Most of the Stitches ....

well not all the stitches came out just some of the stitches. I now have a large adhesive bandage to keep the incision site closed plus a few stitches. The doc says I can't exercise until Monday when hopefully the rest of the stitches come out.

today was a run day but shortened to 3 miles as I have the appointment with the doc.

Stitches Come Out ....

My stitches come out on Thursday morning....and I can't wait. My Surgeon says I can start to exercise again! Plus they itch! UGH!

Here is a quick hit on the weak in review:

Training:

• Monday - run day 4 miles
• Tuesday - run day 6 miles
• Wednesday - bike 25 miles
• Thursday - Run 6 miles
• Friday - Bike 25 miles
• Saturday - Run - stood in garage and watched the rain
• Sunday - Bike 42 miles

totals:

• Run 16 miles
• Bike 92 miles
• Swim NADA
• Waits NADA

No swimming or waits due to stitches. I can't wait for the Doc to give me clearance to start exercising again!

ON another note, I'm signing up for the Naples Half Marathon, Jan 18, 2009. It is one of my favorite races and you get to see how the poor people live in Naples - homes started at $5 mil! Who's in? Plus great pasta party the nite before!

Federal Bail Out Program Application

Click to Enlarge

As the Big 3 go to Washington today, here is the Application for the Federal Bail Out Program via Carpe Diem, just in case you don't get yours in the mail. My Home Watch business is applying for $10 bill. I think that's enough to get us thru December.

Surgery Today

Not my tumor - but this is what they look like

Today was the day for my wide excision surgery on my latest tumor. This one was on the small of my back or lower lumbar. The first surgery removed some of the tumor two weeks ago but the surgeon did not remove all the "bad" cells...or so the pathologist said in his report. So today was another surgery to remove more of me. About the size of a Popeye Biscuit.

Dr. Lipnick - my surgeon

After the surgery Dr. Lipnick told me no strenuous exercise like golf that involves twisting or straining the lower back. Of course I told him I run, bike and swim. He said running and biking is OK! Hey that's good.No swimming, hey that's bad.

So, I'm back at work - just a little sore. Next stop the Oncologist after we get the next pathologist report in TWO WEEKS - why so long?

So I ran 2 quick miles this morning before surgery - no swimming for at least 2 weeks! ugh. But the Naples Half Marathon is coming in January so let's concentrate on that race!

St. Anthony's

Today the registration opened for St. Anthony's Triathlon. Tony and I agreed train together and do the race. So today was the day that the registration opened! It took trying all morning until finally! finally! At 12:30 I got to register, finally. HEY I'M IN FOR ST. ANTHONY'S! It's an Olympic distance race... 1.5 k swim, 40 k bike and a 10 k run. (that's 0.932 mile swim, 24.85 miles bike and 6.21 miles run for those metrically challenged).

But hey I'm in and I'm excited....until Tony calls to tell me that he decided NOT TO DO THE RACE! ugh!


O well I'm in! Who else is with me? Who's in?

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

It was a cold morning for the 13th Annual Gobble Gobble 4 Miler - Turkey Trot, 52*! But the Bad Ass Flatlanders rode the 20 miles down to the Venetian Village in Naples do the race then ride back. I on the other hand chose to take the car!


Here are some of the gang before the race!

After the race was the usual bagels but also Pumpkin Pie!

Monday Weakend Highlights

Boys and girls, there were few highlights this weakend! But here are a quick list of a few...

• Friday evening went to Mr. Bill's thank you "party" - a politician friend who was elected as Councilman for Burrito Springs.
• Saturday - slept in late 10 am - well I did get up at 5:30 but it was blowing and cold outside, to cold to ride, so I went back to bed.
• Sunday - rode with the Bad Ass Coffee Flatlanders - while I didn't get dropped at the airport, I did see that Nurse Mark was missing so I went to look for him. Never did find him. Rode 45 miles, he last 15 by myself. Ave speed 20.1 mph.
• Sunday night - had a great fire in the outdoor fireplace!
• Monday - ran with Tony rather than our usual Monday ride, Tony had an early appointment and we are doing the Gobble - Gobble Run on Turkey Day.

This week promises to be fun! Again a quick hit list:

• Getting ready for the kids who are coming Friday for the weakend
• Decorating for Christmas - prior to my birthday!
• Doing the Gobble Gobble Run on Thursday
  

A quick health update, again a quick hit list:

• The one of the recent biopsy on my back came back positive!
  
