Running "The Mile" Is Going To Have To Wait....

It's so secret that I've been running again, well walking then running, and doing great. I'm slowly adding on distance to see what I can do. Starting small and working  my way up; I've successfully walked/run 800 intervals, nothing fancy just going at what feels good.

A few days ago my boyfriend says "you're ready" to run my mile, so I asked him if he would run with me on Sunday before we go out for our bike ride and he agreed. Naturally I needed to see how I felt at 1200 meters before going for the full 1600 (400 meters = quarter  mile). Turns out running 1200 is too much, just shy of it I start to felt small aches in my belly near the incision, which says keep working on strengthening my core. I'll stick with the 800's for another week and give it a shot next week and see how it goes. I'm a little disappointed but in due time, it will come. I haven't lost any speed, just strength and my cardio has taken a hit, but with everything else that too is coming back. Now, last night about 6pm I did have some pretty intense pains come on. Naturally, my first thought is I hurt something running. I was assured that if I did damage that, the pain would have came on instantly and not 6 hours later, it's more than likely something else. The pain can only be described as a very intense side stitch, like what you get when you run, but wouldn't go away. It got to the point where I was getting nauseous and pretty tired. I eventually ended up taking some pain medication, which put me to sleep. This morning the pain has subsided but I do still feel a very dull ache. I'll keep watching it over the weekend and see what happens, I do have my 2nd follow up with the doctor on Monday.

Speaking of the doctor, my physical therapist says that I'm about 80% to being where I  need to be. She gave me more to work on and she also wants me to print off my intro to running program and bring it to Dr. Hodel. She also wants me to explain Body Pump in detail to him. If he is OK with me returning to those activities she'll support it.

Wish me luck! And show your support by donating to St. Jude, $10 is all it take www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/akinkade

Six Weeks Post Hysterectomy/Cervical Cancer And I'm Running

Today the Nike Running app on my phone so kindly reminded me that I’m nearing 500 miles on my shoes and that “you’re never finished, but your shoes are.” At first this made me excited because runners LOVE to get new shoes, it’s fun, they are always updating your favorites and coming out with cool new colors. Then I realized that I don’t have one single red cent to my name, cancer has sucked me dry! 

Don’t get me wrong; I’m beyond grateful this was so easily treated and cured and I am now cancer free, but I hate the amount of dept this “small cancer” has put me in. Although it hurts to not be able to enjoy new things, like running shoes, I know it could be worse. There is a reason why I’ve laced up today and am trying to run again, St. Jude! When everything right now is about dollars and cents I’m so happy to know that even though things hard for me, they are harder for these kids/families, and I can do something to help them…and help me. I can raise money, so they don’t have to pay-or go through the financial hardships of cancer. I can run, so they can focus on getting better, stronger and beat the monster that is cancer.  And when I run, not only am I helping them, but I’m helping myself. I am a runner, it’s what I live to do and just doing lets me forget about my worries, even if it’s for just a moment. 

The St. Jude run is 5 weeks away and I’m happy to say that I’m back to teaching RPM (spinning) and on my off days from teaching…I…AM….RUNNING! Sort of, I walk about .75 of a mile and then run the last quarter and repeat and am slowly adding on. Today, I was able to walk a half a mile and then run the last half, no pain…well maybe a little but only in the lungs and my weak legs. But I’m doing it and I hope to be able to run a FULL mile by the weekend or by mid-week next week.

I’m doing my part but I still need YOU to do yours, let’s make cancer run scared, and donate to the run today, all it takes is $10 www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/akinkade

National Running Day: A Recovery Update

I'm not running today or even tomorrow but I will soon, here's a little update on my progress so far.

Shhhh my running shoes are sleeping since I can't run yet! They are dreaming of all the miles they've logged an will rack up again soon!

 

I've been saying for the past few days I've been able to experience all the so called joys of pregnancy but without a uterus. I have mood swings (and I still have my ovaries' dammit), I constantly feel like I have to pee, my back aches, I can't sleep with out my body pillow, I get tired easily, my belly hurts and by the end of the day swells to the point where I look pregnant and to top it off none of my jeans fit so I wear a maternity band because I cannot stand dresses or yoga pants anymore. But...it could be worse.

 

For a woman who just had an abdominal hysterectomy I'm doing FAR FAR FAR better than most even better than some women who had theirs done laparoscopic and robotically. People who don't know me are shocked at when I returned to work, began driving and how much activity I am capable of doing. It's a testament that when you're physically fit and eat right it helps your recover at much better rate. At my two week post op appointment I was given the clear to easing back into exercise which I haven't done yet. I did try doing an RPM class and my abdominals are not strong enough for that yet. I even jogged across the street during one of my walks and came to the same conclusion, there just isn't any strength or support in my belly for those kind of activities yet.

