LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE
Team-n-Training Journal ~ Sherry Perkins
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FEBRUARY /MARCH 2009
MARCH 29, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CARE PAGES UPDATE
The next 24 hours weren't better
We found out last night that Adam's heart also needs healing, along with his kidneys. He has begun to eat a little bit, which should help with his healing. It is possible for everything to heal and we get to see the cardiologist again tomorrow.There's no medicine to heal either organ but they can give medicines to reduce the strain on both so that his body can do the work of healing. His kidneys are a bit better today than yesterday and his breathing is less labored because his heart rate is down.
On the good side, his blood counts should be holding steady soon and his immunity rises daily. The spots are disappearing and the nurses are reassuring.
Lord, hear our prayer, and heal our son. (Adam's Family)
MARCH 28, 2009
Needed a change of running venue today. Sometimes I just need a change. It helps me pass the miles with varying visual interest and mental motivational engagement. I nostalgically choose the Lower Huron Metro Park. You can run for miles there along winding babbling river beds, open park areas that seem like running through Wyoming to Montana, or trod narrow musky earthen tree-rooted nature trails; all beautifully maintained.
The snow is gone (Thank you Jesus!). The trees are yet barren, so you can see for miles through any wooded trail area. I headed for a nature trail through the woods I had never taken. Truly a Robert Frost and I, decision making moment. Not sure of where it would lead me, but knowing I could always see where the road was and be able to find my way out of the woods, I ventured forth. It surprised and delighted the holistic homeopathic part of me to discover that someone had gone to the trouble of identifying trees far back in these woods with well placed plaques describing their names, origins and medicinal uses. While I didn't stop at every plaque, stopping at even a few was enough to get me to slow down; to take in the trees, to actually notice that these seemingly dormant grayed out barren timbers were beginning to BUD! A sure sign of Spring! A lift to my winter weary soul. I would have missed it altogether looking down in search of the path I should be following, instead of looking up at the transformational power in process right in front of me! I could write an entire six sermon series on all the metaphorical spiritual significance that triggered!
From that moment on, I ran the remainder of the run with spiritual eyes, ears and heart connection with God. The woods came alive to me; I came to life also as I drew near to God and He drew near to me.
One part of the trail crossed through a wide swampy bog where earth had been manually mounded up in a ridge to allow passage without being in the mucky swamp bog all around but just some 8 to 10 inches below this trail line. Though I had my iPod Shuffle on (Thank you again Alexa!), I could hear the chorus of nature crescendo around me. I could not exactly identify the sounds, and not wanting to miss God in any possible form around me, I turned my iPod off and stopped to listen. ~ FROGS! ~ I was in the loudest symphony of frogs I have ever been in, in my life! I would have loved to know what the decimal level was, but it was LOUD! In fact, I called a friend and held my cell phone out into the air to see if they could hear them too. They couldn't but ... nice try. Trust me, they were LOUD!
Returning to my running, iPod back in place, I fussed to find the song arrow while keeping on running against the wind which was giving me a chill. A song started ... are you ready for this?! ... the song was "Jeremiah was a Bull Frog!" (Thank you Domenic for this Chicken Soup of the Soul CD) Oh My! I laughed out loud so hard I was stopped in my tracks with stitches of laughter as I looked up and around nearly expecting God to be hovering above me sitting on a tree branch laughing along with me. Maybe life is as random as an iPod shuffle ~ maybe it's not. Nonetheless, it was a great feeling of God being playful with me, and I with Him.
"Then the trees of the forest will sing,
they will sing for joy before the LORD ..."
(1 Chronicles 16:33 NIV)
MARCH 27, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
The next 24 hours should be better
We found out last night that the antibiotics Adam was receiving were affecting his kidneys, so the doctors lowered the dosages. Now, we wait until his kidneys recover, which is usually the case once the dosages are lowered. Right now he is bloated and his lungs have some water in them, so his breathing is somewhat labored. The doctors gave him a low dose of medicine to empty his kidneys and he urinated a while ago. We trust that his kidneys are mending, and have been assured by one of our doctor friends here that this is the case.On the good news front, Adam's temperature has not been above 100.9 all day, and we have not given him Tylenol since 1:30 a.m. this morning. Also, his immunity was up this morning, which is allowing the doctors to lower his antibiotic doses. His spots are healing and we will probably never know exactly what caused them, as all tests are indeterminate. (There is so much about the human body that is waiting to be discovered.)
