Ed has left us...

On March 14, 2009 Ed Nagle ran the Seabrook Lucky Trails Half Marathon. The next day Ed ran the full marathon. That's 40 miles in two days by a man in his 60's being treated for cancer. Ed ran these races in my honor knowing I would have surgery a week later. In fact I was so sick from chemo I couldn't attend the race on Sunday. Ed and his wife Marcia stayed in touch the past 18 months making sure I was okay. Ed passed away 9 days ago on August 14. Please say a prayer for Ed and his family...

Rest In Peace Dave...

Dave passed away this morning, August 13 on his 45th birthday. During his treatment for bladder cancer Dave was a huge inspiration for many of us, especially me. His "just get over it" attitude was a breath of fresh air at times when we needed it most. I'll miss Dave...

Dave left these words just before his passing...

My beloved family, I have left my body but I have not left you.
We still have eternity, not just our years here which seem so few.

In your great pain, know that I have no pain so please let me go.
I enjoy many new experiences which someday you will know.

My beloved family, you were my strength, joy and my light.
I love you all so much and you will always be in my sight.

I know that my passing to new life has given you so much pain.
But like the rainbow, remember the sunshine before the rain.

My beloved family, you gave me such happiness and love.
I will keep sending you my love as I care for you from above.

It is only for a short time that we will be apart.
So keep on living, loving and laughing until then.

In the meantime, I will be near you with my warm embrace.
That is my presence you feel when you remember my face.

There will be a day when God calls you but you will not be alone
I will be there that day to greet you and welcome you home.

Another Birtday...

I posted the message below one day before my birthday in 2009. It is as meaningful today as it was then so I’ve updated the dates and a couple of details for this year...

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It was 17 months, 7 days ago (almost to the hour) when my doctor told me I had cancer. Not a day I’ll ever forget! A week later at the hospital, after surgery he changed it to really bad cancer (as if there were a really good cancer). My nurse told me to go off and become a miracle. Knowing it will take a miracle to survive was a little deflating.

A month later after another surgery at MD Anderson my doctor confirmed "really bad." They used words with lots of syllables like papillary, carcinoma and so on. They even scheduled me for another surgery that began with the word radical. Hmm...this is getting better?

All of the above occurred over a 6-week period. What a whirlwind!

One of my early prayers was “let me see Brittany graduate.” I was asking for two years. Seemed reasonable! Then I began to get greedy, asking for extra years to see the grandbabies grow up. They do need a grandpa!

As the days went by leading up to surgery I would not allow myself to think too far into the future because when I did a sense of disappointment and sadness set in. I had to be realistic…this was a complicated procedure that didn’t…well...you get the point!

Here I am one day before another birthday not caring too much about aging, looking forward to upcoming vacations and generally enjoying life. My immediate concern is ensuring I make enough margaritas for our gathering tonight. Adrianne, Alison and Brittany are all here, something that doesn’t happen often enough.

That’s the “one day at a time/live for the moment” thing I’ve become accustom to. Not a bad way to live!

So…Happy Birthday to Me!

Didn’t plan on making it this far but don’t plan on leaving too soon either! Hey, that sounds like a country song.

Rest in peace Ben!

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered "come with me". With tearful eyes, I watched you and saw you pass away. Although I loved you dearly, I could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest...God broke my heart to prove to me, He only takes the BEST.

July 17 - Bladder Cancer Awareness Day

In memory of every cancer patient, family member, and friend who has lost their battle with cancer and those who continue to conquer it!

Wild Animals...

I'm standing. Now what?

I feel stupid. You look stupid!

This is going to hurt...

I have been warned!

I have been warned not to post any more Snapping Turtle pictures or articles. So...I'm switching to kittens! Everyone should have a kitten...

Meet Oswald

He's aiming at...you guessed it...
a Snapping Turtle!

ALL CLEAR!

Had my six month checkup this week. I am 15 months post RC and I am truly blessed...

Bob

My Story...

I was asked to write this for a cancer awareness organization so I thought I would post it here as well.

After many years of taking my health for granted I took up walking and running as a hobby in June 2002. Wasn’t long before I was hooked! I completed my first marathon in January 2003 in Houston. Just to be clear, a marathon is a running event covering a distance of 26.2 miles. Not only was I hooked on running I had made many new friends; friends I’ll be close to forever.

I continued to train and run races for years, making more friends along the way. In early 2006 I decided to get serious...very serious! I was going to train like never before, lose weight and participate in two marathon challenges unique to Texas. The first was The Texas Marathon Challenge requiring you to complete five marathons between October and May; the second was Marathons of Texas, requiring you to complete Dallas (November), Houston (January) and Austin (February). Completing one of these challenges is formidable. Running them concurrently is a little over the top!

