The Friday Five - Favorite Fall Things

It's no question, this is my absolute favorite time of year.  I love everything about the last third of the year, but here are a few of my most favorite things!

Cool Weather

I looooove the fall weather.  Even though it was a balmy 83 degrees when I went out for my evening run, by all measure, that is a major cool down in Texas.  Beautiful mornings with low humidity and comfortable, if not a little chilly evenings are on their way.  I don't even mind when the days get shorter.  In fact, I kind of like it!

Pumpkins!

I am not a fan of pumpkin spice everything, but I do love me some pumpkins.

I usually have a big display near my front door in October and November and Louis and I tend to hit up as many pumpkin patches as possible.  We will make our tenth visit to one of them this year! Even though (sadly) the Big Orange Pumpkin Patch changed locations, it still appears to be the same premise and you can bet we will be there.

Fall Holidays

It's no secret that Halloween and Thanksgiving are my number one holidays!  I love that they are stress free...no worries about gifts or extravagant decor (although I do decorate one crazy lit Christmas tree!).  They are all about the good things.  Family.  Friends.  Food.  There is always so much to be thankful for.

So much turkey....and well, because stuffing.

I love Thanksgiving Eve...cooking up a storm in my kitchen.  Making homemade pumpkin and apple pie.  Roasting a delish turkey.

It's just my favorite.

The Fall Colors

While the fall colors in Texas are by no means even close to what they are in Minnesota, we still get some color here.

Ok...this is not Texas, but that is one cute kid!

More Free Time!

While there is often too little of it, I took a quarter off from grad school and have more than I have had in the last 3 years.  It makes me excited to be done with school next fall.  I am enjoying some extra time to paint the garage full of furniture I have accumulated (there will be no graphic to show this hot mess) and do some organization around my house (although little of that has been done).  I've had so much more time to run and that gets high praise in my book! Most of all, I love the extra time I've had with family.

What do you love about fall?

Big thanks as always to Courtney @Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar @ Mar on the Run and Cynthia @You Signed Up For What? for the Friday Five Link-Up!

The Friday Five - Five Fall Races

Isn't it hard to believe it has been 14 years since 9/11/2002?  In my mind it seems like last year or just a few months ago, yet years have passed and it still remains so fresh in our minds.  Most of us remember the exact time and place we were when the planes hit the WTC, the moment they fell.  I've had the honor of visiting the WTC site several times and it still seems so raw.  It relieves me that my son never had to witness such horror, hopefully none of us will have to again. Somewhere I came across this amazing blogging project; one I hope to contribute to over the coming year.  I highly recommend taking a few minutes just to read about some of these amazing people who lost their lives that day.  They are just a name in granite to some, but to others, they were fantastic human beings.

A photo I took on a trip in 2012.  I've always found the rainbow kind of comforting and eerie all at the same time.

Not meaning to make this post so somber, but wanting to remember the day.

On to the...

I got a little mixed up on the Friday Five themes, apparently last week was "Fall Races".  So this week?

My Five Fall Races

It may be pumpkin spice everything season for everyone else, but for me, it is not only my favorite time of year (Thanksgiving is getting so close!), it is my most favorite time of the year to run races!

The cool(ish), crisp weather makes me so happy!  I can't wait until Saturday morning.  It will be 67 degrees when I plan to start my last longish run before race season!

#1

40 miles.  In 9 days.  It's happening.

In my mind, I've already ran 36 (a 34 miler with a really wrong turn), so what's 4 more?! (I need to keep telling myself next Saturday around mile 30).

This is part of the Endurance Buzz Adventure's 5 series challenge.  It will likely be the most difficult I've done.  The pictures are terrifying, yet I can't wait to get out there!  I think this will be my biggest challenge yet.  I feel ready, yet I still worry about finishing within the allotted time. Being a very technical trail with some pretty massive climbs, I know it is going to be slow going with a great deal of sun exposure.  The time cut off is what scares me the most, but it is what will push me the hardest.

