Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 TCD said I should start my own Trip Report, so ... remain seated; keep your arms, hands, feet and legs inside the vehicle at all times. May be too intense for young children (and some adults). As many of you know, I am a Disabled Vietnam Veteran. What you may not be aware of, is just what disabilities I have.I had three heart surgeries to put in or replace a pacemaker. The third one did not go well, and I started turning into a couch potato. The fourth surgery was needed to fix the problem with the third one - they gave me MRSA. Both pacemaker pockets and the cardiac leads were infected! The pacemaker had to come out along with the leads. This is not a simple surgery. Because of the nasty infection spread across my chest and into my heart, I was on antibiotics for a long time. I also spent six months using a vacuum healing system. Needless to say, without a pacemaker for the first time in years, I settled in as a couch potato.I started having pulmonary issues because of the cardiac problems, and was sent to see Pulmonary after a nasty bout with pneumonia. They ordered an enhanced CT scan. Shortly thereafter, I was called by Pulmonary and was told to expect a call from Thoracic Surgery ... I used to be an ALS EMT, so I had a good idea what was happening.Thoracic Surgery called a few minutes later and said to be in Gainesville for an appointment the next day. The surgeon was NOT a VA doctor ... he was a heart/lung transplant specialist from Shands. I knew the key words and phrases, and we clicked. I basically told him why I was there and he filled in the details - the many years with pacemaker leads and then the MRSA had scarred the veins all the way from my shoulders to the right atrium of my heart. ALL my return circulation had to go through small, collateral veins. This is not a good thing - it is a life threatening condition called Superior Vena Cava Syndrome. Open Heart surgery was then scheduled for the next week.I was VERY popular, because a LOT of the doctors, residents and interns wanted to watch a relatively rare procedure. The surgeon used the veins from my legs that are normally used in bypass surgery to connect my jugular veins to the top of my right heart. I felt a LOT better for the first time in years.How much better? I had the surgery on July 14, and for my final post surgery appointment on September 17, I told the doctor that I felt like walking to help lose some weight. He said walking would be good for me and to go ahead.Not long after that, I came across the Couch to 5K plan, and told myself that I could do that. October 31 I did my first 5K walk ... and was NOT in last place! Hmmm, look at that - they have a 5K Turkey Trot in Tallahassee. That hooked me and started a long run (snark very much intended) of run/Walks.February of last year, I started falling (why was I falling? A partial L4 spinal cord injury had progressed through the years and was now causing paresthesia and toe drop) - including one that tore my rotator cuff and a deltoid insertion injury. After the fourth fall, the VA said, "no more walks. I told them I wasn't going to stop. (Hard headed? Me? Obviously you are mistaken.) This brought about harsh words, but eventually it was determined that I qualified for a new program and the VA could supply the "adaptive sports equipment" I needed. Unfortunately, that won't happen until later this year because of a lot of red tape associated with the new program.Enter a lot of searching for a rental handcycle. I found one ... in New Hampshire. While venting here on Fort Fiends, Jason mentioned that he was flying down to Disney World and he could pick it up and fly it down for me. The day after Christmas, I drove down, loaded it up ... and drove home without even eating at Disney! I contacted runDisney. They told me, "no problem - but I needed a time in a wheelchair run to compete at Disney. Luckily, I had registered over a year ago for the Panama City Beach Biggest Loser RunWalk. December 29, I "ran" a 1/2 Marathon. I hadn't felt that good during a run in years! I had been in denial.Disney Marathon Week rolls around ... and so did I. (More snark -of course). With no training time, I finished all four runs for The Dopey. The pixie dust was flying - and so was I. 5K - 24 minutes10K - 49 minutes1/2 Marathon - 1:52The Full Marathon - 4:0948.6 miles in just over 7 hours! OMG, I was ecstatic. I knew I was psyched and had support from everyone, but that was FAR better than I expected.I hope you have enjoyed the ride so far, because it's just getting started! Nicki aka Rebelstand 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Glad I could be part of keeping you moving Ed. Nicki aka Rebelstand and PureTcrazy...rita 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Great story and congrats on doing the Dopey challenge. I did know part of your story but not all of it. Thanks for sharing. Even though you and I have debated on political issues and a few of them have been heated I've always had a great respect for your accomplishment and encouraged by you. I owe you a big thank you. Because of you and your recommendation of the "couch to 5k" program I'm on my fourth day of the program. I to am a disabled vet and because of a back and leg injury my good friend, he's a personal trainer, has modified the program to a 12 week program along with a lite strength building regiment to strengthen the muscles in my back and abs to support my injured back. My first day I was able to cover 1.25 miles in 30 minutes and today (4th day) I covered 1.75 in 30 minutes. To most people that probably doesn't sound like a big difference but I know you can appreciate it. So to you sir I say Thank You! Thank you! Thank you! PureTcrazy...rita 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Wow Ed! That is some story! You are truly an inspiration and I can't wait to read more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disney4dan 68 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 That is awesome Ed - incredible fortitude and zest for life. I'm looking forward to this TR! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PureTcrazy...rita 380 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Ed is indeed determined to continue being active! I fussed with him about the hand cycle because I know that he has problems still in his upper body. I guess I was wrong and he was ok. After all we have been through with his health, I was a worried sister. Of course, this trip is just really gonna get going when Linda, me and the dogs get there today for WWW! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 I'm in! Can't wait to read more!!!! I didn't know your whole story. Amazing!!!And go Ray!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HappyRedhead......Betsy 16 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Wow...thanks for sharing! I've looked into the Couch to 5 K, just haven't got off the couch yet. You definitely are an inspiration. