I want a shirt with this printed on it. Truly smart people who haven't seen it before (and have a sense of humor) couldn't help but chuckle. If you like smart girls this would a good way to weed out the airheads.
2010-12-01
2010-11-27
WAC Champs!
It's official Hawaii has clinched at least a tie for the WAC football championship this year by demolishing New Mexico State 59-24. Fourth time ever (1992,1999, 2007-outright champ, now 2010)
One thing of note Alex Green ran (yes Hawaii does run the ball sometimes) for a school record (the old record was set 60 years ago) 327 yards on 19 carries. He now has 1032 yards rushing for the season, the last 1K rusher for Hawaii was in 1992 when Travis Sims did it. Just beastly today.
Greg Salas became the all time receiving yards leader in Hawaii history, first to surpass 4000 career yards. With another beastly effort of 10 receptions for 190 yards.
Hawaii just keeps putting up video game numbers, gotta love college football.
Oh and I didn't even mention the insanity of last nights Nevada Boise State game. I'm still dumbfounded, but not as much as this guy.
One thing of note Alex Green ran (yes Hawaii does run the ball sometimes) for a school record (the old record was set 60 years ago) 327 yards on 19 carries. He now has 1032 yards rushing for the season, the last 1K rusher for Hawaii was in 1992 when Travis Sims did it. Just beastly today.
Greg Salas became the all time receiving yards leader in Hawaii history, first to surpass 4000 career yards. With another beastly effort of 10 receptions for 190 yards.
Hawaii just keeps putting up video game numbers, gotta love college football.
Oh and I didn't even mention the insanity of last nights Nevada Boise State game. I'm still dumbfounded, but not as much as this guy.
2010-11-26
God Of War 3
Just picked it up online for $34.99, check that off the list.
Going outside for a ride today in a few hours, we'll see how that goes.
Thomas (avoiding the malls at all costs today) Novikoff...
Going outside for a ride today in a few hours, we'll see how that goes.
Thomas (avoiding the malls at all costs today) Novikoff...
2010-11-25
Happy Thanksgiving
Today I actually had a wonderful day, and any one of those I am truly thankful for.
I woke up early to help out for the Turkey Day Mt Ham lowkey hillclimb. I decided I'd be the guy who schlepped up all the gear everyone didn't want to carry up the hill, but wanted for the chilly ride down. I got to chat with my friends and new found friends before the start. Got in my car and drove to the top of Mt Hamilton. At the top I was greeted with this.
I woke up early to help out for the Turkey Day Mt Ham lowkey hillclimb. I decided I'd be the guy who schlepped up all the gear everyone didn't want to carry up the hill, but wanted for the chilly ride down. I got to chat with my friends and new found friends before the start. Got in my car and drove to the top of Mt Hamilton. At the top I was greeted with this.
Icy snow. Dropped off everyone's clothing. After an hour and 11 minutes Ryan Sherlock (Ireland) beats out an ingonito Eric Wohlberg (Canada) as they cross the line 1st and 2nd. When did the lowkey start getting international? I head back down the mountain go home, take a hot shower. Then I jump on the trainer for 1/2 an hour, while calling my mom in Hawaii. Then head over to Santa Cruz for Thanksgiving dinner at with the Takemoto's. Despite my GI problems I was actually able to enjoy the food including the traditional bird (see below)
Looks good doesn't it.
It's been a tough year for me and spending time today with friends and adopted family, while miles away from my parents and biological family, was such a blessing. My eyes are tearing up.
Happy Thanksgiving
2010-11-23
2010-11-22
Hope It's Worth The Wait
GT 5 has been something like 300 years in the making. Finally it's coming out on Wednesday, no more delays...I think.
Been waiting since March to get this, hoping for a price drop. Eventually it will, I wouldn't spend more than $40 on it. Right now it's $39.99 at Amazon.
December 7th, my favorite movie of 2010 is coming to Blu-Ray/DVD. I really need to see it again.
2010-11-20
Hawaii Demolishes Spartans
41-7. SJSU couldn't do anything, Hawaii is really good this year. (Boise St. should be ranked #1 IMO).
The Spartans really could have used Mint Berry Crunch!
The Spartans really could have used Mint Berry Crunch!
Hooray Saturday
Fall Saturdays are some of the favorite days of the year for me, because it means COLLEGE FOOTBALL. It's like every Saturday during the season is like the first round of the NCAA basketball tourney with multiple games going on at once. The occasional upset makes it better. I digress.
Today is the battle of my alma maters, Hawaii vs. SJSU. I root for Hawaii because I was a born Hawaii fan, also the Spartans aren't very good. Chase in point from the Honolulu Star Advertiser
Today is the battle of my alma maters, Hawaii vs. SJSU. I root for Hawaii because I was a born Hawaii fan, also the Spartans aren't very good. Chase in point from the Honolulu Star Advertiser
I will watch (or listen to) every Hawaii game irregardless of opponent. So at 7:30 pm PST, don't bug me I'm busy :)
Top 5 other games to watch (if you can find them on tv...)
1. Stanford v. Cal: "The band is on the field!"
2. Army v. Notre Dame : @ the new Yankee Stadium
3. Northwestern v. Illinois: @ Wrigley Field (on ESPNU, I will need to find alt feed)
4. Tennessee v. Vanderbilt: 106th all time meeting, and Vandy is my favorite school east of the Mississippi
5. Virginia Tech v. Miami (FL): Big game for Boise State's BCS game chances.
Taking the weekend easy, trainer only, not just due to the weather. The 10 hours plus of training I did this week despite some major abdominal discomfort.
Hopefully I will feel better on Thursday, so I can ride up Mt Ham, a LowKey Hillclimb tradition.
2010-11-17
2010-11-13
Should Be In Manila
Anyone in Manila can rob a bank for me right now? You could probably go unnoticed...Manny P is fighting. I don't need the money right now.
Anyway I'm just hurting, my digestive system is in knots, my doctors are indifferent about it, and I'm almost out of hydrocodone. May need to try Tylenol, and much milk thistle during the day (to keep my liver from getting worse). I'm pretty sure I have IBS, but doctors don't have much they can do for IBS. So I'm going to try to alter my diet, with the help of other people online who've suffered from this major annoyance. The only things that help me right now are exercise, and my hand held massager.
It's been a miserable week or two on many levels. But I get to bling out my training bike rather inexpensively thanks to Ritchey's new 2011 Classic components and a German bike shop (where I found them for cheap).
Below is the result. I stink at taking pictures.
Anyway I'm just hurting, my digestive system is in knots, my doctors are indifferent about it, and I'm almost out of hydrocodone. May need to try Tylenol, and much milk thistle during the day (to keep my liver from getting worse). I'm pretty sure I have IBS, but doctors don't have much they can do for IBS. So I'm going to try to alter my diet, with the help of other people online who've suffered from this major annoyance. The only things that help me right now are exercise, and my hand held massager.
It's been a miserable week or two on many levels. But I get to bling out my training bike rather inexpensively thanks to Ritchey's new 2011 Classic components and a German bike shop (where I found them for cheap).
Below is the result. I stink at taking pictures.
