Keep on keepin' on

Time for another update. I'll do my best to keep it short, but I never know how that is going to go!

It's been just over three weeks since surgery and two weeks since staples and catheter were removed.I guess I'll say, so far so good. Recovery seems to be going well, at least in my opinion. Pain is at a minimum. I'm trying to stay active and moving every day. I never imagined how tough it would be having nice weather and seeing everyone out riding and running while I sit on the sidelines. I know, we go back to last week and that word - PATIENCE! Trust me, I'm being patient. I might be grumbling, but I'm being patient. 

My next doctor appointment is August 10 and at that point the decision will be made about future treatments (radiation and/or hormone therapy). Wait and see! 

I figured being just over three weeks out, today would be a good day to see how I felt - running wise. Tammy and I did a warm and humid 5.5 mile walk/run on the Tomorrow River State Trail outside Scandinavia. https://www.strava.com/activities/3521272784 Nothing fancy, fast or far. An easy mile warm up. Then I settled in to a slooowww run. I was watching my heart rate and trying to stay around 135 while hoping for a 12 minute mile pace. I know, speed and pace are all relative. What's fast for one person is slow for another. I just wanted to run. Any pace. For a couple of miles. Not push. No pain. No expectations. It felt good. Harder than I expected but I'm learning to deal with new expectations. A few hours afterward and I still feel good. We'll see what tomorrow brings. 

I've got a few more days to "recover" and then it's back to work. We'll see how that goes too!

That's about all I have. Nice and short. I'd like to thank the people who've been reading and following along. I appreciate the well wishes and positive vibes! And I'd like to thank everyone who has donated to the cause. https://my.crowdchange.co/odg0j3 It means a lot to Tammy and myself. 

As always comments and questions are always welcome. Now get out there and ride a mile for me. Still not cleared to do that!!

Slow and patient

Welcome back! It's been a week and I figure that means it's time for an update. I'll try to keep these brief and stick to an update at the beginning of every week. At least until things get back to normal, what ever that is, or you get bored. 

Since the last post I have been back to the doctor once, on May 13th. I had my staples and catheter removed. It feels great to finally be able to move around with freedom, albeit slowly. 

I have been out for a few strolls around town. Mostly short and easy efforts. I did push it a bit last Friday. Tammy was at work so there was nobody around to temper my enthusiasm and stupidity. I did a 3 1/2 mile hour long walk. A few little hills around town. Even some trails. I felt good. And then paid for it the next two days. It would seem I tire and run out of breath easily. I think I may have pushed too fast and far too quickly. My lungs hurt for two days! It hurt to take a deep breath and I didn't sleep well. By the weekend I felt better and I will now go slow and steady. Hmmm.....live and learn. You think I'd know this by now!

Everything else is going well. Appetite is back to normal. Sleep is still hit or miss. As far as incontinence issues, it's much better than I expected but still not 100%. Of all the after/side effects this is certainly the one for which I was least prepared. And probably chose to ignore. Again, trying to be patient and take it one day at a time. 

Still no back to work date. Still a 10 pound weight restriction. Other than that life is pretty much back to normal. No appointments in the near future and no decisions yet about the possibility of radiation. 

I recently hooked up with a great foundation and group of people F C Cancer Foundation. Check them out if you're interested. Just trying to do my small part to educate and help. If anything on there moves you to donate I have a personal donation page. Sven Strong!Obviously this has become very personal to Tammy and myself and we'd be honored if you choose to donate. 

That's enough for this week. Hopefully, everything keeps improving and moving forward. Thanks again to everyone for all the positive thoughts. Huge thanks to everyone who has donated. It means more than you know. 

Thanks for checking this out. As always, comments and questions are welcome. 

Recovery time again! This one may take a while!

I see it's been a LONG time since I've posted here. I guess life got in the way. It happens to us all. With all that has been going on - COVID-19 - and others to be explained shortly, I figured I had time to update this again. Mostly for my sake. It helps me think, plan and see where I'm going and where I've been. And I also hope it gets the occasional read.

