tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21879578108011350982024-03-13T07:17:37.340-06:00Josh Vs. LymphomaDetailing my battle with Stage 3 Hodgkin's LymphomaJoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-14975341283231777442012-03-23T19:57:00.000-06:002012-03-23T19:57:58.072-06:00It has been a while....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a while since I've posted here. That's a good thing, I assure you all. I'm alive and well. Since writing last I've had two clean PET scans. I've also learned that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_emission_tomography#Safety">PET scans offer up an awful lot of radiation</a>! I remain clean, though.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had several "clean" oncology visits and even a regular old physical with my primary care physician. He suggested to live life and not wait on trying to start a family if we so desire. My blood pressure was a little low, so he also suggested I could help myself to extra salt on my chips when we go for Mexican. (I still don't do this).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime the Packers had an unbelievable season and then flopped. My fantasy baseball team has drafted. We've had a new deck built on our house to replace our rotting, crumbling one. My new job is still going great and I love it. I wake up looking forward to my work. I've taken up cyclocross and look forward to fall. In other words, life has gone on, and I've done my best to enjoy as much as I can.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't want this to become my bike blog, so I've slowed down my posting. I'll still write when I can. I'm thinking about starting a new writing project, though. If it happens, I'll keep you all posted. Likewise, I'll post here first all the things that happen related to me or my continued cancer fight!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqJziWBIb9U/T20qBjbt3_I/AAAAAAAAAmc/hxuZfHanDeM/s1600/JoshUSGPNB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqJziWBIb9U/T20qBjbt3_I/AAAAAAAAAmc/hxuZfHanDeM/s320/JoshUSGPNB.jpg" width="187" /></span></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-33020341123269062272011-06-15T21:16:00.001-06:002011-06-15T21:40:10.713-06:00One Hour Thing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meeting my new oncologist was uneventful - which is perfect. "Uneventful" is really a great word for describing a visit to the oncologist, even when it is a new one. The only question I asked was in regards to how long my skin would still be ultrasensitive to everything, but he didn't know as there are several possible outcomes there. So, we continue on forward with the hopes of seeing clean chest x-rays and scans indefinitely. One year down (almost), and four to go. The plan will be yearly chest x-rays and yearly PET scans alternating every six months.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to mark the one year anniversary of my final chemotherapy. My </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/06/chemotherapy-12-of-12-or-finished-all-6.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">last chemotherapy was particularly brutal</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. So, I wanted to figure out how to create as much pain as possible to sort of commemorate it. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hence, "One Hour Thing."</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OV3KxBAZPHo/Tflxn1dR-CI/AAAAAAAAAmU/q4pTYDw4rHM/s1600/IMG_4044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OV3KxBAZPHo/Tflxn1dR-CI/AAAAAAAAAmU/q4pTYDw4rHM/s320/IMG_4044.JPG" width="256" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hour_record"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hour Record</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is a particularly curious event in cycling. For those unfamiliar, it sounds astonishingly easy. Ride your bike for an hour? Sure! Many of us do it all the time, and then we add many more hours to that. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Merckx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eddy Merckx</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - the greatest and most accomplished cyclist the world has known - said that his hour attempt </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was "the hardest ride I have ever done." For a winner of multiple TdF's (5) and six other grand tours along with countless classics races to say this, there must be something to it. The history of this lists some of the greatest names in the sport, and my friend Charles and I eagerly await </span><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fabian-cancellara-to-attempt-hour-record"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">another legend making his attempt</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. What makes this so difficult? A lot has been written on this at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hour_record"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wikipedia</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tales-from-the-classic-peloton-january-8-2004-4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cyclingnews</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and </span><a href="http://www.velominati.com/blog/tradition/the-hour-record-2010/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">velominati</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has a great piece on this. Basically, if you give this your best effort, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there are no breaks, there is no recovery, there can be no comfort found</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (I won't be riding a </span><a href="http://www.ridetheblackline.com/post/747324848/boardmans-superbike-goes-to-museum"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boardman Superbike</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), and time seems to dramatically slow. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/EddyMerckxHourRecordBike.jpg/800px-EddyMerckxHourRecordBike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/EddyMerckxHourRecordBike.jpg/800px-EddyMerckxHourRecordBike.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was asked why I felt the need to find a painful way to commemorate pain. I'm not sure I could even appropriately explain this excellent question. It isn't a guilt or obligation thing. Really it is about living. Chemotherapy made me a walking zombie. It is difficult to remember sometimes. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hoping to get out near my edges of good pain and really feel alive in the hopes I'll never forget what those days were like and how much they contrast with these days.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the whole thing may sound like it is about distance, it isn't. Henri Desgrange did 21.95 miles. Coppi and Anquetil did 28.458 and 28.681 miles. Merckx did 30.714 miles. Boardman did 30.721. Having done a few intervals and a dry 85% run on the Stayer's Line at another track, I have a sense of where I'll end up, although it is far short of Coppi and I won't share my guess - <b>because it is about the experience.</b> I'm only measuring laps done, and I may estimate the last partial piece as a guess for myself for future attempts, if any. I certainly won't be calling USA Cycling and I may not even share my results. (See previous paragraph). On the other hand, if anyone is around mid-day next Tuesday (June 21) and wants to hang out and get lunch after (assuming I can walk), let me know.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1vT07hPLZM/Tfl1UjxRw_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/oFPb2KaaFm8/s1600/T1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1vT07hPLZM/Tfl1UjxRw_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/oFPb2KaaFm8/s1600/T1.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-22120726057469167672011-06-06T21:16:00.000-06:002011-06-06T21:16:34.027-06:00Tomorrow is a big day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As some of you know, my oncologist has left and I'll be needing a new one. This was shocking and saddening for Sarah and I. The upside is that it happened now, rather than during the thickest parts of my fight.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked my new oncologist out based on the recommendations of colleagues, friends, and most of all, from my old oncologist. I am told he is very different in style from my old oncologist - from her as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was the one who had ordered my recent PET scan, though. I did this several weeks ago already, and did not expect to hear the results until my appointment with him. He doesn't know me, so, why would he call? Still, his nurse was kind enough to call and tell me that <strong>the scan was clean</strong>. It was such a pleasant surprise.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My appointment is tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not really looking forward to it for obvious reasons.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I'm still "clean" tomorrow, that'll be 11 months since declared as such. It seems like a lot longer than that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I recently noticed is that discussion of anything related still provokes strong responses, specifically a crazy sweat. At a recent meeting, the chair of the oncology department described how new "high deductible" plans often put her patients into such a financial position that they don't even know how they can afford treatment, which makes it extremely difficult for her to care for them appropriately. Additionally, I recently heard of two other cancer related cases and again, I immediately started sweating. I wonder if that will always be the case for me.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-28745135070986938282011-05-08T19:16:00.000-06:002011-05-08T19:16:12.221-06:00Want to ride bikes this weekend?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider joining us for the Second Annual Wheat Ridge Cyclery Livestrong Ride.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Details here:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inaugural WRC Livestrong Ride, benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation (Livestrong), was one of biggest bike shop ride fundraisers in the U.S. in 2010. Riders and friends of WRC helped put together a donation of over $10,000 for research to eradicate cancer!</span></i></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year we're doing it again and we welcome you to join us. The ride leaves the shop under escort of Wheat Ridge and Lakewood Police Departments. Escort continues to base of Dinosaur Ridge. </span></i></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once over the ridge, there will be a fully stocked aid station in the lower north parking lot at Red Rocks. At that point, riders are welcome to demo new 2011 bikes from our vendors, or to simply return to WRC. Lunch will be served post-ride at WRC.</span></i></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When: Saturday May 14, 2011. Ride leaves WRC at 8:00 a.m.</span></i></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where: WRC to Red Rocks and back. See map below. WRC is also hosting our annual Demo Day that morning at Red Rocks.</span></i></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cost: $75, with ALL proceeds going to the Lance Armstrong Foundation (Livestrong)</span></i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sarah and I will be there. The link to this event is</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=443028&team=4084995"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RIGHT HERE</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></div><a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=443028&team=4084995"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=443028&team=4084995 </span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How will we be getting to Red Rocks? Above it mentions the police escort. What isn't mentioned is this:</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LIVESTRONG Ride departs from Wheat Ridge Cyclery at 8:00am on Saturday morning, May 14th. </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ron Kiefel, ex-Team 7-11 pro, Olympic medalist and seven-time Tour de France racer will lead out the ride.</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is a fully supported ride . . a no-drop ride . . with a turnaround and water/refreshment stop in Red Rocks Park.</span></i></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ridewrc.com/merchant/289/images/site/maplivestrong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://ridewrc.com/merchant/289/images/site/maplivestrong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, there you go. Ride with one of the best.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end the local Livestrong crew will be serving up lunch. If this isn't enough to convince you to join us, let me state that the entire $75 goes to Livestrong. You get a GREAT swag-bag, that we helped stock this past weekend. It includes a saddle bag, livestrong cycling cap, tube, and some other goodies. ALL of that stuff was generously donated by Wheat Ridge Cyclery, which is what your donation to go completely to helping cancer survivors.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are definitely a few riders short of our goal. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully see you there!</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-90705174331960482882011-04-01T18:57:00.000-06:002011-04-01T18:57:16.133-06:00So we had this fire...The <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_17658845">Indian Gulch wildfire</a> started almost two weeks ago. Luckily, we escaped any sort of bad fate, although our neighborhood was on evacuation alert for 5 days. Being on standby for evacuation is certainly unpleasant, and the days were stressful.<br />
<br />
A neighbor wrote a great blog on the whole thing <a href="http://blog.ericdaugherty.com/2011/03/golden-fire-summary.html">here</a>: <a href="http://blog.ericdaugherty.com/2011/03/golden-fire-summary.html">http://blog.ericdaugherty.com/2011/03/golden-fire-summary.html</a> I don't have anything to add to what he wrote on the specifics. <br />
<br />
He took some great photos, as did another neighbor <a href="http://jeffwarnerphoto.com/site/IndianGulchFireDay1_032011/index.html">Jeff Warner</a>. Jeff <a href="http://jeffwarnerphoto.com/site/IndianGulchFireDay1_032011/index.html">Day 1</a>, Jeff <a href="http://jeffwarnerphoto.com/site/IndianGulchFireDay2_032111/index.html">Day 2</a>, Jeff <a href="http://jeffwarnerphoto.com/site/IndianGulchFireDay3_032211/index.html">Day 3</a>. (These are worth a look!)<br />