Your prayers have been a great help in his healing. Praise God for your faithfulness, and for the help of so many here at the hospital. Now, for some sleep. Good night, and remember that we love you. (Adam's Family)
MARCH 26, 2009
I've been getting in some treadmill runs at the gym after my 6:00AM "Total Body Workout" class; also some mid-week runs outside now that the weather is warming. So, getting in some increased overall weekly mileage but need to progress in making time for those longer duration runs. So glad I have the iPod Shuffle that Alexa gave me. Helps both my running pace and my motivation to listen to music and messages on my runs. It's actually a great opportunity to listen to some good sermons and other teachings.
In April it will be a year since I joined the WCC Health and Fitness Center. They did an initial health assessment at that time. Today I had a health re-assessment to track changes and progress. What a dramatic improvement! I could hardly believe it!
Scale weight basically stayed the same (within 3 lbs) but the composition of that weight: Lean Weight (muscle) = 9% Higher
Fat Weight = 33% Lower
Resting Heart Rate = 60% Improvement
Endurance ~ Cardio Capacity = 12% Improvement
V02 MAX (oxygenation processing) = 10% Improvement
Strength (Push-Up Test) = Went from 20 to 48 = 140% Improvement
MARCH 23, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
Fever continues
The doctors are trying to figure out the source of Adam's fevers, but think that the fever should come down when his bone marrow recovers from the chemotherapy. However, the bone marrow is slow to recover because of the undetermined infection that is causing the fevers. The first part of the skin biopsy was inconclusive and it will be a few more days before we know if it yielded any useful information.He has been in bed since March 13, with a few good hours a day, and he is eating a little bit. He is still himself and we've had some fun and some belly laughs after the Tylenol kicks in and his fever goes down. He does fairly well with any temperature under 101.3 F. But then the shivers come back as the fever rises, and we wait until it's time to get the Tylenol again. About an hour after taking it, he feels okay for an hour, until his fever starts to rise.
He is on just about every medicine that they think will work. He gets a different IV medicine every hour for four hours straight and then a short break, plus he has some oral medicines.
He is still funny, and fussy, and in charge of his own IV powerline, helping open and close it for blood draws and cleaning, working with his IV machine if allowed, and just having a chance to make some choices and be in control of his own care. He's an amazing, resilient kid, and we're humbled to be his parents.
Spring is here. Next time it rains, run outside and play in it for us.
(Adam's Family)
MARCH 22, 2009
If you know me at all, you know that one of my favorite things in life is time in the Hot Tub. Especially after a run or a workout, the Hot Tub does wonders for me on every level. Sometimes at the gym I even "double dip" after a workout, going from the Hot Tub to the Dry Sauna back to the Hot Tub over to the Steam Sauna, etc. I enjoyed this luxury a little too much last week and turned up with a UTI (too much information, I know, but it's important for some that are following along) that kept my running at a minimum this weekend. Nothing a prescription of Cipro for several days can't handle. I'll plan on some longer runs during the upcoming weekdays.
MARCH 21, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
Fever continues: procedure shortly
Because of his continued fevers, and now his rapid breathing at night, shortly the team will be here (they call it the SWAT team) to take a piece of Adam's skin with one of his spots to try to determine what they are so that treatment will be more effective. Meanwhile, they changed an oral medication to a more powerful IV med and he's had two chest x-rays plus ct scans this week.He's fighting whatever he has but it's obvious that he needs some help. We hope that the missing skin won't hurt and that they'll get something useful from it. Overall, we just want these medicines to work so that he can recover and go home soon.
