2nd Leak

2nd day of training for the Vegas 1/2 marathon and it hasn't started out so good. Last Sunday my pouch was really angry and today I was hoping for a good walk, but it didn't turn out so good. Started off the walk with that little pain under my belly button and then a burst of air released. I thought that might actually help and not cause me to have any issues while walking, but deep down I knew better. My pouch was cramping on and off and about half way back to the park it started leaking. It's really uncomfortable when it leaks...it itches and burns and all you want to do is get it cleaned off. I wasn't sure if it was just going to be that little bit or if my valve was open enough for it to continue spewing. It's not like I could just stop on the street corner and whip out my tube or clean it off without grossing everyone out, so I just kept shoving tissue to cover my stoma hole (thank goodness I had extra tissue with me) to keep as much away from my skin so it wouldn't get irritated too bad.

One of the girls offered to run back and grab my bag so I could replace my stoma cover (note to self..put covers in my bottle belt), but it wouldn't have done any good so I just bit the bullet and kept on trecking back at a pace I could handle (which was as fast as I could...lol). I made it back to the park and headed straight to the bathroom. It wasn't just a little leak...it wouldn't stop until I got the catheter in. Thank goodness I carry a tube & lube with me and my friend went to my car to get my covers (Thank you Angelique).

Thank goodness I don't freak out or get upset when this happens, but now I know more than ever that I have a valve problem. Twice in 9 months since my surgery is not a good sign. I've had air escaping since early on and I could handle that, but the leaking is definitely a concern. It is supposed to be a "continent" ostomy after all. I have noticed that it follows a pattern...when I am exerting myself. The 1st time was when I was on a hike...see the pattern?

I should have my valve checked and I promised myself I would if it happened again so tomorrow I will make an appointment to head to lovely La Jolla and see what is going on. Hopefully it will show nothing serious and something that could just resolve itself. If not I will tackle this just like I tackle everything else in my life, with strength & courage. It's funny I just bought this ring that was engraved with the word Courage on it and a bunch of little sayings and one of the sayings is "never, never, never give up" and that' exactly what I plan to do!

20 Year Reunion

20 yrs...wow! how time flys. It was great seeing everyone, especially those that I went to school with since kindergarden. Most remember me as being sick so it was nice for them to see me as being well. One of my old classmates said he saw my name on the list and out of everyone he wanted to see me the most. All he remembers is seeing me at 8th grade graduation in a wheel chair and then I was gone. I unfortunately was only able to attend MHS until early 10th grade and I was in and out of the hospital so much that I was pretty much invisible at school. He was so happy to see that I was well and I was finally able to explain what was going on with me at that time.

When you are 13 it's not like you can have a conversation with your friends and say...Hey I have Ulcerative Colitis! Still some adults don't even know what that is, but at least when you explain it they understand. It was funny...I did have a little woopsie moment there, but handled it with grace...or at least I want to think I did..lol!

It doesn't matter how long it's been since last seeing someone...we all seem to fall right back in from where we last left off like no time has passed. I have to say I've been very blessed to have some amazing people in my life and I'm excited to rekindle some old friendships.

I DID IT!

So I finished the Napa to Sonoma half marathon on Sunday in 3 hrs & 22 minutes, just shy of my goal, but still happy as a clam. Our weekend started off on Friday and my husband and I headed up to Oakland to see an old friend from high school. Her & her husband were incredibly gracious, cooking us up a nice steak dinner and letting stay at their house. We had a nice breakfast in the morning and headed up to Santa Rosa to meet the Team. Saturday didn't feel like we got much accomplished, but we went to the expo and picked up my bib #2492. The anticipation of the race definitely kicked in at that moment. We walked around a bit and soaked in the art around us.

Later that afternoon we were off to the pasta party where all the Team Challenge chapters from across the US and some overseas, met up to cheer eachother on and really get pumped up for the big event.




4am alarm and I was up and raring to go. We all met up the lobby and the pictures started snapping and everyone was getting excited. Off on the bus at 5am and headed to Napa. The race started at the Cuvaison winery. What a beautiful piece of property! The "walkers" were able to leave a half hour before the "runners" so we could have some extra time to make it the 13.1 miles. My teammate Dayna and I were off and going. Her and I walk the same pace so it was perfect to have someone along the course with me. At every mile marker, started with 1, we would raise our hands above our heads and scream. We walked through the most beautiful areas...through vineyards, rolling meadows, tree covered streets..it could not have been a more incredible course.

Before we knew it we were half way through the course and still had plenty of energy. By mile 9 my legs started tightening up and I was definitely fighting through the pain. We had some great encouragement along the way which helped out tremedously.

As we rounded the corner just after mile 12 we could see the finish line. Done the long main highway to the town square. We were so happy and kept saying "we are going to do it" ...it was an amazing feeling. I started to get a little emotional and had to fight off the tears. Just before mile 13 we started to jog. Our plan was to jog as often as we could (and we did throughout the course), but to finish running past the finish line instead of walking it in and that's exactly what we did. We ran in, arms in the air screaming one last time. With a high five and a big hug, Dayna and I had completed the challenge we had set forth for months.