<br />
I even took a few myself, which ended up on KDVR.com (Fox 31)'s website.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/CCCFire_files/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/CCCFire_files/DSC_0102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/CCCFire_files/DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/CCCFire_files/DSC_0146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The fire, at closest point, was probably a half a mile from our neighborhood.<br />
<br />
So, what do you take? What is important? What do you mind never seeing again?<br />
<br />
These are good questions, and probably worthwhile for everyone to ask themselves once in a while. I never did prior to this. Obviously your important papers, birth certificate, passport, and insurance documents are no brainers. Grabbing the <a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/09/brunner-one-fun-thing-greatest-anti.html">Brunner One Fun Thing</a> was my first thought. Honestly, even before documents. <br />
<br />
As I unpacked, I realized I still have no idea. I took what I thought best, but in all likelihood was some items of poor choice. I grabbed four footballs. (!) Admittedly, one of them means a lot to me as it was <a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/10/green-bay-packers-postscript.html">a gift from the Packers</a>. I grabbed some autographed baseballs and some baseball cards. We grabbed some photo albums, and obviously two portable hard drives full of photos and tax documents. I grabbed a few books that were important to me. The goal is to try to forget anything that is irreplaceable.<br />
<br />
Well, that would be myself and Sarah and the dogs primarily. How does it work if the evacuation notice goes out when we are at work and the dogs are home? The answer isn't entirely satisfactory, and I should say the answer(s) don't completely match when you ask the Sheriff vs the Fire Department vs the incident management team. Truthfully, I almost would have rather been evacuated for sure, so as to avoid the stress of wondering about returning home. I suppose we could have evacuated ourselves. These are a few of the lessons we learned which are worth sharing:<br />
1) Get a bank safety deposit box<br />
2) Find a safe spot for the pets, possibly for the duration<br />
3) Find a safe spot for the big items<br />
4) Scan important documents<br />
5) A big safe isn't a bad idea<br />
6) Time to replace the roof!<br />
<br />
A few of these I'd already taken care of. It is also worth thanking everyone that reached out to us during this.<br />
<br />
I hope we are done with natural disasters for awhile. Or any kind, actually.Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-52774461394095839762011-02-27T20:55:00.000-07:002011-02-27T20:55:10.522-07:00Iron Horse Donation Solicitation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This May will be my first big ride (race, really) of 2011. I'll be riding with </span><a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/Team-LIVESTRONG-Events/Ride"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Livestrong</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the </span><a href="http://www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iron Horse Classic</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider this post my official donation solicitation, and that can be done right </span><a href="http://ride.livestrong.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=443023&supid=220829000"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: </span><a href="http://ride.livestrong.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=443023&supid=220829000"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://ride.livestrong.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=443023&supid=220829000</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why give?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Fight Cancer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Make Josh Smile</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Tax Deduction</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) I've been known to send presents for big donations. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About the race:</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">47 mile road race. USA Cycling sanctioned event, all rules apply. Riders must have annual or one day license. Due to the road closure no team or support vehicles are allowed on course. Riders must be self sufficient. Yellow line rule in effect, even on closed road portion.</span></i></span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Kj2Ewcu_oM/TWscbb2z8TI/AAAAAAAAAmI/2tl1K_M8MLc/s1600/Picture+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Kj2Ewcu_oM/TWscbb2z8TI/AAAAAAAAAmI/2tl1K_M8MLc/s320/Picture+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am definitely looking forward to it.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-72424780928963319012011-02-26T07:56:00.000-07:002011-02-26T07:56:51.756-07:00Oncology Follow up #2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday (sorry it took me so long to get this posted), was my 6-month follow-up. It was actually 8 months, but by their design.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their philosophy is follow labs, minimal diagnostic radiation (unless necessary). My oncologist says nearly everyone who does relapse has a known symptom come back. Mine were pretty non-specific (no lumps and bumps), which leaves me with cough and being tired. I've had both of those things, but in a different way than before I was diagnosed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The verdict is: still clean.</b> What a relief! Given the lack of specific symptoms, I pretty much expected that, but the labs can always get you. Luckily this wasn't the case, so I'm good to go.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This visit my oncologist brought a new oncology fellow who was from New Zealand and had some interesting insights for us. After the check-up and stuff, we talked about some psycho-social stuff, which is going MUCH, MUCH better for me than at my 3 month follow-up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, now we get to be relieved for another 4 months or so, at least until the anxiety of the next visit starts up, which is usually around the time it gets scheduled, or maybe 2 months from now. </span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-41473071269051895242011-02-06T21:10:00.000-07:002011-02-06T21:10:56.297-07:00Rapid Reaction: Superbowl XLVI am very excited to see Aaron get his belt, and Donald Driver and Charles Woodson get their rings. What a special year for this team, and I was glad to see them at Lambeau.<br />
<br />
Not much else to say, but Sarah and I are excited!Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-22807613291916916432011-01-30T22:11:00.001-07:002011-02-03T19:16:15.090-07:00The Packers are going to the Superbowl!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, not really news by this point. Still, I wanted to write a quick note about the </span><a href="http://www.packers.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packers</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, although the notes I wrote last week were more important. </span><a href="http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/45"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Superbowl XLV</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> will be played in Dallas, TX next Sunday.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TUthZ-XhN1I/AAAAAAAAAmE/a9kJ6PrdFXU/s1600/super_bowl_xlv_logo-257x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TUthZ-XhN1I/AAAAAAAAAmE/a9kJ6PrdFXU/s1600/super_bowl_xlv_logo-257x300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously, Sarah and I are excited about this. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, rather than carry on about this, I thought I'd put just a few thoughts and links.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Truthfully, I'm shocked - I thought their season was over when they lost to the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots weeks 14 & 15. Just making the playoffs was really surprising to me, all things considered. Just </span><a href="http://nfl.fanhouse.com/team/green-bay/packers/injuries-and-transactions/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">look at the injuries</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> they have sustained this season. Ryan Grant, Mark Tauscher, Nick Barnett, Jermichael Finley, Brad Jones, Brady Poppinga, Brandon Chillar, and a promising rookie in Morgan Burnett is a huge list to overcome. Still, the way AJ Hawk and Desmond Bishop stepped up, I hope they are the core of the inside linebackers moving forward. Sam Shields and Tramon Williams stepped up huge as well, and the Pack may just have a running game in James Starks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I really want them to win this Superbowl (obviously), </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for </span></b><a href="http://www.donalddriver80.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donald Driver</span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Driver has been my favorite player since around the time Favre started waffling 5 or 6 years ago. Who's shirt did I wear when I got to go to Lambeau this season? Oh yeah, #80 - Donald Driver, </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jdW_-FKI/AAAAAAAAAjo/jo-tQOgphi4/s1600/GreenBay(2010)186.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">picture here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. He has </span><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?id=6069357"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a very interesting life story</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, a </span><a href="http://www.donalddriverfoundation.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">great foundation</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and he writes </span><a href="http://www.donalddriver80.com/Pages/Shop.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">children's books</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that help kids deal with adversity - something he is an expert on. (BTW, definitely click the link on 'life story.') All of these things are amazing, but we can't forget just how talented he is, and how tough. He has been consistently willing to go across the middle and get hit by linebacker after linebacker for his entire career, and he always pops up with a smile. DD plays the game the right way, and he is fun to watch. Fact.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.donalddriver80.com/PhotoGallery/Season08/08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.donalddriver80.com/PhotoGallery/Season08/08.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dave sent me the link to this video. It is probably the best song parody I've ever seen. You'll likely laugh and be impressed with some of the great catches that are easy to forget over time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dCcvKloTiik?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sincere hope is that the Packers win, and Donald has an MVP winning day.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Packers hate cancer</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. This was illustrated to me firsthand </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/10/green-bay-packers-postscript.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">right here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. It still gives me pause to read the warm, hand-written note from their community outreach department and look at the gifts they sent me. Ryan Grant especially hates cancer in </span><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/110508534.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part 1</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of a story of a young boy with Leukemia. </span><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112678249.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part 2</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is even sadder, click the link for some tears. What a fan! The boy actually died in his Donald Driver jersey. I feel fairly certain that Ryan Luxem and I would've gotten along just fine, and it is special to know what the organization and Ryan Grant did for him in his last days. I've said it many times, but I really believe this is the classiest organization in sports.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Green Bay will be the "home" team for the Superbowl (it alternates yearly, and this year is the NFC's turn). As such, they get to pick their uniforms, and have opted to go with home greens.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDQ_gSyMf7U/TUMNsjcSS-I/AAAAAAAAEPc/SpqSXKkXlvA/s1600/SuperBowlXLV_patches8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDQ_gSyMf7U/TUMNsjcSS-I/AAAAAAAAEPc/SpqSXKkXlvA/s320/SuperBowlXLV_patches8.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is the jersey Greg Jennings will wear. It still needs the </span><a href="http://packersuniforms.blogspot.com/2011/01/c-you-in-playoffs.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain C</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I'm a little disappointed they didn't choose the road whites that they had so much success in over the last 3 playoff games.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.lehighvalleylive.com/sports_impact/photo/bj-raji-c9004d8c4a57d820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://media.lehighvalleylive.com/sports_impact/photo/bj-raji-c9004d8c4a57d820.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I subscribe to the </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0014685/quotes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crash Davis</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> philosophy of streaks, although admittedly, two of their last five games were in the home greens at Lambeau.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BTW, a great blog about Packer uniforms can be found </span><a href="http://packersuniforms.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I've clicked over there often lately. It is the official blog of the </span><a href="http://www.packersuniforms.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packer uniform database</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. How much can you possibly say about Packer uniforms to necessitate a database and blog? - Click over to see. It is a wealth of interesting information. (seriously!