It's hard to watch this process some days, as well as to be a part of forcing "good for you" medicines on a child. Thank God for the nurses, doctors, and all the professionals here, as well as the volunteers who add some fun to staying here. It's amazing the amount of love and care that people are capable of giving. That's a wonderful example of how people are made in God's image. Thank you and God bless you. ~ (Adams Family)
MARCH 18, 2009
I watched the last of the ice melt away from Ford Lake Bay yesterday. The running trails are back in full view as well. Winter has been holding the trails in concealed hibernance, locked down with several inches of solid ice. Running trails are easy on the mind, easy on the body when the ground is soft and the impact to knees less jarring, and without the dangers of traffic, breathing in road dust and highway fumes. So I have dared to remove the "Grippers" (Thank you again Janene!) from my running shoes which have held me stable running on the snow and ice all winter. Taking in the earthy smells and warmer weather thaws something in me too. I am free-er in my body, in my running, not tensely braced bearing down against the fridged winter elements. Aaahhhh ... Spring!!!
MARCH 17, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
Fever close to 106 degrees
Adam has just reached 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit with Tylenol. Despite that, a while after he took his medicine and was asked if there was anything he wanted to say on his Care Pages, he said that he liked everything on wheels (as well as on trailers and on treads). So despite his fever, he is still himself when he is not sleeping.Your prayers are always appreciated, and we wish you God's blessings with the events of your week. (Adam's Family)
MARCH 15, 2009
Such a beautiful sunny warm 60 degrees today! Thank you Lord! Alexa and Nick had a lovely wedding shower. A nice visit, but all too short. They are now on their long drive back to Washington DC, and I am off to run outside in this great weather!
SPECIAL EDITION ARTICLE
from my great TNT running Coach Ted Varkas
THANKS FOR YOU COACH TED!
~ Sherry ~
MARCH 14 2009
My dear daughter Alexa and her wonderful fiancé, Nick Sales, will be getting married in Washington DC on June 27th. Today is "Happy Wedding Shower Day" for Nick and Alexa who have driven all the way home to Ypsilanti, MI from Washington DC this weekend! Way too exciting and much to do, so just getting in a quick run on the treadmill at the gym today. As the torn muscle behind my right knee has been slowly healing with time and aqua jogging, I have been moving myself out of the exercise pool and onto the treadmill. So far so good. Keep praying!
MARCH 13, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
Adam's fever is back
He had an active week and even celebrated his grandparent's birthday yesterday but today he slept and had fevers that hover just under 104 Fahrenheit even with Tylenol every 4 hours.When his blood counts recover he should be able to shake them but right now, he's sleeping, getting IV fluids, as well as several antibiotics. It would be great if his fever stayed under 104 this time: last month they reached 106 and were very persistent, remaining high for about 7 days.
Thanks to all of you who are taking care of us during this difficult time with food, prayers, your offering of time, and other support. We thank God for you daily.
Thanks for sharing yourselves in these care pages: it helps us feel connected even though we haven't seen some of you for a very long time. And for those of you who we see regularly, your web messages make us feel even more loved. And we know others read here and keep us in their hearts without writing. God bless you and our thanks to God for giving us such a loving community.
(Adam's Family)
MARCH 6, 2009
An absolutely amazing 65 DEGREES in Ypsilanti, MI today! WOW! I just HAD to get out and do my long run today while it was beautiful blue skies, sunny, and a hint of Spring unveiling was in the air .... aaahhh ...
My apologies to the Team-n-Training gang for going ahead without you and getting my long run in today in this break of beautiful weather; not waiting for tomorrow morning's expected return to more frigid figures.
