I don't know if that makes sense, but what I'm trying to say is that I'm snatching up opportunities to challenge myself; to get back to living the life I was born to enjoy. That includes challenging myself physically like the mad runner that I always was.

One thing that I've learned about myself is that competing, although awesome, isn't as fun unless you don't take yourself too seriously. Wow, how is it that I can speak in double negatives, yet I can never, for the life of me, understand it when others do. (Or maybe that wasn't a double negative. The mystery is on). I digress. So, a year or so ago, someone stole my bike, the bike we would use for speed and comfort. But with friends like ours, it is of no surprise that my buddy Laura lent me her 6 speed beach cruiser to galavant around the hoods of Seattle. She's rusty, but trusty, and when I hit the never expecting bump from our evergreen roots, the bell dings on its' own. I am a sight to see, I'm sure, if not for a lesson in humility.

Next month, I am coming up on the 1500 meter swim (haven't swam since dunking myself in the sound on Saturday and it was a real in and out moment), the 25 mile bike ride (just imagine the cacophony of dings as I race around the course), and the final 10k which is about 10 times longer than I've been running. Not to mention this race is at Lake Chelan where it will easily be 90 degrees by early morning. Dan has gallantly decided to join me, although I don't know how seriously he is planning on taking it. He may leave me in a swirl of bubbles and dust.

From This:

To this:

My Trusty Medicine in The Basket At All Times

On Saturday, Dan trained me down to the farmers market, and back home. Everyone needs a good coach. No joke, my balance is still a bit off from all the brain surgeries, but I'm confident. Dan even made a little video, sneaker that he is, and I can't stop laughing about it. My goal to finish the Olympic Triathlon is to complete in under 3.5 hours. I'm being modest though, I really think I'm going to easily make the three hour mark. (I hope you can literally hear me laughing as I wrote that.) Set the goals high right!? To the moon!

I may not be living the way I thought I would, but good God, I'm having some freaking fun every single day. And I realize that life is more than just having fun, but sometimes it's really exactly what you need.

If you'll be in the Chelan area the race is July 18th, a Saturday. I assume it will be a zoo, but if you're around you'll know me by my uncontrollable dinging, and ahead of its' time aerodynamic helmet. (Sarcasm.)

Go and Go Faster

Evening, friends!

Sorry for the break on the blog, I've been assessing and working on my seizure issues. What I'm learning is that the less tumor work, and less technology I use, the fewer the seizures. It's great news - to isolate the issue - and at the same time it sucks. I am not the woman I once was. I keep trying to be a woman who can do it all, chew gum, rub her belly, and walk, but I can't. I try and try then I trip and seize. It's an almost impossible lesson to learn.

It is very hard to slow down, to cut back on tumor research. I'm still keeping up with the Cancer Compass thread which is profoundly informational, with updates daily. I'm still getting my updates from Al Musella's website, and still looking into studies every day or two. I can't help it, I get curious, something will pop in my head and I'll have to find answers. And I'm still answering brain tumor emails, still helping those with recurrences, those newly diagnosed, and general questions. I'm just not actively trying to solicit patients to help like I had been. As you guys know, I don't do this for money, I don't get paid, I'm just trying to pay it forward.

One thing that I hate about brain cancer, which is specific to our group, is the freaking seizures. As if it wasn't enough to go through everything: the brain surgeries, the brain damage, the speech therapy, physical therapy, the recurrences, the research and constant fear of recurrence. Above all that, we get trapped in our bodies unable to trust our brains and our being. When you're epileptic, your body is not your own. When you're epileptic, you live in fear. When you're epileptic you can't just push through, when tired. That is what I somehow can't seem to imprint on my mind. My body is not my own, my brain is not my own. I can not overwork it. I can not push though. That's a tough lesson for a girl who has two speeds, "go" and "go faster (preferably with coffee)".

Anyway, I just had to give you guys that update since I've been MIA for several weeks. The good part? I joined a morning walking group, which completely feeds my soul. I've also joined a Wednesday track running group (although in a couple of weeks we will switch to trails), which keeps me laughing, and sweating, and alive. I had missed all of the human interaction. I'm a social being that needs face to face smiles, and hugs, and high fives, and slaps on the back. As you know, if I'm having seizures, I get stuck, isolated at home. By cutting back, I'm able to LIVE.

I can either be tethered to a computer, trying to solve the world's problems, and quickly disintegrate, or I can make myself some guidelines to limit my emotional exposure. I wish I wasn't so sensitive, that I didn't worry about people so much, but no matter how much I try, I can't stop it. When I talk to these brain tumor patients, trying to help them navigate, I end up not sleeping at night. I am a sponge that absorbs the fear, and anxiety. I don't know how to fix it, and I don't want to stop, and I don't know how to find a balance between the two. On goes the riddle of my life.

Please don't be afraid to contact me with your brain tumor questions. I hate even sharing that it stresses me out because I know people need the help, the information, but I have to be honest at the same time. That's been the whole point of the blog is to have place for me to vent, and explore, and be a resource for others. I'll figure out a way to help and not run myself into the ground, I promise.

A triumph this afternoon, my first cherry tomato of the season has joined the world!

With love.