Picture a 54 year old man running along Clear Lake, starting anywhere from 3:00AM to 4:00AM, 4-5 times per week...IN THE SUMMER! Did I lose weight? You bet...54 pounds! I was racking up to 70 miles per week, going through a pair of running shoes every four weeks. I had never been healthier in my life! Or had I?

Starting in October 2006 I set out to complete eight marathons in twelve months...

October 29, 2006 – Marine Corps Marathon, Washington, DC
November 12, 2006 – San Antonio Marathon
December 17, 2006 – Dallas/White Rock Marathon
January 14, 2007 – Houston Marathon
February 11, 2007 – Austin Marathon
March 21, 2007 – Seabrook Marathon
October 7, 2007 – Bizz Johnson Marathon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA
October 28, 2007 – Marine Corps marathon, Washington, DC

Sometimes during training, especially the long, hot runs I would get the urge to urinate. This isn’t uncommon since I hydrate heavily during runs. But, when I would try to go nothing would come out. It wasn’t painful but very uncomfortable. Typically I would continue to hydrate after my runs and, in a few hours things would be back to normal. This actually started in January 2004 but I wrote it off to being an endurance runner. Endurance sports tax the body to such extremes that abnormal becomes normal...at least to us. Besides, I had never been healthier in my life! Or had I?

In August 2007 I saw my PCP in hopes that we would figure out what the problem was, assuming it was a problem. He did blood work and checked my prostate only to tell me I’m extremely healthy. He was thrilled I had lost 54 pounds. He did suggest a stress test considering my running habit. My cardiologist passed me with flying colors. I was perfectly healthy. Or was I?

At the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2007 I was gliding along when it happened. At mile 18 my abdomen cramped up in a way it never had before. I struggled to finish the final 8 miles but I did finish. Like always, it only took a few hours to get back to normal. BUT, I knew something was wrong. Did I go to the doctor when I got home? Of course not...I’m a Man! We don’t go to doctors...

I continued to run and have issues for another 10 months before I had had enough. The symptoms were worsening and occurring more often.

I saw a urologist in August 2008. After a basic exam he told me I had micro hematuria, trace amounts of blood in my urine. He said it is a common condition in runners because the bladder takes a beating, especially when one runs long distances. I passed a flow test so we assumed there was no blockage. He asked me to come back in a few weeks to test my urine again. He told me not to run the day of the test. I did go back but got irritated with the long wait and left. I figured I was healthy so why go back.

Hurricane Ike forced us to evacuate to north Texas in September. At a rest stop I noticed my urine was very dark, probably from not drinking enough water...OR? The next day I went to the bathroom and saw bright, red, thick blood when I urinated. No pain or discomfort. Just blood! I immediately called my urologist but Ike had everything shut down. I drank tons of water over the next few hours. No more blood!

Now you would think a fairly intelligent person like me would hurry to the hospital after peeing blood. Not Bob! I just assumed it would go away. It didn’t! After several recurrences over the next couple of months I went back to my urologist. Now we are dealing with gross hematuria. He scheduled CT Scans, blood work and a cystoscope, a procedure where they look inside your bladder with a camera inserted through the urethra.

January 2, 2009... “You have bladder cancer! Two large masses in the bladder, one of which is blocking the urethra. You need surgery as soon as possible to remove the masses and determine the stage of your cancer. I have scheduled your surgery for Monday, January 5.” My only response was to ask him to call in my wife, Ginger and explain this to her. That was arguably the most painful day of my life. Telling my daughters I was sick was more than I could handle so Ginger stepped in to help.
The surgery was supposed to be an outpatient procedure. I ended up staying three days for pain management. Thursday, January 8, 2009... I’m still in the hospital, waiting for my doctor to release me. My oncology nurse (Debbie) came in with my doctor. He was visibly shaken, to the point he had to sit down. I remember a few of his words like high-grade, dangerous, and scary and so on. He referred me to MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDA). Instead of calling an orderly, Nurse Debbie wheeled me to my car. I’ll never forget her words... “Ask God for a miracle. When it happens tell people.”

My first visit to MDA was a whirlwind full of tests, scans, discussions, interviews and an occasional nap. It was Tuesday, February 3. My doctor (Ashish Kamat) said you’re scheduled for surgery on Thursday, two days from now. It was the same as my first procedure but this time he would be staging my disease. It went off without a hitch.

Dr. Kamat talked with Ginger while I was in recovery. He told her it was likely he would recommend a radical cystectomy (RC), removal of the bladder, prostate and surrounding lymph nodes. He believed due to my excellent health, other than cancer, I would be a candidate for a neo bladder, constructed from my small intestines. It is as close to original equipment as you can get. He said I would be able to run again and lead a long, normal life. BUT, this was all dependent on the pathology report. Now we wait!

During the waiting period I was dog, damned determine to keep my bladder. I figured they can do chemo for whatever period of time and that would do it. I didn’t have to have the RC if I didn’t want to. So there!