One I should have gotten the white hoods (they grey stands out), and the Chrome Deda Handlebar tape is hard to wrap (doesn't stretch easily). Close up it has some flaws but from about 10 feet or further it looks amazing... I did make one $60 mistake when I accidentally cut the powertap cable. I think I'll replace it once I can get control of my intestines.
Sorry I can't be witty right now, just not in the mood. Going to watch south park online now, I could use a laugh.
2010-11-01
Did The Giants Just Win The World Series?! OMG
Never thought that would happen in my lifetime. Not a big fan, but since I live in the Bay Area now, I am by default. It's hard to believe these guys did it. When I was driving to UCSF at a regular basis in March, April, and May I heard nothing but trash about this team on KNBR. I'm sure they are singing management's and Botchy's praises now.
You can go online an order your World Series champion merchandise already...geez... or go down to ATT park right now with the mob, and try and get some junk you'll see at a garage sale in 10 years...
Texas... you can go back to lamenting the Cowboys again.
2010-10-31
Ho-Hum Perfect Cali Weather
Feeling a bit better today. Limiting my wheat intake may have helped, as possibly the poi I thawed last night. Now I just need to not over do it after a ride.
Today's ride was alright, lots of hills but not the long ones I planned. Unfortunatly the El Sereno dirt climb was too slippery for my road bike, so I aborted that and searched out a few Los Gatos area ascents. Otherwise the weather was perfect, 50-60's and cloudless.
http://app.strava.com/rides/212449
Crushed the Sierra Azul climb, a steep 13.6% 1/2 mile bastard in 3:28. For my best VAM number yet of 1607. I do okay on the shorties, but the long ones expose my decreased VO2 Max.
Today's ride was alright, lots of hills but not the long ones I planned. Unfortunatly the El Sereno dirt climb was too slippery for my road bike, so I aborted that and searched out a few Los Gatos area ascents. Otherwise the weather was perfect, 50-60's and cloudless.
http://app.strava.com/rides/212449
Crushed the Sierra Azul climb, a steep 13.6% 1/2 mile bastard in 3:28. For my best VAM number yet of 1607. I do okay on the shorties, but the long ones expose my decreased VO2 Max.
Warriors, Just Dominant
Hawaii is dismantling Idaho. It's 45-3. Shear dominance, I can't recall a Hawaii team this overwhelming. Atleast I have this to hang my hat on because it's been a bum trip of a week otherwise. My GI system has been a bloated mess, and has been affecting my riding, specifically my breathing (atleast I think). I have been riding slow up any hill requiring any sort of lung capacity. But I have more pressing medical issues on my plate, and have to take care of those. I get to have a needle plunged into my liver Friday to see if there's more crap going on in there. Even on today's ride up to Henry Coe Park this is what I had to say about this...
I'm sick of the never ending string of doctors office visits, and setting up more appointments for all my minor ailments seems trivial. Especially when all I want to do is ride my frickin' bike! (It hasn't stopped me yet, and won't ever)
2010-10-24
The Giants Win The Pennant!
It's going to be one of the Championships where I won't mind if either wins, because neither have won before. Actually if the Giants win the Bay Area might end up being too full of themselves...
One guy will get a World Series ring no matter what. Lucky flabby bastard.
Name that Molina...
2010-10-23
When It Rains It Pours
Hawaii just destroyed Utah St today 45-7. It wasn't even close, they allowed something like 150 total yards while gaining over 500. Moniz threw two bad passes in the first half, or it would have been worse. All this while there was a driving rainstorm which coincided with Hawaii running over the Aggies. Of note, Alex Green ran for 4 TD's the first time since 1995 when option QB Glenn Freitas did it against UNLV (sorry no pics available, the internet was still only in Al Gore's pants then) and he ran for 172 yards, wow.
I went on a harsh ride today. I think the ride I did yesterday took some power out of my legs, but I soldiered on. Up and down and up and... just check out strava
http://app.strava.com/rides/208485
I was fortunate the rain held out for the morning. Got a decent ride in, this afternoon's been ugly, and tomorrow is supposed to be rainy.
So many people out driving this morning, just lame. Where is everybody (not) going?
I went on a harsh ride today. I think the ride I did yesterday took some power out of my legs, but I soldiered on. Up and down and up and... just check out strava
http://app.strava.com/rides/208485
I was fortunate the rain held out for the morning. Got a decent ride in, this afternoon's been ugly, and tomorrow is supposed to be rainy.
So many people out driving this morning, just lame. Where is everybody (not) going?
2010-10-17
Misery Hates Company
I was up late last night as the Hawaii game went down to the wire, the good way (I would have been a bit bummed having stayed up past midnight if the Warriors lost). So I had a hard time dragging myself out of bed, because I'm not a late night person. I couldn't get going until 9 am (gast!). The weather didn't look pleasant but the weather reports said some light rain but nothing substantial. So I only bring (in addition to my normal kit), a pair of arm warmers, and a wind breaker. Fine if it's sprinkling and between 50 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
My plan was to set out to here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpRNg8bIzIE
By the reservoir I was feeling awful and cross eyed. Luckily all the fair weather walkers decided the weather was too unpleasant today to walk for a little while then reward themselves with a massive meal. So it was clear sailing down the dirt path to Los Gatos as I hardly able to hold a straight line anymore. Once I got onto the paved streets I got into angry "I'm sick of this" mode, and put the hammer down. A light tailwind and tons of motivation led me to go into TT mode, even though I was feeling dreadful frozen and hypothermic (my jaw hurt as I clenched it to keep it from chattering). I get home, put the wet bike on the balcony, tear my clothes off and take one blissfully grand 20 minute hot shower.
http://www.strava.com/rides/205022
Watching Man vs. Food I wonder how constipated Adam Richmond must be all the time.
My plan was to set out to here...
Loma Prieta...epicenter of a certain geological event 23 years ago that postponed a baseball game. God can be a bitch sometimes.
I wasn't going to the top, I was actually trying to generate a new strava climb segment for the rode up to the end of the pavement near 3000 feet elevation. It's waaaayyy out in the boonies (for this area anyway), as there are lots of shutins, and crotchety old people who insist people suck enough to live as far away as possible without having to farm... The bad news for them is dudes in tight pants and fluorescent shades love riding on these desolate low trafficked roads.
It took me about 1.5 hours to get to Old Soquel-San Jose road to the start of the climbing up to Loma Prieta (I already was up to 1528 ft elevation having climbing from Lexington Reservoir via Old Santa Cruz Highway...cyclists also like road called Old [road name here]).