MARCH 4, 2009 ~ ADAMS CAREPAGES UPDATE
Fifth Round of Chemo
Adam has finished his fifth round of chemotherapy today so we just have several weeks of waiting in the hospital for the blood counts to drop and then recover. With any luck, he'll get a clean bill of health and he'll get his tubes taken out next month.We'll hope that this bout in the hospital goes okay and that his fever of last week does not return. Thanks to all of you for your unwavering support. ~ (Adam's Family)
FEBRUARY 28, 2009
I have to admit that I wasn't disappointed this morning when it was 11degrees and I was taking my friends to the airport instead of being outside running. I did however get in a 5 mile run later in the afternoon when it was a whopping 19degrees. My muscle injury is healing well, I think, as best I can tell when running frozen. =_))
FEBRUARY 25, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
Back at the hospital/Fever Again
A few days after Adam's last high fever, his immunity rose and he recovered and was sent home. Now he is back in day 2 of round 5 and he has a fever over 102. He was supposed to go home tomorrow for a few days but we're just hoping that his fever stays well below 106 this time.Still, there is grace. Caregivers, family, friends and strangers have given us kindness no matter what our circumstance. This is a bit of God that ministers to us through all of you. Thank you and may God bless you. (Adam's Family)
FEBRUARY 21, 2009
I was ready to go on my Team-n-Training run, but my car wasn't. Car is acting older than me these days. Darn car. Dressed for my cold winter run, I decided to leave the car issue for the moment and do the run anyway. Running the five miles down and back to North Bay Park, stopping at Larry's Memorial Bench to thank God for the gift of him in to my life while praying for God's provision in all things, was a great way to defuse my car stress and let the Lord carry my burdens for a while. Thank you Lord!
FEBRUARY 14, 2009
For a multitude of reasons and excuses, I did not do the TNT Run today.
I hope to make it up next Tuesday afternoon. Happy Valentines Day everyone!
FEBRUARY 12, 2009 ~ ADAM'S CARE PAGES UPDATE
No fever in over 24 hours
Adam has not had a temperature over 100.2 in 24 hours. His spots were not chicken pox and will heal in time with enough cream. We are all still a little tuckered out but the energy is definitely returning.It may take a while after treatment is all done for strength and stamina to return, and to feel well-rested. We give thanks to God and look forward to being free of IV machines at home, meeting people, going into public places, and just being together at home. He is so close to being done with his 5 phases of treatment that he may be out of the hospital around the first day of spring, if we're very lucky. If it takes a while longer, we can all deal with that too.
Thank you for your care, prayers, and support on this long, tiring journey. Peace be with you. (Adam's Family)
FEBRUARY 9, 2009 ~WORLD WINTER GAMES ARE UNDER WAY!
Praise for Special Olympian Athletes! ~ If you are a fan of skill, inspiration, and excitement I hope you will be watching and supporting the 2009 World Winter Games now under way in Boise, Idaho.
Michigan's Charles Howard Lights the Cauldron at World Games
Our very own Charles Howard, from Farmington Hills, MI, is competing in snowboarding at the 2009 World Winter Games in Idaho this week -- and so much more! On Saturday evening Charles helped kick off the World Games by lighting the cauldron during opening ceremonies (see photo).
In addition, Charles' inspirational story was featured on an ABC news segment. Click here to view the video clip.
Charles recently said "I have already gained so much from Special Olympics like friends, snowboarding, team work skills, a healthy competitive attitude, and the confidence to believe in myself."
FEBRUARY 8, 2009
Such balmy, almost Spring-like weather for my run yesterday! Lovely! Some mild breezes and low ground fog everywhere as the frozen land released it's grip, yielding to a slow thaw. Beautiful to run through those rising mists by the light of the sun presenting the day to the promises of "mercies new every morning."
Coach Ted had suggested a 7 mile course. I found someone who was willing to run slow with me. We had lovely running conversation remembering "Grandmothers" and the endearments of their legacies deposited in to our lives and families. Precious. A feast of blessings were had in this run/conversation for me. I am so glad I went ahead with the run and that I didn't miss the beauty of God's creation, nor the beauty women create by extension of God in this world. My right leg was bothering me more than I wanted to admit though. I decided not to push it, and stopped at the 4 mile mark.
Happy to report that even though later that night I was found at "The Yiddish Cup" Klezmer Concert at the ARK in an unexpected conga line doing bouncy Yiddish dances, jumping in and out of circles while doing a Jewish version of workout squats and lunges to a joyous mix of cultural rhythms, but contemporary words (hilarious!), all is well with my leg today. In fact, I hoping to get in those other three or more miles today as the 40 degree temperatures are expected to continue.
FEBRUARY 7, 2009
HALLELUJAH!!! 5:42AM Current temp: 33 DEGREES!!!
THANK YOU JESUS!
