So
what happened?
Over
the last few months, I had been battling with a re-growth of the tumor that
made me start this blog. After running
Western States 100 back in June, I went
to have a regular check up. Following my
regular MRI I went to see the doctor (This was the first time I was seeing him).
He told me that my tumor had a very unusual growth and that I needed to take
care of it as soon as I could. Interestingly, he also told me that there was
something bizarre about my tumor, because of its size and the location, he
pictured a patient that probably wasn't able to walk straight, talk coherently
etc. He was surprised that I looked
healthy and I just finish running 100 miles.
We had a long conversation regarding my options and after a while we
both agree that I needed to go under the knife once again to remove the tumor
once again.
Between
July and Oct 30, I ran 2 50K’s and a
couple of 25K’s and I did crrosfit throughout.
I wanted to be the strongest and the healthiest as my operation approached.
Unfortunately I skipped competing on IronMan Arizona. On
October 30, I went to the Kaiser Permanente Neurosurgery department in Redwood
city and checked myself in. I was
ready.
After
a very long operation, I was back in the
recovery room. My beautiful wife was
there and so were my mom and my sister.
All of us were really happy that the operation went better than expected
(the doctor was able to remove 90% of the tumor) and I was coherently talking
shortly after the operation. Unlike my
first operation in which I could not recognize my mom for three days and I was
in the ICU for 12 horrible days; this time, the whole thing was so much
better. I was out of the hospital in 3
days back home where I knew things were going to evolve much better, and they
did.
After
the first week, I was practically recovered about 60%, I was able to walk
without help and I had not neurological deficiencies, except for the fact that
my hearing was totally diminished, and my short term memory seemed a little off
as well. But compared to the first time,
I was in heaven, and pretty happy. I
knew that the short term memory issue will get better over time and the hearing
too. With that mindset, I decided to
totally take the time off to heal. I am
known to workout hard all the time, but this time I knew I needed my head to
heal before I return to my crazy self.
I
am in week 6 now, and after I went to see my doctor two days ago, we both are
happy with the results. He has released
me to start working out and yesterday was my first good workout. It was awesome and I am looking forward to
get stronger and stronger.
I
have started to plan my calendar for next year.. The first half of the year I will focus on
running trails. I need a qualifier for
Western States 100 for 2014. Sadly I
wasn’t selected for 2013, but I am hoping 2014 will be my year once again. I also intend to complete an iron distance
triathlon, and crossfit as much as I
can. 2014 will be awesome..