About now the roads were damp and the drizzle was starting, but I was going uphill for the next 5 or so miles, no problem. Up and up I went, there were a few locals and hikers in their cars (wimps), but I stay to the right and ignore them. It's not so bad until the end of Mt Bache, where I was regretting not having my 27 cog, then the last 3/4 of a mile of Loma Prieta was just a grind. The rain was now falling, the roads were damp and I couldn't stand without spinning out my cheap tire mounted wheel. I did make it, then realized, damn, I have to go back, and it's now raining, AND the clouds are in every direction. I put my extra clothes on set out. Descended a wet road for the first time in months, taking it relatively easy. But I'm getting wetter and wetter. By the time I get back to Old SCruz highway I'm getting worried and COLD. I tell myself to suck it up, thinking of yesterdays Giro d'Lombardia the whole time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpRNg8bIzIE
By the reservoir I was feeling awful and cross eyed. Luckily all the fair weather walkers decided the weather was too unpleasant today to walk for a little while then reward themselves with a massive meal. So it was clear sailing down the dirt path to Los Gatos as I hardly able to hold a straight line anymore. Once I got onto the paved streets I got into angry "I'm sick of this" mode, and put the hammer down. A light tailwind and tons of motivation led me to go into TT mode, even though I was feeling dreadful frozen and hypothermic (my jaw hurt as I clenched it to keep it from chattering). I get home, put the wet bike on the balcony, tear my clothes off and take one blissfully grand 20 minute hot shower.
http://www.strava.com/rides/205022
Watching Man vs. Food I wonder how constipated Adam Richmond must be all the time.
2010-10-16
2010-10-13
Denzel at Macy's????
Saturday Night Live - Returns and Exchanges - Video - NBC.com
My mom might like this one, if her computer can play it.
My mom might like this one, if her computer can play it.
Too Much
Too much to talk about, not enough impetus to care to talk about it. That and I ate too much after my CT/PET scan at UCSF. I wasn't even all that hungry even after fasting for 18 hours. The location of the scanning building is China Basin, across the street from Willie Mays!
Good thing the Giants won Monday night in Atlanta, or this place would have been a sea of people, and possibly no parking with a game tonight.
I actually took Tuesday of from riding to ensure the scan was valid, as sore muscles induce glucose uptake. The point of the PET scan is to identify any suspicious glucose activity after the injection of a radiative glucose tracer. The last two have been clear, but this one was to check on me post radiation therapy. Then hopefully no massive doses of radiation (CT scans are like 4000 x-rays, at once) for 6 months, and hell my insurance hopes so too....
It's also been very summer like the past few days. My cyclometer maxed at 96.6 deg F in the shade. Couple that with a full stomach and you got some major nauseous riding this afternoon. I still managed to KOM a hill that someone had beaten me a few weeks ago in. Also hit my highest heart rate since the treatments at 172 bpm, boy did that hurt, but it felt good. My left leg cramping up didn't. I can't wait for it to cool off a little, 55 degrees is so nice.
2010-10-10
Just digits to me.
Actually 101010 is 42. Har Har Har....
I feel I am slowly progressing. Still basking in the Fresno St demolition at the hands of the Warriors last, my legs weren't feeling all that chipper this morning. I ignored it and headed out to the mountains. Had to traverse the always obnoxious Lexington dam path with the hundreds of early morning weekend warriors who probably just go to a buffet and waste the 200-300 calories they burned walking in the dirt. Along the paved dam road a strange event occurred. So many bugs here and one flies into my mouth, and OUCH! Spit a bee out then spit the stinger into my hand. Oh great, thankfully I don't get much of a reaction to bee stings (I'm awesome like that...superior genetics) While it stung for a while I trudge on, and up Old Santa Cruz highway at a decent but still below my desired pace. I continue up to Bear Creek, help out a lost driver, and decide to go to Boulder Creek. I figure I had the time. Uneventful from here, just me plugging away, with my bent dérailleur hanger not allowing me to go below my 53X15 (junior gearing?).
Here's my ride on the awesome Strava app: http://www.strava.com/rides/200101#
I say awesome too much. But not as much as the Miz (I need that shirt)
I feel I am slowly progressing. Still basking in the Fresno St demolition at the hands of the Warriors last, my legs weren't feeling all that chipper this morning. I ignored it and headed out to the mountains. Had to traverse the always obnoxious Lexington dam path with the hundreds of early morning weekend warriors who probably just go to a buffet and waste the 200-300 calories they burned walking in the dirt. Along the paved dam road a strange event occurred. So many bugs here and one flies into my mouth, and OUCH! Spit a bee out then spit the stinger into my hand. Oh great, thankfully I don't get much of a reaction to bee stings (I'm awesome like that...superior genetics) While it stung for a while I trudge on, and up Old Santa Cruz highway at a decent but still below my desired pace. I continue up to Bear Creek, help out a lost driver, and decide to go to Boulder Creek. I figure I had the time. Uneventful from here, just me plugging away, with my bent dérailleur hanger not allowing me to go below my 53X15 (junior gearing?).
Here's my ride on the awesome Strava app: http://www.strava.com/rides/200101#
I say awesome too much. But not as much as the Miz (I need that shirt)
2010-10-09
Hawaii Kicking Arse....
and Triathlon still is lame.
Know who's not lame.
GREG SALAS, freaking stud. I guess growing up in Chino, CA makes you tough as nails.
Hawaii 49 Fresno 20 , Sweet baby jesus!
Know who's not lame.
GREG SALAS, freaking stud. I guess growing up in Chino, CA makes you tough as nails.
Hawaii 49 Fresno 20 , Sweet baby jesus!
Triathlon is boring...Cycling Rules
Today was the Giro d'Emilia, and some silly race with tank tops, handlebar mounted water bottles, the occasional dork running in compression socks, and another guy with sponges jammed down his sleeveless speedo. Watching that was excruciatingly boring, no matter how much the live video announcers tried to pump it up.
The Giro d'Emilia on the other-hand, awesomeness...
The Giro d'Emilia on the other-hand, awesomeness...
2010-10-03
2010-10-01
2010-09-30
Hooray FOX!
Good for you FOX network. On Fringe I just saw a midget's head explode on free network TV. Wow.
2010-09-28
The Purpose
Hello I'm Thomas Mahinulani Novikoff
I was born on Friday March 13th 1981.
On May 16th 2009 I was diagnosed with a Extrahepatic Biliary Stricture. That's about the best explanation I can give you up to this point. Here's a picture of it.
The Y-shaped black part in the upper middle is my extremely dilated bile duct.
On May 10th I noticed I was turning yellow, there were other symptoms that just seemed to a function of my diet and dehydration. But the turning yellow thing was the deal breaker, and on the 15th I was lugging my butt into a hospital emergency room to get someone to figure this out. The next day after a urine test, 5 blood tests, an ultrasound, and a CT scan I was having a tube shoved down my throat getting my plumbing unclogged with an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The end result was the picture below.
The tube is the only thing keeping me alive. Otherwise the bile backs up (and bile is toxic stuff), and systematically poisons/destroys the liver. Over time cirrhosis ensues, the liver begins to fail, and that's all she wrote... Thank goodness for modern medicine. Since then I've had the tube replaced 3 times due to occlusion. This results in cholangitis, which for me causes a splitting headache, a fever, chills, and more bile back up.
I've basically been able to resume a normal life...basically. I've been on antibiotics for over 4 months to prevent the cholangitis (the liver is your waste management center so it deposits all the bacteria to get it out, and if it can't go out the conventional way, it's stuck). I take a bile acid called Ursodiol with every meal to help with digestion, liver function, and stent clogging prevention (doesn't do the latter all that well). Otherwise I can still do this...
On November 5th, 2009 I had a pancreaticoduodenectomy for what turned out to be Stage III Cholangiocarcinoma, I resumed riding the trainer less than 2 weeks later, because I hate walking. Though I no longer have a fully functioning normal digestive system I went back to work less than a month after the surgery, and resumed riding about the same time.