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your runs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Ed- Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are truly an inspiration. And thank you, and the other men and women here on ff.net who are veterans, for your service to our country. Good for you for not giving up when faced with your serious health issues. I think most people would have resigned themselves to just being sick. You have shown us that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I hope that there are many more races in your future. TCD Mtnmanky...aka Leon 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 WOW Ed what a story!!!!!!!!!!!!! It sounds as if you are on a mission and doing a great job on it congrats, looking forward to reading more about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Great story and congrats on doing the Dopey challenge. I did know part of your story but not all of it. Thanks for sharing. Even though you and I have debated on political issues and a few of them have been heated I've always had a great respect for your accomplishment and encouraged by you. I owe you a big thank you. Because of you and your recommendation of the "couch to 5k" program I'm on my fourth day of the program. I to am a disabled vet and because of a back and leg injury my good friend, he's a personal trainer, has modified the program to a 12 week program along with a lite strength building regiment to strengthen the muscles in my back and abs to support my injured back. My first day I was able to cover 1.25 miles in 30 minutes and today (4th day) I covered 1.75 in 30 minutes. To most people that probably doesn't sound like a big difference but I know you can appreciate it. So to you sir I say Thank You! Thank you! Thank you!Those are fantastic times - far better than I did to start with. One important point ... you do NOT need to increase every time the program says you should. If you have problems, drop back a week! Trying to push through it WILL hurt you in the long run. Stay comfortable, and increase as your body tells you to. Anyone with a disability needs to give that the priority.Another program you should look at is the Jeff Galloway Run Walk Run method. MANY people have used it successfully. I used it once I was beyond the 5K runs. OMG, I just thought of a good race name to use as a fundraiser ... Montezuma's Revenge - The 5K Runs.Now we REALLY need our Team Fort Fiends shirts! All you graphically talented Fiends - we need Snarky running like the Roadrunner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Thanks ill look into that program also. Now get to writing and post some pictures. Because a wiser person than me once said "if there's no pictures it didn't happen." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 I agree with Ed for people doing the C25K method.... there were times where I didn't advance to the next week. I repeated the week in order to feel better about it and not overdo it, and I don't have any kind of health issues. Those who do should be even more careful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 I did mention Pixie Dust ... photos or it didn't happen? Disney runs are Magical ... because you have a LOT of people supporting you during the runs. During the Full Marathon, The Studios and Epcot were open, and total strangers that weren't even aware that the run was taking place yelled out support. My Team AllEars shirt has my name on it ... all through The Studios and Epcot people were yelling out, "Go ED!" and "Team AllEars!" - how can you NOT do well with that kind of support. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 That's great! I really need to do a Disney race. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marilyn 19 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 WTG, Ed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AC in A2......Aaron 693 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 What a great story Ed!Good for you for staying motivated and continuing to do what you love to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HappyCamper...Deb 61 Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 Ed! You are a true inspiration!!! I ran the 10K this year and saw a hand cyclist zip in before my wave began. (I was in the last wave, but hey, I was IN the race, right?)Can't wait to hear more. And, yes, magical is right. We went to the Biergarten on Sunday to celebrate a birthday and were in awe over the people running the full marathon. My sis and I have agrees to make that our next Disney run. (In a couple of years). Heck, maybe take your lead and go Dopey!!Go, Ed, go... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted January 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Ed! You are a true inspiration!!! I ran the 10K this year and saw a hand cyclist zip in before my wave began. (I was in the last wave, but hey, I was IN the race, right?)Can't wait to hear more. And, yes, magical is right. We went to the Biergarten on Sunday to celebrate a birthday and were in awe over the people running the full marathon. My sis and I have agrees to make that our next Disney run. (In a couple of years). Heck, maybe take your lead and go Dopey!!Go, Ed, go...DLF>DNF>DNSYou don't have to jump right into the Full .. Disney has some very nice 1/2 Marathons Wine & Dine for example. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DramaMama .......... Janet 75 Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name="Runner ... aka Ed" post="329068" timestamp="Disney runs are Magical ... because you have a LOT of people supporting you during the runs. During the Full MarathonI had the distinct pleasure of seeing you race through the Magic Kingdom for the half and full. You are truly an inspiration! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HappyCamper...Deb 61 Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 DLF>DNF>DNSYou don't have to jump right into the Full .. Disney has some very nice 1/2 Marathons Wine & Dine for example.Funny you should mention the wine and dine. If we could afford this year's, we'd be there. Doing the Detroit 1/2 instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roller ... aka Ed 351 Posted January 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Friday, I received an e-mail from the VA group in charge of getting me my "adaptive sports equipment" ... i.e. my racing chair. I have been sending them my times and photos, as they requested. They want me to represent the North Florida/South Georgia Veteran's Health Care System at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games! Placing well there would qualify me for a spot on a VA National team. OMG! Philadelphia, PA August 12-17 ... I need a Team Fort Fiends shirt! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 That's awesome!If you qualify ill be the first to donate some money to get you a "Team Fort Fiends" shirt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy and Grandma 739 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Way to go Ed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Philadelphia. Ewww. Philadelphia in August. Double Ewww. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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