Let the tapering begin!

This past Saturday, I ran 20 miles!!! It is the highest amount I'll run before the marathon. This Saturday is 16 miles. It's crazy how relieved I feel that I "only" have to run 16 miles :) I'm feeling really good. I had minor aches and pains throughout the 20 mile run... but my ITB pain actually went away after mile 10?!?! I'm not sure how or why... but I am very thankful!!! I'm getting soooo excited for the marathon!!! I'm so glad I joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training to help me cross the finish line!

I don't have many more updates on Alyssa just yet. She was possibly going to get to go home this week. I hope that is the case. I'll update as soon as I get more updates.

HILLS!!!

I have a new respect for hills! I ran 15 miles of hill training this past Saturday. It was a 2.5 mile loop that we ran 6 times around Signal Hill. I would say this run was more challenging than the 18 miles of flat land I did the week prior. Anyhow, it was a great run and I felt good (considering the vertical climbs!) for the majority of my run. I even convinced my running partners to complete the final lap. We usually run straight out in one direction and then turn around at the half way point. There is never an option to quit. Running laps... it's much easier to give into the temptation.... but I convinced them not to cut themselves short. We came to run 15 miles and I was not going to leave with running anything less. Let's just hope I'm feeling as spirited on my 20 mile run this Saturday!

Here is the latest update from Alyssa's grandmother. She can have visitors now... so my running buddy and I are going to visit her within the next week. Again, please keep her and her family in your thought and prayers....

Alyssa's eating is great,
thanks to a great start with prednisone for 5 days,
8-29 Alyssa started back with her maintance chemo meds,
so mood changes, we are getting use to them again

she still has the feeding tube in, so she can still be given different meds,
as soon as she can tolerate all meds by mouth they will take out the feeding tube

Alyssa has been seeing "Monster" or some of sorts 'scary visions' for the past 4 days,
she has been given Haldol, to calm her, but we don't like the added meds for her
they are not sure what is causing them at this point
they will have a psychologist talk with her
and also see about ruling out some her meds as the problem
no answers as of yet

Juliette has Alyssa today, scaring them away "Monster" with a fork
like the Kung Fu Pandas and Hanna Montana
so far it seems to be working but the " Monsters" are still there

she has started with physical therapy doing well,
Alyssa has occupational, speech and physical
she is able to go to the different rehab rooms to work out
Alyssa is starting to trust them and she will work on moving as well

she tries to sit up and keep herself straight, she like to do a ballerina move
she does get tired but will try what she has learned later in the day

she put a popcorn in the right hand ( which doesn't move)
and with the left lift the hand to her mouth to eat the popcorn

the results from the one vision test showed some eye response but it will take several more to see if her vision will return and if it does it will be very little only with 1 eye

Alyssa has a wheelchair now which makes it easy to move her she is now 39 lbs, she enjoys being able to go out in the wheel chair

I can not even begin to let you know how difficult this has been, it's been a shock, and very devastating to us all,

the one constant, that is a big comfort, is to know that, you all praying for Alyssa and are there for us and their is only one that can heal her and that is the Great Physicianso we trust in Him, to carry her through all of this

I ran 18 miles and enjoyed it!

I finally have the upper hand on my knee!!! It has taken about a month... but I am now able to run while keeping my pain under control. At the 7 mile aid station, I made the mistake of stopping completely to down some oranges. After a few minutes of standing around, I jumped right back into running. That was a mistake... I literally almost fell over. For a second I thought that was it. I was going to have to turn around and walk back 7 miles to my car. Instead, I kept walking toward the 9 mile turn around point. I used this walk time to drink some water and eat some sport jelly beans. I increased my walk to a power walk and eventually back to a run. I was even able to catch up to my running group. By mile 12 I was feeling really good. I had a runner's high that lasted me the final 6 miles. Next week we go back down to 15 miles and the week after we're back up to 20 miles. That will be the highest mileage we'll do before the marathon. My confidence that I'll be able to successfully complete my marathon has gone way up this week. Besides the sore muscles, blisters and bruised toenails... I'm really feeling good!

