Bovine

4/5/14

Dozing off to sleep in the cozy warmth of my dark bed. Peaceful. Quiet. Interrupted.

I am not sure what I was aware of first, voices, footsteps, light, or my dog barking. I jumped out of bed, heart racing. I could hear Molly struggling to get out of her sleeping bag. I called her, and she barked.  Molly freed herself and ran out ahead of me into the lit up living room. Hearing a running vehicle outside, I flipped on the porch light and cracked the front door.

One of Star’s finest had come to my door…well, sort of.

The SUV backed down my two-house street and then came back up, pulled into the gravel drive across the street and sat there.  And sat there. And sat there. Then I heard it. The chain link fence had gotten disturbed.

Cop SUV number two pulled up and stopped right in front of my house. Caution lights flashing, and the back door opened up and a man with a rope jumped out. I told the Policeman that I had just heard the fence shake.  His reply was that a cow had gotten out.  The man with the rope walked past, looked at me and asked, “How are you?” I said that I was good, and reciprocated the question. He smiled and said he was doing well.

Cop number one told cop number 2 that the cow had taken off towards the street so they needed to head on down. I ran inside to put something warmer on, just in case I could help. By the time I came back to the front door, Cop SUV # 2 was still sitting in front of my house, lights on and still running, but no one in it.  Cop SUV # 1 was sitting just to the left of the intersection of my short little street, pointed towards the back of the neighborhood. Lights on and flashing, vehicle running. No one was in sight.

Looking to the end of the neighborhood, I saw cop car #3. Within minutes, cop car # 3 headed to the entrance of my neighborhood and left, dropping off a cop at SUV # 1.  I asked Cop # 1 if there was anything I could do to help. He asked if I would just double check SUV # 2 to ensure the doors were locked, and if they weren’t locked, to please do so.  “Sure!” I said.  Locked, they were. (Drat!)  In the quick exchange of those few words, I was also informed it was a bull that had gotten loose.  In that moment, I decided I wasn’t going to leave my front yard.

Cop car # 4 showed up.

I stood around for a few minutes and pretty soon, cop car # 3 came back, following a truck and horse trailer.

I waited around for a few more minutes and the truck and horse trailer left, and the  police started making their way back towards the abandoned vehicles, hitching a ride on the side of one of the SUV’s.  They were dropped off at their respective vehicles.  Cop # 1 pulled up in front of me and I said, “Exciting night!” he rubbed his face with his hands and, laughing nervously, said, “Oh Boy!” Then he started to tell me that he had never seen a bull run down the middle of the street in downtown Star. Me, being a visual person, imagined that and laughed incredulously.  I told him what my experience was as I woke up. He said that the bull had run into my back yard and between the two houses on my street (mine and my neighbor’s).  The bull rubbed up against my house (the footsteps and other noises) and people were chasing it (lights and voices).  Then it all made sense and Star’s finest left the neighborhood.  Apparently the man with the truck and trailer is a neighbor of mine. The bull doesn’t belong to him, but he was willing to put the bull up for the night until they could find his owner.

As a friend said in her comment to my post, “Exciting time in Star. Police cars and run away cows. Yes. In my neighborhood.”  (That was before I knew it was a bull.) “You know you’ve picked the right neighborhood when run away cows are the worst crime on a Fri night.”

Tinker Bell Part 3

The night before an event, it is always a good idea to “lay out your runner,” which means create a “runner” on your bed or on a chair, laying out all of the items that will be needed for the event. In addition, it is also a great idea to try everything on.  Doing these two things ensure that you aren’t forgetting anything. I’ve heard stories where this did not happen and one shoe couldn’t be found the morning of the event.

After the inspiration dinner, we (Tee, Lupe, Julie and I) headed back to the hotel room so that Tee and I could get prepared for the morning. Julie and Lupe left to go to their hotel room and get some sleep.   After we laid everything out, we headed to bed for a short 4 hour nap.  The event started at 5:00 am, which meant we needed to be out the door, to catch the shuttle by about 3:30.