2010 has been 6 months of Chemotherapy (Gemcitibine-Cisplatin cocktail 2 times every three weeks) then Radiation all of August at Stanford to save me the driving hassle. Now I'm done with that crap. I did it all by myself (except the actual IV and IMRT manipulation), driving to all but maybe 3 out of 40 treatments (my Aunty Charlotte wanted to go a few times). I rode 100-200 miles a week, and raced 15 times this year during my treatments...though I plain sucked.... just wanted to pretend everything was status quo. I also never missed a single day of work due to the treatments. Fatigue? That's an excuse. Nausea? Sure...but I just sucked it up. Anemia? Annoying but manageable...except when trying to race Professional Cyclists. I never made excuses, never asked for handouts, never wanted to be treated differently, and never let it get to me.
Thankfully...to be continued
I was born on Friday March 13th 1981.
On May 16th 2009 I was diagnosed with a Extrahepatic Biliary Stricture. That's about the best explanation I can give you up to this point. Here's a picture of it.
The Y-shaped black part in the upper middle is my extremely dilated bile duct.
On May 10th I noticed I was turning yellow, there were other symptoms that just seemed to a function of my diet and dehydration. But the turning yellow thing was the deal breaker, and on the 15th I was lugging my butt into a hospital emergency room to get someone to figure this out. The next day after a urine test, 5 blood tests, an ultrasound, and a CT scan I was having a tube shoved down my throat getting my plumbing unclogged with an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The end result was the picture below.
The tube is the only thing keeping me alive. Otherwise the bile backs up (and bile is toxic stuff), and systematically poisons/destroys the liver. Over time cirrhosis ensues, the liver begins to fail, and that's all she wrote... Thank goodness for modern medicine. Since then I've had the tube replaced 3 times due to occlusion. This results in cholangitis, which for me causes a splitting headache, a fever, chills, and more bile back up.
I've basically been able to resume a normal life...basically. I've been on antibiotics for over 4 months to prevent the cholangitis (the liver is your waste management center so it deposits all the bacteria to get it out, and if it can't go out the conventional way, it's stuck). I take a bile acid called Ursodiol with every meal to help with digestion, liver function, and stent clogging prevention (doesn't do the latter all that well). Otherwise I can still do this...
On November 5th, 2009 I had a pancreaticoduodenectomy for what turned out to be Stage III Cholangiocarcinoma, I resumed riding the trainer less than 2 weeks later, because I hate walking. Though I no longer have a fully functioning normal digestive system I went back to work less than a month after the surgery, and resumed riding about the same time.
2010 has been 6 months of Chemotherapy (Gemcitibine-Cisplatin cocktail 2 times every three weeks) then Radiation all of August at Stanford to save me the driving hassle. Now I'm done with that crap. I did it all by myself (except the actual IV and IMRT manipulation), driving to all but maybe 3 out of 40 treatments (my Aunty Charlotte wanted to go a few times). I rode 100-200 miles a week, and raced 15 times this year during my treatments...though I plain sucked.... just wanted to pretend everything was status quo. I also never missed a single day of work due to the treatments. Fatigue? That's an excuse. Nausea? Sure...but I just sucked it up. Anemia? Annoying but manageable...except when trying to race Professional Cyclists. I never made excuses, never asked for handouts, never wanted to be treated differently, and never let it get to me.
Thankfully...to be continued
2010-09-27
153.5 WTH?
How do I weigh 153.5 pounds now and I'm dehydrated? I know I ate a lot this weekend but I also rode for 6 hours in the heat. I don't want to sound like a chick making weight excuses but am I retaining water? I definitely don't look 6 pounds heavier. Honestly I am expecting to overload the toilet soon, hasn't happened yet.
STUXNET!
STUXNET!
2010-09-25
I Saw a Rattlesnake Spontaneously Combust Today
Summer decided to show up finally this weekend, and I wanted to roll out early. SO much for that, damn Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds...Trader Joe's (shakes fist). My breakfast gastric overload also caused quite the discomfort riding, not only did I want to throw up, my breathing felt stunted.
My ride can be found here. http://www.strava.com/rides/190779# and here it is on google earth
My plan was to go up Mt Umunhum to the top at a steady pace, just not steady SLOW. I died a thousand deaths on Hicks, especially on the steepest exposed parts as the heat was getting worse. I felt like turning around just a mile into the climb, but I pressed on. Started to feel a little better on Mt Umunhum, especially in the shade, but I would like to have gone 1-2 kph faster. By the top it was just brutally hot for me (mid 90's). The top is at over 3200 feet elevation and has quite the views. 5 miles @10.2% 10kph avg 48 min 260 watt average, lame. I did feel like throwing up the whole time... Had I opted for a flatter ride I would have missed this.
Legs felt okay so I hammered on for another hour and a half to have about 4500 feet of total climbing.
I was looking forward to the $3.25 Cherry Pretzel Whole Bar after the ride, but by the time I got back the throw up desire had faded. Now I just had a desire to chug a gallon of cold water. The bar was not so great either. I'm going to stop wasting my money on those things.
Oh and gotta like the new blogger setup, now my pictures are larger, just they don't fit the layout super nice...don't care.
My ride can be found here. http://www.strava.com/rides/190779# and here it is on google earth
My plan was to go up Mt Umunhum to the top at a steady pace, just not steady SLOW. I died a thousand deaths on Hicks, especially on the steepest exposed parts as the heat was getting worse. I felt like turning around just a mile into the climb, but I pressed on. Started to feel a little better on Mt Umunhum, especially in the shade, but I would like to have gone 1-2 kph faster. By the top it was just brutally hot for me (mid 90's). The top is at over 3200 feet elevation and has quite the views. 5 miles @10.2% 10kph avg 48 min 260 watt average, lame. I did feel like throwing up the whole time... Had I opted for a flatter ride I would have missed this.
Legs felt okay so I hammered on for another hour and a half to have about 4500 feet of total climbing.
I was looking forward to the $3.25 Cherry Pretzel Whole Bar after the ride, but by the time I got back the throw up desire had faded. Now I just had a desire to chug a gallon of cold water. The bar was not so great either. I'm going to stop wasting my money on those things.
Oh and gotta like the new blogger setup, now my pictures are larger, just they don't fit the layout super nice...don't care.
