What is #RWRunStreak?

Some people describe is as 37 days of awesome.  And while I would normally agree with them, I am describing it as 37 days of hard work.  RunnersWorld.com challenges runners to run at least a mile every day starting on Memorial Day and ending on the 4th of July.  I am trying my best to stick with it but I am finding myself EXHAUSTED and SORE (hamstring/glute again).  If you know me then you know that running just ONE mile isn’t enough for me.  You may have heard of some models saying they won’t get out of bed unless the shoot pays them an exorbitant amount of money right?  Well I try not to wake up or start a run unless I get at least 5 miles in.  What’s the point in my mind?!

As you can imagine this might be where the exhaustion and soreness comes in.  Usually I wake up every weekday morning and get to SnapFitness and on a treadmill at 4am.  This keeps me in the air conditioning and out of the rancid humidity, but it also gets me home a little earlier to enjoy time with KAM and K2.  However Tuesday morning the treadmill I designated as mine had an ERROR code on the screen.  UGH!

So I got on the treadmill next to it.  Halfway through my run I begin to wonder if I am just getting really tired or if the treadmill just sped up on its own.  I slow down the pace A LOT and it seems to be going faster.  Then another ERROR sign pops up.  UGHHHH!  Then I get on another treadmill and the darn thing is so noisy.  But I finish up the run and decide I will be running outside the rest of the week so SnapFitness can get “my” treadmills fixed.

I ran at the Dover YMCA one night, ran at Brecknock Park two times and then ran to the Dover YMCA Outdoor Pool.  Let me tell you that run to the pool was a struggle!  K2 asked me what took me so long.  I had to admit to them that I needed to stop a couple times to cool myself down with my frozen water bottle.  This water bottle by the way was no longer frozen when I got to the pool (it was really hot and humid!).

I am determined to make it through these 37 days of awesome but it is hard dammit!  I am facing a few more days and fingers crossed I will finish it.  The only thing that might get in my way is the Orthopedic Doctor I am visiting again on Monday.  Why would he stop me?  Let’s just say that I haven’t been back to him since I got the MRI done of my hamstring/glute.  This #RWRunStreak has left me in some significant pain some days.  Nobody has the time or patience for that.  Besides, I need to get healthy for my next marathon.

This morning, as I do every other morning, while enjoying my first cup of hot tea I open up my Timehop app to relive all the memories the app has captured over the last several years.  The first photo/memory I stumbled upon was of me and KEM the day we drove up to AI DuPont for his NG tube insertion.  I am not sure any of us got any sleep those nights leading up to this day (evident by the bags under my eyes).

I remember this day like it was yesterday – well as least the drive up there and the entire time we were in the hospital.  The McDermotts were gearing up for a new chapter in life, first by getting trained on how to insert the feeding tube into KEM’s nose.  Next, by learning how to nourish him and take care of the machine for the rest of the summer.  KAM and I were prepped prior to this visit that we would be responsible for the insertion of the tube but never in my wildest dreams did I think that KEM would choose me to insert the tube that day and then every day thereafter.  In many ways I am thankful that he chose me because it truly allowed us to become closer and have many amazing and honest conversations.

When I looked at KEM’s photo from a year ago and then compared it to a photo that was taken a few weeks ago I again found myself in awe of his progress.  Not only is he 25 lbs. heavier than he was a year ago but he is so much healthier too.  No more vicious stomachaches where he begged to leave the table or begged me to put my cold hands on his stomach.  No more sitting on the sidelines at soccer games or finding the nearest bench to sit on while at the park (while everyone else ran around and played).  This kid is the most active I ever remember him being; sometimes he even exhausts me!

KEM walked out of AI DuPont a new 9 year old little boy that day.  He walked out of there in fear, pain, and embarrassment.  And the weeks after that were so hard for all of us.  But with the support of our family, friends, teachers and friends at Fairview Elementary, and the amazing GI doctors at AI DuPont we made it through the weeks after the insertion.  Today, KEM is still in remission and we will all work hard to keep it that way.

Even though we anxiously await the results of the biopsies from the “diseased area” the doctors were finally able to get to after a year and from the new pus pockets that suddenly appeared, I remain grateful.  KAM, KEM and I walked out of AI DuPont on Tuesday, June 13th with all of his intestines intact and without another NG tube.  I call that a major win!

