Manatee Mentors 2014 v.2 thread2 CLOSED (Poptart/pet pic bribes?) (Page 97)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM!

I finally caved

ektclarke

Hey all!

Trying to now get back on board and follow as more than a lurker (no promises just yet, but trying!).  Been just able to get a few workouts in, but not really follow along as much as I'd like here.  It has been an awesome few months, though, so no complaints - it's just weird to not be racing for so long!

As I've said to a couple of you, I now feel like a triathlete rather than one who races triathlons (as racing used to be my reason for training, whereas now I'm truly happy with being able to enjoy running, swimming and occasionally biking).  I'm sure I'll get back into the racing side, but for now I'm having a great time running and swimming, mostly, in my new digs.

I hope you're all well (I do lurk, but haven't managed much more than that).  

I also want to take a moment to thank you all - your personalities and presence have been a huge support for me (even though I haven't been on here much lately) as we've moved and gotten into the swing of things here.  So, THANKS ALL!

OK - I hope to be around more in the coming months (but will have to see what the craziness level with the new job settles to).  I'll still be lurking either way!!

Matt

Hi Matt!

And I still don't like being labeled as a "triathlete" because I think it severely discounts how much I like all the other stuff these three sports are involved in. Both the other combinations and single sports.

RR, though still hoping to get a few more pictures from the on course photographers over the next few days.

Thanks everyone!

I don't think I posted it here, but this last week I went to see an ortho.  My knee is still bothering me, and that's just not natural.  I finally decided to switch from giving it time to heal to getting some medical follow up.

The ortho thought that I might have a torn lateral meniscus in my right knee.  I have an MRI on Wednesday morning, and then a follow up visit with the ortho next week.  I really want to know what's going on, so I can move beyond it.  Injuries, we all know, are very frustrating.

Happy Monday, everybody!!

Hi, Matt.  Welcome back, or at least to the extent you can manage at this point!!  Glad to hear that you're enjoying just doing all the things that go into triathlon training even if you aren't racing at this point.

Ben, interesting comment about doing triathlons v. being a triathlete.  I'd never thought about it that way.  I've started thinking of myself as a triathlete because I've done a couple races but might have to rethink that.

Tom, it's good that you went to an ortho, even if the results might not be good news.  At least you'll know what's up and can start more targeted healing.  Hoping for the best and NO SURGERY.  We have enough of that going around!

Everybody, please keep Yanti and Mutti in your thoughts.  In case you haven't heard the latest, Mutti's in the hospital with severe pacreatitis and cholecystitis (gall stones) and may need surgery.  It's possible they'll be in Germany for several weeks.  As you can imagine, that's creating havoc with plans and causing all kinds of stress.

Anybody heard from Jonathan TN?  He's been kind of quiet these days and hasn't posted in his log for quite a while.

On an administrative note, I'm noticing that we're almost up to p. 97 in this thread plus we're past Summer now.  Should we start a new thread for Fall/Winter and open the group up again?  Yanti usually takes care of that but since she's out of pocket at the moment, I'm wondering if someone else can take care of that.  Thoughts?

I've known a few too many who compartmentalize everyone into a few neatly labeled categories. Might help them in some ways, but also seems to prevent them from actually getting to know the person. I've been biking and running long before triathlon. Especially with a label like "triathlete", doing something outside of the label seems to confuse things even though I'm really just doing what I've always done.

Eh, just let Yanti handle it. We've gone well past 100 before.

Awkward moment of the day:  I was standing talking with a coworker when my skirt just dropped to the floor.  I knew it was looser because I've lost weight due to all my training, but I had no idea it was THAT loose. Thank goodness it didn't happen 5 minutes earlier when I was talking with my boss!!!

No kidding!!

Flasher!

Hey guys, I'm back! Sort of. Trying not to drown.

I've got a lot on my plate and feel like I'm taking the 1 step forward, 12 steps back (especially as it applies to my running) it's been difficult to run as my breathing is a bit of a struggle. Although it's healing nicely, I've got an infection in the sinuses and nasal cavity (sorry TMI) and possible some nerve damage (I have a lazy eyelid at the moment) but my sight is not impaired (w00t!) so that is good! 

I raced Saturday despite the whole 12 steps back. It was difficult but I finished! Also our team won the meet. Yay! I'm hoping to be back to where I want to be but I guess I will continue to practice patience as this year (after a couple of surgeries) is shaping up to be the ultimate test.

Japan was absolutely amazing. Just amazing. So, I can't really complain. I'm just struggling a bit. 

I'll catch up at a snails pace but I just wanted to check in!

Welcome back Salty and congrats!
IronTejas ... I think you're allowed to be a bit behind on reading and posting
HappyStoned ... LMAO. I needed that.