Here is the latest update on Alyssa:

She is becoming more aware of her physical challenges (blindness and paralysis on the right side of her body) and as a result is having a real difficult time adapting. For example, she keeps holding up toys to her eyes and asking her mother or grandmother why she can't see them. So sad! Regarding her paralysis, the doctors have informed the family that it might be permanent. So heartbreaking!

She started chemotherapy again last Friday because throughout all this they still need to keep her leukemia under control and the family is hoping she'll get through this next phase of treatment with no more setbacks. Once the chemo starts to kick in, her immune system will become suppressed again, and she'll become more susceptible to infections, etc. Lets hope this won't be the case for little Alyssa!

On a happier note, she is talking more and she remembers who people are by the sound of their voices. And, believe it or not, she still find things to smile and giggle about - such things as her grandfather trying to sing a nursery rhyme, being tickled, listening to her music, and her mother playing with the curls in her hair.

As always, please keep Alyssa in your prayers.

Thanks again for all of you that donated on my behalf to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You have helped make a positive difference in the life of Alyssa and others just like her battling cancer!

God Bless you and your families.

Another half marathon down... 26.2 miles to go

I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon this past Sunday. It was a great race throughout the park and the streets of Anaheim. The race course was amazing, but my body is definitely starting to feel the effects of the months of training. I had to stop several times to stretch as my muscles started tightening up around mile 8. I did, however, manage to successfully finish the race and took a ton of pictures along the course with different Disney characters.

The knee is doing okay. I still have pain during my runs... but I'm learning how to manage it. We'll see how this week goes with my 18 mile run! I'm definitley starting to get nervous about the increase in miles and how my body will hold up. I just have to keep reminding myself that I will do this... I may not finish in the amount of time that I had hoped, but I will finish. I have to remember that I am not just running for myself, but for all of those individuals who have battled cancer. I will cross the finish line for them. I will cross it for little Alyssa.

My heart breaks and tears come to my eyes as I update you on Alyssa's condition. I'm going to copy and past an email from Alyssa's grandmother. I am without words...

To our Family and Friends> > This is an update about Alyssa's eyes> > it is with a heavy heart that this email goes out to you> > I spoke with Pastor Chris yesterday evening if he could to send this> > email out for us,> > he has been able to put in a message what I'm unable to write> > my cell doesn't work in the room, we are in rm 223A I can return> > calls this evening> >> > >> > Cindy> >> >

Prayer Intercessors,> > I spoke with Cindy May this evening about Alyssa Howes' condition,> > and the> > new was less than what all of us have been hoping and praying.> >> > The doctor's have told Scott & Juliette David, Gary & Cindy that their> > > prognosis for Alyssa's vision is not favorable. They expect, at this > > point, that Alyssa's blindness from the virus will be permanent. They> > > are providing> > counselors> > and coaches to the family for teaching Braille and helping Alyssa to > > adjust> > to a life without sight.> >> > This is a heavy blow for the family, and is, frankly, pretty> > heartbreaking.> >> > Cindy mentioned that the doctor's were not without any hope for Alyssa> > > regaining her sight, but at this point, this is their best prognosis.> >> > Alyssa is, on a more positive note, using more words and language to > > communicate, and is showing greater coordination with her arms. These> > > signs of recovery are very encouraging for her future.> >> > The May & Palomaki families are so grateful to everyone who has> > provided> > meals. They will continue to be in great need for a long period of > > time,> > so be encouraged, this ministry to their family is deeply appreciated.> >> > As you will hear this Sunday, I have been studying this week about the> > > blind man who sat at the gate of Jericho crying out to Jesus to heal> > him so he> > could regain his sight. The request was intense, earnest, and > > faithful. In> > that case, the Lord honored the request and healed the sight of the > > blind beggar.> >> > Little Alyssa is without a voice to cry out to the Lord. Her> > parents and> > grandparents are in prayer constantly for her, but are very fatigued > > and> > tired in the process. Will you pray for them? Will you cry out on > > their> > behalf? Our faithful prayers are effective and transformational.> >> > Please pray for Alyssa's healing, for her future, and for the whole > > Palomaki, Howes, and May families...

Please pray for Alyssa and her family. I am going to push through the next 7 weeks and finish this marathon for her.

Thanks to all of you for your support!