We headed out the door and caught the shuttle. It didn’t take long to get to the drop off location, even with several stops along the way.  Upon arriving at the…

I’m interrupting this blog post. I have literally tried writing this post for MONTHS! And nothing has felt right to say about it – until today.

I trained with Team In Training because of people like Lula who are fighting cancer.

A couple of weeks, or maybe a week before leaving for this trip, I sent a personal message to Lula’s mom, Kat.  I asked Kat what Lula’s favorite Disney characters were.  She told me Nemo, Wall-e, and the newest princesses; Mirada, Rapunzel, and one other, but I can’t think of her name.  I told Kat that I would do my best during the race to get my picture taken with one of those characters, and would then post it to Facebook for her. 

All along the course, I kept my eyes peeled for one of those characters, when suddenly, there she was.  Mirada. The line wasn’t too long, so we (Becky and Tee) waited and took the picture of me and Mirada. I immediately posted it to Facebook, tagging Lula, and within just a few minutes, I got a reply from Kat stating that Lula was still sleeping but she would show her the picture as soon as Lula woke up.  The next notice I received on Facebook was that Lula saw the picture and was all smiles. If I remember correctly, Lula was in a hospital at the time.

Then, on part of the run, I saw someone wearing a Nemo hat.  SCORE!  I didn’t post that one, but I counted it in my heart and said another prayer for Lula.

Any more about this run sounds trivial after today.  Sunday night after fighting an incredible fight with cancer, Lula, at 10 years old, passed away.  She leaves behind so many people who loved and adored her. One of those people is her twin brother, Chaz. Chaz is amazing, just like his sister. And we have something in common.  I lost my twin sister at 16 ½ years old. He lost his twin sister at 10 1/2 years old.  Chaz told me today that cancer sucks and is a butthead that needs to be killed. I agree, sweet Chaz. I agree.  While I am happy that Lula is no longer in pain, she is whole, she is dancing, she has met my twin, Joanna, and they are dancing on the clouds together (Joanna couldn’t walk), I am sad and angry that death stings while we are here.

Tinker Bell Part 2

On Saturday, January 20^th, we went to “Expo”. This is where Tinker Bell participants pick up anything that was needed for the event. Because of being part of Team in Training and fundraising, we also received a one day one park pass.  After that, we wandered through expo.  As we got to the back wall, we picked up our event shirts and a bag to put everything in. Then we looked around to see if anything at the expo just had to come home with us.  There are all sorts of things to purchase there. There were clever t-shirts about running, running gear, nutrition supplements, tutus, plaques, and many more items.

 

While going through Expo, Lupe mentioned that she had an appointment around 1:00 with a friend. My first thought was that this was odd, because she had mentioned that she was coming to Anaheim to hang out and do whatever it is that we (the event participants) were doing, but I dismissed it. Somehow I got on the topic of this “Friend” being someone that she had met on line. She didn’t deny it, but I’m not sure she actually confirmed that. I asked her, “you’ve met this friend before?” she said yes. I said, “so you trust this friend?” she said yes. She said that she might be going to lunch so Tee (another friend who ran in this event) and I would go to have lunch together and wander around Downtown Disney while we waited for Lupe to come back.

Tee and I wanted to go to a restaurant that we didn’t have in Boise and ended up at “Blues Brothers” for lunch. We were both very happy with our lunch choice. After lunch, we just started walking around Downtown Disney. We looked through stores, people watched and made a couple of purchases.  My phone rang and I picked up. Lupe said that she was done, but that they hadn’t eaten lunch. So she needed to get something. I let Lupe know where we were at that moment. I got off the phone with Lupe and told Tee that she hadn’t had lunch. Both of us looked at each other and asked, “What kind of guy would take her out at lunch time and not feed her lunch???” About that time, my friend Julie called me. Julie wanted to know how California was. She was in Florida at a vet clinic with her husband, so I asked her how Florida was. She said it was rainy, cold, and windy. I was bummed for her, but happy that I was in sunny, warm, and slightly breezy California.