 

To make sure I ease back into fitness properly and with out causing damage I'm meeting with a women's health specialist at Accelerated Rehab tomorrow and I'm very excited about this. I know my abs are very weak and that they need to be strengthened up before I even attempt any thing more than walking. Currently I am walking about 4 miles a day, I did try doing 5 miles and its crazy how that one extra mile is just too much for me right now. So I'm back at 4 and feel great with it and am walking faster and faster every day.

 

My goal right now is to still be able to run the St. Jude run the first weekend in August. I may not be able to cover the miles that I did last year but as long as I can go out there and do a couple of the runs I'll be happy. I hope to also be able to complete the marathon I had registered fore before my cancer diagnosis and surgery. However, If I can't I'm still grateful for what I am able to do so soon after this surgery and even more so to be cancer free.

 

I want to thank everyone for their thoughs, prayers, cards, well wishes and so on but I do ask you to please help me in the fight against cancer and donate $10 to the St. Jude Run here: www.stjudeporiaruns.org/akinkade

We Got Ice: Run River City Marathon

Yesterday Peoria was host to the FIRST EVER road marathon the Run River City Marathon. Matty and I had been training for this race for about 12 weeks and intended to run the 25K race. In fact we continued to train for it even after I had received my cervical cancer diagnosis and hysterectomy date. Hey, I love to run, so why would I stop just because I can't race?

Race organizer, Adam White, had offered his motorized cart that reclines so I could still be apart of the race and attend, plus Matty was still considering running, however Friday I had a bad day slept a lot and was in pain so we decided it was best to not attend. Saturday I realized that the race routes 2 blocks from our place, Matt agreed to take me and to set up a table with ice chips for the runners. Race day humidity was expected at 80% with temps topping out above 85 and our location was around the 21 mile mark. Plus, it was at the top of a long gradual, climb and just before runners would hit a good decent (we run this route often, it IS in our neighborhood).

Come Sunday Matty totally went all out doing ALL of the leg work/clean up and totally making my day. He loaded up the car (we didn't want to chance me walking/standing that much) with a table, cooler full of ice, got cups, I made signs and even Pippin got to join the festivities.

The first marathoner to come through was Ansel who works at Running Central so I knew him and he stopped at our table and seemed to really enjoy our ice and then continued on and won. As the morning progressed I saw all the runners struggle up that hill, it doesn't look it but its TOUGH, so as soon as I saw them coming I started shouting "its downhill at the corner" and I couldn't even tell you how many times that brought smiles to faces and a renewed energy to their run.

I knew many of the runners and it was so awesome to see them coming up the hill that I couldn't help but stand up and scream! It was so awesome to hear them say thanks for being here, go home and rest, your crazy, I love you, I'm thinking of you, cancer free and my favorite Team RC gal Nida even stopped to give me a sweaty hug. Then afterwards I was told how it inspired them to push on knowing that I waited to see them and then there were two very special women who made sure that I was still running by doing this....

Let me tell you shouting when you've had a hysterectomy takes A LOT of effort and I definitely paid the price as I had to take TWO percocets when I got home. I was pretty  much sore and uncomfortable the rest of the day and night but I'd do it all again in a heartbeat!

PS: I'm feeling my new normal again today and my swelly belly has even gone down quite a bit too!

Abdominal Hysterectomy-Cervical Cancer-Post Op

Monday, May 13th at 8AM exactly I underwent an Radical Abdominal Hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy to remove Cervical Cancer. The surgery was a complete success and went off with out any problems my doctor said that he could hardly even find my lymph nodes (for removal) because they were so tiny which is a very good sign that the cancer was contained to my cervix and the operation was successful.

Day 1/Surgery: I was in a TON of pain, it felt like one giant long,deep cramp that wouldn't stop and of course for me whenever I have cramping back pain goes along with it, so I was hurting big time. Every four hours I was injected morphine into my IV, plus given many different other pain medication but nothing was working. It was honestly pretty awful but I had a great nurse who was checking on me all the time, and finally during the overnight they were able to control the pain with the morphine injections. I think the problem was when I was coming out of surgery the pain was in control, which is normal and once we got on top of the pain I was feeling much better. I did try to get out of bed only to immediately ask to lay back down and then a few hours later I couldn't handle laying down and was able to make it to the chair so those were good signs early on.

Day 2: I was really looking forward to Tuesday because at noon I knew they were going to take out the catheter. I didn't even really feel or notice the darn thing other than there was a tube hanging from my leg. The goals Tuesday were to walk three times, to pee on my own and release gas all of which I completed. By Tuesday night I was getting out of bed on my own, so I had a feeling that I'd be going home the next day. They also wanted to get me on a pill regimen for pain, Percocet, because that is what I will be going home with so we started with two pills every 4 hours and it worked very well.