Apparently there are some hills or something like that.  Rusty crown?  You mean, tiara?  Sign me up!

photo cred: EBA

#2

Palo Duro 50k

Can you believe this is in Texas?!

This race takes place in October and is in a part of Texas I've never really been to. The geography looks *amazing*.  I have a lot of friends who are also doing this race and I know it will be so fun!!

#3

Big Cedar Endurance Run

This is on a gorgeous trail in the heart of Dallas/Ft. Worth.  I ran a timed, 3 hour,  race in the dark here earlier this summer, but have yet to actually see it in the day time.  This was supposed to have been my first ultra last year, but it was rainy and gross.  I wasn't a very experienced trail runner last year (I still have a lot to learn, really!) and I just didn't feel comfortable going on and running on a slick, technical trail in the ran.  I was really disappointed that this didn't happen and it was the second time I had signed up for an ultra where things didn't line up for one reason or another.  Distance is still an unknown (with the exception of the fact that I will NOT be doing the 100 miler).  The 50 mile (which I really want to do!) starts at 3:30 in the morning, which is no bueno for someone who goes to be around midnight.  I am torn.  This race is still a *tentative* on my schedule.

#4

Brazos Bend

With a variety of distances (again, NOT doing the 100) and in the heart of Texas gator country, this one should be interesting and a lot of fun!

seems legit!

#5

Isle du Bois

The last of the EBA high five series, this one is still up in the air as well.  Not due to my decision making, but due to the fact that the park where it happens was underwater for so long this spring and summer from all of the rain we received in Texas this year.  Repairs are starting to be made to the trail and the park has opened up a few routes, so hopefully it'll happen!  What I'm really looking forward to is getting my bell!  Because isn't that a good enough reason to run 130+ miles over 5 events for?  Makes perfect sense to me!

So these are the races that I'm looking forward to this fall, what's on tap for you?

Big thanks to Courtney @Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar @ Mar on the Run and Cynthia @You Signed Up For What? for the Friday Five Link-Up!

The Friday Five - Healthy Snacks For Runners

I'm getting back on track with the Friday Five!

This week I am teaming up with Nuts.com to take a look at some super healthy snacks that are not only good, but good for you.

Since I've started knocking out 50+ mile weeks, snacks throughout the day, as well as those before and after I work out have become essential.  I find myself so hungry throughout the day and so frequently reach for the sweet stuff first, that I've found it much easier to stock my pantry with a larger variety of things that will benefit me both health and fitness wise.  

The dietitian at nuts.com suggest this rule of thumb for snacks...ideally a snack should be 160 calories of less, provide fiber and protein and contain less than 2 grams of saturated fat. 

Here are some of my faves:

#1

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are considered a super food.  They are also really great at keeping us hydrated (super important for runners - especially in the Texas heat).  They are also loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber as well as omega-3 fatty acids.  I like to throw chia seeds in my morning smoothies and often take a flavored chia packet along with me on long runs instead of using gels.  You can also add them into baked goods - they add a really nice crunch!  I really like using them in my pumpkin muffins.

#2

Quinoa Puffs

Another superfood that can easily be added to yogurt or baked deliciousness.  You can even make quinoa krispies (similar to rice krispies!) with these.  Add in some peanut butter and honey - and YUM!  A healthy alternative to rice krispies without all of the sugar and that packs a punch protein wise.

#3

I've carried dried apricots in my fuel belt/vest during marathons for years. They are sweet and chewy and taste heavenly in comparison to gels and sports chews, which are commonly used by long distance runners to help maintain energy during the run.

Dried apricots provide a healthy amount of potassium and magnesium, electrolytes commonly lost during endurance running.  They also have a fair share of fiber and iron per serving, making them great every day snacks.

#4

Dark Chocolate - yes, I said chocolate!

