Slower Than a Turtle Stampeding Through Peanut Butter

Where do I begin.... It's been a week since my last post, so I apologize for that. I was sick with a sinus infection, and since I wasn't running, there wasn't much to report.

Yesterday was the day I've been waiting for for 3 weeks now, my appointment with my cardiologist. My main focus was the swelling in my hands, but also the fact that I didn't feel like I was improving, in fact my running times were getting slower. I met with him momentarily, then was sent for an echo, then we met after to discuss the results, etc. First, the most important news, he said I can continue running! Due to my underlying congenital heart disease, he said I will never be an elite runner. This I knew, but I always thought that I could at least improve to the point where I would be able to run a 10 minute mile. Honestly, that is something that may never happen, and it's a reality that I have to deal with. He said the fact that I'm doing all the running that I'm doing with my congenital condition is great, and is more than is expected for someone with my condition. Sadly, at least I have a reason for being slow and not improving (hence the title of this post).

As for my hand swelling, it is not attributed to my heart. My cardiologist explained that if it was just my right hand, that would make sense since I had the Blalock-Taussig shunt as a baby, and that would be something I would just have to deal with. Since it was both hands, that wasn't the case, and he even asked another cardiologist who is a runner for any ideas. He said maybe it was a histamine response during exercise causing my swelling, and suggested I try taking a Benadryl before I go out for my runs to see it that helps. I may be able to kill two birds with one stone here. When I go out for long runs, my sweat causes me to itch all over, so I'm hoping this helps both issues.

He stated my right sided chambers have increased in size, but not to the point where it's concerning. This could be due to my running (and training), and it could be due to the regurgitant flow, or both. We talked about pulmonic valve surgery, and as I expected, I am not a candidate for the Melody valve as I currently do not have a conduit. As of right now, my only option would be open heart surgery, which neither of us are quick to jump on. I certainly don't want to deal with the cracked ribs and recovery from that. He did mention that there are a few medical centers using a trans-catheter approach to replacing pulmonic valves with severe insufficiency, and that could be an option down the road. That is something I would certainly be interested in when available. For now, I have to go back in a few weeks for a Metabolic Stress Test to see how effectively my body is using oxygen, and we'll go from there.

Now for something a little more fun! It's finally May, and that means that the Stroll for Strong Kids 5K is at the end of the month. This years theme is Peace, Love and Healing.

Isn't Sandy cute!!

(Source)

This is one of my favorite events, and I love fundraising for it. After everything the Golisano Children's Hospital has done for me, it's the least I can do to give back. If you have time, please check out my secure fundraising page, and consider donating to such a wonderful cause. No donation amount is too small, especially when it helps to fund the medical treatment and procedures that are necessary for these resilient children and babies.

QOTD: Is there an event that you look forward to every year? Do you have any weird histamine responses when you're running?