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Speaking of streaks and uniforms, since I do believe in that sort of thing, I'll be wearing my white #12 jersey and Packer hat sent to me in the care package. I would rather wear the #80 jersey shown above, but I won't mess with this streak. That said, I have been known to change mid-game when things aren't going well. (They're working on curing my cancer, not my neurosis). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For those of you with iPads - </span><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/super-bowl-xlv-official-nfl/id417071364?mt=8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this app</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is a must have. It is the </span><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/super-bowl-xlv-official-nfl/id417071364?mt=8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Superbowl XLV program</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Just like the $15 book you can order from </span><a href="http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10994148"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NFL shop</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, only with sound and video. It is a big program, but well worth it. I was lucky to find it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As a last thought....<b>"Josh, your list doesn't have a number 4."</b> Yep, I do realize that.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">NEITHER DO THE PACKERS!!!!!</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Aaron's team now. They win and lose with Mr. Rodgers. Hopefully, they win one more!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/packers-falcons-aaron-rodgers21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/packers-falcons-aaron-rodgers21.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GO PACK GO!</span></span></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-35283205755646618082011-01-23T21:07:00.000-07:002011-01-23T21:07:58.129-07:00A Request for Thoughts, Prayers, Positive Energy, Whatever you may haveI have mentioned my friend George on this blog a few times. He and I were diagnosed at approximately the same time. Unfortunately, he has "<a href="http://georgeflorentine.blogspot.com/2011/01/uh-oh-failed-lumps-and-bumps-test-more.html">failed the lumps and bumps test.</a>" In other words, the ABVD was not completely successful and the lymphoma has recurred.<br />
<br />
I can assure every one of you that this is one of the biggest fears of any cancer survivor out there. I'd be lying if I said I don't spend a lot of time dwelling on this possibility.<br />
<br />
Still, Sarah and I had dinner with he and Susan this week, and they are doing as good as can be expected. In fact, <a href="http://georgeflorentine.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-1-bumps-are-shrinking-take-that.html">his tumors have already responded dramatically</a>, which is great. George looks great to me, and he still is running and biking. In fact, I'm pretty sure he got more in this past week than I did. It was a very fun evening at a terrific local vegetarian / vegan restaurant, and we had some drinks and of course swapped cancer stories from the trenches.<br />
<br />
I have every confidence and sincere hope that his current plan will work for him, but I'd ask anyone reading, if they have any extra thoughts, prayers, positive energy, karma, ju-ju or whatever to send it his way!Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-57127869792061171432011-01-21T22:07:00.000-07:002011-01-21T22:07:50.653-07:00What Cancer Cannot Do<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Aunt had given me this poem, which I am sure most of you have seen at one point or another previously, when I was diagnosed. She had another friend diagnosed, but the place she bought the little bookmark with it was out. It is worth posting here yet again. Since it is plagiarized all over the internet, I figure I won't get into trouble.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>What Cancer Cannot Do </i></span></u></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot cripple Love </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot shatter Hope </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot corrode Faith </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot destroy Peace </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot kill Friendship </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot suppress Memories </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot silence Courage </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot invade the Soul </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot steal Eternal Life </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>It cannot conquer the Spirit. </i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>-Author Unknown </i></span></div></span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-69587250569143848262011-01-11T20:48:00.000-07:002011-01-11T20:48:23.476-07:00One year later...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been one year since my diagnosis. 1/11/11. What an easy date, and yet the realization of 1/11/10 didn't hit me until tonight. At a local </span><a href="http://livestrongcolorado.homestead.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Livestrong Colorado</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> meeting tonight, we eaqch went around and discussed our connection to cancer. That's when I realized what today meant.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They say cancer patients never forget their dates, and I guess I technically didn't, but I sure didn't wake up and have it on my mind all day. I consider this both great and disappointing at the same time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had thought to maybe quietly mark today somehow, although I never really finalized how. I didn't have big plans, and </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/10/livestrong-day-2010-10-2-2010.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as I noted in October</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, today means far less to me than my remission day or last chemo day.</span><br />
<blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I don't really feel the same way about my diagnosis day. It certainly wasn't a "take charge attitude" sort of day. Maybe quiet acceptance in my case. Having said that, it seems appropriate enough to designate a day to raise awareness. Granted, the "cancer community" has a lot of these types of days, but, let's be honest: we need them all. I likely won't do much to mark my own diagnosis day, but I do have big plans for my remission day, and probably my last chemo day. </span></i></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the day never really got marked beyond going to a Livestrong meeting, which was coincidental. I'm not sad to see 2010 go, for obvious reasons. Only 11 days in, 2011 is already much, much better than 2010 was. So much has changed in a year. <b>I couldn't even begin to catalog all the changes.</b> As Sarah has also noted several times - "it almost doesn't even seem real." This too is both great and very sad. If I sit and think about it, it is unbelievably real. Unrelated to my diagnosis, today I did reflect on some very long meetings at work where I could barely hold myself together due to extreme fatigue, nausea, and taste changes. I don't think I'll ever forget what those chemo days were like. There are still foods I won't eat, and I haven't had a ginger ale, <a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-drinking-problem-part-ii.html">my previous miracle</a>, since probably 1/2 way through chemotherapy. I probably could get one down, but there is no part of me wanting it. At the same time, it does feel like it was so long ago as to be another life, and in a sense it was.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't blogged in a long time: not much to say, despite a ton of things going on. I do have a race coming up, and participating with <a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/Team-LIVESTRONG-Events">Team Livestrong</a> means raising some money, which I'll be doing soon. I also recently spoke on the phone with Jonny Imerman of <a href="http://www.imermanangels.org/">Imerman Angels</a>. I have been trying to get set up as a mentor for months, and now it is all finalized until they find someone for which I can be of help, and so I'm very excited about that. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of our good friends continues his fight with cancer, which has made me scared and angry. T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he rumors are true: my career has taken a very sharp turn down a very different path which I am excited about. Sarah and I are finally taking a much needed relaxing vacation to a place which is very important to us next month. Lucy is now a year and a much mellowed-out boxer, and technically an adult dog we are told. Where was that when Sarah was at her wits end between the dog and my uselessness? I'm still riding, and have been trying to learn a new discipline on the bicycle. My next oncology follow up is in February, and I'll let you guys all guess how the anticipation of that goes. In other words, I've been living, or as a family friend likes to say, "Life goes on." Thankfully, that is true for me.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-70461857248535023652010-11-22T06:00:00.000-07:002010-11-22T06:00:53.530-07:00Sarah and I are famous<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, of course not really. We are, however, currently pictured on </span><a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/Community-Fundraising-Events/Grassroots-Fundraising-Events"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Livestrong's Grassroots Fundraising</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> page seen </span><a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/Community-Fundraising-Events/Grassroots-Fundraising-Events"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TOCT7q0uQdI/AAAAAAAAAl4/KBQ07XMUmh4/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-10-30+at+7.00.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TOCT7q0uQdI/AAAAAAAAAl4/KBQ07XMUmh4/s320/Screen+shot+2010-10-30+at+7.00.07+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What event will you participate or support next year?</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-9646117674215644562010-11-14T18:57:00.000-07:002010-11-14T18:57:08.501-07:00OFT: A visit to Texas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah and I visited Texas middle of last month as a "One Fun Thing." I have been too busy to blog, but, here is a brief update to the trip. I think it is pertinent given the first place we visited: Livestrong HQ.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)552.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's the entrance. Here is the Livestrong manifesto:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)538.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also have some art, a lot of yellow jerseys, and Lance's Bronze Medal from the Olympics.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)548.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)543.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what a conference room would look like:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)540.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Livestrong HQ in Austin was really neat to see. What was amazing is all the great work they are doing there. We spent a bit of time in their new patient care area which will serve the underserved population in Austin. They'll provide a variety of resources covering medical, psychosocial, and economic. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can read more, and see better pictures of this </span><a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Who-We-Are/Our-History/Our-Home"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. They give tours to the public at a variety of times, and I'd highly suggest it to anyone who visits the Austin area. Sarah and I were very grateful for a public tour from our workshop leader, Leigh, who is pictured below. We also got to meet and say hello to Colleen, who we've corresponded with about some grassroots things in Colorado. A very special thank you to both of them!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)539.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also during our trip to Austin, we got to visit </span><a href="http://www.mellowjohnnys.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mellow Johnny's Bicycle Shop</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, which is owned by Lance Armstrong. Say what you will about Lance, but after seeing his bike shop and his charity HQ, he can pick out a great location, a great building, and some great decor.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In terms of bicycle selection, Mellow Johnnys was like most other big bike shops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)600.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The exterior was pretty understated from all entrances. They obviously had a lot of bikes, but the real draw were the bikes you couldn't purchase.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)580.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)582.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)584.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)583.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lance's bikes from the 2010 Tour. The TT bike was probably my favorite bike in the entire store. Sarah and I rented some bikes from them (Treks, of course) for a fun ride during our stay.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)629.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lance had a few more bikes and some jerseys around. A few were from other famous cyclists.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)591.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)598.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Radio Shack had a small section of the store (see in above picture, lower left), plus a vehicle there.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)604.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where they really make their killing is in Mellow Johnny's merchandise. They had a lot of cool things, though. It was definitely a neat place to see, and I'd recommend it as well!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)634.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last of the three big highlights to the trip (it was all highlights!), was getting to hang out, get a ride in, and do dinner with some friends, including a Team SBP member!