And I don’t mean me running…

We have been doing so much fun stuff lately!  I have to admit that most of the fun stuff we have been doing lately involved Court & Baby G.

K2 and I went with them to the Delaware Children’s Museum.  Court has a Family Membership and was able to get us in for a great rate.  K2 especially loved climbing in the Stratosphere and the Tree Pavilion.  The Stratosphere is a 30 foot climbing structure that has tiny little areas for kids (and parents too, maybe?) to climb through.  They had such a great time and coerced me into climbing with them a few times.  Although we got to one spot and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to fit through it, let alone get out.  Thankfully there are no videos to refer to.. only one photo (thanks a lot KEM)!

The Tree Pavilion is a 350 year-old Sycamore tree.  The tree is completely debarked, sanded, hollowed out and treated to leave a perfectly preserved “tree shell”.  All of us had a great time climbing through it and out of it… even Baby G.

The kids each were able to make their own structures with all types of different sized blocks and different kinds of materials.  In ECOnnect, K2 & Baby G got all wet from reaching in and touching all kinds of different structures and creatures in the water.  In one section of this area there was a stream table  where K2 and Baby G were able to manipulate things from water locks to wind power.

Thanks Court & Baby G for such a great time.  K2 are already talking about going back.

In the beginning of this month I ran in the Annual Delaware Technical Community College Chocolate 5K Run (#dtcc #chocolate5Kdtcc).  This race is known as the “Sweetest 5K Run/Walk In Delaware”.  The race raises money to benefit Del Tech’s Study Abroad scholarships and their on-campus Global Understanding Series.  Last year the weather was FRIGID but this year it was a great temperature.  While I never do partake in the chocolate treats after the race (remember… I don’t like chocolate), I always have a great time.  Del Tech and TriSports organize such a great event.  Not only is the registration easy.. the check-in race day is easy.. there are volunteers everywhere.. there is TONS of food, people, and fun.  This year C.M. Baker Photography was there with a really fun photo booth.  For the first time ever, at this race, I placed 3rd in my age group.  I was really excited about the award and even more elated about my pace time.  If you have never participated in this 5K Run/Walk I encourage you to mark this event on your calendar for next February.  If for no other reason than for all the chocolate you get afterward.

Some other updates from our clan include:

• KEM was recognized for Honor Roll again this marking period.  He asked me to sign him up for Flag Football this next Spring session at the YMCA.  The “season” starts on Friday, March 3rd.  From what I understand this is an opportunity for him to learn more about the game, the rules, and fine tune his skills.
• KMM got a big girl bed and has adjusted to it with no problems.  She was to have received a Leader in Me Award last week at the same assembly where KEM was recognized BUT she was home sick with the flu.  Not only did she miss her first school Valentine’s Day party but her first award ceremony.
• K2 are both signed up to play outdoor soccer.  That doesn’t start until late March or early April.
• KAM is almost finished another season coaching the middle school’s girls basketball team.

I am getting ready to start another year coaching Girls on the Run for the Dover YMCA in March.  Court, Judi and Amy (from the Petch and Amy show on Eagle 97.7) are coaching with me too.

Tell you all about it next time…

I don’t know about you all, but the stomach flu, sinus & upper respiratory infections and the regular flu are running around rampant throughout my house, K2’s school and my work!  This crap knocks people out for days. Not me though, I don’t have time for that crap.  

Thankfully KEM is the ONLY one at my house that hasn’t experienced any form of it.  Although, I’m confident that because I have just verbalized that he will get slammed with an illness of some kind now. 

I have gone out of my way these last few weeks to finally take care of myself. I saw the doctor about the finger KEM jammed (or broke as I like to kid him with), the dizzy spells I was experiencing and finally the hamstring/glute pain I’ve been dealing with for almost 2 years.  I was scheduled to have an MRI this morning but unfortunately my primary insurance company didn’t authorize the test, even though the secondary insurance company did. Did I mention that both of my insurances are the same company? Thank you Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware!  

Anyway, the test is scheduled now for next week and I should be able to know by the end of the week what the next course of action will be.  As long as they can figure out a way for me to run, somewhat pain free, I will be ecstatic. 