• I have surgery on Dec. 2.
• My boss wants me back at work right away!
  
• I have a tooth ache.
  
• The dentist wants clearance from my brain surgeon before doing anything. So it will wait until after my surgery.
  

Cold, Colder, COLDEST

The weakend started out pretty good with the usual Saturday morning ride with the Bad Ass Coffee ride. the temp cooled off to a nice 60* at ride time. While I did get dropped off the A ride, the B ride ended up being pretty fast. English Richard, came back to check on Joanna in the B group and ended up pulling the entire route! He was like a machine pulling at 23 to 25 mph. It was great until I had to pull along the Mall Road....

After the ride, 42 miles, I did a quick 3 mile run. My calf muscles felt like they were going to cramp. Go figure.

Sunday was cold with a heavy (sailing term) wind form the Northeast! The temp as 52* but with the wind it felt colder. (We need a reef in the mainsail and a working jib). The A group started out at 22 mph INTO THE WIND and sure enough, I got dropped before the University hill climb.

Monday was the COLDEST. It was 45*! Tony did a no show but the Million Dollar Doctor, Steve had his new winter riding kit! Wow, best $500 he ever spent! We did the normal Monday ride for 25 miles.

Finaly Friday - Wolf Dog

I have written about the problem we are having with Coyote's in the Wiley Coyote Eats Cat post. But now there is a new problem Wolf-dog's! A wolf-dog is just that, part wolf and part dog. Wednesday, Lee County Animal Services caught a wolf-dog, placed it inside their van in a cage. The animal broke the steel cage and then the hinge on the van window to escape!

So now the hunt is on to find the wolf-dog. The local media is doing live shots in and around the area of the siting of the wolf-dog. But wait, for there's more....watch the upper left of the live shot as the wolf-dog makes a cameo appearance!




This week ends with my Friday ride... I was joined by Tony, Dr. Steve and a first time on the weekday ride Jen! Just a quick 25 miles.

Now swimming this weakend---ugh! but Saturday & Sunday with the Bad Ass Coffee riders.

To My Bank...

Dear Sirs,
In view of what seems to be happening
internationally with banks at the moment,
I was wondering if you could advise me.

If one of my checks is returned marked
"insufficient funds," how do I know
whether that refers to me or ... to you.?

Quick Update

Yes, I'm still alive. I know some of you have hoped otherwise! I had two more tumors removed last Wednesday. I'm recovering nicely THANK YOU! I see the dermatologist/oncologist/surgeon next Wednesday. Then on to the brain surgeon and eye doctor for repeat testing, ugh! Hopefully there will be a time when I don't have to see a doctor!

Congrats to Tony who did the Ride Across Florida on Sunday. Only 175 miles. Next year count me in!

Saturday and Sunday's ride was a little weak well a lot weak.... I'm not allowed to swim for a while.

• Saturday - I started out with the A group. I thot I might get dropped at the first overpass- the only hill in the area is an overpass over interstate 75. As it was I kept up with the group for the next 10 miles when I got caught by a traffic light, the peleton went thru I got stopped because I was at the back of the pack. I finished the ride alone for a total of 40 miles average 19.7 mph.
  
• Sunday - Both groups start together on Sundays with the split coming after the two parking garages at FGCU. The B group consisted of Nurse Payne and myself. So it was into the wind and a hard go. At the airport (RSW) we turned back to have a wonderful ride back at 26 mph! Why can't the wind always be at our back?
• Monday - the usual ride with Nurse Payne 25 miles
• Tuesday - was a run day with Tony. he was all recovered from his Ride Across Florida but I was feeling a little funky
• Wednesday - the ususal ride Nurse Payne, Tony and Dr. Steve but Tony got a small wire caught in his chain which broke. ugh
• Thurday - the usual run alone 4 miles.

Thanks KONA SHELLY for stopping by.... she just completed Ironman # 9 at Florida Ironman! Read all about it here... IRONM4N.

weakend and Stuff

Had a great weakend training. Fri - Mon total of 125 miles on the bike in windy South Florida. the weather changed so it was rather pleasant.... 70* Sunday morning at 6:30 am!

Cool Weather

The weather person on the 5 am local news said how COLD it was outside and it was going to be a "cool" day. But wait, don't turn off your air conditioner yet.... 88* is cool in Southwest Florida but not COLD!