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Austin.2010_files/Austin(2010)618.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-11352746453008140932010-10-22T23:24:00.000-06:002010-10-22T23:24:56.556-06:00Green Bay Packers Postscript<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-is-one-thing-you-want-to-do-when.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I blogged about my trip</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to see the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It was something I decided I wanted to do early on in my diagnosis if I got better.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I now have a follow-up to this story.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left for Wisconsin on a Thursday, and Sarah and I drove out from Colorado. During the short week before we left, Sarah had sent a letter to the Green Bay Packers front office telling them about this trip, and how out of London, Paris, Hawaii, or a cruise, I wanted to go to Green Bay, Wisconsin. This letter was completely unbeknownst to me. I first learned of this when we were actually on the road. To this day, I still have not seen a copy of it, but the gist was that the trip meant a lot, I was really excited, and my favorite players were Donald Driver, Aaron Rodgers, and Clay Matthews, and maybe could we get a "hello" message on the jumbotron scoreboard. She left her cell phone number with the Packers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah told me about this letter somewhere in Nebraska. I was mildly surprised, although I told her to expect nothing. Especially three days out from the game.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trip came and went and was a great time! I didn't give another thought to her letter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A week later, the Green Bay Packers community outreach called Sarah on the phone! There was nothing they could have done, and they don't do scoreboard messages, but they were very touched by her letter, pleased with what I wanted to do with my trip, and they were all thinking about us. Oh, and to keep an eye on the mail as they sent a package.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah told me about this and I was very interested. What could the Packers be sending?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJnHMBqKYI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vmw8XAkg0aE/s1600/GBP.gift4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJnHMBqKYI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vmw8XAkg0aE/s320/GBP.gift4.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could spot the packing tape on the box as it sat on my porch from my car as I came home on Tuesday. The team logo on the packing tape is such a nice touch. Now I was very intrigued. The box was big, but it was light, too. Sarah was still in Texas at a conference. Should I wait for her before opening it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I consider myself to be very patient, but I'm not </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">patient. Besides, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> name was on the packing label. So, I opened it. The first thing I saw was a card made out to me (pictured three pictures down). It had the Packers logo on the outside, and said that they were thinking about me, signed, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next thing I noticed was a Packers hat. At this point I'm shocked. How much stuff did they put in here? A lot. I also found a travel mug, and an autographed football. The football is really neat, and luckily, many of the players signed their numbers as well, so you can identify the signatures.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJmp7RYmTI/AAAAAAAAAlo/jnuCW8aNJgs/s1600/GBP.gift3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJmp7RYmTI/AAAAAAAAAlo/jnuCW8aNJgs/s320/GBP.gift3.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next thing I noticed was a bag from the Packers charities. Inside it were a collection of huge football cards (for lack of better term). You can see them below, I laid out a few favorites, including the players Sarah mentioned in her letter as my favorites. There's also a schedule with Donald Driver on it, a Packers Pen, and a Packers key-chain.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJmpNT0UAI/AAAAAAAAAlk/IHc1qywAwP4/s1600/GBP.gift2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJmpNT0UAI/AAAAAAAAAlk/IHc1qywAwP4/s320/GBP.gift2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below that was a mini Packers pennant, and a team photo from last year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJm6mVLtUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/T-xnYtxU6_U/s1600/GBP.gift1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TMJm6mVLtUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/T-xnYtxU6_U/s320/GBP.gift1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the very bottom of the box is the glossy Aaron Rodgers photo pictured above. What a great collection of stuff! The cool thing is, I'm pretty sure all of it is special and unique to their community outreach program. For example, if you go to the </span><a href="http://www.packersproshop.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packer Pro Shop</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and you look at their </span><a href="http://www.packersproshop.com/products/collectibles/footballs/sku_1304011014/f__listing__collectibles_footballs__1_relevance_4/e8b6ee008ab456fe/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">autographed footballs</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for sale, their </span><a href="http://www.packersproshop.com/pi/1304011014_37_13_350.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stock photo shows a football from 2008</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the same year my football is from, but they are not the same item. Likewise with the hat, the mug, and the pen: they are similar to items you can purchase, but not identical, which I think is really neat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moreover, I think it speaks to the generosity of the organization. In my opinion, it was unbelievably classy that they sent us all this stuff. I'm surprised they have it on hand to send, but they clearly take community outreach seriously, and probably are involved in a big enough variety of things to necessitate having so much on hand. (Those curious can see some of the things the Packers are involved in </span><a href="http://www.packers.com/community/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and maybe background on the football </span><a href="http://www.packers.com/community/donations.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). I don't know what Sarah said that was so convincing, but wow! </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously it meant a lot to me, and was a pretty special cap on a very special trip.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'll have to send them a nice thank you card, and I'll probably include a picture of Sarah and I from the game, probably <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0kDmPDFBI/AAAAAAAAAj4/x04D9XyPtHU/s1600/GreenBay(2010)211.JPG">this one</a>, with Sarah in her Aaron Rodgers shirt, and me in my Donald Driver shirt, our favorite players. Hopefully the Packers can get past some injuries and pick up a few wins in the coming weeks!</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-53757266567160030382010-10-22T22:27:00.000-06:002010-10-22T22:27:07.544-06:00Oncology Follow-up #1: 3 months out<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually more like four months, since I didn't do radiation. As you can imagine, and as I have noted previously, I wasn't really looking forward to today. On several occasions I had serious thoughts about canceling. I didn't.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned earlier that I felt great for months after finishing chemotherapy. I was bursting with energy and requiring very little sleep. About a month ago, however, I started having fevers, chills, body aches, some lethargy, and even night sweats. I was convinced I had relapsed. Of course it would be really soon (and really bad, from a prognosis standpoint) if that were true, but you simply can't help but think that. I even had my own little mini-breakdown moment one day before work when I had convinced myself of all this.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Monday I had my bloodwork done and got my chest x-ray. The bloodwork is basically done in a few hours as it is just a BMP, LDH, and CBC with differential. By Wednesday, the results still were not released to me, and I remember confiding in a close friend that it had me in a bit of a panic. Your mind races. Is the doctor just busy or does she not want me to see it? Logic assumes the former, emotion assumes the latter. Although I try to live my life letting logic rule my mind, cancer really rachets up the emotion.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it turns out, the labs eventually were released later Wednesday night and were perfectly normal. Nothing even close to unusual. I was relieved. I found out Thursday that my chest x-ray was normal as well. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other words, I'm still clean.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This didn't explain my symptoms.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we discussed that, she noted that it is possible that I overdid things early in summer. Likewise, it was a little unfair to assume I'd feel "normal" immediately and forever, and most folks take at least a year to normalize, physically. Additionally, most males become frustrated by this. (Why wouldn't females be frustrated? I have no idea).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked at my nail beds and determined my body was still getting rid of chemo. From a pharmacokinetic standpoint, this doesn't make sense, but I can assume the point to get at is that my body is still recovering from the effects. My (possibly incorrect) rationalization is that chemotherapy immediately affects the cells in your body that turn over the fastest: cancer, of course, but also hair, skin, your GI tract, etc. Perhaps the effect to the rest of the body is much slower, and therefore much slower to recover. I'll go with that theory for now, hopefully someone can correct or validate it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond that we talked a little bit about survivorship issues and life outlook. She was happy to order a PET scan for me to ease my mind on my subjective symptoms, but I simply refuse to give in to that. Logically, the objective findings are what they are, and I do not want subjectives to trump that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, I get another four months until I get to do this roller coaster all over again. If symptoms change, I'm obviously supposed to call.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-55663436414658391492010-10-18T23:22:00.000-06:002010-10-18T23:22:16.700-06:00"What is the one thing you want to do when you get better?"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a question I was asked many times. Most of those were from Sarah. I think she was anticipating a trip to Europe or Hawaii or somewhere like that, but the first time I answered it, I could see in her face she was quite surprised.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I want to go to a Packer game at Lambeau."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can do that, but don't you want to go to Europe or Hawaii or somewhere?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I want to go to a Packer game at Lambeau. I want to see a win, too."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, that's what we did. We looked at the schedule and picked an early October game against the lowly Detroit Lions which we thought would fit the bill. Sarah and I drove up and met my parents, her parents, and our good friends Dave and Marv for a Packer game. Prior to the game, we went to the </span><a href="http://www.packerfantours.com/tailgate/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Packer Fan Tours tailgate party</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at </span><a href="http://www.brettfavresteakhouse.com/steakhouse/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brett Favre's Steakhouse</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Actually, the BF steakhouse parking lot. It was great.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0g06GGjyI/AAAAAAAAAjI/zfaicf_Smt0/s1600/GreenBay(2010)138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0g06GGjyI/AAAAAAAAAjI/zfaicf_Smt0/s320/GreenBay(2010)138.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who wants a 9am beer?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0hCwufZEI/AAAAAAAAAjM/IYNA-dH93WI/s1600/GreenBay(2010)149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0hCwufZEI/AAAAAAAAAjM/IYNA-dH93WI/s320/GreenBay(2010)149.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blood Marys were also available for the health-conscious. They also had one of the "premier" DJs of the area. I guess.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0hZb6LDkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/NebmN8fxm5w/s1600/GreenBay(2010)154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0hZb6LDkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/NebmN8fxm5w/s320/GreenBay(2010)154.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GREENMAN!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0hlij3OwI/AAAAAAAAAjU/4Nvo0V-OQCc/s1600/GreenBay(2010)162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0hlij3OwI/AAAAAAAAAjU/4Nvo0V-OQCc/s320/GreenBay(2010)162.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe we'll take a few for the road.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0icxXSXPI/AAAAAAAAAjY/3IqHGkK9us4/s1600/GreenBay(2010)173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0icxXSXPI/AAAAAAAAAjY/3IqHGkK9us4/s320/GreenBay(2010)173.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0izxivB2I/AAAAAAAAAjc/-admwzRkgao/s1600/GreenBay(2010)175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0izxivB2I/AAAAAAAAAjc/-admwzRkgao/s320/GreenBay(2010)175.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jB0piUNI/AAAAAAAAAjg/hAaUXad-hm4/s1600/GreenBay(2010)176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jB0piUNI/AAAAAAAAAjg/hAaUXad-hm4/s320/GreenBay(2010)176.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jD7vwyUI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Nuz-YOmzK90/s1600/GreenBay(2010)180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jD7vwyUI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Nuz-YOmzK90/s320/GreenBay(2010)180.