2010-09-19
4400
If the Garmin calculator was correct I may have jumped the shark today. I rode Henleyville, but the incessant accelerations from the hardmen of NorCal broke my legs quick. The 5th attack in a 3 minute stretch 10 miles into the race was too much. Just couldn't hold wheels. In fact I did at least 5 900+ watt accelerations the first 10 miles of the race. Ugh. Then the car with my wheels in it passed by and so I was stuck until the race was over so.... I put my head down and get in one wicked workout. I swore I almost clawed back to the pack before the end of the first lap, but it wasn't to be. So I proceeded to do a 40 mile solo time trial, and actually was keeping the pace steady the whole way. Finally before the end of the third lap the 3's come by and with no follow car or motorcycle I sit on at the back for a little while behind this shmuck who was tailgunning the whole time. 2 guys were riding away from the 3's pack, as those 'tards dicked around flailing away at each other. At one point I got gapped and they got about 30 seconds up the road, but I amazingly was able to hammer my way back up to them as they continued to ride idiotically. Honestly the non-Chico guys could have easily worked together to drag the two leaders back, they had 30 miles to do it..but no. The NorCal team guy in red was the biggest douche, just sitting at the back doing squat. He was more worried about me then the race when I was sitting at the back just trying to get back, he was lucky I wasn't a three because I would have chewed his ass out for his lameness. Around the last lap feed zone I let them go and got back into TT mode. Eventually I rode with a guy from Washington who missed his start by 15 minutes... no apathy for that. But he was okay, except for the fact he didn't seem to care he was wearing 2011 SWorks shoes. Damn, I could use those, but I've got to penny pinch for a while. When I got off my bike my quads were destroyed, and apparently so were my calorie reserves. If my Garmin was correct(really doubt it) I expended FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED calories in 3 hours and 20 minutes. 1321 CALORIES AN HOUR. I'm guessing that it was closer to half those numbers because had I really burned 4.4K KCal I would have bonked like no tomorrow. Either way I really needed that Whole Bar after, ouch, and still DFL, but I FINISHED! Suck it NorCal cat 3 douchebag.
2010-09-12
August 20th to ????
So August 20th was my last radiation + chemo (xeloda 3000 mg/day on IMRT treatment days). A good 3 weeks ago. Maybe trying to compete on the pro-1-2 level right now is unrealistic. I mean Mr. Armstrong took a whole year to come back from his last treatment. So why am I lining up to a hillclimb today...I'm crazy? Probably. I tried to hold my own but 11 minutes after the winner crossed the line I did. I peeled off the pace (which wasn't that fast) 7:30 minutes after the start with my heart rate at 160 bpm. I tried my best but could only manage to break 50 minutes, which is pretty lame (7 minutes slower than last year). I rode all the way to the top to check out the view. Sorry no pictures...was trying to keep the weight to a minimum. I'm skipping Mt Tam on Saturday to focus on not getting dropped at Henleyville with my HED Jet 9's. They sure make me look fast.
2010-09-11
Done With Facebook
Today is the last day I'm posting anything on Facebook. I'll keep my account so people can contact me but otherwise I'm done. My account is dominated by 10 people and I'm sure people are sick of my posts. Hell the interesting thing I've had to post about my Cholangiocarcinoma has gone completely unmentioned on facebook, because I don't want to be a downer to all those on facebook who lead such simple drama filled lives. Cancer makes anyone's hangovers seem so trivial.... So I have to change my account settings and vet everything on the account.
I'll still be easy to find here on this "blog" and on Strava.com where I will post every ride I do for the next year. Strava has added a new level of motivation for me. I am very motivated to try to overcome the blasted cancer treatments which reduced me to the physical ability of a cat 3 woman. Now with Strava I can measure my efforts against the pool of other strava addicts and try to best their times. I only expect this can work for another year before it's gets big and abuse with motorpacing, motorcycles, and Lamborghini's becomes rampant. As for my "comeback" I'm on a slow upward trajectory (not fast enough for me), but still have a little ways to go before the power is near what I need. Case in point.
20 min threshold 3/10/09 - 340 watts - 4.85 W/kg
20 min threshold 9/10/10 - 275 watts - 4.23 W/kg (lost 5 kg of weight)
20 min threshold needed - 315 watts to = 4.85 W/kg
If I can get to 330 watts for 20 min (a 20% increase) I'll be rolling with the big boys in NorCal. I still have about 8%-10% more hemotocrit to recover to reach 43% (my norm). It may take a few months so I have that to look forward to. In the meantime I'll work with what I have, with a little extra motivation. Or maybe I should dangle this picture in front of me while I ride as motivation.
I'll still be easy to find here on this "blog" and on Strava.com where I will post every ride I do for the next year. Strava has added a new level of motivation for me. I am very motivated to try to overcome the blasted cancer treatments which reduced me to the physical ability of a cat 3 woman. Now with Strava I can measure my efforts against the pool of other strava addicts and try to best their times. I only expect this can work for another year before it's gets big and abuse with motorpacing, motorcycles, and Lamborghini's becomes rampant. As for my "comeback" I'm on a slow upward trajectory (not fast enough for me), but still have a little ways to go before the power is near what I need. Case in point.
20 min threshold 3/10/09 - 340 watts - 4.85 W/kg
20 min threshold 9/10/10 - 275 watts - 4.23 W/kg (lost 5 kg of weight)
20 min threshold needed - 315 watts to = 4.85 W/kg
If I can get to 330 watts for 20 min (a 20% increase) I'll be rolling with the big boys in NorCal. I still have about 8%-10% more hemotocrit to recover to reach 43% (my norm). It may take a few months so I have that to look forward to. In the meantime I'll work with what I have, with a little extra motivation. Or maybe I should dangle this picture in front of me while I ride as motivation.
Fumbling It Away
What a strange morning. Rode early to catch the Hawaii-Army game, who plays football at noon? Atleast I didn't have to watch at 6am like those in Hawaii. Hawaii dominated the first 3 series. 21-0, then the bottom fell out, Army started blitzing, the special teams started making mistakes, and the next thing you know it's 28-21 Army WT Hell? Hawaii got an emphatic touchdown to tie it. Then as time was running out Army was poised to take a game winning FG, then bam, some dude named Ulu causes a fumble and with 24 seconds left Hawaii gets the ball. Smartly they don't take a knee, and heave it down the field, and 14 seconds (football time, which is 10 minutes in reality) later Hawaii is kicking the game winning FG! Hawaii 31 Army 28. I'll take it. Hawaii needs to pick up the blitz better, and tighten up on defense, but I digress.
Then I'm watching delayed Vuelta footage, as I have avoided spoilers by not visiting spoiler filled sites. And BAM Igor Anton goes down and is out of the Vuelta, WT Hell? Craziness.
Then I'm watching delayed Vuelta footage, as I have avoided spoilers by not visiting spoiler filled sites. And BAM Igor Anton goes down and is out of the Vuelta, WT Hell? Craziness.
2010-09-08
Douche bags = Entourage
Tried watching 30 minutes of Entourage, unlike the Jersey Shore which is a train wreck thus you can't turn away, Entourage is just awful. Not only is it boring, the jokes lame, and the characters unlikable on all levels, it's just manufactured douche baggerey, unlike the Jersey Shore. Pauly D, Ronnie, and "The Situation" are genuine douche bags and dumpster fires... If anyone can relate to the bastards portrayed on Entourage show you really need to reevaluate your life, and if you want to be one of them you might just be a dick or an ass or both. To each there own I guess, shouldn't spend all blog post ripping people's poor taste.
To me the only good shows left on TV are Fringe, The Simpsons, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and maybe House (it's getting redundant and predictable now).
Speaking of the Jersey Shore, Snooki, you know the little gremlin girl. She was arrested for being obnoxious, not hard to believe. Well she said "I'm too pretty to be in jail. I'm a good person. I'm not a criminal and I will never go back there."
I find all four of the statements she made to be probably erroneous. I mean look at her.
To me the only good shows left on TV are Fringe, The Simpsons, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and maybe House (it's getting redundant and predictable now).