My phone rang again, and it was Lupe.  I hurriedly hung up with Julie, asking if I could call her back in just a minute because I knew that Lupe should be getting close. I called Lupe right back and let her know where we were sitting, waiting for her. And then I realized I hadn’t picked up my free park pass.  I told Lupe that I should call my Team In Training contact and find out where I needed to go to get that.  Lupe had her directions to find Tee and me, so I called my TNT contact and left a message. She called right back and let me know that there was a booth in the Expo where I needed to get the ticket. Meanwhile, as Bonni talked, I watched Lupe come up to Tee and me with her camera out. She appeared to be taking pictures of Tee and me, but then I hear this, “Come here often?”  I look over my left shoulder and…WHAT??? Julie was right there!!! Things have suddenly become crystal clear.  Lupe wasn’t headed out on a date. She went to the airport to pick up Julie. Yes, Julie had been in Florida that day, but she flew to California to surprise me.  They decided to play around a little bit, so Lupe called me. While she was talking with me, Julie called me. While Julie was talking to me, Lupe called me again. Julie was thinking that the fact that both of them had the same music playing in the truck would be a dead give away. Me? “What music?”

I was completely blown away by the thoughtfulness of those two friends.

That evening, we went to the inspiration dinner to carb load and hear how much money Team in Training raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. All of the participants of TNT together raised over $800,000 because of that one event.  How cool is that???

Tinker Bell Part 1

For those of you who have been patiently waiting to hear how Tinker Bell went, I apologize for it taking so long to start this update. But at long last, here it is.

January 18^th, 2013, it was finally time to start the weekend that I had spent 7 months training for.   I worked a half day and then headed on out to the airport. The day before, I was able to check in for the first leg of my flight, but was not given a seat assignment.  I was told that I would get my second boarding pass and seat assignment at the gate. 

For whatever reason, I am a bit of a nervous flyer…not that flying makes me nervous, the being on time, security, and the catching the flight makes me nervous.  I think it’s because I’ve built up some excitement for the trip and want everything to go smoothly. Not getting my seat assignment or the boarding pass for the second leg of my trip made me a little nervous to begin with, but when the adventure started, it was like sitting on pins and needles.

I arrived at the gate and approached the podium to explain that I needed a seat and a boarding pass for my next flight.  They told me that they would call my name and get me both once they started boarding the plane…WHA???? Now the things that are going through my head are, “Is the flight over sold?  I’ve had my ticket since November! They can’t boot me off!” “Am I going to get a seat???” “Are they going to ask for volunteers to not take this flight?” and “I’m not volunteering!”  Then they made an announcement from the podium stating that they would appreciate all larger carry on bags to be checked at the gate.  They would be checked to the final destination rather than pick it up during my layover. So I thought, “I’ll check my bag and then they have to let me on the plane.”  So I did.  I still didn’t have a seat assignment.

Sitting down, I tried to be patient, but I nervously waited for my name to be called. They started boarding the first zone, then the second zone. Finally as they boarded the third zone, they called 5 names…none of those names mine.  Ugh! Then they called 4 more names, mine being one of them (whew!). Receiving my boarding passes, I looked at my seating assignment for this flight and thought, “Wow! I think I’m at the back of the plane.” Sure enough. Very last row, window seat.  Oh well. I’m thankful to be on the flight and it’s only 45-minutes to Salt Lake City.  

As I sat down, I started to think, “oh man! All of my event gear is in that checked bag! If they lose my luggage, I’m in trouble!” Then I prayed over it, finished getting settled in my seat and looked up and saw a handsome man looking at me. Luggage completely forgotten, he scooted in next to me and sat down and said something like, “Sorry that you are stuck with me.” I was thinking that I could think of worse situations. 

Then, a handsome man came and sat next to him. I start looking around and found that I am literally surrounded by handsome men. They filled up the entire row in front of me and across the aisle, and in my row.  As it turns out, these men are part of the Meridian Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band (Bagpipes, that is). I got a huge smile on my face. This last row next to the window seat is not a bad seat at all.