Another Bad Day

Well perhaps I should just take the weak off? You do remember Sunday and the long walk home? Well I rode on Monday the usual and flatted again! Only this time Tony and I changed the tube and continued on to finish our 25 mile ride....even had the last sprint in which Tony was to tired to participate..well 80 miles on Sunday will do that to you!

Last night after the Tuesday Nite Swim, I worked on the bike. Checked the tire inside, put new rim tape on the rim. checked inside and out put in a new tube, checked again.....

This morning got ready to ride and POP.... another flat only this time in the drive way. There is a small puncture on the sidewall. That must be it...

So today at lunch I went to the bike store to buy a tire... 52.95 Continental 4000 blue wall tire. So tonight it's replace the tire night!

Work has also become somewhat of a nightmare. I'm tiring to get IRS Form 5500's done for 15 of my plans. They are due to be mailed to my clients by Oct. 1.. so crunch time is on!

Out of Stock

OK I went to my LBS (local bike shop) to buy some tubes to replace those blown apart this weakend. Only the were out of stock.... threaded, long stem, tubes. none available. ok HOW ABOUT non-threated, long stem tubes. Nada, nothing, not available. O, hey I found an old box here with one tube will that work for you...non-threaded of course.

HOW CAN THIS BE? YOU ARE A BIKE SHOP WITHOUT TUBES FOR ROADBIKES? HUH!

Training Update

It has been a slow week training wise. Last Tuesday and Wednesday we had the rain bands from Ike, so it mess things up a little. But here is a quick overview of the week that was:

Monday:

BIKE - the weakday course
Just a quick 25 miles before work with Tony and Mark (Nurse Payne). The course we use is the Weakday Course which starts at William Road Circle behind the new Coconut Point Mall thru the Brooks via Coconut Blvd then down to Bonita Springs via Three Oaks Parkway (all bike lanes). We go thru some side streets to downtown Bonita Springs to Terry Street then back to the parkway which becomes a SPRINT ZONE thru the Brooks and finally the Mall and a final SPRINT ZONE to the circle.
Total Bike Miles 25

SWIM
I hit the pool after work for a few laps to give me 3,000 yards. Yea I know Mark Phelps does 8,000 as a warm up. but I'm old and he is a kid and 3,000 is enough for me. Total Swim 3,000 yards

Tuesday
RUN - the Tuesday Light Pole Course
I start out at 6:45 and meet Tony somewhere between my house and his. After two miles warm up we do light pole sprints... Sprint from one light pole to the next then jog to the next light pole and so forth for 2 miles then run a light 2 miles to finish back at my house. Total Run Miles 6

Swim
Another swim after work...see above.
Total Swim 3,000 yards

Wednesday

RIDE - the Weakday Course
Well it was suppose to be a ride morning as above but it was raining. It rained most of the nite, stuff from Ike So I went back to bed. Actually I got ready to run and just as I stepped out the door the heavens opened in this massive downpour! so I went back into the house, got a shower and went to work!
Total Ride Miles NONE

Waits
I know I spelled it wrong. It's just that is what I end up doing. Waiting. Moving from one machine to the next in the fitness center. I have to wait my turn! But I did some waits.

Thursday

RUN - the easy run course
This run and every Thursday run is a lone run. Just a slow easy run 6 miles is all I have time for to make it back for a shower and off to work by 8:30.
Total Run Miles 6

SWIM
Another boring swim in the pool....
Total Swim 3,000 yards

Friday

BIKE - the weakday course
I was up late talking on the phone to a friend who is dying of cancer. It started in her kidney. She never smoked, always exercised and ate well. Now cancer has gone to her brain and she can't walk. She is hoping to live until her grandson's wedding in November, but it doesn't look promising. Of course she is afraid of dying and has no hope of an after life.

So while talking with her, I was upset and drank to much wine and could not get out of bed...well I got up to ride but promptly went back to bed.

Saturday

BIKE - Saturday Bad Ass Course
Saturday is the weakly Saturday ride with Bad Ass Flatlanders Cycling Team. We do a ride similar to the above Monday ride but add a few more miles thru Bonita Spring making my total which includes riding from my house to the Bad Ass Coffee parking lot, for the ride of 40 miles. My average speed is 21 to 22... according to my bike puter.. The SPRINT ZONES are the killers though. I usually get dropped.

