My first thank you has to go to my Enabler-in-Chief, my sister Heather Cocks. I mentioned my 5K scheme, and she agreed to take me running (the first time I've willingly run anywhere). So I tried it, on a nice, dirt track during our trip to California, and I didn't keel over. If she found her older sister pathetic, she hid it well, and she enabled me even further with a donation soon after I went home to Maryland. Of course, this is the sister whose Cabbage Patch doll got a really weird nickname (courtesy of me), and who was briefly nicknamed Young Ploppy after a character in Blackadder.
Maybe Heather's support is not so benign after all.
My intestines had other ideas.
A week ago Friday, I ended up in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer. Two nights, two units of blood, and two days on clear liquids later, and I was discharged with some stomach-healing meds, orders not to take up smoking, and strong suggestions that I avoid spicy, acidic foods for a while. No activity restrictions, but a warning that, due to the anemia that has accompanied the ulcer, I might not have a lot of endurance, and I should be prepared to take it easy.
(They also asked whether I have a lot of stress. Um, yeah. I mentioned that if they didn't manage to discharge me by Monday morning, I would be attending IEP Round 4 with my IVs still in my veins.)
They were right about my endurance. It isn't pretty. A half hour's worth of physical activity and I'm ready for a nap. In one of life's great ironies, I have a perfect excuse not to run anywhere, and I'm annoyed about it. Where was this about 30 years ago, when every gym class was a nightmare? My donation totals tell me I'm probably going to have to do this, so on I go, maybe a little more slowly. Twelve-year-old me would not approve at all.
That means it's time for some more thank-yous. Sort of. These are people who knew their donations were pushing me toward the starting line.
Ginny Reed. My aunt, who is either really supportive of Leah, or found a way to let me know I was never her favorite niece.
Heather Taylor. My athletic neighbor, who offered herself as a running partner. I've played Bunco with both Heather and one of her frequent workout partners from her gym. Cheryl often complained that whenever Heather had a few glasses of red, she devised new, torturous workouts for them. Which means the next time I see her carrying a bottle it's going to be time for some sprints.
Colleen Sugar. We worked together at The Dallas Morning News, my first job out of college. She was a great colleague. Did I steal too many office supplies from her desk?
Diane Kirk. Diane is a runner herself, an autism mom, and a Health/PE teacher who organizes an autism walk for her freshmen every year and directs the proceeds to TACA. A runner herself, she offered to do this as-yet-unchosen 5K with me. We could do a re-enactment of The Tortoise and the Hare.
Chris Lucey. An old friend from Notre Dame, who lettered in track there. Thank God he lives too far away to watch any of this.
Dan Cichalski. A fellow ex-Observerite from Notre Dame, although he was there with Heather, not me. I expect to see him at the finish line with a Primanti Brothers sandwich.
Seriously, TACA families appreciate your donations. Your help keeps our families moving past hurdles of their own. Our page is still live, until June 30.
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