Speaking of the Jersey Shore, Snooki, you know the little gremlin girl. She was arrested for being obnoxious, not hard to believe. Well she said "I'm too pretty to be in jail. I'm a good person. I'm not a criminal and I will never go back there."
I find all four of the statements she made to be probably erroneous. I mean look at her.
Today I tried to hammer up Montebello, tried..."there is no try." I guess I did...Yoda...but not very fast. I only set the 14th fastest Strava time up Montebello, a sad 34:41. I did get blocked by a U-turning truck of stoners a kilo up, but that couldn't have cost me more than 10 seconds. I was 6 minutes faster last year, and was over 40 watts better as well. Now I'm averaging 275 watts, sure I lost some pounds but c'mon. I think the chemo atrophy may take a while to recover from completely, or I just need to climb more..or find EPO? Okay doping sucks, but so does a hematocrit less than 35%.
2010-08-21
Less Suck?
First I need to know why 83% of critics think Piranha-3D is a decent movie (certified fresh), it sure doesn't seem by the previews it is because of the plot.
Second the Raiders better play Colt Brennan tonight! Because preseason games blow cheese.
Third, do I ever have a story to tell. A long tragic story, that hopefully ended Friday. But you never know. All I care is that my blood values will start going up, and hopefully so will my wattage numbers.
Second the Raiders better play Colt Brennan tonight! Because preseason games blow cheese.
Third, do I ever have a story to tell. A long tragic story, that hopefully ended Friday. But you never know. All I care is that my blood values will start going up, and hopefully so will my wattage numbers.
2010-08-07
Six Ninety Nine!
$6.99 for a processing fee? Are you kidding me? Is active.com going to have some hot tri girl suck my....Dick Evans?
Oh, sorry. Trying to keep this PG-13.
I signed up for the big DICK on September 5th, had to take out a payday loan (maybe not). This will really test me, as I have been having trouble downing the calories, and haven't done a ride over 4 hours ALL YEAR (must stop typing in all caps). Not going to think I can win, but I have to at least stay with the main group to the Temple of the Valleys feed. On my ride today I felt as if I can still do it, because Hawaii cycling isn't exactly NorCal. Hawaii races are about the same speed as cat 4 races here.
On my ride today I was rolling up easy to a red like on Brokaw, and some fat shmuck in a large white American sedan honked for me to get out of the way. I almost chased them down but he lost me in the BAY 101 parking lot. Mind you it is 9am, and the Bay 101 casino parking lot is full. WTF?
Well come to find out he was running late to the 9am tournament Bay 101 runs every Saturday. What a waste.
Oh, sorry. Trying to keep this PG-13.
I signed up for the big DICK on September 5th, had to take out a payday loan (maybe not). This will really test me, as I have been having trouble downing the calories, and haven't done a ride over 4 hours ALL YEAR (must stop typing in all caps). Not going to think I can win, but I have to at least stay with the main group to the Temple of the Valleys feed. On my ride today I felt as if I can still do it, because Hawaii cycling isn't exactly NorCal. Hawaii races are about the same speed as cat 4 races here.
On my ride today I was rolling up easy to a red like on Brokaw, and some fat shmuck in a large white American sedan honked for me to get out of the way. I almost chased them down but he lost me in the BAY 101 parking lot. Mind you it is 9am, and the Bay 101 casino parking lot is full. WTF?
Well come to find out he was running late to the 9am tournament Bay 101 runs every Saturday. What a waste.
2010-08-01
Vampires
I remember when Vampires were cool...
Blood, fangs, ultra violence.
Now they are just brooding emo douchebags.
Blood, fangs, ultra violence.
Now they are just brooding emo douchebags.
2010-07-10
Heading South
Leesville was a bum trip, but atleast I finished. As soon as the road got bumpy I got gapped for a second and that was all she wrote. Bumped along for 30 miles, then hammered the smoother roads and finished in 3:17. Not horrible...who am I kidding I was over half an hour behind the winner. But to be honest my impetus was thrown out the door once I was off the back.
Seems like I've been getting worse and skinnier since my last treatment. To make matters worse the 3rd wave of treatments starts July 19th. I'm trying to find the legs for Watsonville next weekend.
This getting boring. Maybe I need to toss in some pictures.
Okay those are lame too, my life isn't really all that comical. Frequent hospital visits and long clinic waits are exactly going to win me last comic standing. Atleast it hasn't been oppressively hot this summer, unless...
If only Vegas had ladies this hot all this time, not just fat tourists.
Seems like I've been getting worse and skinnier since my last treatment. To make matters worse the 3rd wave of treatments starts July 19th. I'm trying to find the legs for Watsonville next weekend.
This getting boring. Maybe I need to toss in some pictures.
Okay those are lame too, my life isn't really all that comical. Frequent hospital visits and long clinic waits are exactly going to win me last comic standing. Atleast it hasn't been oppressively hot this summer, unless...
If only Vegas had ladies this hot all this time, not just fat tourists.
2010-06-13
One Goal
"I haven't seen you in a while."
"I've been real sick..." I usually leave it at that unless the issue gets further pressed. I don't want any charity, I don't want a fundraiser in my name, I don't want to be a self servant egotistical waif. Lot's of people get "sick" and have to let the whole world know. I don't care...I don't care if I'm in the newspaper or making headlines (sure my club's sponsors would love it). All I want to do is ride my bike. I just wish I could still hang with the elite riders. Now I'm languishing at the bottom of the results list. I try.
Today I decided to hone my gravel road skills (I've been a sissy lately). So off I head to the airport(?). Then down the Guadalupe Trail. Mind you it's 7am, and shadows infiltrate my field of vision. I wasn't riding very comfortably at the beginning. But it got better once I decided to practice riding between the tire/path "lines". Got to get out of your comfort zone sometimes.
I got to Alviso before the park opened, unfortunately, so I took a detour, and ended up here. Just me, some seagulls, 1000 baseball players (not pictured but believe me), and bugs... Ended up at a landfill (who thought it was a good idea to make landfills right next to the ocean should be shot in the next life). I returned to Alviso and headed for the middle of the bay.
This wasn't the exact route but it's best mapmyride can do, without me manually inputting the route. Apart from the bugs, and the fishy smell that almost made me throw up around 7 miles into it, this was fun. And NO CARS, and all I saw were two humans the whole 8 mile or so loop.
Headed back to ride on the car free pavement free trail, feeling more comfortable switching sides of the trail when passing peds ("Fred" walkers). Passed the airport again, it looks cool but the new parking structure is creepy...
They almost dragged me down with them to the underworld but I made it back. Basically I was knee deep...
I think a few more dirt rides will have me ready to atleast ride Leesville before the climb respectably. Leesville that's all I care about, illness be damned.
"I've been real sick..." I usually leave it at that unless the issue gets further pressed. I don't want any charity, I don't want a fundraiser in my name, I don't want to be a self servant egotistical waif. Lot's of people get "sick" and have to let the whole world know. I don't care...I don't care if I'm in the newspaper or making headlines (sure my club's sponsors would love it). All I want to do is ride my bike. I just wish I could still hang with the elite riders. Now I'm languishing at the bottom of the results list. I try.