Some of the band members had just gotten back from playing for a funeral in Alaska. I got to tell them about my experience in Scotland listening to the Military Tattoo (120 bag pipers piping at the Edinburgh Castle, and about the solo piper up in a window of the castle as the sun is going down playing “Amazing Grace”). We talked about time spent in Alaska, and where these pipers were headed. They were on their way to Washington DC to play in the Inaugural Parade. Before we took off, a flight attendant offered to take their picture. I said out loud, more to myself then to anyone else, “I could either photo bomb or I could duck behind the seat. There were several, “Get in the picture! Get in the picture!” responses…so I did.

To read about the Meridian Firefighter Pipes and Drums band and their history Click Here.

I found this photo on the Meridian Fire Fighter 

Pipes and Drums FaceBook page. 

We arrived in Salt Lake and there were traveling wishes passed on to everyone.  Then I went to catch my flight to Anaheim feeling good.

Ever been in a situation where you just feel slimed? Talk about a completely different experience.

I got an aisle seat and sat down next to the person already in the center seat.  The window seat wasn’t taken yet. Pretty soon, this man comes to sit down.  I got up to let him in, but the person in the center did not stand up. In fact, this person makes the man climb over to get to his seat, and while climbing over, puts hands on his back and legs.  WHA??? As I sit down, it becomes obvious that they know each other. Please note that I have been referring to “This Person” as “This person” because I seriously could not tell by looking at her/him.  I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but the conversation that consisted of every other word being a swear word, well, it was hard not to hear the conversation. In the course of trying not to eavesdrop, I found out that questionable gender was a female, and the content of the conversation made me feel gross. I mentally tried to get myself back in to the last row window seat of my last flight.

Finally, as the plane took off, the conversation stopped as they became engrossed in a movie that she had brought. Thank goodness.

After coming from weather in the single digits and an inversion in the valley, I arrived in Anaheim, and immediately began to enjoy the gorgeous 70° sunny weather, with slight breeze and went to wait for my friend to pick me up.

We got checked in to our hotel and I went to dinner and met my friend, Lupe, who came in to watch the event and cheer me on.  As we sat having dinner, fireworks started going off. As we turned to look, we discovered that we could see the Disney Land Fireworks from the hotel restaurant.  Nice!

Disney Land Fireworks from my hotel restaurant

Friend who came to visit and watch the event.

2 MORE SLEEPS!

Only 2 more sleeps before I run my first half marathon (13.1 mile) run (yes, run, that is. On foot, not on bicycle). All for an incredible cause!  To kick Cancer's butt by raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! If you have already donated, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! If you have thought about it but haven't done it.  NOW'S THE TIME! Please click on the "Donate Here" button up above. Or go to:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/tinkerb13/jkdowner

The button and link above will take you to my secure fundraising website.

Thank you!

What?  Tinker Bell Half Marathon
Where? Anaheim, California. On the streets around and in DisneyLand
When? Sunday, January 20th, 2013
Why? To kick some cancer booty by raising funds for research to find a cure.
Who? Me and You.  Me to fundraise and train. You to donate.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

I. Am. So. Excited!!!

Julie

17 more DAYS!!!

If you haven’t donated, but plan to do so, now’s the time. Only 17 more days until my first half marathon event!!! Can you believe it??? Please go to my fundraising website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/tinkerb13/jkdowner and make your donation now.  If you aren’t comfortable making your donation on line, please contact me and I will let you know where to send your check made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This Saturday, I am running my longest run of the training season: 14 miles! That gets me up and and over a half marathon distance of 13.1 miles, which will help during the event, knowing that I’ve already run the distance.

14 miles! And it’s gonna be COLD! Friday I’m going to have to locate my face mask to keep from freezing my nose.

I know I can do the 14 mile run. And I will complete it happily.  I will be thinking of those that I am running on honor and memory of. 