So much for being dog, damned determine to keep my bladder. T2G3 was the diagnosis. I was extremely fortunate we caught it early. Dr. Kamat offered BCG (chemo) but told me I had a better than 80% chance the cancer would return in an aggressive way. He used words like dead and done (as in dead) if that happened. He scheduled my RC for March 23, 2009.

Surgery lasted seven hours and went off without a hitch. I was on liquids day one; soft foods day two and then cleared to eat at day three. My hospital stay was six days, slightly less than average. I went home with a catheter and kidney stints still attached so my new neo bladder could heal. They would be removed at my three week checkup.

I have to admit I got a little depressed during recovery. I’m not one to sit around let alone have to be cared for. Ginger was (is) a saint. She made sure I was fed, cleaned, entertained and rested. She got on me to get up and move around, a critical requirement for quick recovery. My little dog Lucy stayed near me the entire time.

At my three-week checkup I had another scope where they looked inside my new bladder for leaks. It was doing fine. My catheter, stints and staples (over my incisions) were removed.

Remember nurse Debbie and the miracle? IT HAPPENED!

Dr. Kamat gave us the news. The cancer was contained in my bladder and there was no involvement in the lymph nodes. I am cancer free. No need for chemo! Just come back in three months for another checkup. Ginger and I cried like babies. I couldn’t call my daughters fast enough. We celebrated with a Whopper Junior at Burger King...the best tasting burger I have ever eaten.

As the weeks passed I continued to gain strength. At eight weeks I actually walked/jogged about six miles. Silly me! I over did it. I didn’t hurt anything but clearly my body wasn’t ready to go full speed. I went back to work after ten weeks.

As I write this I am fifteen months post RC and I am strong and healthy. Better yet, I’m still gaining strength. I am back into running and losing weight again. My goal is to run the Athens (Greece) Marathon in 2012 at the age of 60. This is the original marathon run 2,500 years ago. It would complete my comeback in a meaningful way.

So, how did a guy like me get bladder cancer? I smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for over 30 years. No doubt in my mind that was the cause. In fact smoking quadruples your chances. Although I quit smoking at age 50 the damage had already been done...I just didn’t know it! I probably had the disease for at least six years prior to being diagnosed. So if you smoke...STOP! NOW!

People assumed I was scared during treatment. I wasn’t! I was profoundly saddened at the thought of not seeing my youngest daughter graduate from college or not being able to spend time with my grandchildren. I asked God to give me a couple of years to get to graduation and maybe a few more with my grand babies. He gave me even more! Like I said... IT HAPPENED!

In closing, I would say be your own advocate. I should have been diagnosed at least a couple of years sooner. If something feels wrong it probably is. Most of all, know there is hope. Cancer is not a death sentence. It’s a treatable disease if caught in time. God’s Peace!

One Year!

Today is my one-year anniversary of being cancer free. Thank you to everyone who has pulled for me during this very difficult year. I could not have done it without you…

Bob

We did it!

We did it! Team F.C (Fighting Cancer) completed the Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon Relay today. It was sooo cold...29 wind chill at the start. Despite the sunny day, it remained windy all day making it a pretty chilly event. This was my first race in two years, since being ill so it was a very special day for me and I couldn't have picked better teammates.

If you're wondering what the graphics are on our chests look at the previous post. We chose the "Never Give Up" slogan used at MD Anderson.

Team F.C.
Lori & Brenda (front)
Me & Ginger (back)

Don't EVER Give Up

MD Anderson sells a tee shirt with this cute message on the front and back...

A lot of changes since I last posted…

After 16+ years I resigned at Casual Male. After nearly two years of commuting to Dallas I had had enough. I just wanted to go home. So, I took a leap of faith by quitting without having a job lined up. No regrets! Well, there is one…I don’t get to see Alison, David and the boys as often. I will miss that…

I am working again, doing something entirely different from the previous 30-some years. I don’t make the same income; no laptop; no company car…but I am happy! I’m home every night and don’t have to travel.

Ginger and I planted trees last Sunday. A pear and two lime trees! Hope to have fruit within the year. We also took out some dead shrubs and trees, getting ready for spring. We’re here for the long haul so we’re going to make some improvements. Fence, landscaping, patio, etc. It’s so good to be home.

Brittany comes home this Thursday for spring break. Can’t wait to see her! She’s spending the entire break here, a switch from previous years. It will be good having her at home. She has two internships lined up for the summer. One locally, early in the summer; the other in the Myrtle Beach area. She’ll get to stay with Adrianne. We’re so happy for her.

Ginger and I are teaming up with Brenda and Lori to run the Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon relay in a couple of weeks. Each of us will do a 10K. This will be my first race since…hmm…in over two years. WOW! Time even flies when you’re NOT having fun.

Jelly Belly RV Tour

Happy New Year!

This won't come as a surprise to anyone... I am so happy to have 2009 behind me! Life is good...