K2 just got their report cards this week and I’m happy to report they both did great. KEM has all As and improved in some behavioral areas. He also has been helping a new student from Haiti with his math and reading. KEM is lazy and doesn’t like to read but last week he read to this boy and taught him a fraction lesson. KEM shared this with us as one of his two positives for the day. 

KMM did much better with her math skills and letter recognition but still has to work a little bit on pronunciation of her letters. And, not that I surprised but, both of her teachers commented that she needs to work on her listening and talking (mostly when NOT to talk).  

Believe me, that is a constant work in progress. I find myself often telling her to “please, stop talking” or “KMM, it’s not your turn yet”.  And afterwards I feel guilty – but I mostly feel bad when I ask her (or beg her in some situations) to “please stop talking”.  It’s not that I don’t want her to talk, it’s that someone else is usually talking and she simply talks right over that person.  I know, I know.. she’s only 5.  Remember, I said it was a work in progress!

Lots going on this weekend with soccer games, Sunday school, manis & pedis (just Mommy and K), and YMCA workouts for this Mommy. Oh yeah… I almost forgot and it’s SUPER BOWL weekend.  Fingers crossed Matt Ryan and his Falcons deflate Tom Brady and his Patriots… one can dream right. 

Looking back at my last posts I’ve noticed a trend… I take time off from posting when life gets extra busy.. which obviously makes sense but I forget how cathartic writing can be… I read back over the post(s) and then reflect on all that has happened since the last post..

The summer and fall wedding season is officially over for us.  Five weddings for us gave us so many opportunities to see our families – several times.  Weddings are such a great time.  Lots of happy moments,  laughter, tears and let’s not forget … DANCING!!!

K2 are in the middle of indoor soccer season and having TONs of fun.  KMM is playing for the same coaches she played for in the fall and really enjoys playing goalie.  In fact, she is really good at goalie.  She isn’t afraid to get out of the net and jump, slide or dive onto the ball.  When she’s playing the field she often runs up and down the court, left to right, just chasing the ball!

Now, KEM on the other hand, is having the season of his life.  He has scored 8 goals this season; one game he had 4 goals.  I think everyone is in shock and awe with his performance each week, including his coach.  His current coach coached him a year ago and that was about the time his health was in a steady decline.  KEM now is like the energizer bunny out on the court.  His skills have vastly improved too.  Unfortunately, I might have to relate that improvement a little bit to his FIFA Soccer game on the XBOX.

KAM’s girls basketball season is in full swing too.  He hasn’t had any games yet they will start soon enough.  He has graduated from Physical Therapy after his achilles heel surgery.  The foot/calf injury he experienced back in August was actually an achilles tear.  He had surgery on Sept. 16th and was confined to the house for 3 weeks.  He still has some issues with it, specifically his foot gets swollen and he still walks like he is wearing his boot.  But as long as he continues to do his exercises and practices RICE then he will be fine.

As for me… I am finally going to see an ortho doctor for my glute/hamstring pain in my left area which is now affecting my right hip and my gait.  NO!  Of course I have not stopped running.. that was silly for any of you to even give a second thought to!  In fact, I had to change my running schedule after KAM’s surgery.  There is a Snap Fitness around the corner from my house so I joined it.  I started getting up to be on the treadmill there at 4am.  After a 5 mile run I go home to start getting ready for the day.

Me and Michael at the Dogfish Dash

My bestest Running Buddy Courtney at the Fordham Brewery 5k

Selfie time after a refreshing trail run at Breakneck Park

Kristen (Courtney’s sister), me and Courtney at the Annapolis Half Marathon.

Courtney, Amy and I after the Fall Girls on the Run 5K

Now that KAM has recovered I still go early in the morning BUT if the K2 don’t have too much going on one week and the weather is good (meaning not raining heavily or very icy) then I go for a run before I go get them from aftercare.  Since KMM has so much homework that requires me or KAM to help her I usually stick to the early morning run.  It truly is a refreshing start to my day.  Although it does mean I sometimes am in bed BEFORE 9pm (maybe even 8pm).

It is hard to believe that it is almost February.. time sure is flying by so quickly.  KEM has to go back to AI DuPont to get examined in March.  I pray often (sometimes even stay awake at night) that he is still in remission and no ulcers have started to develop.  But I know that no matter what happens in March (or before or even after) that we will face that challenge together!

