Ups, downs, biopsies...

I had a great start to the week. PT on the shoulder has me lifting weights pain-free (about 60% of what I was before the bike crash). The Doc has not given me clearance to run, but walking is not even slightly painful. So I jumped on the treadmill, cranked it up to 15% (the maximum), and went for a mile walk. That is 20 minutes and was a good workout. So, I did it again the next day, and it felt great. I was not running, but I was perspiring harder than I had in a long time. And all I could think of was Diane Farmer's successful ST 100 training... Cranks the treadmill high and walks til you die. I felt like I could walk another mile but wanted to ease in...

Then I woke the third morning and did not feel pain, but my knee was bruised. I hit on something, but I have no clue what that may have been. It looks like a vampire bit me! The bruise is over the size of a dollar coin! Oh well, I had to take time to do other things anyway, as I am a referee for the NCAA Regional and had to get the draws set up.

Besides the NCAA Tennis referee thing, I have had some problems in my esophagus; I have been hoarse for some time, and as reported earlier, I went to the Doc and got medicines to cure the pain. But my throat was not better at all. Today, I had an Upper GI endoscopy, sometimes called EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). This was intended to be a visual examination of the upper intestinal tract. There were unexplained growths. So, several biopsies were taken, and now I get to wait a few weeks for the results. (Should I have asked Steve for a few to analyze? I think he loves that stuff...) Sucks, but I think of Don (Check out his blog about running or the blog about his illness) and many others who have much more demanding issues and realize I am blessed to have had so few issues my whole life!

I've been posting a picture a day on the other blog. It's hard to find or take really cool pictures each day, although the one from earlier this week is just cool. What a great idea Emily had! I would have liked to see the look on Steven's face, whoever he is!

I am preparing for winter. I am looking forward to the cold weather. I'm not sure why, but I like that crisp air in my lungs; that sense of tranquility from the white of newly fallen snow, and I want to get through 2009. It hasn't been a good year. Last time I had a bad year, I had a few outstanding years. I'm looking forward to that.

Carry on!