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going to Lambeau is like no other sporting event that I know of. I am sure I could not accurately or adequately describe it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jdW_-FKI/AAAAAAAAAjo/jo-tQOgphi4/s1600/GreenBay(2010)186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jdW_-FKI/AAAAAAAAAjo/jo-tQOgphi4/s320/GreenBay(2010)186.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jj_19JMI/AAAAAAAAAjs/GXnM5kOq3_E/s1600/GreenBay(2010)187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jj_19JMI/AAAAAAAAAjs/GXnM5kOq3_E/s320/GreenBay(2010)187.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jmK6vVjI/AAAAAAAAAjw/fnTHdYMA8eE/s1600/GreenBay(2010)197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jmK6vVjI/AAAAAAAAAjw/fnTHdYMA8eE/s320/GreenBay(2010)197.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jvXGNVrI/AAAAAAAAAj0/5p5ZpFV7fwo/s1600/GreenBay(2010)327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0jvXGNVrI/AAAAAAAAAj0/5p5ZpFV7fwo/s320/GreenBay(2010)327.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within minutes of sitting down and watching the coin toss,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0kDmPDFBI/AAAAAAAAAj4/x04D9XyPtHU/s1600/GreenBay(2010)211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0kDmPDFBI/AAAAAAAAAj4/x04D9XyPtHU/s320/GreenBay(2010)211.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aaron Rodgers flipped a pass to Donald Driver for a touchdown and Lambeau leap. This exact sequence is what I had wanted to see for months.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0klApXwbI/AAAAAAAAAj8/pYuCu4S673M/s1600/GreenBay(2010)335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0klApXwbI/AAAAAAAAAj8/pYuCu4S673M/s320/GreenBay(2010)335.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ko6yQpuI/AAAAAAAAAkA/LgrKwd5ZChc/s1600/GreenBay(2010)336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ko6yQpuI/AAAAAAAAAkA/LgrKwd5ZChc/s320/GreenBay(2010)336.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0krv3rhPI/AAAAAAAAAkE/Caxt1aG_rSk/s1600/GreenBay(2010)337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0krv3rhPI/AAAAAAAAAkE/Caxt1aG_rSk/s320/GreenBay(2010)337.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ku8JSnUI/AAAAAAAAAkI/o1b-eQ1Y6Mw/s1600/GreenBay(2010)338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ku8JSnUI/AAAAAAAAAkI/o1b-eQ1Y6Mw/s320/GreenBay(2010)338.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0kxqlnNlI/AAAAAAAAAkM/VMEst8WdZZ0/s1600/GreenBay(2010)339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0kxqlnNlI/AAAAAAAAAkM/VMEst8WdZZ0/s320/GreenBay(2010)339.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k0CaWVbI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/7lV7YkBstuI/s1600/GreenBay(2010)340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k0CaWVbI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/7lV7YkBstuI/s320/GreenBay(2010)340.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k3NJT7mI/AAAAAAAAAkU/gKfMstRSv7I/s1600/GreenBay(2010)341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k3NJT7mI/AAAAAAAAAkU/gKfMstRSv7I/s320/GreenBay(2010)341.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k5se1mJI/AAAAAAAAAkY/yTmGe7_bVbM/s1600/GreenBay(2010)342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k5se1mJI/AAAAAAAAAkY/yTmGe7_bVbM/s320/GreenBay(2010)342.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k8W9HRZI/AAAAAAAAAkc/ACNstMaCwLU/s1600/GreenBay(2010)343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0k8W9HRZI/AAAAAAAAAkc/ACNstMaCwLU/s320/GreenBay(2010)343.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just like that the Packers took the lead. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and Jermichael Finley all caught passes for touchdowns and all took Lambeau leaps. Especially nice was that all three are on my fantasy football team, and Aaron Rodgers is on Dave's. (Marv remains ahead of both of us). The game wasn't the blowout I had expected or hoped for, though. The Lions fought making it more exciting than it had to be. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charles Woodson came through with a clutch interception and ran it back to help out, though. Here he is diving into the endzone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0mFhvW9LI/AAAAAAAAAkk/x2WlJyo3VTA/s1600/GreenBay(2010)416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0mFhvW9LI/AAAAAAAAAkk/x2WlJyo3VTA/s320/GreenBay(2010)416.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a neat shot of the line blocking for Kuhn on the final drive to put the game away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0midRs15I/AAAAAAAAAko/UtQR_hnQDAQ/s1600/GreenBay(2010)481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0midRs15I/AAAAAAAAAko/UtQR_hnQDAQ/s320/GreenBay(2010)481.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It ended up being a terrific game, and I had a blast. The packers have since fallen apart somewhat, but that does not take away what a great trip we had.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a few more pictures, the day before the game, we visited the Packers </span><a href="http://www.lambeaufield.com/hall_of_fame/visit_the_hall_of_fame/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hall of Fame</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and ate at </span><a href="http://www.lambeaufield.com/dining/curlys_pub/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curly's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Some old uniforms, important game balls, Donald Driver's uniform from a record setting catch, a picture of us, and one of the Lombardi trophies, as well as some championship rings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0pPSqZdaI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/sUPiiNDn_BM/s1600/GreenBay(2010)262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0pPSqZdaI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/sUPiiNDn_BM/s320/GreenBay(2010)262.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0opZhfoUI/AAAAAAAAAkw/nkP5KlcvxFM/s1600/GreenBay(2010)269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0opZhfoUI/AAAAAAAAAkw/nkP5KlcvxFM/s320/GreenBay(2010)269.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0osBbDrMI/AAAAAAAAAk0/0NVkmqlFc-I/s1600/GreenBay(2010)271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0osBbDrMI/AAAAAAAAAk0/0NVkmqlFc-I/s320/GreenBay(2010)271.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ou8ve8iI/AAAAAAAAAk4/ZHqEbRN-E7k/s1600/GreenBay(2010)273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ou8ve8iI/AAAAAAAAAk4/ZHqEbRN-E7k/s320/GreenBay(2010)273.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ozG2PVGI/AAAAAAAAAk8/O5PtIA4-dxg/s1600/GreenBay(2010)274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ozG2PVGI/AAAAAAAAAk8/O5PtIA4-dxg/s320/GreenBay(2010)274.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o2lACX_I/AAAAAAAAAlA/5C2jfcbEZcQ/s1600/GreenBay(2010)276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o2lACX_I/AAAAAAAAAlA/5C2jfcbEZcQ/s320/GreenBay(2010)276.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o5t3eIxI/AAAAAAAAAlE/7J7cFqK4u_4/s1600/GreenBay(2010)292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o5t3eIxI/AAAAAAAAAlE/7J7cFqK4u_4/s320/GreenBay(2010)292.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o71UT9kI/AAAAAAAAAlI/nNsHeDm6Etg/s1600/GreenBay(2010)294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o71UT9kI/AAAAAAAAAlI/nNsHeDm6Etg/s320/GreenBay(2010)294.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o-yZfw1I/AAAAAAAAAlM/QwVXLr6A0k8/s1600/GreenBay(2010)299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0o-yZfw1I/AAAAAAAAAlM/QwVXLr6A0k8/s320/GreenBay(2010)299.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0pmKybMdI/AAAAAAAAAlU/rivXeZn6vvU/s1600/GreenBay(2010)279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0pmKybMdI/AAAAAAAAAlU/rivXeZn6vvU/s320/GreenBay(2010)279.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0po-glU3I/AAAAAAAAAlY/pzyOHVufRqc/s1600/GreenBay(2010)287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0po-glU3I/AAAAAAAAAlY/pzyOHVufRqc/s320/GreenBay(2010)287.JPG" width="211" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0prpbBD8I/AAAAAAAAAlc/xFidZZ8t5hs/s1600/GreenBay(2010)302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0prpbBD8I/AAAAAAAAAlc/xFidZZ8t5hs/s320/GreenBay(2010)302.JPG" width="212" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A huge </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank You</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to Marv, Dave, Sarah, and out parents for all coming to make this such a special day for me. </span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-53885327987723622512010-10-18T22:20:00.000-06:002010-10-18T22:20:04.186-06:00Livestrong Day update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't posted in a while, but I've been pretty busy. A few fun posts coming up. I am several fun things behind.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is the update on what Sarah and I did for Livestrong Day. As noted, we were going to run where we did in college. So, a few weekends back we did stop to visit the campus, which is near the capitol building.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0VyWz3_VI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DsxxSFtuTfM/s1600/GreenBay(2010)2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0VyWz3_VI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/DsxxSFtuTfM/s320/GreenBay(2010)2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also walked around to see a few familiar spots on campus. Hello, Bucky!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0Wa3xkYjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/qMK0qpz_GLQ/s1600/GreenBay(2010)128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0Wa3xkYjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/qMK0qpz_GLQ/s320/GreenBay(2010)128.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If any of you get a chance, do ask Sarah what happens in this building:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0WywEbWQI/AAAAAAAAAiY/0QzsOEyyz4k/s1600/GreenBay(2010)47.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0WywEbWQI/AAAAAAAAAiY/0QzsOEyyz4k/s320/GreenBay(2010)47.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one is easy to figure out:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0XHoy0-hI/AAAAAAAAAic/MWqcimj86wQ/s1600/GreenBay(2010)41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0XHoy0-hI/AAAAAAAAAic/MWqcimj86wQ/s320/GreenBay(2010)41.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bascom:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0XTTqMX0I/AAAAAAAAAig/T_f1TuwPD7I/s1600/GreenBay(2010)63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0XTTqMX0I/AAAAAAAAAig/T_f1TuwPD7I/s320/GreenBay(2010)63.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weird being back. So much had changed. Some things hadn't.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0XiUm-PAI/AAAAAAAAAik/NqOud65NbcI/s1600/GreenBay(2010)21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0XiUm-PAI/AAAAAAAAAik/NqOud65NbcI/s320/GreenBay(2010)21.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously, we had a beer at the union.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our run was going to go down lakeshore path to picnic point starting from the union.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lakeshore path:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0YIJx8ZfI/AAAAAAAAAio/1KhwowJ_LBI/s1600/GreenBay(2010)26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0YIJx8ZfI/AAAAAAAAAio/1KhwowJ_LBI/s320/GreenBay(2010)26.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picnic point (in the distance, as viewed from up by Elizabeth Waters Hall):</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0YVMaVZRI/AAAAAAAAAis/laHAQQea-4o/s1600/GreenBay(2010)34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0YVMaVZRI/AAAAAAAAAis/laHAQQea-4o/s320/GreenBay(2010)34.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's stop and back up 12 years, shall we? Our first date: Sarah and I were sitting in biostatistics class. This class wasn't so much learning as social / study hall. She asked what I was doing that afternoon. Same as always, running at the </span><a href="http://www.recsports.wisc.edu/serf.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SERF</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. She asked why I didn't come down and run lakeshore path by her. The reason is because it was farther, and the SERF is climate controlled with a nice soft track. (Not to mention a view of 100 girls doing aerobics and loud music). Sarah convinced me we'd run lakeshore. So, I pick her up and we walk down to the path to run. Two blocks later, she is tired of running. Just like that, my workout was over, and I knew I'd be going to the SERF anyway. However, we did arrange to go see a movie later. Isn't that sweet?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time, the tables were turned. She left me in her dust and I was sucking wind hard. She beat me to both picnic point, and then back to the union on Livestrong Day. Uncool. She even got there fast enough to get a picture of me in pain.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ZnN1uw4I/AAAAAAAAAiw/eqBKg0XwNrE/s1600/GreenBay(2010)98.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0ZnN1uw4I/AAAAAAAAAiw/eqBKg0XwNrE/s320/GreenBay(2010)98.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh yay! Happy Livestrong day!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, the views were as nice as we remembered.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0Z-azmflI/AAAAAAAAAi0/1GULIa82ljM/s1600/GreenBay(2010)105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0Z-azmflI/AAAAAAAAAi0/1GULIa82ljM/s320/GreenBay(2010)105.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0aAaq_NrI/AAAAAAAAAi4/6aUhtStvvtA/s1600/GreenBay(2010)106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0aAaq_NrI/AAAAAAAAAi4/6aUhtStvvtA/s320/GreenBay(2010)106.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't even know how far this run is, so, I had to check it on mapmyrun.com. (Turns out it is about 5.2 or 5.3 miles round trip. Obviously, we stopped halfway for pictures). As noted, she beat me back as well. That was a little bit of a new experience for me, but I was very proud of how well she ran.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0bMXQ30QI/AAAAAAAAAi8/TaqnbFcyauA/s1600/GreenBay(2010)108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0bMXQ30QI/AAAAAAAAAi8/TaqnbFcyauA/s320/GreenBay(2010)108.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She seemed very happy with herself afterwards and said how great it all felt and how she was very proud to be in much better shape now than college.