In a recent study, small amounts of dark chocolate were found to increase leg strength and cardiovascular endurance.  The key here is small amounts (such as one small square a day).  I often keep a dark chocolate bar (similar to this) in my gym bag and have a square before a run.  The higher the percentage of cacao, the better it is for you.  One serving of dark chocolate (such as a Godiva square), also boast 10% of your daily iron needs.

#5

Pumpkin Seeds

Since fall is upon us, one of my favorite snacks of the season is pumpkin seeds.  I've never actually seen them in the grocery stores that I shop in, so I was happy to find that they sold them on Nuts.com (mostly because I don't necessarily want to carve more pumpkins than I have to).  I LOVE them roasted.  (You can also purchase them already roasted, salted/unsalted or spiced for you).  Pumpkin seeds provide 10g of protein per serving and 15% of daily iron requirements.

When making my own, I typically wash or boil them to get all of the stringy stuff off of the seeds and let them air dry over night.  Prior to roasting, we put them in a bag with a very small amount of EVOO and salt and shake them up (you can add more salt/seasoning after you get them on the pan) . Then we pop them in the oven on a piece of parchment paper for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. You can really top them with any seasoning you like for a variety.

What are you favorite healthy snacks?

Big thanks to Courtney @Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar @ Mar on the Run and Cynthia @You Signed Up For What? for the Friday Five Link-Up!

Saving Tyrion Lannister: The Story I Didn't Want to Tell

This is not the story I wanted to tell, nor is it the way I anticipated this story to end.

As some of you may know, Tyrion lost his valiant battle with kidney disease on June 26^th, 2015.  Even though it has been two months since his passing, I wanted to document the end of this chapter of our lives and give those who supported us so much during those long 8 weeks a chance to know the whole story.  I've had this written for quite some time, but never felt ready to share it until now.  

So...

While Tyrion was never technically “well” again after we left U Penn, I truly believed he would turn it around any day.

The week leading up to his passing, he became increasingly lethargic, but still showed us burst of personality, once lunging after his nurse’s chicken one day while she ate lunch, a pretty classic Tyrion move.  Everyday, I’d hope for the call that where his doctor would say that he was looking great and his labs were within range. 

It never happened.

After a month of waiting, we received his kidney biopsy (from his old kidney) back. 

Tyrion had an extremely rare disease that only one cat has been known to have in the world; a collagen defect called collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy.  A defect that was causing the two original kidneys he had to stop functioning and become necrotic. He was literally one in a billion.  One in a billion to us as well. 

There is little literature on feline treatment, in fact the one cat that had this (which was not in the US), was euthanized by his owner shortly after diagnosis.

There was limited research on human treatment as it had only been diagnosed in about 40 humans.

No one really knew what to do or how to treat him. 

His doctor (a guru in many ways) was consulting her guru, the pioneer of feline kidney transplantation about how we should treat, but the story was always limited.

We tried a last ditch antirejection medication, but it just wasn’t enough.

Not only was Tyrion’s new kidney not functioning the way it should, he was severely anemic as well.  We were stonewalled because of that.  Since he had received (by our count) 14 blood transfusions from multiple cats, he became incompatible to any of the blood that they had at their well supplied blood bank.  They were administering an agent which helped to increase red blood cell production, but it often takes several weeks to work.  It was time he didn’t have. 

We left Texas for Mexico on the 25^th (to get married) knowing the decision that was likely going to have to be made, but still not able to make it.

On Friday the 26^th, after receiving a phone call that he did not look well, wasn’t eating with the spirit he once had, we decided that was his way of telling us it was time.

It was incredibly painful to know that we would not be with him, but he was surrounded by many of the staff at U Penn who had cared for him during the seven weeks he was there.  We talked to him over the phone and all told him how much we loved him.  Our voices were the last he heard.

Losing a pet is never easy, but there was something so special about Tyrion that makes it even harder this time.  Maybe it was because he was so young.  Maybe it was everything we put him through.  We can move on knowing that we did everything that could possibly be done, was done for him.  We went to great lengths, probably more than most pet owners would, to save his life, but came up empty handed.