Today I decided to hone my gravel road skills (I've been a sissy lately). So off I head to the airport(?). Then down the Guadalupe Trail. Mind you it's 7am, and shadows infiltrate my field of vision. I wasn't riding very comfortably at the beginning. But it got better once I decided to practice riding between the tire/path "lines". Got to get out of your comfort zone sometimes.
I got to Alviso before the park opened, unfortunately, so I took a detour, and ended up here. Just me, some seagulls, 1000 baseball players (not pictured but believe me), and bugs... Ended up at a landfill (who thought it was a good idea to make landfills right next to the ocean should be shot in the next life). I returned to Alviso and headed for the middle of the bay.
This wasn't the exact route but it's best mapmyride can do, without me manually inputting the route. Apart from the bugs, and the fishy smell that almost made me throw up around 7 miles into it, this was fun. And NO CARS, and all I saw were two humans the whole 8 mile or so loop.
Headed back to ride on the car free pavement free trail, feeling more comfortable switching sides of the trail when passing peds ("Fred" walkers). Passed the airport again, it looks cool but the new parking structure is creepy...
They almost dragged me down with them to the underworld but I made it back. Basically I was knee deep...
I think a few more dirt rides will have me ready to atleast ride Leesville before the climb respectably. Leesville that's all I care about, illness be damned.
2010-05-22
Peddling backwards
Gawd, I suck, I mean beyond belief. If I get behind the wrong wheel in a race or ride it's game over. Why??? Freaking doctors can't figure out how to rid me of what I may or may not have without kicking the rest of my bodies ass. My hematocrit has been a steady 36%, just about 5 standard deviations from the norm... :< I still try racing, I went to Modesto last weekend, got caught out when some smucks got dropped and couldn't cross the gap, game over. So I spent 2 hours just dicking around periodically riding hard and integrating with various groups until officials popped up.
I only have one more treatment at UCSF, great...not so fast, I've been told I have a little over a month after this of possibly crappier blood values. I am hopeful by August I will be ready to actually race again. Sick of bringing a pellet gun to a bazooka fight.
Anyway today I tried the Spectrum ride, which I stunk at. I am not very aggressive in training rides so I sit near the back, and again am prone to being in the wrong place. I made it decently far, and actually up some positive gradients in the pack, but a few gaps opened due to crashes or weaker riders and I ended up languishing a little more than I'd like. So I took my own way home, unfortunately I got behind some "Fred's" which is bound to happen on a beautiful Saturday morning in NorCal. I go around and this lady in a neon yellow Fred jacket makes a snide remark about someone passing and not calling out "on your left" (after she was bitching about the Spectrum ride). WTF? These chumps are jabbering like parrots at 4mph on a steep grade sprawled all over the road. The last thing I want to do is distract them, freaking them out, and there's a bunch of chumps on the ground. So I flip her off, and she flips out. Now why should I respect anyone in a Yellow Fred Jacket? Well apparently she won RAAM 8000 years ago and is an expert cyclist or something, I got the proverbial "do you who she is?" from the dork with the Costner in American Flyers moustache riding with them. Screw her trying to lecture me, like I have to yell out on your left every 10 seconds (there are a lot of people riding on Saturdays)? Frick what about just holding your bloody line, I'm not going to chop anybody, I race in 150 person crits, I don't crash, and don't want to crash anybody out. The annoying thing is I can lecture people all I want but people in general are stupid, and will believe whatever they want to believe. So what's the point, might as well just flip them off and ruin their day, life's a bitch! Then they turned right blazing through a stop sign, WTF indeed.
I do have a plan to not suck as much. CLIMB. I've been avoiding the big climbs like the plague (cuz they REALLY hurt now), I went up Bohlmann Thursday and suffered horribly. But I realized even with a 20% O2 deficit I can atleast boost my pain tolerance. I want to try Leesville on July 3rd, I know if I can make it to the bottom of that climb with the group I'll be satisfied, and maybe not finish DFL. Another scan Tuesday, ugh. I sure love high doses of radiation :(
I only have one more treatment at UCSF, great...not so fast, I've been told I have a little over a month after this of possibly crappier blood values. I am hopeful by August I will be ready to actually race again. Sick of bringing a pellet gun to a bazooka fight.
Anyway today I tried the Spectrum ride, which I stunk at. I am not very aggressive in training rides so I sit near the back, and again am prone to being in the wrong place. I made it decently far, and actually up some positive gradients in the pack, but a few gaps opened due to crashes or weaker riders and I ended up languishing a little more than I'd like. So I took my own way home, unfortunately I got behind some "Fred's" which is bound to happen on a beautiful Saturday morning in NorCal. I go around and this lady in a neon yellow Fred jacket makes a snide remark about someone passing and not calling out "on your left" (after she was bitching about the Spectrum ride). WTF? These chumps are jabbering like parrots at 4mph on a steep grade sprawled all over the road. The last thing I want to do is distract them, freaking them out, and there's a bunch of chumps on the ground. So I flip her off, and she flips out. Now why should I respect anyone in a Yellow Fred Jacket? Well apparently she won RAAM 8000 years ago and is an expert cyclist or something, I got the proverbial "do you who she is?" from the dork with the Costner in American Flyers moustache riding with them. Screw her trying to lecture me, like I have to yell out on your left every 10 seconds (there are a lot of people riding on Saturdays)? Frick what about just holding your bloody line, I'm not going to chop anybody, I race in 150 person crits, I don't crash, and don't want to crash anybody out. The annoying thing is I can lecture people all I want but people in general are stupid, and will believe whatever they want to believe. So what's the point, might as well just flip them off and ruin their day, life's a bitch! Then they turned right blazing through a stop sign, WTF indeed.
I do have a plan to not suck as much. CLIMB. I've been avoiding the big climbs like the plague (cuz they REALLY hurt now), I went up Bohlmann Thursday and suffered horribly. But I realized even with a 20% O2 deficit I can atleast boost my pain tolerance. I want to try Leesville on July 3rd, I know if I can make it to the bottom of that climb with the group I'll be satisfied, and maybe not finish DFL. Another scan Tuesday, ugh. I sure love high doses of radiation :(
2010-04-26
Burying it
In a few days it will be half a year since I was gutted like a fish. So it's about time I bury it under the blogpostery (I'm going to make up lame words like this guy.)
I wish I had some interesting tidbit of life to detail like this guy.
But I don't, so I'll leave with an interesting read(if you got this far, as reading the other blogs would probably make you forget mine) from this guy.
Now I have to think a way of breaking the 4th wall of self-deprecation...
I wish I had some interesting tidbit of life to detail like this guy.
But I don't, so I'll leave with an interesting read(if you got this far, as reading the other blogs would probably make you forget mine) from this guy.
Now I have to think a way of breaking the 4th wall of self-deprecation...
2010-04-19
The Purpose ver2
Hello I'm Thomas Mahinulani Novikoff
I was born on Friday March 13th 1981.
On May 16th 2009 I was diagnosed with a Extrahepatic Biliary Stricture. That's about the best explanation I can give you up to this point. Here's a picture of it.
The Y-shaped black part in the upper middle is my extremely dilated bile duct.