Let’s talk about running:  I am looking forward to several runs in the upcoming months.  (I might try to add another half marathon to run in March and April.)

• Del Tech Chocolate Lover’s 5k in February  (http://www.trisportsevents.com/index.cfm?ref=50200&ref2=54)
• Philadelphia LOVE Run (with my brother and sister) in March (http://www.cgiracing.com/theloverun/)
• Boston Marathon (not me silly peeps.. to watch my sister) in April

My sister is running the Boston Marathon for the Autism Speaks team.  (If you feel moved, please support her at https://www.crowdrise.com/autismspeaksboston2017/fundraiser/aprilmcgrath).  I am so very proud of her and cannot wait to see her in action.  I hope she enjoys it so much that she decides to run a marathon with me in the future.

Hopefully it won’t take me MONTHS to write again.. although the way this Packers vs. Falcons game is going I think I might have to dig deep to take care of the depressed mood that has already settled in my house.

So much has happened since my last post.  School started for the kids… Marathon training began… Family wedding season is in full bloom… K2’s soccer season started… My 4th year of coaching Girls on the Run started… I often don’t know how we do it!  But we take things one day at a time and live by a schedule!  

I guess the first and easiet place to start is getting you caught up on each of us.  Let’s start with the little diva KMM.  She started Kindergarten this year and is in the Spanish Immersion program.  This means she has Spanish for half of the day and English the other half.  All of her new lessons begin in Spanish and then they are reinforced in English.  Although she was petrified at first by the thought of homework she has handled things very well.  Last night she sang the days of the week to is in Spanish.  She even counted out 10 candles for her brother’s cake in Spanish.  Even though she asks me almost every night if she has to go to school tomorrow I know she’s enjoying it.  Maybe some days too much because she tells me during recess she has to walk the perimeter of the basketball court.  That’s the teachers’ method of timeout or a consequence.  Will it shock any of you that she’s getting timeouts for talking?

KEM adjusted well to starting fourth grade with the NG tube, calorie counting and drinking his daily 2.5 cans of formula.  We are so proud of him for his perseverance and strength.  He is now able to enjoy 900 calories a day along with his formula.  Most days he doesn’t even take in 900 and that’s ok.  He’s just happy he doesn’t need the tube right now! He is very careful about asking if he can try different foods and sucking it up when he has told no. So far the staff at his school have been amazing.  His second week at school the principal sent me a text message along with a photo of the ingredients of something he had asked to eat. Unfortunately he couldn’t eat it but I was thrilled that she reached out to me to be sure.   KEM just celebrated his 10th birthday last night and thoroughly enjoyed the cake made by his favorite “nanny” SB.  He was so excited to try the cake!  I am happy to report that he loved it.  We are all so blessed to have SB in our lives. She truly loves K2 and the love her right back. 

KAM has a major calf/foot injury that has sidelined him and made him pretty uncomfortable. It’s a chore to walk some days.  He was able to make it down the aisle for my brother’s wedding thankfully.  But I know he’s miserable most of the time.  Doctor appointment made for next week. Hopefully he will get some relief soon.  He also is back at helping KEM’s soccer team by assistant coaching.  

Me… I’ve got a lot going on too. Girls on the Run just started the week after Labor Day and goes until November.  The class I teach is full (over the regular seat limit) and I feel like every time I turn around I have more and more to grade.  I’ve been very busy with weddings, showers and bachelorette parties too.  So so busy that I decided to defer my Marathon in October to next year. I  feel like a quitter but I just can’t do everything… hard lesson to learn but I learned it.  I am learning that sometimes the best thing to do is take it one day at a time!  

So much has happenened since my last post… sorry to have been MIA… we went to the GI dr at the half way mark of KEM’s induction phase (late July) and got GREAT news… not only did he gain 6 lbs. but all of his bloodwork came back better too.  The GI staff and nurses the Day Medicine area were very impressed with his progress and his handling of the NG tube insertion.

About 2 weeks ago K2 and I were having a dance party in KMM’s room and somehow KEM tripped, fell on the tube, and yanked it off his face… for some reason it freaked KEM out so bad that his reaction was to pull the tube right out of his nose.  When he realized what he had done he had a complete meltdown – (HORRIBLE anxiety attack).  He flipped out so bad that KMM ran to her bed and laid in the fetal position crying hysterically.  To say this was a nightmare is putting it mildly.  Thankfully I got them both calm and was able to put the tube back in KEM’s nose.  This better not be the end of our dance parties… I look forward to them!