When we came home, I think we all knew there was an emotional hole that nothing would fill.  I had been planning on coming back from our wedding trip, turn around and head to Philly to bring Tyrion home, but it would not happen.

I know the loss did not hit me as hard until we returned home and settled in.  The wedding (which was wonderful) and our families helped take our minds off of it somewhat. His absence was loud.  There have been days where I am still overcome with grief.  

I've come to hate Fridays.  Fridays bring things that I don't want to deal with.  Tyrion became sick on a Friday.  He died on a Friday.  We received his ashes back on a Friday as well as his final autopsy report.  In one way, it's like he is letting us know he lives on in our heart, but in other ways it just kind of sucks.

Tyrion died because of plain old rejection.  It had nothing to do with his collagen defect.  There was proof that the disease process had not returned to the new kidney.  It left us thinking that maybe he would have done better with another cat's kidney, but who are we to say that would have been best?  His team made the best decision with what they had presented to them.  We couldn't have asked for better care for him, I wish we could have asked for a better outcome.  Again, Tyrion beat the odds, just in a bad way.  Studies show that only about 7% of cats who receive transplants fail to respond and never leave the hospital.

My hope going forward is that Tyrion’s legacy will live on.  As I mentioned, we had his doctor perform an autopsy (which I normally would have said no to) in hopes that he could go on to teach other veterinarians about this rare disorder so that maybe another kitty can be saved.  The studies could also potentially help humans as well, as feline medicine closely mimics human medicine in so many ways. His primary vet, Dr. Cleroux, also sent me a picture of Tyrion's dialysis machine, which was named in his honor.  A machine that he was first to use.  

She also added this....

"Tyrion was certainly a fantastic cat with such a dedicated family. I feel that he has changed all of us in his own way. Every person involved with him directly or peripherally will remember his path in their life. He has made us not only better doctors, but better persons. I feel that his life was meant to change the ones of others and has certainly taught me to never give up."

A few weeks ago we received his tiny crown in which he was to wear home, along with his ashes and several kind messages from his doctors, nurses and other U Penn staff.  We cannot say enough about the hospital where he was cared for.  I know I've said it before, but they are the best of the best.  Their compassion towards animals is immeasurable.  It is very apparent that none of them are in it because of the salary or the glamour.  They work endless hours and gave Tyrion so much care, love and attention.  

So I end the story here.  

Tyrion will never be forgotten.  We still talk about him often...the funny things he did, how we think he'd go crazy over a new toy or how he used to sleep in a certain spot in bed every night.  He will not only go on to help other kitties, but he saved several in the process, his "brother" Jaime included.  

We loved him so.

A Tale of Two Trails - Part 2 Whispering Pines

Whispering Pines was part 2 of a 5 series trail race that I hope to complete this year.  Race 1 was Possum Kingdom.  I went into this race pretty much untrained (stupid) and thinking, 'how could this be any more difficult that the last one'?  Well....it was.

I was risin' and shinin' a bit after 4am to meet my friend Aimee for our epic road trip to Tyler State Park, which was just about 2 hours away.  Because I'm not a morning person, it *was* kind of cool to see the sunrise!  It was going to be a sunny day.

We met more friends at the park, including Pam, who was running her first trail race!  I chose the 50k, so I was able to run her entire race with her.  Even though that first loop took us about 3 hours, it flew by as we chatted and laughed the entire time.  We cracked up every time we'd come to something like this...

and felt as though we were in an episode of 'Survivor' at times.

Pam finished her race strong!  She collected her honey bear & then stayed a little while to cheer the rest of us on.