I won't bore anyone with being overly detailed about what's been going on since my last post. Riding, running and staying busy. Added a couple more ultras to the resume. Even updated my palmarés a bit. Some races and some relaxing. 2018 was a good year. I raced the WORS open fat bike class. And got my ass handed to me! I did two gravel events - Badlands Gravel Battle in Medora, ND and Grit Gravel Grind in El Dorado, KS. Both events kicked my ass! The relentless hills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Badlands and the punishing winds with nothing to stop them of  Kansas. Are you sensing a common thread here? The beatings I took all summer did pan out in some late season success, and made the suffering worthwhile. I pulled off an age group win (55-59) at the Reforestation Ramble on my single speed. I capped off my season with a first in the single speed class in the Short and Fat at the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. A decent year and overall I was happy with my results and training. 2019 turned out to be more of a running year. I headed back to the Ice Age 50 trail run and helped a good friend/training partner to her first 50K finish. Then it was off to Titletown Ultra Series and an eight hour run. Toss in some shorter races and the anchor leg of a triathlon relay and that was 2019. Work and life seemed to get in the way and event weekends just never slotted in with weekends off. Such is life. 

At the end of 2019 I figured it was high time to start getting some medical checkups. It had been a while. You know how guys are, right? Invincible! Bury our head in the sand! If I ignore it it will go away. (In the interest of TMI , let's just say that things weren't always working like they should). Off to my urologist and the familiar tests. If you're a guy of a certain age, you know what I'm talking about. A few pokes, prods and tests later and 2020 was off to an interesting and less than stellar start. 

2020 started with more appointments, tests and due to COVID-19, a few telemedicine visits. At the end of  February I received the test result nobody ever wants to get. CANCER. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was a little prepared for this, but I don't think anyone ever is ready to hear that word. I know I wasn't! I didn't feel sick. Or at least how I thought cancer should feel. I assumed as a guy got older "things" didn't always rise to the occasion. (Okay, enough childish double entendres). I was training hard, had a good program going, felt fast and strong. I had my fastest time in five years at the Point Bock run. I was riding outside all winter. I had a 100K road ride in by early April. I couldn't be sick! 

Surgery was scheduled for May 5th. I had the weekend off before and filled it with friends and as much running, riding and outdoor time as possible. I did a 48 mile ride with two friends who I haven't spent enough time with lately. Thanks Todd and Mike for hauling my ass around and taking pulls in that bitch of a headwind. The beer was worth it! I got in a nice hike. I did a trail run with my better half and even managed to push the pace for a bit. On Monday I did a nice solo ride around the area. Just relaxing and realizing this would be my last ride until ????

So that brings me to surgery on May 5th. I'd lie if I said I wasn't nervous and scared. I guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was. I had robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Crap, that's enough to scare the crap out of almost anyone! I don't remember much about the surgery. I recall being wheeled in to the operating room and then I was in my room! I would be remiss if I didn't give a huge thank you to the entire staff at Appleton Medical Center. From registration to discharge and everything in between everyone was compassionate, kind and helpful. It made the entire process a bit more bearable. 

I was discharged the following day and now starts the recovery. I head back to have staples and catheter removed on the 13th. Hopefully then I can get in some longer walks and progress steadily from there. I'm being cautious, patient and as positive as I can. One day at a time! I don't know what to expect as far as recovery goes. I'm sure it won't be what I want for but will be more than I honestly hoped for. We'll see. 

Finally, I need to give huge shout outs and thanks to so many people. Please don't be offended if I don't mention you. Trust me, every kind word, gesture, thought and helpful deed is appreciated more than you can ever imagine.

Of course I have to thank my better half, Tammy. I have tried to be a good patient. Really! I wouldn't be getting through this as easily and positively as I am without her. She truly is my angel. To the moon!

Todd Meerdink and Michael Kosobucki for that last long ride. That meant more than you can imagine. And Julie and Ruby for the pre-ride breakfast and green jello, because green is for boys!

Rachel Tilley and Ben Mikkelson for some great single track miles. Gentlemen's pace!

John and Becky Dudek for all the positive thoughts and help and some sweet dirt miles!

Suzanne Meerdink for supplying Tammy with puzzles so she can have some down time!

All my kids- Lara, Chelsea, Glenn and Travis, their better halves and all the grandkids. Your love and crazy care packages are so cool!

My sisters Amy and Trish and their families. I promise I'm behaving!

Of course my mom and dad! Love does help heal!
A few great coworkers. If you're reading this you know who you are and how much I appreciate the thoughts-and the bourbon!
 All the other countless friends and neighbors. Your offers of any help we might need is above and beyond. 

And again, all the medical personnel who have been involved in my care and recovery. In this crazy corona virus world you can't imagine how grateful I am for all you did and do!!

Okay, that's enough for now. I have a feeling I'll have time to update this in the future. Thanks for the read. Comments and questions are always welcome.

#fxckcancer #onedayatatime #oldmanpower #svenstrong #iwillbeback