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0biyqm57I/AAAAAAAAAjA/imNLLTfzJvM/s1600/GreenBay(2010)126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TL0biyqm57I/AAAAAAAAAjA/imNLLTfzJvM/s320/GreenBay(2010)126.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong work, Sarah.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also during our time in Madison, we had the opportunity to have dinner with some good friends of ours, as well as their three kids, two of which are infant twins. I even got to hold both. All of this at the </span><a href="http://www.nittygrittybirthdayplace.com/index.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nitty Gritty</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, which was always my favorite bar/restaurant in college.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, it was pretty fun to visit Madison again. Definitely one of many fun things during that trip.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-14989482482964754512010-10-01T06:55:00.000-06:002010-10-01T06:55:51.033-06:00Livestrong Day, 2010 (10 / 2 / 2010)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q: What is </span></strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_985873125"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIVE</span></a><strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_985873125"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STRONG</span></a></strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_985873125"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a><strong><a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/LIVESTRONG-Action/Livestrong-Day-2010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?</span></strong></div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> LIVE</span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STRONG</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Day is the LIVE</span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STRONG</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">’s day of action to bring awareness to the global cancer crisis. LIVE</span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STRONG</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Day is October 2, and this year more than 1500 local events will take place around the world to raise awareness for the fight against cancer.</span></div><blockquote><i>"October 2, 1996. The day it all changed. The day I stated never to take anything for granted. The day I learned to take charge of my life. It was the day I was diagnosed with cancer." -Lance Armstrong</i></blockquote><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't really feel the same way about my diagnosis day. It certainly wasn't a "take charge attitude" sort of day. Maybe quiet acceptance in my case. Having said that, it seems appropriate enough to designate a day to raise awareness. Granted, the "cancer community" has a lot of these types of days, but, let's be honest: we need them all. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I likely won't do much to mark my own diagnosis day, but I do have big plans for my remission day, and probably my last chemo day. </span></div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to extremely important travel planned months ago, Sarah and I are unable to attend a great local Livestrong event here in Denver. Our local group is putting on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/LIVESTRONG-Action/Livestrong-Day-2010/Event-Details?EventId=2726">4th Annual Survivor Celebration & Glow Stick Vigil</a>. For those of you in Colorado, I highly recommend it. More on this great event can be seen right now on the <a href="http://livestrongblog.org/2010/09/29/livestrong-day-in-denver/">Livestrong Blog</a>!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://livestrongblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_4078m1-1024x725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" px="true" src="http://livestrongblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_4078m1-1024x725.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;">For those of you who aren't in Denver on 10/2 - there are <a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/LIVESTRONG-Action/Livestrong-Day-2010">other events</a> you can do near by. Minimally, you can <a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/LIVESTRONG-Action/Livestrong-Day-2010/Event-Details?EventId=3360">wear yellow</a>. (Any yellow anything will do, but if you'd really like to get fancy, you can purchase some <a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Shop">here</a> or <a href="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/livestrong/">here</a> or <a href="http://www.finishline.com/store/shop/_/N-/Ntt-livestrong">here</a> or <a href="http://www.oakley.com/livestrong">here</a> or <a href="http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,men_livestrong">here</a>. If you need a yellow bracelet - let us know.) Otherwise, do something to enjoy your life. Sarah and I are going to spend some time with our family, but in the morning, we're going to go for <a href="http://www.livestrong.org/Take-Action/LIVESTRONG-Action/Livestrong-Day-2010/Event-Details?EventId=3772">a little run</a> near the lake at our old school. It is completely informal, but I'm going to wear a bunch of yellow, and I'm going to enjoy doing something that for months I couldn't. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TKLN7sZ4WTI/AAAAAAAAAiM/6vrrG-GeflY/s1600/artwork-template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TKLN7sZ4WTI/AAAAAAAAAiM/6vrrG-GeflY/s320/artwork-template.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-9568878532561440892010-09-28T22:23:00.000-06:002010-09-28T22:23:04.745-06:00This is my life now<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A complaint of a blog post! Well, not really so much a complaint as a negative observation. Believe me, I am happy to deal with this as opposed to the alternative.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deal with what? Last week I had chills quite a few times. This week it hasn't happened, although we are having record high temps in the Denver area recently, with temps in the high 80s and more. The chills also came with some fatigue. I wasn't sleepy, I just wasn't bursting with energy as I have been for a few months. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These were two of my biggest presenting symptoms.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can imagine, I wasn't thrilled. In fact, one morning I almost cracked with worry over it. I got dressed for work, but kept thinking about it all morning and finally sat down on the bed and had myself a little moment. This is my life now. I've heard to expect this from numerous survivors. One of the local Livestrong guys compared it to a Great White song - "Once bitten, twice shy." He noted that 4 years later he still freaks out over every cough. So, every time I get a cold, or my allergy symptoms flare up, or I get a sinus infection, I'll probably worry, for good and for bad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, I've scheduled my first follow-up oncology appointment for next month. I have orders for my chest x-ray (again), and some labs. I haven't done either yet. I'll probably wait as long as possible to do them. I'm not looking forward to the appointment, and I want to enjoy myself as much as possible until then. Chances are that everything will be just fine and I feel pretty confident that this will be the case. Still, I see no sense in worrying needlessly until then, so, I try not to think about it. As you can imagine, that is nearly impossible. I'll stress yet again, it beats the alternative.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-52739621286541702742010-09-26T21:23:00.001-06:002010-09-26T21:44:10.884-06:002010 St. Jude Campaign<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is another "stolen" or plagiarized blog - this one from a buddy of mine. I suspect he won't mind. Tomorrow, Monday September 27, is a big day at Chili's.</span><br />
<blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">It’s time to grab the crayons and express yourself while supporting the fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases.</span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The seventh annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign begins this week at more than 1,500 Chili's® Grill & Bar locations across the country and in Puerto Rico. During the month-long campaign, which coincides with National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, guests at Chili's locations can contribute to the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in a variety of ways:</span></span></span></i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * Make a donation to St. Jude and receive a Create-A-Pepper chili pepper coloring sheet. The decorated sheets are displayed in participating restaurants throughout September.</span></span></span></i></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * Use a mobile phone to text HOPE to 90999 to make a $5 donation (Visit </span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">www.createapepper.com</span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> for more details)</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * Purchase a Create-A-Pepper customizable T-shirt or key.</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * Buy a packet of Create-A-Pepper wrist bands. The flexible rubber bracelets are in the shape of a chili pepper.</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> <b>* Dine at Chili's on The Big Day - Monday, September 27. On that day, Chili’s will donate <u>all profits</u> from participating restaurant sales to St. Jude.</b></span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * Go to </span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.createapepper.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">www.createapepper.com</span></a></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> to make an online donation or to create a pepper to post to your Facebook wall to show your support for St. Jude.</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> * Become a fan and donate on Facebook through the specialized Create-A-Pepper tab on Chili's Facebook page or create your own e-card at </span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">www.createapepper.com</span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> to e-mail friends and family.</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"Each year since the 2003 inception of the Create-A-Pepper campaign, Chili's team members search for new ways to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude," said Wyman Roberts, president of Chili's Grill & Bar. "This year, with the addition of digital donation components, we've found yet another unique and interactive way to give back to St. Jude."</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"Chili's Create-A-Pepper campaign has raised millions of dollars for childhood cancer research, and we are so thankful to have such generous and passionate partners in our mission," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., chief executive officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "We are grateful for the amazing support from Chili's guests. Their contributions help St. Jude provide care and find cures for our patients and their families."</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Chili's has been a national corporate partner with St. Jude since 2004. Chili's has committed to raise $50 million in 10 years to help fund construction of the Chili's Care Center at St. Jude. This seven-floor, 340,000-square foot facility, which opened in November 2007, combines 21st century imaging and treatment technology with St. Jude's proven approach to medical research of putting patients and scientists in the same building to fast-track the translation of new knowledge into better care for children around the world.</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">To date, Chili's has raised more than $30 million. Once completed, the donation will be the largest donation from a single partner campaign in St. Jude history.</span></b></span></span></i></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">So show your support for St. Jude by creating your pepper today and help children in the fight against cancer.</span></span></span></i></blockquote></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those not familiar with <a href="http://www.stjude.org/">St. Jude</a> or the wonderful work they do, click <a href="http://www.stjude.org/">here</a>. Link for <a href="http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/home.aspx">Chili's</a> is found <a href="http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/home.aspx">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is also Packers / Bears on Monday Night Football. So, do as Sarah and I plan: Chilis's and football to fight cancer. Color a pepper: maybe Green and Gold for the Packers. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not hard to help. I think I'll fight cancer tomorrow with a quesadilla explosion salad.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-87036282700119617672010-09-20T23:15:00.000-06:002010-09-20T23:15:02.597-06:00One Frustrating Thing: iPhone 4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend Sarah and I decided to upgrade her telephone. She had wanted an iPhone for a while, and we decided to go get one. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to talk her into it, though, since she almost didn't want to bother. Mistake #1.</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She basically wanted one like my own, but mine is old. We thought we could get a 3Gs for $100, and that was the goal. (Attention Technophiles: Neither of us use this for more than random surfing and email checking with the occasional iPod duty. We don't need the fastest stuff). So, we got to the Apple Store at Flatirons mall with that goal. We soon found out that they didn't have any 3Gs. We hoped to order one, but found out at the store that all orders refer you back to the store. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iPhone 4 it would be. Mistake #2.</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We purchased the iPhone 4 from a sales guy who had just moved out from Milwaukee. Perfect right? Well, no. Since we were discussing the Brewers and the Packers, we did not discuss phone specs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was when we got home and plugged it into Sarah's iMac that we realized it wouldn't work. We needed OS X version 10.5. We have 10.4. Never fear, though, I just happened to have a copy of 10.5 SERVER edition laying around, unopened.