Day 3: I got my walking papers! Woo hoo! I'll be honest I was a little scared going home not really sure why but I was and being home (Matty's place) is so much better. I'm much more comfortable and doing very well on my pain regimen. I take the Percocet and then four hours later I take the ibuprofen 800mg then four hours later the percocet again. I'm also taking Gas X to help with the gas they put into you and bloating from surgery plus I'm also taking a stool softener to make sure I "go" which to this point I hadn't yet.

Day 4: I finally "went"! And although it was uncomfortable it was much relief in the belly and the back! My belly, swelly belly is what its referred to, is huge I look like I'm about 7 months pregnant. I do have a belly binder on, I feel it helps my back and posture. I did try going most of the day with out and ended up having a very painful back so I'll be keeping it on, I think it kinda acts like a security blanket too. Still on the same pain regimen and it works very well however late in the day I do need to up my Percocet to two pill and same during the night but when I take in the AM or daytime I only take 1 pill. The two pills later seem to better control my back pain and help me sleep more comfortably. Plus, I move around much better when its in my system.

Without a uterus yet I still look preggo!

Day 5-today: I woke up today and immediately wanted a shower which I did do on my own, Matty helps me in/out of the shower and has to dry my legs because I can't bend over lol. He's a total jem! But i was shocked at how much it wore me out. I'm feeling really well today, I'm due for my ibuprofen in about an hour and haven't even had to nap yet today but I'm going to lay down here in a minute because I have another visitor coming this afternoon. My goal is to get outside today just to sit in the warm weather and sun, I'm tired of being inside, I need some sun and air.


"You only get one chance to heal right" is my mantra so trust me, no trying to do too much! I'm overwhelmed with the amount of love and support I've received in the past few days, its been amazing! I did a lot of reading and research prior to my surgery so I really expected to feel much worse than I do now, so I'm grateful for that and will continue to take each day as it comes. I'm grateful for my health and fitness background because I know that's a huge reason I'm feeling as well as I do. My body from my boobs down are swollen (why can't my boobs be swollen?) as I said my bell is huge and I have a numbness/tingling in my hips and thighs (that's  normal while the nerves are heeling), it seems I've been spared the gas pains in my shoulders but I do have a lot of back muscle pain but its been managed with all those muscle gel samples I've gotten in race packets.

I knew those would come in handy one day!

 

So in the morning is when I feel my best, so its very possible that I will be making an appearance at the Run River City Marathon! Race organizer Adam White has offered his little motorized cart that reclines and has a top on it to cart me around and position me comfortably at the the finish line. Matty is a little bit skeptical and wants to think about it a little bit longer but I really think I can manage. If I take the good pills in the AM and just sit on my butt the whole time and go home after he finishes I know I will be fine and I think being outside amongst people and the fresh air will do me good. But he's going to get the deciding factor in the mix. We'll see...

I Have Cervical Cancer

Cancer of the cervix is the 12th most common cancer in females in the United States and is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. Usually it grows very slowly over a long period of time. The tissues of the cervix go through changes, where cells that are not normal begin to appear; this precancerous change is known as dysplasia and is usually found during routine pap spears. Squamous cells in the most common form of cervical cancer, it is the cells that cover our body including the cervix, and this makes up about 85% of the cases. Adenocarcinoma (glad cancer) is the other major type and makes up about 15% of the cases, this is the type that I have and here is my story:

February 13, 2013: Was the date that I went to see my doctor for my annual exam and it was business as usual. Approximately two weeks later my doctors nurse called to tell me that the pap smear had come back abnormal so they would need to do a colposcopy, sonogram and an endocervical curettage.
March 5, 2013: I was back at the doctors office for my 2nd exam. I’ve had a colposcopy done before and it’s always come back normal, so there was no need for me to be worried. However the endocervical curettage he did hurt like a mother ****er! That is something I can go the rest of my life without ever having to do again. I’d have the results in a week or two.

March 12, 2013: I got the results and again this test came back abnormal and the first time I heard the "C" word. I would have to come back again for another procedure called a LEEP.

March 19, 2013: I had my LEEP done this day. When the doctor came in he said that the concern here was that the results were showing that the abnormalities were not just on the surface of my cervix but they were going inside of it, this is also the first time he mentioned I may need a hysterectomy. A LEEP is where the doctor uses an electric wire loop to slice off a thin, piece of cervical tissue. In 90-95% of cases this is a cure to the abnormal cells on the cervix. I was pretty nervous, but only because I thought it would hurt. Based on the results of the last exam doctor wanted to take two passes off of my cervix in hopes of getting all of the abnormal tissue. When I saw the doctor at this appointment I immediately knew it was time to take this seriously, although I’ve had LOTS of friends in the past week tell me they’ve had it done and its nothing. The way he spoke to me and his concern, I just knew this was bad. I’d know the results in a week. However, it two agonizing weeks for the results thanks to a computer problem at the pathology lab!