Here’s an update on Lula:

12/28/12 UPDATE: We're done with chemo (in Boise) and onto bigger and better? things at the children's hospital in SLC. Lu and I will be driving down on the 1st. Brand new year...

2013, we're counting on you.

Dec 30, 2012: In case you were wondering about the afterlife - here's information from Lula Coe. I am certain it can be trusted. Hell = angry, aggressive unicorns. Heaven = happy unicorns that will give you hugs.

1/2/13 UPDATE: Lula & I are in SLC. We had an appointment with the clinic today - her counts are low, but climbing. So, here's what happens now: We head to the clinic, every morning, at 7:30. Which means we leave my brother's house at (at least) a quarter to 7, to get there on time. On the day that her counts peak out where they need to be, they will call us and let us know. The following morning, she will have a femoral catheter placed in order to start the "harvest" of her stem cells. This process is called apheresis, if you want to look up more info. I'm going to post more information about what comes next, after we get to that point. Thank you all for your love and prayers! ♥

Again, If you haven’t donated, but plan to do so, now’s the time. Please go to my fundraising website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/tinkerb13/jkdowner and make your donation now.  If you aren’t comfortable making your donation on line, please contact me and I will let you know where to send your check made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Thank you so much!

Julie

9.5 miles!!!

My blog update is waaaaaaaaaaay too long in coming. This past Saturday, the group ran 9.5 miles; my longest run to date! By about mile 7, my legs felt like lead, but I knew because of what my friends have been through with different kinds of cancers, I couldn’t quit! They can’t quit, so what gives me the right to even think that way? They are going through (or have gone through) much more physically challenging times than a measly 9.5-mile run that was partially run in the rain.

Here’s an update on Lula (9 years old). These updates are from Lula’s 

The picture on the left is Lula and a therapy dog. She is having her chemo treatment as I'm typing this.

Monday, 11/26/12

“UPDATE: The scans today revealed that things have grown - but not like crazy. It's good news in a couple of ways - it didn't take over her lungs in the few weeks off of chemo & we know that we have to press on. So, the girl started chemo (again, with a different drug) today. She'll have 5 days in a row of chemo - but we get to do it in the clinic, instead of in the hospital. And again the following week. 3rd week, we head for a day trip to SLC to meet the bone marrow team. Then, scans on the 14th or 17th. If they show shrinkage from today's scans we will press into another round of chemo, followed by a trip to SLC sometime right around the beginning of the new year. Stem cell harvesting, chemo & bone marrow transplant. 2 wks in isolation in the hospital. At least 2 months in SLC (or within an hour distance to the hospital) and then, home.

That makes sense, right?”

11/28/12

“UPDATE: We're off for more chemo this morning - JoyBubble is feeling good and sassy, rocking out to Pink's new song, TRY. It's meaning a lot to us, these days:

Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame.

Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned.

But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die -

You gotta get up and TRY!

Lu and I have talked about our desire to get rid of this cancer... sometimes it burns - the chemo, the surgeries, the disappointments. But just because we're hurting doesn't mean it's over - we have to keep trying!

Love you peoples. Have a really great day.”

If you have considered donating, but haven’t done it yet, please know that it’s not too late, and that I am still raising funds to find treatments and ultimately a cure for cancer.  Please go to my secure fundraising website to donate and let’s find a cure!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/tinkerb13/jkdowner

If you don’t feel comfortable donating through my blog site, please feel free to make your checks payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mail them to me.

Also follow our training progress on my blog: 

www.pedalchik.blogspot.com

Did you know that:

•               A gift of $150 will fund a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society researcher for one day

•               A gift of $500 will allow The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to reimburse one patient for medical expenses for a year through our Patient Financial Assistance program

A gift of $1,000 will fund a patient education program on topics such as coping with chemotherapy and healthy cancer survivorship

Thank you for your consideration.

Julie

PS. Lula is facing a bone marrow transplant at the beginning of 2013. There is going to be a benefit concert for her on December 15^th. If you would like information about giving, please send me an email.

Thank you.