medic0020's Group - CLOSED--BUSTIN AT THE SEAMS (Page 66)

Awww... I love you guys!!  I am getting sooo excited and nervous and more excited.  The big day is quickly approaching.  I am just trying to remind myself that my one and only goal is to finish and that anything better than that will be reason to really party.  Thanks everyone and I will keep you up to date!

Thanks for sharing the photos... what great fun...

Pam be strong, and take it steady...  we all look forward to your report...

Packing to fly back to Ohio from AZ... EK

Thanks Emerson... I'm just finishing packing my bag.. have just a little warm my legs up training session.  Any last minute advice would be great  

Well, ladies and gents... I did it!  I DID IT!  I survived.  Race results aren't up and I didn't get them before I left.  I really could care less... all that matters is that I did it!  Anyways, I am going to bed... I am exhausted and I have to work tomorrow.  More when I find out more  

Hey everyone,

You may have seen my post in CoJ earlier today, but I wanted to share with my family more detail and am just getting to it. Stephanie died today at 11:05 am. I also started my new job today. Steph told me last week to start today regardless of her situation. The hospice called this morning and said if she were elderly they'd say she would pass today, but because she was young, she may not. I decided I'd start work because she wanted me to.

I reported to the office. My boss asked what the status was and I told him. Her BP was 60/40 and pulse was barely readable. He said he wanted to introduce me to the sales team, then let me get back to my family. I told him I didn't expect to get paid for this week, but wanted to honor my commitment to the company to be there this morning. They said I'm on the payroll because I couldn't plan for this. 

When I left (10:45ish), I saw that I had a call from home. The nurses had called and said I needed to get there quickly. I was flying (I work 50 miles from home and 60 from the hospice). My father in law called me at 11:06 to say it was moments away. The nurse came out while we were on the phone and said that she was gone.

I believe she didn't want the kids or I to see her die. She knew, when I left last night, that we'd never see each other again in this world. The last words she ever spoke were to me. She said, "I love you." 

Her services will likely be Thursday. I have to meet with the funeral home tomorrow.

She left the world better than she found it. I'm honored and humbled to have called her my wife.

Greg 

Greg,

We knew that some day this post would arrive and our hearts are touched by your loss and also touched by the example you have left for us in how to face such adversity.  The tri for Stef, the web sites to help others, the raw energy to take such a challenge and turn it into a positive for others.

Your family is in our prayers and we stand in respect for the character you have shown.

Be sure to post where we should send notes for you and contributions in her memory.

Your friend,

Emerson

Greg,

I can't imagine the pain and sadness that you are all feeling.  I also hope that you can see the tremendous courage and amazing example that Stef was for not only you and your children, but for all of us.  I think this group knows better than most what internal strength it takes to fight cancer and still hold your head up high.  I think we all kept hoping that it would be a long time before we'd have to hear this sad news from you.  We're thinking about all of you! 

Eric

Noooooooooooooooooooooo~ I am soooo very sorry! It took me about after reading this....before I could type this response...I have been balling my eyes out! I am happy for her that she did not draw things out...but sooooo very sorry for your loss! I will be doing a mini tri in her honor tomorrow! I love you Greg.....when is the funeral!?!?! I may be able to make it! please let me know if you can....650/704-6910.....love and kisses! you take care and know that ALL of my thoughts and ALL of my prayers are with you and your family in this very tough time!

I just got off of the phone with Greg and here are the funeral details

Stef Johnson funeral services will be:

Thursday 7/24/08

Noon

Faith Bridge

18000 Steubner Airline Rd

Spring, Texas  77379

Please PM me if you need further information. I will let you know if there is a foundation where you can donate to him and his family. He has been without work until recently. In fact he started his new job the day she passed! What a day that must have been!!! hope that you can dig into your pockets and help this family.

LOVE YA GREG! let us know if we can do anything at all! KEEP YOUR CHIN UP!!

Let us kow if we can do anything at all! I am trying like crazy to get a flight home....but sure does look like I am not going to be able to due to COSTS!~ SKY HIGH! but still looking!

Greg,

My heart and spirit is with you during this time.   I can't begin to imagine the grief, pain, and loss you must be feeling as well as your family.  We love you and are here for you if you need absolutely anything.  Please hug your kids for me.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care and we all love you.

Hello everyone. just touching base with my family. Stef had a beautiful service on Thursday. On friday I woke up and was numb. Hard to believe. Some friends invited me and the kids to the coast, which is where I'm writing from. Three days of sun, salt water and beer is good. The wife, Tina, has been a huge help to me over the past weeks. It's nice to be able to relax with her and her family instead of trying to figure out what to do next.

 I hope you are all well. Will be talking about training again soon.

 Greg

Glad to hear it Greg, we look forward to cheering on your time on the bike and the other endeavors you do.

I hope everyone had a good weekend.  I got in 11 miles of good running on Saturday and 32 miles on the bike on Sunday.  It felt good to get some good time in, I have just put off the swimming until September.  I am planning a good bike/run for Wednesday AM.  This will be quite a week.  I have meetings and/or client entertaining every night starting Monday and ending next Sunday afternoon....  It will be fun but a bit loony.  We have a box at the masters tennis tournament so Peg and I take clients every night... It is fun but makes for a long week.  I will post photos...

This is a photo of Lindsay Davenport from a prior tournament...

Hey Everyone,

Glad to hear everyone is doing well.  The big race from last weekend finally caught up with me and I have just been beyond tired this weekend... napping and sleeping whenever I can.  That is the only problem with big Sunday races and having a full time job... no recovery day.  Anyone have anything cool going on this week? 

Wow Amy,

I am in pressed with your week.  I will no longer wimper about my schedule.  I think Eric may have done a race last weekend... I will need to check.  I plan to do a long brick on Wednesday and cram in one other item during the week.  Otherwise, it is work all day and take clients out every night... I will post photos from the tournament as it goes along.

Pam,  it is normal to have a let-down after a big race both mentally and physically...  take your rest and then start to your next goal...

I hope everyone else out there is doing well, I look forward to hearing from everyone... EK

amy mutz - 2008-07-28 7:49 AM I do hope we all stay together as a group for this winters mentor program, it's like family now. Amy IN

PS:  As to staying together... I agree but I think we should stay as a core and then let some new folks in... I think 8 - 10 would be a good total.  It is time to give Eric a break and let one of us take over... or someone new.  If the group thinks it is a good idea, we all know some pretty good folks around BT and we may be able to get a choice couple of folks from another group and start out as a new and bigger one next winter...????

Best of the old and best of the new...

Food for thought, 

I look forward to your opinions, 

Emerson