I grabbed a few snacks (trail food is the BEST) and headed out for my second loop.  The 50k (about 31 miles for the non-metrics) was a total of 3 loops, so it was nice to know what to expect the second and third time around, booby traps and all.  There was a hellishly steep climb within the first mile or two.  It was probably the worst of all the hills.  Unlike Possum Kingdom, where the hills were steep and rocky, these climbs were long and gradual.  Tiring.  Theyy were the kind that when you got to the top, you really felt as though you kicked some a$$ (or maybe it was you had your a$$ kicked)...maybe both!

what goes down, must go up

The woods were beautiful.  I almost felt as though I were in Minnesota.  Even though the sun was out and it was really warm and stale in spots, overall the trees kept everything shady and semi cool. Tolerable.

The trail itself was really soft, pine needles padded most of the trail.  Unfortunately, we had a really wet spring and there were still some mud pits to contend with.  Again, having gone around once already really helped with figuring out how to negotiate said mud pits.

There were two aid stations along the course. All stocked with cookies, rice crispy pars, potatoes, chips, soda.  All the junky food you could imagine!  When you run 30+ miles, any type of diet is off. This tribe also has the *best* volunteers ever.  They help you with whatever you might need, from simply holding on to something, to filling the water reservoir in your vest.

The second loop was strong for me.  I picked up my pace a bit, knowing that because I started 30 minutes late with the 10 milers, I had 30 minutes to make up so that I wouldn't miss the cut off.  Luckily, I finished that second loop with more than enough time to spare.  This race happened to be in the middle of our tragic journey with Tyrion as well.  Sometime around mile 16, I had gotten a call from his weekend vet saying that he was doing phenomenally well.  If there were anything that could've put a spring in my step at that moment, that was it.

For not really training for this, I don't recall ever feeling fatigued.  I felt great the entire race.  I think part of it due to the fact, that for once, I didn't take off from the start too fast.  Once those last 5 miles rolled around, I kicked it down and ran most of the way to the finish.  It was getting warm out and I was starting to feel like I might be getting a little dehydrated (despite all of my attempts to negate this).

A few miles before the end, I spotted the Roxie, the trail running wonder dog, not too far ahead of me on one of the switchbacks.  At some point I almost caught up and finished just behind her and her owner Harold.

Once I saw the banners for the third time, I knew I had this one in my pocket.  It probably wasn't my best effort, but I felt good the entire time and I will take that over a faster race any day.

It was my turn to get my honey bear, change into some dry clothes and just sit down!

My friend Faith, whom I ran the Dallas Marathon with, finished her first 50k just a bit after me. Aimee finished her race feeling great a little after Pam.  Monica was one of the awesome volunteers that day.

MRTT'ers - me, Faith, Aimee & Monica

I loved this race.  I loved Possum Kingdom as well, but for different reasons. Whispering Pines seemed so much like "home", like Northern Minnesota (except warmer); peaceful.

There is just something about running in the woods...both alone and with friends.  I've never felt so completely immersed in my thoughts, without distractions.  I feel like some of my best ideas come from thoughts I have while I am out on the trail.  It is completely addicting.

Race three of the five part series will be a night race....details coming soon.

A Tale of Two Trails - Part One

This post has been a L O N G time coming...this race dates back to early April, right before Tyrion got sick and that took over our world....BUT,

Earlier this spring, over the span of 5 weeks, I was able to complete my first two ultra marathons. This was something that was a long time coming.  The past two I had signed up for either just didn't work out or were so rainy and muddy that I didn't feel comfortable doing it.

Well these two couldn't have been more perfect.

The first, Possum Kingdom 52k (34 miles for the non-metrics) happened in early April.

The weather was perfect and the race difficult.  Not having ever been to this area of Texas, I had NO idea what I was in for.  My dear sister friend DK, who also ran the race, road tripped from Dallas with me.

Best driver ever...her words, not mine!

Her generous sister had offered up her family's lake home the night before so we could sleep in a real bed, instead of camp (I don't camp, I glamp).  Even though most of the drive was in darkness, she kept assuring me it was "really pretty".

Coordinated outfits, check! (not even planned!)

