Track team events

When I was in junior high school I played soccer and felt comfortable running for a long period of time. The coach of the track team wanted me to try out for the track team to run the mile. Since it was a private all boys school you really couldn't say no. In the tryouts I came in second out of 30 or so. The coach proceeded to yell at me because I wasn't "sweating enough". That turned me off to the whole concept as I had wanted it to be fun like soccer. But I did have several close friends join the track team so I went to a lot of the meets they participated in. The events I admired most were the hurdles, high jump and pole vault. All had a bar placed in front of the person that they would have to get over or lose. Two of those they had to accomplish by themselves, the third with the assistance of a unique piece of support equipment.

Yesterday was my equivalent of the hurdles. I had to keep going until I could produce enough stem cells to prepare for transplant. Today was my equivalent of the high jump.

I found out this morning at the RMCC that I was cleared for my biopsy of my prostate by having enough platelets good for blood clotting. After packing up from Jeff and Sara's house, we headed to the Urology clinic. Those males reading this who have had this procedure will know what I am talking about. It was the fastest biopsy I have ever had. One of the fastest procedures I have ever had. One of the most stressful I have ever had. Lay on a table, feel a lot of pressure, hear a gun go off and feel what seems like an electric shock almost instantaneously twelve times in a row, then you're done. I have a new appreciation for what ladies go through during childbirth. I'm sure they would say it isn't close, but hopefully it is the closest I will ever come to that type of pressure. Mark, the doctor, said he thinks it went well, not much bleeding. Troy the tech said he got good samples.

Now we wait for the results, probably tomorrow or the next day for sure. A second hurdle higher than yesterday, more like a high jump. But successfully crossed. Will the teetering bar stay up or fall after my jump. How successful was my high jump?

Bev and I are home now. We have a few last days to get ready for the final and highest hurdle, BEAM and transplant. This time I have a support, Bev who I couldn't do this without. A 24/7 caregiver that has to not only take care of me and everything I am going through, she has to take care of herself as well. A support pole that will bend to unbelievable angles but will not break. Together we will get through this. And the support from my team of family and friends will keep assisting us getting higher and higher to get over that final bar, that pole vault.

My wish is you are successful at your track team events in life, whatever they might be. God bless you for your support.

Okay, this is Bev. I just have to add this....

Great story Ken, you always entertain us with your writing. But I am going to go ahead and say it, before all the other female readers say it. "CHILDBIRTH, REALLY?" Not even close! You were so worried about the biopsy. A guy and his privates are definitely not something to mess with. But you left me in the waiting room yesterday, the doc came out and told me it went fine, you walked out and you had been gone what, 32 minutes? 32 MINUTES! Maybe if it was 32 hours, or if you had been worried about the outcome for 9 months, or if the doc used a 6 inch diameter probe. Maybe then you could compare it to childbirth. But don't even try to go there with this.

Okay women, let's let him have something. Ken, what you experienced is comparable to a women's pap smear. We are propped open with a V shaped locking cold metal mechanism that holds us open while the doc reaches way in and snips a bit of our cervix away to send for cancer results, not unlike your procedure. Difference is women do this what, every year, since we were 30, with no numbing medication? Really Ken, Childbirth? LMAO. Love ya anyway. And I'll be there for ya, babe, thru all your events.