From Hospital Bed to 5k—The Exciting Conclusion
Last July, after my allogeneic stem cell transplant, I immediately began to exercise. I exercised by occasionally sitting up, by chewing and swallowing food, and by going to the bathroom in a toilet that was seemingly across the island of Manhattan from my bed. If possible, I would have taken a taxi to get there.
Each day in the hospital I would force myself to stand up, slipper up, gown up, mask up, and walk a few laps on the transplant floor—just me, my girl and my IV pole. Inevitably, I would return to my room entirely depleted.
This May 8—three workouts in and still frost-bitten by a harsh Chicago winter—I looked over at my personal trainer, Shawn, and said, “So I signed up for Northwestern’s Cancer Survivors’ 5k on June 1st. You think I’ll be ready?” Her eyes widened. Her mouth was vaguely ajar. With a slight tilt of her head she said, “Um…”.
On June 1, surrounded by friends and family, on the 319th day since transplant, Aura and I crossed the finish line of my first 5k with the modest time of 32:59.
Did I say modest? I meant miraculous.
I smell a 10k coming on…
…
Here’s to Shawn Howd at First Step Fitness for making fun of me, keeping me on track and making working out something I now enjoy. If you’ve had cancer, live in Chicago and want to get back in shape, I’ll help you get ahold of her. She’s fantastic, and she knows our type.
And here’s to all of Aura and I’s friends and family who joined us on race day.