SWIM
I got a call from my friend Jack saying the gulf had 4' to 6' waves. He was heading out to surf but my swim was canceled. UGH! I didn't feel like the pool again!

SUNDAY

Sanibel Light

BIKE- Captive Island Ride
The Bad Ass gang was going to Sanibel then on to Captiva Island. A great ride of 80 miles plus. the ride accross the causeways is spectacular! I usually start out with them for the first half then leave the group to ride alone in aero but.... The group had 4 flats in the first 8 miles of the ride!

SO I left the group earlier and rode along only to have a FLAT! I changed the tube, started of only to flat again! UGH! Now I had no spare tube... what to do. Walk of course! So I started walking home. Along the way a guy stopped to give me a spare tube.... but I still needed an CO2 canister... so continue walking. I saw a guy who works at a LBS that I don't frequent any more since they put inferior parts on my Roo ride by on is bikle. He waived. Thanks Alex. It took me an hour and a half to walk/run home with my bike.

Total Bike miles.... 35 miles plus 7miles walking/jogging

RUN
Sunday run was canceled because of lack of interest from the above walking/jogging home to fix my bike.

OK here is what you've been waiting for Totals

Bike: 125
Run: 12
Swim: 9,000 yards
Waits: 1 time

Wiley Coyote Eats Cat

We have been having a problem with coyotes. Recently a man near my home while walking his Shits-on-you dog (no not Collie and Coffee Drinker) was attacked by Wiley Coyote. Wiley Coyote it seems, thought the Shits-on-you was a snack on a string. The man beat off the coyote with his cane (read the story here).

In the video above the poor kitty, Caesar, had an uncaring owner who left Caesar out all night only to wander into Wiley Coyote.

The moral of the story, Wiley Coyote is hungry and is moving into populated areas. Don't leave your animals out or they will be lunch orin Caesar's case, a midnight snack!

From Survivor Back to Patient

Well I was cancer free for 7 months, not as long as the last time, 2 years, but it seems that I have a "green thumb" and can really grow tumors. This time it was only 7 months after being declared cancer free by my docs and 3 months from my last melanoma body scan check up.

I noticed on my calendar at home that it has been 4 years since my first cancer and lymphoma surgery. So I guess it has worked out better than it has for a friend I met, he lasted 8 months after his melanoma diagnosis and pasted away. I find it hard to say he "died", but like saying "I have cancer" I guess it gets easier..... have you noticed if you say you have breast cancer you get all kinds of support but skin cancer well that's no big deal hey it's only skin caner. Only melanoma is the fastest growing cancer.

I have changed my banner...did you notice.

The problem I'm having is a pain in my..... back. One of the biopsies was rather deep and IT HURTS! Well no matter, it is going to hurt more as I have to schedule wide excisions of both sites... they take out more tissue in the size of a large biscuit to examine how far the cancer has spread, how deep the tumor is/was and then proceed to the next step. The kids are coming to visit for the month of August, so I guess they can get me to and from the surgery and tend my dressings.

On the training front, I had an OK run this morning. Just a few miles in the humid heat. It just finished raining as I left for my run. I did get some pool time in yesterday with a fairly good bike so I guess an OK run is well OK.

Two More Lesions

J's Birthday Flowers

This week I have been in somewhat of a funk. Even though last Saturday and Sunday I had big riding days. In fact I was second in the sprint on Saturday with the Bad Ass Coffee Cycling Team. My total mileage for Friday thru Monday was 170 miles total.

Wednesday was J's birthday and not wanting any bad news for her birthday I had to go to the doctors. So guess what, he had to take off two more lesions. These were on my back which is much better than the last one in Oct 07 which were on my arm. So now it is a another wait to see what the path report says. the doc talked about the new cocktail, CDV plus interferon and interleukin. I understand you are sick as a dog with flu like symptoms for a year. I don't think I want to do that.

The week update date:

• Bike: 175 miles
• Run 14 miles
• Swim 3 hours

Saturday Tony and his wife went with J an I to Ruth's Chris' Steakhouse for dinner. A lot of money for an OK meal with poor service.

Sunday after the ride I felt AWFUL. I can't begin to tell you how sick and tired I felt. When I got up today I hoped that I would feel better but...alas is not so. I rode with Tony this morning. I asked to ride slow but .... it was suppose to be 20ish but ended up at 24ish with a big sprint at the finish. So now I'm really tired.

