Hello all
Throughout the course of both my recovery from surgery as well as my chemotherapy, I have been moved by the lengths that everyone involved with this blog have gone to show their type of support. I have written that I realize everyone has their own coping strategies and methods of showing support for my situation. I don’t pretend to judge any of them as everyone has different emotional backgrounds and will ultimately need to deal with my cancer in their own personal ways. One person’s coping mechanism is not for everyone. For me, it’s enough knowing that I have a support system generated by my own circle of friends and family and through this blog which has given me the encouragement to push through difficult times. I will mention again how much I appreciate all the different methods (thoughts, prayers, prayer groups, gifts, visits; the list goes on!) that readers and posters have introduced me to. It’s been extremely enlightening and helpful.
In light of all the support, I must highlight a recent one that touched me closely because of it’s association with running. Many of you know I was (and will be again!) a runner. I ran 3 marathons in my life, and a dozen or so half marathons with a number of shorter distance races interspersed. I have run most of my adult life and have missed it tremendously during this latest hiatus. Many of you may have read on the blog a few responses from Dan Sullivan or Mike Pfister. These two gentlemen, for the past few months, have been recruiting a group of runners from my previous assignment, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, just outside of Ft. Belvoir, VA. I worked with most of them for four years and while there established friendships that have and will last lifetimes. Just after Christmas, Dan sent me a message on the blog that said he was going to run the Shamrock Half Marathon (St. Patrick’s Day in Virginia Beach) in my honor. As the months progressed, just Dan became Dan and Mike and eventually both assembled a group of runners and non-runners to run different parts of the race for me. They designed a Short Round – based race T-shirt they would wear to increase awareness of my situation – Short Round comments that “Synovial Sarcoma is all just a bunch of hooey!” They made a banner to advertise some of my character traits. The banner went to the race, back to DTRA for inclusion of more folks’ signatures, then was mailed to me. It now hangs in my hallway. Some would run the whole marathon, some the half and some the 8K. Regardless of the distance, I was incredibly humbled and thankful. The races took place on my latest post chemo weekend, when I was rather low on both emotions and energy. On that Sunday, I received emails with pics of the runners obviously having a great time in their shirts both pre and post race. They were toasting me even though they had just finished grueling distances. Some had even shaved their heads for me (thanks Sully, Mike and Zip!) I was inspired and uplifted and coincidentally, at the exact time I needed it! Some of the pics are posted below. These folks literally went extra miles for me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. They are some of the best folks that I have had the privilege of working with in my career. I am inspired by their selflessness and once I am back to running, I want to emulate them and look forward to joining similar teams in the future to honor other runners who have been forced to give up something they love for whatever reason.
Post Race Festivities!
More post race activities!
Pre Race with Banner!
The signed banner now hangs in our hallway!
Front and back race t-shirts
Medically, I am feeling upbeat this week, which is the norm for this time. This week I actually drove my car, by myself, without Jenn chauffeuring me!! That is another milestone that gave me a sense of unimaginable freedom! I haven’t driven since October. I have another chemo week starting next Tuesday, which will bring me down again a few notches, but since it’s working the prospect of a few days of lethargy and physical discomfort are palatable. On the prosthetic front, my days consist of practicing walking in a new socket I received last week, which is less painful than the first. But my prosthetist still wants to improve the socket and is working on yet another one that will fit more securely. I’ll get that one on Friday and continue progress with the leg. Going through a number of sockets is typical for new amputees, so I’m not worried. I have an in-home physical therapist who has been working with me since the amputation to strengthen my body in anticipation of walking again. She’s been terrific. Luckily for me, she is tough and pushes me on days when I’m complaining like a little spoiled brat. I’m still using crutches with the ultimate goal of putting full body weight on my prosthetic. Some days are better than others! Just like life in general.
Thanks for all the support and continued reading!
Hunter
It's Not a Sprint 
So glad to hear you are felling and moving around better. Pretty soon you’ll be out running me.
Hunter, It was my priviledge to do this. And I’ll be honest, in our profession people come and go and we all seem to develop an inate ability to move on and not get emotionally attached. By the amount of interest in running by people who had to get sitters, book hotels, just recovered from surgery, pack up who familes, drive 3 hours and train, you are the exception. Many others wanted to go also but couldn’t. You are truly one of those who left a lasting impact on your friends and now you have become our inspiration. Because of you and your blogs, I have a stonger insigth towards life. I’m now training for the Gettysburg marathon on Apri 28th. I would have laughed at anyone who said I was going to run another at 50! Three months ago I was content with getting old and casually working out. Now I am down about 10lbs and whenever I don’t feel like running or quiting, I think of you. You have actually helped me. So thank you! Sully P.S. I’ll be wearing your shirt at Gettysburg.
Amazing, amazing support. Thank you so much Team Hunter.
We’re all pulling for you Hunter, and drawing great strength and inspiration from your words. Clearly many others are as well. I know Jason would have gladly run on that team in your honor as well. We’re all thinking of all of you on this hopeful Easter week-end with much love.
The Januzelli Five
Wow! What great friends!!! You are blessed to have them as part of your support system. Sounds like you are making progress. Driving has to be freeing and makes you hanker for running again. Keep up the good work! Enjoy your Easter with Jenn and the boys!
Wonderful. I loved their creativity. It was beautiful.
What fantastic friends! We continue to keep you in our prayers. I’m so happy to hear that you have a great PT. Happy Easter!
Three cheers for Team Hunter. I love stories like this.
Ellen and I couldn’t do the run but I did shave as well and there we are in the upper left corner. Sully’s right – you are the inspiration! A joyous Easter to all. – Fred
PS – Ellen says I look good as “Mr. Clean” so I plan on keeping this look – although Sully said I didn’t have much to shave anyway.
Your an amazing person with so many that love you. It’s an honor to follow your personal journey, one I think about often during the course of a normal day. Happy Easter to you and your family!
Great seeing and talking with ya’ll today. Think of ya’ll all the time. Prayers for your recovery will continue.
Hunter,
I finally got a chance to come back and read the whole post. What a great bunch of guys to do this for you! But it just goes to show you how you’ve touched so many people in your life that they want to do something special in return to show how much you mean to them. I hope you and your family enjoyed a very special Easter together.