Daily Positives – 5/3/2010

Posted on May 3, 2010 by dean
  • Sat in on a large departmental call (not my dept) to hear the discussion about regulatory updates we’re making to one of our products. During the call, the facilitator (a VP) thanked me directly for all the assistance getting things taken care of for this initiative and for my work communicating and coordinating across departments.
  • Extremely productive session with my therapist this afternoon. She was very validating, supportive, insightful, honest, and direct – exactly what I need at this point. Felt awesome getting a lot of negative toxic crap off my chest in a safe, non-judgmental environment. I’m a little less angry about the present and a little more hopeful about my future.
  • She has a beautiful print of Multnomah Falls outside her office. How cool is that?
  • Dr’s office called back and got me a CT scan appointment for Wednesday and they’re working on setting up a consult with Endocrinology.
  • Sitka and I had a fun walk. Found more asparagus and a couple of bunnies. Luckily they escaped, but the asparagus wasn’t so fortunate.
  • Heather offered (unprompted) to write a recommendation for me on LinkedIn.
  • Enjoyed part of  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead along with a Bailey’s on the rocks for my evening entertainment.
  • Loving the scent of fresh lilac in my bedroom – cutting from the bush in our yard.
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Daily Positives – 5/2/2010

Posted on May 2, 2010 by dean
  • Really good ride this AM. Was able to hit my intervals and even though the achilles was acting up, it just felt great to be on the bike. A bit windy but otherwise the weather was awesome.
  • Got some brush cleared and burned, a bit of yard work done, and fixed the lawn mower. Sitka and I enjoyed the time outside together.
  • Went to see Jess now that she’s back home and recuperating well after her surgery. She liked the fresh lilac I brought her from our bush. Hung out with her and Pete for a bit.
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“No definite explanation for your episodes of hypoglycemia”

Posted on May 1, 2010 by dean

Disappointed. No closer to an explanation for my hypoglycemic episodes.  Got the following message from my primary care physician after waiting a week and a half for the most recent extra-special workup they did:

Dear Mr. Kesler,
I just wanted to comment on the results of your recent tests, which should be available for you to view on MyChart.

Your blood counts were normal. Your fasting glucose and insulin-related tests were normal. Your hepatic profile shows slightly high bilirubin and ALT. Your SPEP (protein electrophoresis) is similar to previous studies.

Based on these results there is no definite explanation for your episodes of hypoglycemia. In reviewing your previous liver workup your last ultrasound was done 5/21/03. It may be worthwhile doing a CT scan.

If you are interested in setting up a CT scan for further investigation or if you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this message.

Frustrates me that he won’t consider the exercise-induced angle or the hypoglycemia. I sent the following response:

Thank you for the follow up Dr. Chang. If it will assist in resolving this issue, then I’m interested in getting a CT scan. I am still concerned about the possibility that the hypoglycemia is related to exercise and/or is exercise induced. It seems far too coincidental that it happens during exercise the vast majority of the time. Secondly, that may explain why it is not showing up on the tests we’ve done thus far. Any additional thoughts on that? Is it worth consulting with an endocrinologist or other specialist?
thanks!
dean

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Daily Positives – 5/1/2010

Posted on May 1, 2010 by dean
  • April is over
  • Had a great time volunteering at the Lake Monona 20K event. Fun to hang out with the Ryan, Ryan, Pete, and Mike and meet some new Race Day Events crew.
  • Saw Roy & Amanda. Caught up with Charles and Bobby Z.
  • Sis and I got to chat briefly. I appreciate her support.
  • Windy walk with Sitka
  • Found some yummy wild asparagus during walk
  • Really enjoyed hanging out with Katie. Good to talk and catch up, did a short run, and had a delicious salmon salad.
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Daily Positives – 4/30/2010

Posted on April 30, 2010 by dean
  • In my boss’ absence, a development manager came to me this AM with an urgent issue. I was able to direct the mgr to appropriate resources to get things resolved.
  • Sitka & I got in a brief walk between storms this evening
  • Office door prepped, re-hung, and hardware installed
  • More work done on the closet organizer in guest bedroom
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Daily Positives – 4/29/2010

Posted on April 29, 2010 by dean
  • Three good kick off meetings today for the new validation initiative I’m working on. All with folks I haven’t worked with before.
  • Was approached by an exec at work and asked what I’m interested in doing career-wise. There are other potential opportunities that fit my skill set and they wanted to check in with me.
  • Got a swim in
  • Fun hanging with Jen & Sundance tonight
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Daily Positives – 4/28/2010

Posted on April 28, 2010 by dean
  • Enjoyed lunch with James today
  • 5K Run test went pretty well this evening. Able to run hard throughout with no bonking issues. Same vDot as last time. Was hoping for some improvement but given my mental, physical, and emotional state over the last few weeks, I’m grateful I haven’t regressed. Jen was on call.
  • Fun walk with Sitka tonight
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My Very Own “Achilles Heel”

Posted on April 28, 2010 by dean

Been having some significant pain in my left achilles over the last week. Saturday’s monster workout really irritated it. Sunday it was painful all day even when I was not stressing it. Monday the same, a little less sharp.

Checked in with a highly recommended sports med physician, Dr. Erik Adams at the Midwest Sports Medicine Institute. His official diagnosis was paratenonitis – an inflammation of the covering of the achilles tendon. Based on his ultrasound results, he’s also concerned I may also have the beginnings of a tear in the achilles tendon. He recommended I dial back the run and bike training for the next 3-4 weeks and realign my expectations for the run portion for IM CdA. If I don’t, it is likely I won’t be doing any running at IM CdA. Timing could not have been worse. I’m just under 9 weeks out and this next month is scheduled to be a significant block of hard-core training.

Midwest Sports Medicine Institute
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Daily Positives – 4/27/2010

Posted on April 27, 2010 by dean
  • Able to get a same-day appointment with Dr. Adams to check out my achilles issue
  • Was contacted by Anne from Fleet Feet to ask if I like to be interviewed for a story on “barefoot running” for a local tv story. She knew I was really interested in minimalist running shoes and have used several different styles of running shoes (conventional, Newton, and Vibrams).
  • Sitka and I got out for a brief walk
  • Guest bedroom door re-hung. Looks fabulous.
  • Was able to relay some incredibly positive professional feedback to Michele from a physician she used to work with
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Daily Positives – 4/26/2010

Posted on April 26, 2010 by dean
  • Much welcomed support from lots of friends
  • Another welcome day off from training
  • First meeting for new initiative for me at work. Gonna be a lot of work, but a great opportunity
  • Cleat fitting on my new bike shoes at Cronometro
  • Walk with my favorite pup, Sitka
  • Great phone conversation with Mary E (Laurel’s mom). Insightful perspective and very affirming. She makes an awesome salmon quiche too!
  • Michele, the physical therapist, was gracious to take a look at my achilles pain issue and recommend seeing a sports med doctor
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