Cloudy and breezy. Areas of fog with drizzle likely with a chance of light showers after 10 AM. Highs 46 to 50. South winds 15 to 25 mph...turning to southwest around noon. Chance of rain 60 percent. I am looking forward to a slow steady run in temperatures that are finally climbing past freezing today! I've been nursing my right leg this week, choosing not to do my workouts at the gym, but to rest and do yoga stretches to recover from last Saturday's impact injury. The muscles behind my knee have been tender all week, especially so in climbing stairs; but some better each day. I am hoping for a good run today if I start with warmed up stretched out muscles. So, off to do some yoga before my run this morning!
FEBRUARY 6, 2009 ~ ADAMS CARE PAGES UPDATE
Adam is healing
Thank you for your prayers, support, nursing, and any way in which you have thought of us or minstered to Adam and our family over the past week.
Adam still has temperatures that go past 104 with the Tylenol but sometimes he goes 6 hours before he needs the Tylenol and the Tylenol works to get his temperature under 100 now, and occasionally back to his usual 97.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The bumps were not chicken pox antibodies but were caused by the chemotherapy and are healing with help of a moisturing cream.
He still has a bacterial infection and possibly a virus, and now he is hoarse too. Tests are being conducted daily to see what type of virus or bacteria might be in his body. Another medication has been added to his regimen.
He also needs to eat and rest, and yesterday he finally started eating a bit. He had not been well enough to eat since Saturday, and he is still not eating too much. However, he was able to get off the IV machine yesterday evening, due to his good drinking habits, and raced some Lego cars, and used a Lego garage that his Dad made for him. He's still a little wobbly after no food and being in the bed for so many days, but he's better, and we're thankful for that.
He should improve but it will take some time, and we hope that the doctors are able to discern the root of his fever, or that his blood will recover soon enough for his body to get rid of the virus on its own.
Reading your messages is such a solace, not to mention all the care that we've been shown in so many ways. God bless you. (Adam's Family)
FEBRUARY 2, 2009 ~ SUPERBOWL FUND RAISER
Dear Ones ~ What an emotional Superbowl ! Who would have thought that the AZ Cardinals would come back like that?!!! And then, that the Pittsburgh Steeler's would come back like that?!! WOW!
FINAL SCORE: 27 - 23 STEELERS!!!
Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
Talk about "RUN, BABY RUN!"
Second only to Coach R. Tyrone Kelsey, Troy Polamalu is my most inspiring and motivating running role model.
He so runs in the power of God! ~ Awesome to watch!
Thank you so much for your participation in this Team-in-Training Fundraiser. We had 10 participants at $10.00/ square. Had the Steeler's not pulled it out in the end, the winner would have been Tina, but as it turned out, the winner was me! So, $100.00 goes to Team-in-Training from this fundraising event.
Special thanks to Sean and Karen for hosting all of us such a great Superbowl Party at Cliffs on the Bay! How wonderful to gather together as friends and neighbors to play well, eat well and be well together!
On behalf of Adam, his family, and all those challenged in living with cancer, I extend a thanks and blessings. Please know that YOU have made a difference today, and every day you give to the highest good of others.
I would so appreciate your forwarding this information to those in your network for their donations to meet my fundraising goal of $3,400.00. I am a long way from goal, and any amount would be appreciated.
God bless you!
Sherry
FEBRUARY 2, 2009 ~ ADAMS CARE PAGES UPDATE
Fever still high: discovery continues
Adam has some sort of bacterial infection now, and he is getting a skin biopsy later to help figure out what is causing the bumps. He may also have another virus or bacteria and they are testing for five different possibilities.
However, your prayers have helped, as well as the medicine and the healing team here, because today he seems more like Adam, though he has been asleep for much of the day. And God reassured his mother that his blood is healing, even though we can't see it yet in his lab results. Dr. Mody also told his mom that Adam will be okay.
