Hi Everybody! It has been almost 4 months since my last post! Time is moving so fast!
Here is my latest update:
I hope everyone has had a wonderful Fall! I have now been out of work almost 9 months but the time has gone by so fast that it doesn’t seem quite that long. I guess that must be a good thing!
Here are some things I have been doing since I last posted:
–Successfully completed the personal training course through NASM and passed the exam! I am now a NASM CPT!
–Completed the Chicago marathon in early October with some friends. It was a great course with amazing crowd support. I would do it again and plan to in the future! Still need to PR there!
–Completed my 8th Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October with Team in Training! This was my 16th Team in Training event! It was a rough day with temps in the 80s for the last hour or so of the course but I finished in a reasonable time considering the heat.
–Decided to do the “the trifecta” and did my 3rd marathon in 6 weeks, The Philadelphia Marathon, which I did with my friend Paul Moat. It was the total opposite of MCM, it was extremely windy and cold! By the way, this was my 14th marathon!
–My daughter, Meghan, and son in law, Keith paid us a visit in November. It was a great time! Although, only had a week together but we made the best of it.
Here is an update in my Alport Syndrome/Kidney disease:
–I have just recently received additional testing and it appears my kidney function continues to decline now at a very accelerated rate.
–I still feel great and have had no real symptoms from the kidney disease other than seeing the results through my bloodwork. I am still able to run and help people train for marathons. The doctors feel this is healthy for me to continue staying very active as long as I properly hydrate.
–The Dr estimates I will now need a kidney transplant in 2017.
–I am still in the study group for Alport Syndrome and will be through February. After that things will get sketchy depending on where my kidney function is and how I am feeling.
–I am getting some follow-up tests in January to more closely watch how quickly my kidney function is dropping.
To sum things up, this had been an amazing year! I am trying to enjoy life to the fullest! I am not going to let my kidney disease define me or stop me from doing all the things that I am very passionate about!
I am also extremely fortunate in that I have a wonderful angel on earth, my awesome friend and living donor (Shawnie), and 2 other amazing friends that are my back-up donors just in case! I am in awe of these wonderful friends that are willing to selflessly give the gift of life to me! How do you ever find the right words or deeds to show your appreciation? I am trying and hope I convey how extremely grateful I am! Living donors are true heroes!
Until next time,
I WILL NEVER QUIT!!
Gary