The weekend after the dance party disaster I went to a bachelorette party in OCMD (GOOD TIMES!).  KEM was not at all happy I was leaving and was determined to come with me.. for the whole weekend.  I was quick to tell him “NO WAY DUDE”.  He was worried about the tube coming out… “who is going to put the tube back in if it comes out”.  My response was “your father will”.  KEM’s response to that was “no, you will have to come back home.”  I agreed to do that even though I knew that it would be fine.  Thankfully, everyone and everything stayed where it needed to be.  And Mommy had a great time at OCMD!

This past week has been really interesting for me because K2 have been in NY with their grandparents since Tuesday (8/2).  There was a little NG tube mishap but word on the street is that KEM was able to calm down enough to let his Aunt help out.  K2 have had so much fun with their cousins, Nana & Papa, and their aunt and uncle.  Although I do miss them it is so important to me that they create these memories with their family.  Meanwhile, I have gotten up every morning for the last two weeks and made it to the Y to get a workout in.  Tuesday I saw the movie “Bad Moms” with two of my girlfriends and Wednesday I got to run 10 miles (even though it was on the treadmill!)  And Thursday I experienced my first Blue Apron meal with my coworkers!

On Monday, 8/22 KAM and I start back to school with our students.  KEM has his GI appt. where were are, hopefully, going to move to the remission stage of Crohn’s.

But before that we venture back up to AI DuPont, I get to celebrate my baby brother’s wedding and welcome a new sister to my family…

Me & my sisters at Seacrets

KMM showing her brother support.

The day K2 started their journey to NY.

KEM has so much more energy and is enjoying the outdoor more.

This girl has NO fear!

The trip to Martha’s Vineyard (MV) was so much fun.  K2 and I left Friday, July 8th and headed to PA to spend the night at 425.  We all went to bed for a few hours before we embarked on our journey.  KEM slept pretty well, especially since he had to sleep with his sister.  (This girl never stops talking and so naturally she never stops moving in her sleep.)  I made two trips carrying the kids to the car.  KMM was much easier to carry than KEM.  When I picked up KEM I noticed that his back was wet and thought “Oh Lord I hope he didn’t pee himself”.  Thankfully he didn’t – the tube connector had come apart and his formula was leaking; the damage to the bed and the sheets wasn’t bad!

The car ride up was going well until KEM’s Kangaroo Pump starting beeping.  Silly me didn’t think to charge it while he was “feeding” at 425 and so the battery was getting low.  We were planning to stop in NJ at the last exit so the timing worked out perfectly.  Although we didn’t plan to stop for as long as we did we needed to charge the pump back up.  Once we got some juice in the pump we made our way back to the car and good ole’ 95 North.

Finally we got to the Vineyard and all settled in at the magical Beach House in Oak Bluffs.  Unfortunately the weather wasn’t as nice as we hoped so we had to find other things to do since we couldn’t chill at the beach.  One day we ended up taking the kids to see “The Secret Life of Pets”.  The movie was great and so was the company.  KEM struggled a lot mentally with not being able to eat popcorn at the movie theater.  However, I did find some Pirates Booty for him to eat instead.  The only bad thing was that the amount of Pirates Booty that he COULD eat was next to nothing because there are lots of calories in them.  He dealt with it as best he could and just went back to watching the movie.

The next day was the first nice weather day so KEM was really, willing and anxious to take the tube out so he could go swim in the ocean with KMM and his cousin ALH.  He was adamant HE would be taking the tube out so I let him (let me know if you want to see the video!).  This first time I had to put the tube back in was a bit of a nightmare. KEM had way too much time getting worked up about me putting the tube back in – it took everything in me to just say nevermind we can do it tomorrow.  But in the end it worked out and I got him settled and the tube inside.

The last nice beach day we went to the Oaks Bluffs-Edgartown bridge to jump off.  KEM took his tube out that day too. He really was hoping to catch some crabs during the day but wasn’t successful.  We all trekked over to the bridge.  KEM decided he didn’t want to jump and instead was going to help his Gammy with taking videos and photos.  KMM jumped off one time with me and did a great belly flop.  She was hurting a little bit after that jump and said she didn’t want to jump again.  Naturally, I tried to coax her into doing it one more time but she had enough jumping – so we headed back to the house.