Thank you for your reassuring messages, and your prayers. Thanks to the medical team who works so hard under all circumstances, and thanks to the researchers who work to understand these illnesses in order that future generations of children will be spared from this suffering. (Adam's Family)
FEBRUARY 1,
2009 ~ ADAMS CARE PAGES UPDATE, 11:30AM
Fever has soared to above 105
Adam's fever has soared above 105, despite taking Tylenol to lower it. He is being treated with antibiotics and his blood has been taken for more tests so that they can figure this out. Please continue to pray for his wellness. (Adams Family)
FEBRUARY 1,
2009
Temp: 7
degrees
I had barely
taken 5 steps when I tripped on an ice block
with my left foot. Thanks to Bob Cranson's
"strength through balance" gym workouts, my core
muscles kicked in and I easily caught myself.
I stayed upright, but made some kind of impact
to my right hamstring in the process. I
certainly had to struggle deciding if it would
be best to not do the run, or to keep going.
It's so like the evil one to try to defeat us
before we even get started! Hate that!
I decided I would go on and at least let my cold
tight muscles get warmed up a bit and then take
a check point with my body in a little while.
Working up a
sweat even at 7 degree temperatures. Body
checkpoint ~ some pain, but I can go slower even
with my warbly gate. I headed on
going as far east as the Dixboro Bridge I came
to last week, and then ran back. Probably
so accustomed to the cold now I couldn't feel
the full pain impact anyway.
Apart from my
right hamstring, I actually felt strong and the
slow pace was working for me. I felt in a
kind of rhythm with my running and decided that
if the pain didn't get any worse, I would be
fine. I headed to the west adding new
mileage to the distance I've been training so
far. It was lovely to follow the
frozen Huron River meandering through the woods.
At one turn on the path a strong wind stream
blast hit me suddenly so hard I was nearly
knocked over. It came and went in one
powerful blast that also left my sunglasses
entirely fogged up; temporarily blinding my
vision.
God's Word spoke
to me:
"We
live by faith, not by sight." (2
Corinthians 5:7NIV)
As I meditated on
this word, it prompted me to think about
"running by faith, not by sight" ~ literally.
I remembered once meeting a blind runner.
What would that be like to run blind, I
wondered, as I closed my eyes and ran a few
steps. A whole new world! I wanted
to try it again. I closed my eyes and ran
a few more steps. I waited until the path
took a straighter course, then tried again,
closing my eyes running a bit more distance with
my eyes closed. I was relatively on center
path when I opened my eyes. Fascinating!
I let myself have this new experience for quite
some time whenever I would be on straight
stretches of path. I loved pressing in to
God and His Word in such a tangible way.
May you keep me
on a straight and narrow path forward towards
you Lord. ~ AMEN!
Sherry
FEBRUARY 1,
2009 ~ ADAM'S CAREPAGES UPDATE
Middle-of-the-Night Activity
It's early Sunday morning and Adam is sleeping in an isolation room (with a parent) because he has bumps all over his body. It's possible that the chemotherapy, which reduces his immunity to zero, has allowed the antibodies from his chicken pox vaccines to surface. Since chicken pox is carried by droplets and so can be airborne, and most of the kids up here have little immunity, we are in a room with a special filter so no one else will get it. We'll find out for sure if it's a skin irritation or chicken pox late Monday or early Tuesday, when we get the results of his lab test.
Meanwhile, he is having a bit of a bloody nose right now, so he's getting platelets to encourage clotting. His temperature was raised before bed, but seems to be normal right now, and we're thankful for that. The parents are more stressed than would be optimal, but some sleep later this morning will probably help.
As usual, he's getting great care, even though he looks a bit miserable as he tries to sleep. Despite these side effects, he is still doing well overall and had great fun flying paper airplanes with his dad this evening. Plus, he had fun writing some words with his teacher yesterday. Overall, life goes on as normal as possible here at the hospital.
God is good, and we are blessed. Good morning from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. (Adam's Family)
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One
night I dreamed a dream. I was walking along
the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed
scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two
sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me
and one to my Lord.
When
the last scene of my life shot before me I looked
back at the footprints in the sand. There was only
one set of footprints. I realized that this was at
the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always
bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my
dilemma.
"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You
would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm
aware that during the most troublesome times of my
life there is only one set of footprints. I just
don't understand why, when I need You most, You
leave me."
He
whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will
never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and
testings. When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you." |
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