Almost Jailed

My cycling buddy, Tony the Brit or Tony26 as the Bad Assers call him because even when the set speed is 22 to 23 he pulls at 26.... well we are riding our usual 26 mile weekday route. The route, 26 miles long, is along a newly opened road with, for the most part, good road surface and a bike lane until we turn to go thru Burrito Springs. Just a few side roads then down Terry Street, a four lane road without a bike lane, turn left at the traffic light and to rejoin the newly opened road with a bike lane. The only problem is we have to get over into the left lane then the turning lane to turn left at the traffic light.

Now Burrito Spring is just as it sounds, old Florida rednecks and those still wet from crossing the river....not to say that they don't have green cards, drivers licenses or even insurance on their cars which they don't and that's the Rednecks. As we get to the left some one scares the be jeepers out of us by honking their horn...not once, not twice, not thrice but over and over and over again!

Now an occasional horn doesn't bother me, being from the Northeast, but I was pulling at 22 mph with Tony26 on my wheel in the left lane of a REDNECK-MEXICAN Road. Kinda makes you nervous and waiting for the gunshot.

It appears that the person behind us in a lime green VW Bug wants to get past us to make the approaching traffic light before it turns red. We move left, the car squeezes by us on the right, beeping only to have the light turn red so the lime green VW Bug has to stop at the light as we roll to a stop in the lane next to it.

Now Tony26 is a calm rational Brit just recently allow to become a US Citizen - not that I had anything to say about it. All of the sudden he starts banging on the window and yelling at the woman driver "You almost caused an accident by hooting at us (yes he said hooting!)"She rolls down her window and starts yelling back.... "You don't belong in the left lane! Stay right or on the sidewalk!"

I of course am calm cool and collected yell back at her "We have as much right on the road as you...." With that I see a Lee County Sheriff's car turn on it's red lights and cross over 2 lanes of traffic pulling in front of the lime green VW Bug. The officer gets ot of the car and says to Tony26 and me "GET AWAY FROM THE CAR AND GET OVER HERE!" With that Tony26 start yelling a the officer! and yelling and yelling....finally the officer says as loud as he could '"STOP YELLING!"

TONY26 calms down and calmly tells his story to which the offier says ... "OK, you can go". He then takes his ticket book and walks to the lime green VW Bug. The last thing we here as the light changes to green for us to turns is the officer asking the woman...."May I see your driver's license and registration?"

I thought for sure we were going to jail......

July 4th Ride Pic

Here is the Bad Ass Flatlanders Cycling Team at Ava Maria, FL the halfway point of the 80 mile ride know as Drop the Brit Ride.

What's Happening.....

Here's quick update on What's Happ'n Now!

• Rode Saturday with Bad Ass cycling group --- +/- 20 riders who meet at Bad Ass Coffee in Estero. Good ride of 40 miles got dropped on the Sprint- hey 31 is to fast.
• Rode Sunday with BA --- well the first 20 miles then rode alone in aero as much as possible finished with 56 on the meter.
• Rode Monday with Tony - btw he has new Zipp 404's - a little tired, well a lot tired but got 25 miles in with an ave of 21 mph.
  
• Ran Tuesday -today - ran 8 miles and plan on swimming for an hour later tonight.
• Ride 25 tomorrow and play company golf with a client.
• Run and Swim on Thursday
• Ride the "Drop the Brit Ride" or 80 mile Ava Maria Ride for the 4th
  

On the health front:

• no new melanoma since my surgery last Oct 2007
  
• Declared cancer free by oncologist in Dec 2007
• Brain tumor declared - "the thing in your brain" by Brain Surgeon in Jan 2008 (meaning he doesn't know what it is or he doesn't know what to do or he's just crazy.

One More time

OK... so I've been away for a while! Well a long time. It's a long story. Added to the fact I helped a friend develop a blog and it got mixed up with mine... no I didn't run for office in Bonita Springs...

Coffee Drinker and Collie are no where to be found.... I haven't seen them in a year!

But I've added a few new people that I'll write about:

The Scarecrow - a lady who has had to much plastic surgery and now hides her face when peolpe run/walk.cycle past her. She takes her Shitzonyou for rides in the car and/or golf cart.

The Pajama Girl - walks two large dogs most mornings with her hair wet and pajama's

Salesman - walks his Shitzonyou and carries a golf club to fend of Coyotes - yes we are having a major problem with Coyotes. They think small dogs are a snack on a string.