Rehabilitation, and learning the price paid.

I remember waking the next day, struggling through a shower, and feeling the freedom as I drove away from my parents house. It was nice to be home. I reported soon after my return home to Madigan Army Medical Center on Ft. Lewis. I was assigned to the Medical Hold company while I went through the rehabilitation process. I was feeling better and was looking forward to seeing my daughter, our summer visit had to be delayed due to the circumstances. Just over two weeks after my return home I was in the air again to go and get her in Wichita, KS. Although I still had a long way to go with my rehab, I was feeling better day by day. That all changed on the flight from Denver back home.

I started to have severe abdominal pains as we acended out of Denver, CO. It was July Fourth and we were landing at around 12 noon. We had planned to visit with my parents for a while and then head over to Jennifer's house. Her family always celebrates the Fourth in a big way. Unfortunately, the abdominal pains were worsening and I eventually needed to go to the emergency room. Stevens Memorial Hospital was somewhat busy that holiday but I was rushed in and introduced to Dilaudid, it eased the pain enough for the doctors to eveluate my worsening condition.

Still being on active duty I was transported to Madigan for further treatment. After two days of testing I was diagnosed with a biliary restriction, or blocked bile ducts. This condition was not allowing the bile to drain from my liver and thus it was being carried out to the skin layers by the blood stream. I hadn't realized how juandiced I had become and how yellow my eyes were. After a few days of hospital treatment I was released, but would require lots of follow-up.

Over the next three months I would undergo a lot of testing, ERCP's, and treatment. In the fall of 2004 I was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease. There is no cure for PSC. The only known treatment is management of the disease with medication, dietary structure, and excersize. The disease ultimately leads to either a full liver transplant, or death.

I now take medication everyday. I've changed the way I eat, and I drink lots of water and other fluids. I try to get lots of excersise and control my weight as I get older. My condition is currently under control, most people don't even know about my disease. I try not to let it run my life, but rather I accept it as the price I have to pay for getting a second chance at life.

Running helps. And it allows me to help others while helping myself. I ran my first marathon to raise money for organ donation awareness, a cause that is now very close to my heart. I have recently branched out and started running marathons with Team in Training to gain more exposure for my story, my webite, and my longterm goals of helping people. My days are numbered more so than most, and I only wish to do as much as I can, while I can.

Caring is good, doing something is better.