On May 10th I noticed I was turning yellow, there were other symptoms that just seemed to a function of my diet and dehydration. But the turning yellow thing was the deal breaker, and on the 15th I was lugging my butt into a hospital emergency room to get someone to figure this out. The next day after a urine test, 5 blood tests, an ultrasound, and a CT scan I was having a tube shoved down my throat getting my plumbing unclogged with an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The end result was the picture below.
The tube is the only thing keeping me alive. Otherwise the bile backs up (and bile is toxic stuff), and systematically poisons/destroys the liver. Over time cirrhosis ensues, the liver begins to fail, and that's all she wrote... Thank goodness for modern medicine. Since then I've had the tube replaced 3 times due to occlusion. This results in cholangitis, which for me causes a splitting headache, a fever, chills, and more bile back up.
I've basically been able to resume a normal life...basically. I've been on antibiotics for over 4 months to prevent the cholangitis (the liver is your waste management center so it deposits all the bacteria to get it out, and if it can't go out the conventional way, it's stuck). I take a bile acid called Ursodiol with every meal to help with digestion, liver function, and stent clogging prevention (doesn't do the latter all that well). Otherwise I can still do this...
And still pretty well in fact. I've made some radical changes to my diet . I've cut Gluten out 99.9% (It's near impossible to avoid it completely due to cross contamination). This is because I've also been diagnosed with IBD, possible Ulcerative Colitis. Additionally an earlier diagnosis for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis [PSC] was another concern. So I have done everything I can to minimize internal inflammatory processes, naturally (no Liver damaging medications). Turmeric, Garlic, and Ginger have become staples to nearly every meal. All red meat is out, which isn't hard for me never liked beef and pork...think about how pigs live....
Anyway my legs have been feeling great. My digestion is an issue, fatty foods just lay me out. I could literally end up in the hospital getting another ERCP.
Right now I'm playing the waiting game. I have an appointment with a surgeon at UCSF October 7th.My doctors can't be certain what it is without a good look at it. My doctors are worried it may be Cholangiocarcinoma, or at least the beginning of it. One of my biopsy's from the ERCP showed dyplasia, and potential neoplasia which could mean anything, nonetheless...it's not normal in my bile duct. The plan is to open me up to see what's going on in there. I've read all the journal articles, there really isn't any other option. One thing is for sure, my bile duct has failed me..EPIC FAIL. It's permanently scarred/inflammed (or worse). If it's not cancer the plan is to do a Hepaticojejunostomy. If it is well....a weight weenie would be happy about a pound of body mass will be permanently gone (and I wouldn't have to buy sketchy wheels). The procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy or whipple procedure, not pleasant. I should be able to ride my bike again, but I won't know at what level for a while. I really enjoy getting slaughtered in NorCal, but if I lose even 10% of my normal operating level, it will no longer be enjoyable.
My purpose for riding has always been to prove I belong. If I can no longer belong...
What's a life without purpose?
The surgery was successful with some minor glitches noticed after the first post surgery CT, but the later PET CT scan proved positive showing nothing of concern. As of April 20th I'm am 75% through my first post surgery treatments. It is kicking my arse, specially my blood cells. Still have done 6 races. Once this is finished and my blood is back to normal I'm going on a racing binge.
I was born on Friday March 13th 1981.
On May 16th 2009 I was diagnosed with a Extrahepatic Biliary Stricture. That's about the best explanation I can give you up to this point. Here's a picture of it.
The Y-shaped black part in the upper middle is my extremely dilated bile duct.
On May 10th I noticed I was turning yellow, there were other symptoms that just seemed to a function of my diet and dehydration. But the turning yellow thing was the deal breaker, and on the 15th I was lugging my butt into a hospital emergency room to get someone to figure this out. The next day after a urine test, 5 blood tests, an ultrasound, and a CT scan I was having a tube shoved down my throat getting my plumbing unclogged with an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The end result was the picture below.
The tube is the only thing keeping me alive. Otherwise the bile backs up (and bile is toxic stuff), and systematically poisons/destroys the liver. Over time cirrhosis ensues, the liver begins to fail, and that's all she wrote... Thank goodness for modern medicine. Since then I've had the tube replaced 3 times due to occlusion. This results in cholangitis, which for me causes a splitting headache, a fever, chills, and more bile back up.
I've basically been able to resume a normal life...basically. I've been on antibiotics for over 4 months to prevent the cholangitis (the liver is your waste management center so it deposits all the bacteria to get it out, and if it can't go out the conventional way, it's stuck). I take a bile acid called Ursodiol with every meal to help with digestion, liver function, and stent clogging prevention (doesn't do the latter all that well). Otherwise I can still do this...
And still pretty well in fact. I've made some radical changes to my diet . I've cut Gluten out 99.9% (It's near impossible to avoid it completely due to cross contamination). This is because I've also been diagnosed with IBD, possible Ulcerative Colitis. Additionally an earlier diagnosis for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis [PSC] was another concern. So I have done everything I can to minimize internal inflammatory processes, naturally (no Liver damaging medications). Turmeric, Garlic, and Ginger have become staples to nearly every meal. All red meat is out, which isn't hard for me never liked beef and pork...think about how pigs live....
Anyway my legs have been feeling great. My digestion is an issue, fatty foods just lay me out. I could literally end up in the hospital getting another ERCP.
Right now I'm playing the waiting game. I have an appointment with a surgeon at UCSF October 7th.My doctors can't be certain what it is without a good look at it. My doctors are worried it may be Cholangiocarcinoma, or at least the beginning of it. One of my biopsy's from the ERCP showed dyplasia, and potential neoplasia which could mean anything, nonetheless...it's not normal in my bile duct. The plan is to open me up to see what's going on in there. I've read all the journal articles, there really isn't any other option. One thing is for sure, my bile duct has failed me..EPIC FAIL. It's permanently scarred/inflammed (or worse). If it's not cancer the plan is to do a Hepaticojejunostomy. If it is well....a weight weenie would be happy about a pound of body mass will be permanently gone (and I wouldn't have to buy sketchy wheels). The procedure is called a pancreaticoduodenectomy or whipple procedure, not pleasant. I should be able to ride my bike again, but I won't know at what level for a while. I really enjoy getting slaughtered in NorCal, but if I lose even 10% of my normal operating level, it will no longer be enjoyable.
My purpose for riding has always been to prove I belong. If I can no longer belong...
What's a life without purpose?
The surgery was successful with some minor glitches noticed after the first post surgery CT, but the later PET CT scan proved positive showing nothing of concern. As of April 20th I'm am 75% through my first post surgery treatments. It is kicking my arse, specially my blood cells. Still have done 6 races. Once this is finished and my blood is back to normal I'm going on a racing binge.
Anyone got some spare clean AB+ blood?
At least I'm still having fun.
Hematocrit is down to 35.6, a five point drop in 2 weeks. Amazing considering I was hammering like a demon last weekend, at the Spectrum Ride, and on my Sunday training ride. Hopefully I can turn it around in two weeks, or I will be set back ANOTHER week in getting life back to 90% of normal (100% will never happen....I DON'T HAVE ALL MY PANCREAS!). I would just love to be back at 43-44, a 20% improvement over what I have now could literally mean making the pivotal early splits and dying off the back in the autobus. I'm tired of just finishing.
Oh and minivans suck. I'm sure every minivan owner must cry themselves to sleep every night.
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