Category: Angie

90 Degrees…

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That was the temperature at 10:30 this morning while watching the Chicago Marathon. I heard later that the race was called off at about 11 am and all the runners that made it to the half way point at that time were diverted back to Grant Park. Any runner that had past this point would be allowed to finish. It was just crazy hot.

We went out there at 9 am to see the lead runners run by. We were sitting between the 19th and 20th miles about 1/4 mile away from the 20th mile. By 9:15ish, the two lead male on wheelchairs flew right by us. They looked so intense and did not even look like they were racing. It was amazing. A few more wheelchair racers flew by including the first female in the lead.

About ten minutes later, we saw some cars coming. One of the cars was the official pace truck that had the time on top of it. There was a cluster of 5 males running behind it. Their time was 1:38 at that time. It was really great. We cheered them on.

By then, more wheelchair runners were coming so we decided to take a walk along part of the course. I didn’t even realized how close we were to the 20 mile mark. Lots of people were rooting all the runners. There were little girls doing cheers. Loud speakers blaring feel good music. We got one of those cow bells so Diego had a field day clanking it while we were there.

About 20 minutes after the men leads ran by, we saw another pace truck coming. I knew the female lead runners were right behind them. Now that is what I was waiting for. It was really an inspiration to see them run in preparation for my half marathon. I just hope that it isn’t 90 degrees then. 🙂

Happy October…

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My favorite month has arrived! Lots and lots of things are happening this month:

  • Jackson’s 5th Birthday Party (Oct. 13)
  • Pumpkins In The Park 5K race (Oct. 13)
  • My birthday (Oct. 16)
  • Indianapolis Half Marathon (Oct. 20)
  • Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 27)
  • Trick or Treating in Milwaukee (Oct. 28)
  • Halloween (Oct. 31)
  • Gallbladder Surgery (Oct. 31)

Nice way to finish the month huh? I will miss trick or treating with Diego but that is why we are going to the Zoo and Milwaukee. I told Eric he should take him around the block that day. I would hate for Diego to miss this.

Big Boy Bed…

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Well, it has been done. Diego is now sleeping in a big boy bed!!! Eric and I spent all day Saturday getting his room setup.

Diego's New Bed

Eric had to go pick up the bed from Lazar’s Juvenile Furniture Store in the morning. Once he got home with the boxes, we had to dismantle the crib. Then we realized that we need to clean the room’s carpet. So, while Eric cleared it out, I ran out to Dominick’s to rent one of those carpet cleaning machines. Setup the machine and Eric cleaned the carpet.

Then, he started to put the bed together. We got him a Flexa day bed. It is low to the floor and has a railing all around the bed except a spot where he can get in. The great thing about Flexa is you can get accessories for the bed for when he gets older. It can be a bunk bed or put legs on it to make it into a loft so you can put a desk underneath it.

While Eric was at the store picking up the bed, he found a quilt, some shams and pillows that would be perfect. We wanted to find something that would go with the room but it needed to be big boyish. What he found was the Montana Kidsline bedding. It is really cute. He got the quilt, two pillows (the denim one and one that looks like the quilt) and the three throw pillows. After looking at the other stuff they have, we decided we are going to look for the hamper.

So we needed to find some sheets and a waterproof mattress cover. So off to Target we went. We got that and a clock for his room. By the time we got everything washed and dried, it was 9 PM and he had fallen asleep.

I was worried he wasn’t going to be happy but he slept all thru the night. It has only been one night so we shall see.

Gallstone Update…

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Well, it seems that I will have to get the gallbladder surgery. 😯 It has been set for October 31. How fitting right? 😆

I am getting a new procedure called NOTES (Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery). Sounds very scientific doesn’t it?

Here is my understanding of this new procedure: Instead of getting four incisions, there is only three. The scope and tools goes thru the mouth. They cut thru the stomach to get to the gallbladder. They snip and pull it out thru the mouth. Then everything gets patched up. I will probably stay overnight for observation since this is a new procedure. I think there has only been 8 or 9 surgeries of this kind done.

Very scary for some. I haven’t really told anyone in the family that I am having surgery yet but I will soon. Don’t want to frighten anyone.

The only thing is that I will miss trick or treating with Diego this year. I hope Eric will take him out. I will be at the hospital recovering during the peak time. I hope I can go home that day.

AIDS Run Done…

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Race is done! My official time was 31:38. I am waiting for the official time to post but not there yet. My pace was about 10:13. Not bad considering I have haven’t ran since the 10 Mile race and I am fighting a head cold for the past week.

I am very disappointed in my fundraising. Last year I collected $70 and this year I have only collected $40. Come on folks, anything will do.

So if anyone is interested, there is still time to go to my fundraising website and donate to a great cause.

AIDS Run Walk Chicago 2007

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AIDS Run Walk Chicago 2007

Well, it is that time of year again. This was the race that started this running thing.

I am trying to fundraise some cash before September 15.  My goal is $100 but I am hoping all my homies can step up and help me surpass that amount. So if anyone is interested, go to my fundraising website and donate to a great cause.

Thanks!

Just because I wanted to remember: I ran this race last year in 37:20.  Hoping I do better this year.

10 Miler…

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CHECK! The Scenic 10 Mile race is over! I think I did it just under 2 hours. I got my medal to prove I ran the race. 😆

The race was very nice. There was music on most of the route. Rock band, polka bands, a four piece orchestra, a chorus, boom boxes, people cheering, water hoses, and bagpipes. It was very lovely.

More hills than we expected. Granted, they were not very big hills but enough that my legs are feeling it.

So I guess I am ready for the half marathon right? 😯

On the Comeback Trail…

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After three weeks of not running, I finally went.  Ran 2 miles in under 20 minutes.  It really felt good!  I just have to remember to ease back into this.  I am just worried that I will be sidelined even more if I have to have surgery.  I guess I will worry about that when I come to that bridge.

I can’t wait to go again tomorrow!

My ER Story…

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Around 11 pm last night, I got this unbearable pain in my upper abdomen. It hurt so much that I asked Eric to take me to the ER.

I was still dressed so Eric helped me get downstairs, found my shoes and into the garage. Eric asked me to lie down in the back seat. He flew to the hospital, Northwestern Memorial. I remember most of the ride there. I kept telling Eric to slow down and to not go through red lights, which he did a couple of times.

We got there at 11:20 PM. The pain was unbearable that it made me cry a couple of times. I remembered everything the registration lady asked me. So we waited and waited. Sure enough my pain started to go away right around midnight. I thought about going home but I was already there and I just wanted for someone to tell me why I had all this pain. A few minutes later, the pain returned but not as intense. So finally, a nurse called my name.

I was diagnosed with a severe UTI but they were still confused as to why I had pain in the front. They decided to keep in the observation ER area. While I was waiting for a room, they pumped full of rapid infusion antibiotics. Once I got moved to my room, we finally got some sleep. But at 7 am, I was wheeled to get an ultrasound for my gall bladder and liver.

They found gallstones. But my gallbladder is healthy looking so they were not too concerned about doing anything to it right away. They referred me to a surgical consult (that I still have to make). I guess I will be saying goodbye to my gall bladder soon.

I was discharged at 2:30 today.

I feel so much better now but every time I sense something in my tummy area, I kinda freak that it will be the pains. They were much worse than labor pains let me tell ya. I have to modify my diet a bit: low fat, nothing fried, fatty foods, no cheese, no cream of anything, etc. That is okay. Not too bad except the cheese. I love cheese. But I don’t want a re-occurrence of this pain so it is not too hard to do.