Thanks all so much for your concern and good thoughts.

Warning: RANT ON (feel free to skip to the THANKS ON section) in no order and bullet pointed

- it's clear two more of my teeth will need root canals burning through painkillers like crazy here but have to alive awake and ON.
- despite super super precautions (damn hard when person you're caring for is pooping and spewing everywhere on everything) Tina and I both have pinkeye as well now
- horrible cough that even the codeine I'm taking for my teeth doesn't put a dent in it

- Stuttgart is at nearly 100% capacity for rentals--Tina and I are on our 5th roach motel and I really mean literally roaches. We're also carrying huge bags around 'cause don't want to leave valuables in rooms. Trying to look up directions every day for a bunch of routes we've never taken when half the time our electronics don't work (between us we can usually get on the Internet, send/receive SMSs and phone calls--but we only can do that put together, both of us can't do it most of the time on our devices and connections). Oh and we're paying around 140 Euros a night for places that usually go 30-40 (gives you an idea of quality) Haven't gotten a full night (or even half a full night) of sleep yet, last room was right in the middle of the bar/club main drag

- Every major form of transportation has been going through strikes here ... we had to do a serious song and dance and get medical certificate from hospital to extend our rental car

- we're going to have to pay all of Mutti's (not to mention our ongoing expenses) up front in cash. She does have insurance (requirement for visa) but the ONLY insurance we could get for an 81-year-old with heart and multiple other problems is on reimbursement. So we're trying to find a way to get all the money/credit together in a way that doesn't kill our personal tax or company financial profile.

- Tina has to try to extend her visa here and she'll probably need to fly to Berlin--and possibly stay there while extension is granted. However, since Lufthansa is on strike, all other carriers are overbooked and the fees are astronomical.

RANT OFF

THANKS ON

- Mutti is a super trooper and has gone from critical/stable to stable/closely monitored. She was ON FIRE and clear as a bell today, no sign of dementia AT ALL which means she's in better shape than she's been for 7-8 years!
- The hospital is beyond amazing. I have never seen that level of care and attention anywhere in the world. Families are included and treated if necessary. As I said before, both of us were offered treatment. We also filled out extensive questionnaires on both her health & history and ours--and that information is BEING PAID ATTENTION TO AND USED.

- She has also had psychologists and a pastor come as well, to make sure that her outlook and whatever spirituality she likes are also strengthened (which helps physical healing). Everything is clean as a whistle. All the staff communicate with each other and know her and us as well. (And we see them do this for every patient). And it's QUIET PEACEFUL RESTFUL. What hospital do you know (with the possible exception of some hospices) ...

... if the paramedics had taken her when we called them, or if first a-hole doctor had done anything at all or had her admitted, she would have gone to the big general hospital instead. We, and she, are SO GRATEFUL she is at Bethesda. The staff seem really happy there and love their jobs and are super respectful to each other and the patients.

- She will receive physical/occupational therapy to get her walking and moving and self-care (strong again) BEFORE she's released

- the weather (we were prepared for winterpocalypse, especially in Northern Germany) has been SO WARM. We're out there in T-shirts just like everyone else most days!

- we do have/can get the money and credit we need. It's not easy and endless bureaucracy, but thank God we do have it.

There is no thanks off. The thanks will go on.

Yanti,

Continuing to pray for Mutti as well as for you and Tina in the midst.

Now that's funny!

welcome back!  Sorry you are having such a hard time, but thank goodness your sight is unaffected!!

Glad Japan was amazing.

So sorry to hear of all the ranty stuff!  Yay to all the thankful stuff!!  

Dearest Yanti, you have been through the mill, sucked through backwards, then sent through again!  I know it's likely remote, but is there any possibility you can get your teeth taken care of while you're there?  And can you get that cough treated?  Sounds like it might be bronchitis or something.  The last thing you need is pneumonia!!

As for your housing situation, I have 2 thoughts:  (a) the hospital might have some resources like a hostel or other help for families needing emergency housing and (b) I'll bet somebody in the tri community would put you up or knows somebody who can.  I don't know if you have any tri friends in Germany, but if you do, I'm sure they'd be able to at least get the word out, if not actively help you find something.  For that matter, you might just throw a post on the boards here and ST and see what shakes loose.  Somebody has to know somebody who can help.

You may not be looking for problem-solving, so of course, feel free to ignore the above suggestions.  Please don't ignore this though:  I'm thinking of you, Tina and Mutti lots and sending lots of positive and healing energy your way.  (((BIG HUGS))) from a safe distance.

(Glad you got a laugh out of my wardrobe malfunction.  I've been laughing about it all day.)

ETA:  someone from northern Germany *just* joined BT.  She's in the intro section.  She might know somebody who knows somebody.