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I installed 10.5 SERVER. Mistake #3.</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those of you slicker JVL readers may know that when you install the server software, it completely erases your hard drive. The feeling I had went past panic. Oops. Wow. This was big. Luckily, I backed up the computer before doing this. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should have known a huge fail was impending when I couldn't easily figure out how to configure the server edition.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Meanwhile, Sarah was sitting upstairs, watching TV with the dogs having no idea the destruction I just unleashed on her computer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I slowly walked up to tell her, and she took the news great. She knew we had backed up all the pics, but over time, she asked if we lost ____ and ____ and ____. With "blank space" being any number of different things. Yeah, we did.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so, I spent the rest of last Sunday evening re-installing OS X 10.4. Then I was restoring from backups. This actually took me most of last week. I'd say on Sunday and Monday night, I probably got about 2-3 hours of sleep. (This actually isn't as bad as it sounds. Since finishing treatment, I don't sleep much. I sleep very well, but I'm still very much fueled by the excitement of beating cancer so far, and I'm fueled by an unbelievable amount of </span><a href="http://www.frs.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FRS</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.) Mostly the latter those days last week.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The worst was losing emails with flight, hotel, rental car confirmations, but eventually those came back. In the end, only a minimal amount of stuff was lost. Relief!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a special trip to purchase yet another external hard drive and a REGULAR, non-server edition of OS X 10.6. Yep, we skipped right past 10.5. Aren't we trendy? Well, obviously not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end, though, her phone works, and was hopefully worth all the headache. We have all her pictures, contacts, bookmarks, and songs on it. She even has a few apps to play with. There is probably a lesson in all this, but I feel too ignorant to know what it may be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sure hope she enjoys that phone.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-76193564548012183662010-09-15T10:19:00.000-06:002010-09-15T10:19:17.250-06:00World Lymphoma Awareness Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today. September 15th, although the message isn't so much day dependent, which allowed me to pre-write this post and hit "send" today in seconds even from a phone. Isn't technology great? (Sometimes).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lymphomacoalition.org/images/node-animation-final.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="137" qx="true" src="http://www.lymphomacoalition.org/images/node-animation-final.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, I shamelessly stole that little graphic from the Lymphoma Coalition. I don't think they'll mind, given their stated goal. Their website is here:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.lymphomacoalition.org/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.lymphomacoalition.org/</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a direct link to "know your nodes" is here: </span><a href="http://www.knowyournodes.org/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.knowyournodes.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Go ahead, take the quiz, click around a bit and learn. <strong>Don't do this for me, do this for you.</strong> Yep, this is a continuation of another post which </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/05/borrowed-post-what-you-can-do-for-me.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stole from my buddy George</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u>Caveat</u>: I don't know the lymphoma coalition. I'd never seen this website before hearing about this second hand from another cancer organization (<a href="http://www.seattlecca.org/">Seattle CCA</a>). But, I did take the quiz and click around some. You will learn something. <a href="http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls">Leukemia & Lymphoma Society</a> is a member of the coalition, however, and I do have "warm fuzzies" for them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've actually spent <u>more</u> time reading about cancer now than early on in my treatment. Early on when I was so sick, I leaned on Sarah to do my research for me. (Thanks, Sarah!) Now I cannot get enough info. One of the things I've learned about Hodgkin's, but other lymphomas as well, is that diagnosis definitely takes time and usually patients go through a couple of other working diagnoses before arriving at lymphoma. I know this was the case in my little circle of "lymphoma friends." I was feeling sick by earlier than mid-September last year, but not diagnosed until January. So, do yourself a favor when you get a chance. If not 9/15 on "WLAD," then sooner rather than later.</span>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-39074923250629797992010-09-05T22:11:00.002-06:002010-09-06T06:47:26.100-06:00Brunner One Fun Thing: Greatest Anti-cancer / Get well / Stay well gift ever.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've gotten a handful of gifts in my life that really stick out. One was an </span><a href="http://cleanit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Transformers.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Optimus Prime</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Transformer, obviously when I was a kid. Another was the original </span><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/8%20bit%20nintendo/suratterbang/Nintendo8bit.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NES</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, also as a kid. When I was in college, my wife (then girlfriend) got me a custom </span><a href="http://www.buckyslockerroom.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=5002136"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wisconsin hockey jersey</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, customized with my last name and the year of our (anticipated) graduation as the number, sewn on in the authentic letters/numbers. To this day I have no idea where she found that, as I'd looked high and low.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This gift completely blows all those away as the coolest, and most meaningful thing I've ever gotten. As I mentioned </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/09/hottern-hell-100.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">previously</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Snorting Bull </span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">made</span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> me a bike.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I don't mean picked one out, I mean made.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you hang with this crowd, you might get talked into some serious things. Maybe it is flying completely across the country to participate in a ride that climbs 15,000 feet. Maybe it is drinking a gallon of milk in an hour or making pants. Or eating nuclear chicken wings. Maybe it is riding a cross bike in a mountain bike race. Or riding the cross bike 100 miles with 13,000 of your closest Texan friends. Easily the greatest of these, though, is talking one member into actually creating custom steel bicycle frames.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This project had apparently started in planning sometime shortly after my diagnosis. Erik was already starting to get into creating frames by then, and had obtained a program which took various measurements and gave bike dimensions. So, he had all of us enter our measurements. Of course I participated. The program was cool enough that it spit out a picture of the bike for you, and you could create custom colors and graphics. Here is a computer graphic of Josh's bike, version 1:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRBR9e3V6I/AAAAAAAAAgc/0bAHg9V97So/s1600/Josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRBR9e3V6I/AAAAAAAAAgc/0bAHg9V97So/s320/Josh.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please click on the picture to enlarge and read the downtube. At this point, I hadn't yet made my </span><a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/03/one-fun-thing-joshpants-epic-oft-years.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joshpants</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and so I got a pretty good amount of "push" to get this done. Here I had been spouting off that I could make pants for 3 years, and in months, Erik was already making bikes. Good thing I finally got those done.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, he was taking measurements for the entire team as well as our significant others. I was excited to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">someday</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> get myself a Brunner bike. Someday being in a year or two, so you can imagine my surprise. You can't you say? Well, here is a picture.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRDpF8VJCI/AAAAAAAAAgk/VggSL404zK0/s1600/Joshbike004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRDpF8VJCI/AAAAAAAAAgk/VggSL404zK0/s320/Joshbike004.jpg" /></span></a></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait? You guys made me this bike? What? I just....what? </span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole thing truly did not compute for many minutes. How could this possibly happen without me knowing? Even my wife was in on it and she was very afraid she gave away their secret. She thought she gave it all away when she sent Erik an email using my email account on accident once. Since I send these guys multiple emails, there is NO way I'd notice that in my out basket, which I never look at anyway, since I tend to know what emails I sent. Of course it never seemed weird if she'd email him (or any of these guys), because as I previously noted, they were all extremely supportive and helpful to both of us during my whole treatment ordeal. To this end, I've exchanged emails with Erik's wife Mary myself, and so none of this would ever flag on my radar. I'm actually more impressed that the guys could keep all this a secret.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRFHulssPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/U8EStF6K838/s1600/Joshbike003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRFHulssPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/U8EStF6K838/s320/Joshbike003.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And wow, as you can see, this bicycle is gorgeous. That had shocked me just as much. I'd seen Erik's bike that he made himself, and I was very impressed with it, but the fact he made </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">two</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> during his build just surprised me all the way around. I got to see his bike come together little by little, and it was very interesting to watch. I was always eager for updates on what he was doing, so this took me by complete surprise.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRFRqyx0UI/AAAAAAAAAg0/sENAr3vcThQ/s1600/Joshbike006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRFRqyx0UI/AAAAAAAAAg0/sENAr3vcThQ/s320/Joshbike006.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I say it didn't compute in my head, I'm not kidding. Even today I'm finding little details of what made all this happen, and it is honestly very touching. I'm still surprised.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRFi4qWtPI/AAAAAAAAAg8/THSGHHAyxAo/s1600/Joshbike014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRFi4qWtPI/AAAAAAAAAg8/THSGHHAyxAo/s320/Joshbike014.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The attention to detail was extremely thoughtful. There is not an inch of this bicycle that wasn't planned out and, I'm told, debated about extensively. This includes color, style, components, everything. The whole team helped, and apparently Sarah did as well. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the build, it was actually shipped around the country so that they could all sign the frame.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Wow. For example, here is Sarah's signature right next to the very appropriate model name.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRfyaTuPDI/AAAAAAAAAhE/lghpmjb91S0/s1600/HHH(2010)24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRfyaTuPDI/AAAAAAAAAhE/lghpmjb91S0/s320/HHH(2010)24.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As close followers of Josh vs. Lymphoma know, I have a policy not to name others in the blog out of respect for privacy. However, I told these guys I was making an exception, and I have all of their expressed, written consent in the form of signatures on the bicycle. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRoWUGJQPI/AAAAAAAAAiE/3Dy5-wg1PGM/s1600/smiley.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRoWUGJQPI/AAAAAAAAAiE/3Dy5-wg1PGM/s320/smiley.gif" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As pictured above and here, the bike is outfit with Maxxis Raze tires for cyclocross. So, the question I was asked was is it a roadbike or is it a cross bike? Here's what the designer had to say: </span></div><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a road bike optimized for JB/fatties not a cross bike.</span></i></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there you have it. Here is a great shot by the garage door, since that is how bikes must be photographed by general internet protocol.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRgvMVhbeI/AAAAAAAAAhM/aX1TpKkHcU4/s1600/HHH(2010)20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRgvMVhbeI/AAAAAAAAAhM/aX1TpKkHcU4/s320/HHH(2010)20.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For reference, </span><a href="http://web.me.com/coloradobucky/iWeb/Index/Misc_files/Pinnarello25.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a comparison shot of the pinarellol</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on which the measurements were based.