I ran for myself and my fellow koch pouchers. I had my jersey all decorated in their honor. Dayna ran for her her daughter who has UC and had recently had her j-pouch. Everyone on the course had their own story and their own personal accomplishments. For me just having raised over $3000 towards CCFA and having completed a half marathon just 7 months after my koch pouch surgery was an amazing accomplishment for me. This is a moment I will never forget and I am grateful to be healthy and to have such love and support around me.

Thank you to my family & friends...to Dayna for being my walking partner I would have not made it through all the pain without your support.

Graduation followed by Dr visit

Well we made it through graduation. Ian and I had our cry moment after it was over and we took our post cry picture. Every time I look at him I am in aw of the young man before me. I wish nothing but the best for him and I hope he lives life to the fullest.

Friday I went to see Dr. Worsey. I drove all the way to SD for nothing basically. He couldn't scope me because my stoma is too small for the scope in the office. He again told me to keep an eye on the air release and if anything else comes with it to call in and schedule to be seen at the hospital (of course that's where all the smaller scopes are). I really wish he could have made accomodations for me while I was there...it's not like it's around the corner.

Sunday I walked 10 miles and then went to breakfast with the team, on my way home here came the air and a little extra with it. I'm hoping it won't happen again. I'm starting to learn the signs of when it's going to happen. Nothing worse than being around other people when it does. So on with life and my upcoming 5k on the 4th of July.

Surprise Gift

My son Ian is graduating on Thursday and today we are celebrating with his great grandmother Juanita since she will not be here on that day. She is giving Ian a big gift and we've kept it a surprise for months now. Last November their great grandfather Jack passed away. He was an incredible man and we miss him dearly. It was just his birthday...unfortunately I can't remember if it's the 18th or 19th because Jack & Juanita's birthday's were back to back. So just before he passed away he told grandma that he wanted Ian to have his truck. Today Ian is getting his first car and funny enough he doesn't have his drivers license yet, but I can't wait to see the look on his face. He has no clue! I'm sure I will cry from the joy on his face. I've been crying for weeks now thinking about my son graduating from high school and becoming a man (crying now just typing this out). I even started crying when I read through all the graduation cards...having found the perfect one that says everything I feel.

How do they grow up so fast? It feels like he was just born yesterday. My first child is graduating high school...still blows my mind. Now he'll be starting college and living an adult life soon. Fortunately he's not leaving the nest just yet, but when he does I don't know what I will do. For now I will keep guiding him through life as best as I can and hope that he will make the right decisions for himself. I'm truly blessed to have such an incredible son. I LOVE YOU IAN!

Happy Father's Day to all the great fathers in my life. To my husband, thank you for being a great dad to the boys. I'm so grateful you are in their life and that you have helped make them who they are today. Your guidance and faith in their dreams has been a true blessing.

****update from the event: Ian opened the box and at first he had this look of confusion...then he started to cry when he realized what he just got and who it came from. He was so overwhelmed with emotion and we all started to cry. Here's a picture of him after the tears wore off and the excitement set in****

Special Day

Happy Birthday to Kaleb who turned 2 today. He was so cute opening his presents and blowing out his candles. Can't believe how much he says and how open he is to learning new things. He can actually say ZiZi which is really hard to say for most people. When he tells me love you ZiZi and give me a big hug I just melt.

13 yrs ago we lost my grandfather...we called him Pepe...to pancreatic cancer, it would have been his 87 yrs old today. When Kaleb was born 2 yrs ago we all cried because it was such a special day for him to be born. He was 3 weeks early and we kept saying he was going to be born on Pepe's birthday and sure enough he came on his own that very day. So every year we have a lot to celebrate.

Love you & miss you terribly Pepe. See you in my dreams.

Walk & Pool Time

Sunday I walked 9.3 miles in 2 hrs & 40 minutes. Team Challenge participated in the Brentwood 5 & 10k. Myself and teammate Kelley were the only 2 walkers to do all 9.3 miles. We came in after the stop clock was shut down, but we didn't care, we were just happy to have done it and now we know what it will be like to do the half marathon in July. My legs were numb by the time I finished, but I felt great and could have kept on going. This is definitely one of the best experiences of my life and I'm so glad I have someone that walks at the same pace I do to keep pushing eachother along. I can't wait for the race in Napa!!!

Yesterday was the first day I spent time in a pool & laying in the sun. Hung out at one of my favorite spots in Palm Springs. The massive bandaide I had one didn't do the trick the 1st attempt in the water, but held out on the 2nd attempt after changing it. Things definitely felt different in the water and my stoma moved more than ever. Either I was having a bad day or water impacts me in a different way. All in all I'm happy I was able to partake in something I enjoy doing.