The worst part of any vacation, especially in MV, is knowing it will come to an end.  I always hate leaving there and wish I could stay the whole summer.  I would earn my keep by cleaning – anything – maybe not the shed though with all the spiders and spider webs.  Lord knows I would probably scare them away with my screaming.

KEM did great while we were in MV as did KMM.  ALH (cousin) was so sweet with KEM and told me several times how sorry she was he had this disease.  I thanked her and told her that he could still play just like before.   In a way I think it was good for KEM to hear ALH and how upset she was for him.

Oh yeah – the MRE results were positive.  Nothing to worry about and no furthering of the disease.  YAY!

Here are some pics from our MV adventures…

Running and working out are not just healthy lifestyle choices for me. They both (running especially) help with bringing clarity to challenges I’m working through in my head and give me a chance to turn off my “mom mode” or “professional mode”. When I know I can’t be at my best for K2 (the kids) I have to do something so that I can be at my best…. they deserve that. But let’s be honest… we are all human and can’t always be at our best.  

The other day I found myself struggling with this whole new situation in my Bodyflow class. As I lay quietly in the “meditation” state tears stream down my face. I realize then that while I put on a brave face every day, I am actually struggling with this whole diagnosis too. I hate restricting his calories during the day. I hate watching him walk around with a feeding tube in his nose.  I hate that I don’t know what the future holds us.  I hate feeling selfish for taking time to go for a run or go work out.  And I hate that he blames us for this lifelong disease.  (I do know that this is his 9 yr old way of dealing with his emotions so I’m not forever scarred by that last one!)

Running and working out is exactly what this mom needs… It’s my kind of therapy… And it helps me realize that I don’t have to be brave and strong every single day. I can cry once in a while too!  On the days when I feel like I am being selfish by working out or going for a run I will try to remember that the run or workout session is helping me be a better mom for my family. 

UP NEXT:  MRE test & results, vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard with K2, teaching the family about KEM’s diet,  formula/medicine and our new eating lifestyle….

While we struggle finding foods for KEM, we also struggle with finding the right balance for KMM’s foods. She can eat whatever she wants (in moderation) while her brother can barely eat anything at all.  The normal drop off and pick up routine includes eating a snack in the car but that cannot happen now.

KEM’s restricted food and calorie intake has me feeling guilty if and when KMM asks for something.  Once I pick her up from daycare the first thing she asks for is a snack.  If I have one I tell her she has to eat it quickly, before we get her brother.  Or KMM asks for specific items that we could have on hand but she wants to eat it right then and there and often times right in front of KEM.  So far this week I feel as if she’s gone to bed hungry or mad at me.  She asks every night to eat ice cream. And usually she asks right in front of KEM.  Our response usually is no because it’s not fair to her brother.

Two nights ago, when it took KEM an hour to eat cod fish, KMM sat on the floor in the kitchen hiding while she ate some raspberries.  I was afraid of KEM seeing her eating more since he can’t eat more.  At one point I looked down at her and realize she is working on the last raspberry – the package was full when she started. “Crap” I think to myself. Was she that hungry or did she really just feel like eating them all.

Obviously, she was happy she got to eat more. But I instantly got upset at myself because I thought immediately that I might be starving her unintentionally.  We have been telling KMM she can’t eat XYZ because it’s not fair to KEM. But we also can’t ignore how unfair this is for KMM too.

Tonight I had KEM go to the basement to relax and play on his Kindle. Then KMM asked for dessert. Since KEM was in the basement I quietly had her come to the kitchen and find a few pieces of candy. I then reminded her she couldn’t eat those things if KEM came nearby.  I now feel like I’m teaching KMM to be sneaky and work the system. Ugh. Where is the parent manual??

I know we just have to figure out a nice balance that works for us but sometimes I feel like we won’t ever figure it out.  Could I be accidentally starving her?  Is he getting all the attention?  Does KMM feel like we are abandoning or ignoring her?  Does KEM feel like he’s getting enough to eat?

All I know right now is that dealing with this new meal plan and disease is really hard…. but I’ve never been one to give up that easily.