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Highlights of the build:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Custom steel lugged frame, handmade in Alaska (and MI, apparently)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultegra 50/34 crank</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultegra brifters</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XT rear derailleur</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DT Swiss hubs / Velocity rims (rated for gigantor)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ritchey stem/seatpost</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regale saddle</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maxxis Raze cross tires & Jack Brown blue tires</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garmin 705 Edge</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crank Brother Candy pedals</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a Custom handmade Moosey headbadge</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRi_8T8BCI/AAAAAAAAAhU/D8j3-lrwtOs/s1600/HHH(2010)27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRi_8T8BCI/AAAAAAAAAhU/D8j3-lrwtOs/s320/HHH(2010)27.JPG" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRjVdVMHEI/AAAAAAAAAhc/EhMH48Q0Ksw/s1600/HHH(2010)14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRjVdVMHEI/AAAAAAAAAhc/EhMH48Q0Ksw/s320/HHH(2010)14.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm told the group called in some serious favors to get some of these things. And so as of right now, the Pinarellol is relaxing in the basement, likely to get most of the rest of riding season off.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does it ride?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRjZtsUpvI/AAAAAAAAAhk/pq8TiX1zkGk/s1600/Joshbike008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRjZtsUpvI/AAAAAAAAAhk/pq8TiX1zkGk/s320/Joshbike008.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very smoothly. I got to take it for a quick spin on Thursday night in Wichita Falls that did NOT do it justice. So, yesterday I took it out in "cross mode." Basically did some gravel trails near home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRjm0aPxPI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Kqe4sEf80eY/s1600/HHH(2010)48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRjm0aPxPI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Kqe4sEf80eY/s320/HHH(2010)48.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In terms of sizing, fit, comfort, really everything - they nailed it. I know Erik is looking for feedback as he continues to build, but I have absolutely no constructive criticism! Not one thing, and this isn't just out of appreciation or whatever. When I was looking to purchase the pinarellol, I was steered away from titanium with the reason being that it would be too "noodley" at my size. That is absolutely not the case with this steel frame. It is sized perfectly to me. I could not have picked out any part better, and truthfully, I'm really thankful they designed the whole thing, because with my color-blindness and complete lack of style, any input I would've had could only have subtracted from it.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRkVEvlhrI/AAAAAAAAAh0/lOUC2obsmJM/s1600/HHH(2010)50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRkVEvlhrI/AAAAAAAAAh0/lOUC2obsmJM/s320/HHH(2010)50.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I put on the Jack Brown tires and gave it a real road test, climbing lookout mountain, through the country club, on up to Genesee park, before shooting down to Morrison, up through Red Rocks, and over Dino Ridge before heading home. This was about 40 miles and 4,000 feet of climbing. I got it up to ~45 mph, and can say it is at least as stable as the pinarellol. The bike handles better than I do, and the JBs are a pleasure to ride on rough roads. Sarah came along for the whole ride despite having a migraine headache, and I'm so proud of how she did. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a great ride and the feedback I have is that these guys nailed it. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How in the world do you appropriately thank someone(s) for doing something like this? <u>There is simply no way I can.</u> I'm so blown away by the whole thing, I really don't know what to say. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously, I expressed my sincere gratitude to all of them, but there is simply no way to appropriately thank them.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the meantime, though, Brunner Bikes gets nothing but a top notch recommendation from me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRmWTzSKUI/AAAAAAAAAh8/8IkMc9iVVSQ/s1600/Joshbike016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TIRmWTzSKUI/AAAAAAAAAh8/8IkMc9iVVSQ/s320/Joshbike016.jpg" /></span></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187957810801135098.post-4588954397637449762010-09-04T17:06:00.001-06:002010-09-05T22:26:21.430-06:00Hotter'N Hell 100Team <a href="http://www.snortingbullphoto.com/">Snorting Bull Photography</a> streaked across the Texas landscape in a big blue and white blur reminiscent of the heyday of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Postal_Service_cycling_team">US Postal Service Team</a>. It was a sight impressive enough to move thousands of other cyclists to their right. Nobody that wasn't wearing the Bull on their shirt wanted a piece of the "Pain Train." Well, that was true for a few miles of the ride, anyway. Let me back up.<br />
<br />
When I was first diagnosed with cancer, the obvious concern is life and death. Once past that, you move into what the next year is going to look like. When my schedule of chemo and radiation were laid out for me, it initially looked as though radiation was going to interfere with this event. Let me back up even further.<br />
<br />
Team Snorting Bull is basically a group of friends from all over the United States with a common interest in cycling and a much more loose interest in jeep vehicles. The <a href="http://www.hh100.org/">Hotter'N Hell 100</a> is like our Super Bowl event. This century event is somewhat conveniently located in the middle of the United States, making it feasible for us to come from Texas, Colorado, California, North Carolina, New Mexico, and even Alaska, and it has become a tradition for us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILB4Ch_dUI/AAAAAAAAAfU/NcvTEKwFdOE/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILB4Ch_dUI/AAAAAAAAAfU/NcvTEKwFdOE/s320/Picture+2.png" /></a></div>In the meantime, this group of folks has served as a tremendous source of support for me while going through the roller coaster that is Hodgkin's. <b>As perverted as it sounds, one of my first thoughts in my very first oncology office visit was, "Oh (swear word), now I can't race in Texas with the guys."</b> Not kidding. I remember emailing them that night after my bone marrow biopsy stating I was out. That was it. Not only was I out, but I was especially out on the <a href="http://www.hh100.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=83">Triple Threat</a>. The Triple Threat combines a mountain bike race and half marathon trail run with the 100 mile ride, to win the greatest award in sport: the coveted triple threat log. Last year, a handful of us thought it would be a great idea to go for all three.<br />
<br />
T<b>his team is smarter than I am: They didn't buy that I was out.</b> They accepted things, but held out judgment in the hopes that it could come together anyway. It did, and they were right. I'm still a little shocked that this came together, but thankful doesn't describe the appreciation I have that it did.<br />
<br />
As you can imagine, a weekend like this produces far more stories than can be shared on a blog. Even more, many of the stories are sort of insider. It is worth mentioning the weekend's triumphs however.<br />
<br />
Thursday night, <i>the team gave me a bike that they made for me</i>. <b>Expect this to be the next blog post, update: <a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/09/brunner-one-fun-thing-greatest-anti.html">found here</a>.</b><br />
<br />
Friday night was our mountain bike race. I did it on the <a href="http://josh-vs-lymphoma.blogspot.com/2010/06/no-news-is-good-news.html">HiFi</a>. Three friends did it on Cyclocross bikes in an attempt to prove a :onebike: theory, and as part of the triple threat. Unfortunately, some dude took out Charles in a crash a quarter mile in. Crashed out, he went back. The two others did complete this mountain bike course on cross bikes. This <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM7y0A2ZHno">video</a> and this <a href="http://www.mountainbiketx.com/texas/trails/region_1/weechitah.php">website</a> and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/wee-chi-ta.html">yet another website</a> do a decent job of giving you a picture of the trail. Here are three teammates at the starting line.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILIq63N90I/AAAAAAAAAfk/S-U653r6dOk/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILIq63N90I/AAAAAAAAAfk/S-U653r6dOk/s320/IMG_0227.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here three of us are coming up on the finish line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILIxpMPjjI/AAAAAAAAAfs/E3HqdNLqZeY/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILIxpMPjjI/AAAAAAAAAfs/E3HqdNLqZeY/s320/IMG_0343.jpg" /></a></div>All I'll say about this was that other than losing a teammate, it was a fun ride, although we certainly didn't have the best times on the course. Not even close, in fact. Saturday was the actual HHH. What does 13,000 riders look like?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILHux3UtpI/AAAAAAAAAfc/tLbbaBWrxTA/s1600/988061582_RgA5C-O-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILHux3UtpI/AAAAAAAAAfc/tLbbaBWrxTA/s320/988061582_RgA5C-O-1.jpg" /></a></div>It looks like a never-ending rainbow, to be honest. It took 44 minutes to clear the start line. In this picture you can actually spot Team Snorting Bull. I'm fairly obvious due to the long sleeves I'm wearing for sun protection. By this point pictured, two of the three triple threat challengers were eliminated, this one due to a timing technicality. We had but one hope left.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our team goal is typically 4 hours and 44 minutes. It seemed unlikely this year due to the Friday night injury, lack of training due to lymphoma, and some fairly bad luck. By mile 8 we had two flats already. In that time we got to watch many of those 13,000 folks pass us. How do you recover from something like this? By passing one rider at a time. Sadly, we got to pass many of them several times. We got caught behind an accident, and 4 of us had to actually walk about a quarter of a mile. We then got caught behind a train, and had to sit a few minutes. Later, we were much slower at our planned rest station stop (mile 50). <br />
<br />
Hell's Gate closes at 12:30. If you don't make the gate, you ride 85 miles. Typically we fly past that with several hours of padding. This year, we cut it a little closer, but had plenty of time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILK58ET2VI/AAAAAAAAAf8/Mti7upD9KV0/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILK58ET2VI/AAAAAAAAAf8/Mti7upD9KV0/s320/Picture+1.png" /></a></div>The temperature was well into the 90s at Hell's Gate. Believe it or not, that's lucky for Wichita Falls, TX and this event. If you've never ridden a century in long sleeves, well, consider yourself lucky. (Truthfully, it wasn't that bad).<br />
<br />
It was around this time that we recalled the "outlaw" mile 95 rest stop. This one is at a bar offering free beer for riders. We never stop in an attempt to reach our goal and an attempt to keep our sports nutrition down. By now we were so far off our goal due to everything that had happened, it seemed logical to stop. With any luck, we'll never be on such a slow overall pace again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILLe3tQDII/AAAAAAAAAgE/wpsLkiXN_ac/s1600/986068483_HdSMn-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILLe3tQDII/AAAAAAAAAgE/wpsLkiXN_ac/s320/986068483_HdSMn-X3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend. Team Red Cup! I have no idea what they were serving, but cold beer never went down so fast. I really should have had them fill my bottle so I could nurse another one the last 5 miles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the end, <b>I was proud to have finished this ride</b> with such minimal training. I was fueled by some <a href="https://secure.frs.com/vip/search/about.aspx">FRS</a>, and some <a href="http://www.larabar.com/">Larabars</a> and <a href="http://www.honeystinger.com/">Honey Stingers</a> but <b>mostly I was fueled by the excitement that only a cancer survivor who just finished chemo can understand.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILMd-JtOMI/AAAAAAAAAgM/eOiHqTkIQyk/s1600/Joshbike0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILMd-JtOMI/AAAAAAAAAgM/eOiHqTkIQyk/s320/Joshbike0012.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That evening was our traditional fajita dinner graciously provided by Greg and his crew from Texas. Delicious as always, and I look forward to it all year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunday morning was the trail run. Our last hope was exhausted and sore, but determined. Actually, I'm not even sure if determined is a strong enough word to describe Erik's efforts. The evening before, a few of the Texas crew who didn't know him as well had doubts, but Charles, Jon, Greg, and myself knew there was nothing that was going to separate Erik from his trophy. And he was successful. This is what a log winner looks like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILN0aTpgPI/AAAAAAAAAgU/zfwVKNFkdhg/s1600/2010HHH1000007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mdRNyeho5eY/TILN0aTpgPI/AAAAAAAAAgU/zfwVKNFkdhg/s320/2010HHH1000007.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I could not have been more pleased with his success. He came down from Alaska, rode two events on a bike he built himself, and finished the half marathon to win the log. The card he is holding is a free entry for two events next year, since his story is so remarkable. In the meantime, Team Snorting Bull is working on getting the Wichita Falls newspaper to take a human-interest submission on this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite all the bad luck, I consider the weekend a success. Charles was injured worse than he thought, but he managed to squeeze out 100 miles with a few fractures, like our own version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jens_Voigt">Jens</a>. Erik got his log. Greg and Erik proved the :onebike: theory. Somehow, I found 100 miles within me, and finished as well. Most of all, we got to hang out together and enjoy.</div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950942871970891729noreply@blogger.com2