April 3, 2013: Doctor called me; I knew this can’t be good. All I remember was “you have mild invasive cancer of the cervix”. Doctor told me at this point he had to pass me along to a specialist, a gynecological oncologist, and that treatment would more than likely be a hysterectomy as this type of cancer is treated through surgery. The doctor may do radiation but it was unlikely and would depend upon the staging of my cancer. So began the week and a half from hell dealing with insurance, and I’ll spare you the details.
Monday April 15, 2013: This was day I was meeting my new doctor at the Illinois Cancer Care center in Peoria. I knew I didn’t need to worry based on all the reading I had done but here are I am, walking into a “cancer center”. I was frightened walking in but walking out I had no fear at all, my doctor explained cervical cancer, the kind that I have, how invasive it was and after examining me he also staged it at Stage 1b1 which means it’s a cancer confined to the cervix that is less than 4cm (1.6 inches) or less in size.

So what’s next?

I'll need to have a radical hysterectomy. This operation will remove my cervix, uterus, their supporting ligaments, and they will also do what is called a lymphadenectomy, which means they will also remove the lympyh nodes in the surrounding area. I’ll have to have the surgery done abdominaly because of all this, which means a longer more painful recovery and I’ll be hospitalized for a few days. That will be the hardest thing for me as I’m very active, no running and no teaching my classes, nothing. Prognosis for my future is 100%. Right now surgery is scheduled for Monday, May 13th (I'll miss Spring Fling...soooo sad) but they are trying to get me in sooner.

I share this with you because the only reason this was detected, treatable and my prognosis is 100% is because of that yearly exam, that found it early on. For the record I have had 15 YEARS of normal paps, this was my first abnormal one in that time period. Without that exam this could have gone undetected, I had no signs or symptoms, in fact I'm in the best physical shape of my life. Left undetected cervical cancer can be far worse and sometimes even deadly. If you are a woman reading this PLEASE make sure you are getting your yearly exam! If you’re a man and have a female in your life ask her if she gets her yearly exam. If she doesn’t, please share this with her and encourage her to do so. When you add the C-word it always makes something sound scary but I assure you the biggest worry here is that I have to undergo surgery. I assure you I will be fine, I'm not afraid or worried. The only reason I share my story is because I have the means to share this with many women and to stress the importance of getting that yearly exam.

If I’ve learned one thing in the past few months it’s that cancer is expensive and this is a non-life threatening one. I cannot help but think about the kids and families of St. Jude (because I’m a St. Jude Runner). This has given me 10 times the motivation to run for the kids this summer and to raise as much money as I possibly can because not only does St. Jude save lives every day but they also do it FREE! If you do anything for me at all, will you please make at least a $10 donation to St. Jude? www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/akinkade

I Took Road Rage To A WHOLE New Level

Road Rage described by Merriam-Webster dictionary is "a motorist's uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist's irritating act." I admit it, I'm a road rager! I blame it on my patience and that fact I have none. I know I'm not alone we all have had our moments of "Road Rage". I've never taken it to a level where I'd shoot someone tire out or anything, I just cuss a lot behind the wheel. But today, I took it someplace different, I road raged, while running.

I live in the city of Peoria so 95% of my running is done on city streets with a mix of running on the road and sidewalks. Side walk use is scare this time of year so I plan my routes carefully so I'm mostly on side streets. The good thing about Peoria is there are a lot of "bike routes" through city streets so that means a large shoulder or bike lane and that's what I stick to.

Today, a female driver pulled from a side street onto another and looked left but neglected to look right AND to stop (she did one of those rolling stops) had she done those she would have seen me, but she didn't and instead cut me off and I had to stop dead to avoid getting hit. This happens often, so I let it go and kept going. Then at a larger intersection, where I had the right away-a green light and the walk light-a man was approaching, he also did a rolling stop but looked AND SAW ME, instead of giving me the right of way, which I had, he pulled forward into my path as I was INCHES from him! So I cussed him out, VERY loudly! I debated about pounding the back of his car with my fist but held back.

Now as I recount this story, this scenario has happened before and I didn't hold back! I not only yelled loudly at the drivers but I also pounded my hand or fist into their car because they were so close to hitting me!. I know I was probably justified in my actions but I'm still a bit ashamed, I have become not just a road rager but a Run Rager too.