Our 5am alarm came sooner than I wanted.  We arrived at the race site just a few minutes before the race started.  Because it was a fairly small race, packet pick-up took about 10 seconds.  I scarfed down my cinnamon roll and was ready (or not) to hit the trail.

The trail was a mix of sand (2-3 inches deep) and rock.  It was difficult.  Maybe even the hardest thing I have ever done.

Ew. Quicksand (ok, not really, it just felt like it at mile 33)

The 56k course consisted of two loops of 17 miles, where I got lost twice, likely adding who knows how much more to my mile total.  To say it was "hilly" was an understatement.  It was like borderline mountain climbing (at least a Texas version of it).

I may or may not have been swearing here.

My GPS ap had me at a NET elevation gain of over 4,000 feet.  Even the hills of San Francisco were "only" a net gain of around 2,300 feet.  I ran at an easy pace, enjoyed the scenery and the serenity of the park.  It was amazing.

Every once in awhile, I'd come upon another runner going my way, run and talk with them for a little bit and move on.  My glutes and hamstrings were screaming around mile 20-22 and I knew it was about to get real.

Then I fell.  On a large rock/bolder (at least it wasn't into a giant cactus!).

Note to self: don't fall here.

I had just thought to myself - wow, I can't believe I haven't fallen today and down I went.  I smacked my face on the rock, came up with a mouth full of gravel and wholeheartedly believed I had broken a tooth.  Thank goodness this was not the case.

A little blood never hurt anyone...so instead of crying and/or wallowing in my misfortune, I carried on.  I was too far from the last aid station to back track and still about 4 miles (or about an hour) from the next one.  To my surprise, a state patrolman was at a road crossing and had a first aid kit!

I pushed on.

The whole race is kind of a blur now that I think about it, but it was really fun!

Trail runners are so incredibly kind, as are the volunteers.  Every person who came towards me on their way back would ask how I was doing and offer a word or two of encouragement.  You don't get that at road races.  I especially noticed this after I had fallen.  One of the ladies at the last aid station must have thought I looked bad enough that I couldn't finish (she was only being kind).  At mile 32ish.  Helllllls no.   I hadn't gotten that far to quit then!

The last few miles I pushed harder than I thought I would.  I even ran most of them, even though I was exhausted from being out there for 8 hours already.  One of the things I loved most about the day and the run was being alone with my thoughts.  Don't get me wrong, I love running with my friends, but it is so serene, quiet and peaceful, you can really just think.

The end NEVER seemed to come and I was starting to get a little flustered.  I knew I was close, but I just couldn't find the trail head back to home base (which I also missed my first time around).    I called my friend DK and we tried to figure it out.  My phone was about to die. Lucky for me, someone else had gotten turned around too and this angel sent from heaven went probably a half mile out of his way to help me get back to the start/finish (trail runners are a whole 'nother breed!). I'd missed this turn entirely on the first loop, so I knew exactly why I got messed up.  Apparently, I don't follow arrows so well when delirious.

My friends DK and Aimee were waiting for me at the finish and I couldn't have been happier to see their faces!  They had already finished their races and I was so happy for them for finishing strong! We all celebrated together.

I collected the most awesome medal I have (it's made of clay!) and my honey bear and went back to the campground where DK and her family was staying and hung out for a bit.

Bleeding a little, but NBD!

It was nice to decompress and laugh before having to drive back to Dallas (about 2.5 hours).

The shower after the race had to have been the best shower I have ever taken!

It had been an amazing day.

This race was the first in a series of five that the Endurance Buzz Adventure tribe has put together.  I was hurting, but honestly, I couldn't wait to get out there again!

Up next, Part Two - Whispering Pines....

Saving Tyrion Lannister - Homecoming: Fail

As many of you know….Tyrion’s homecoming never happened.

Ryan and I traveled to Philadelphia on Sunday.  We were able to see Tyrion on Sunday evening as his Internal Medicine doctor was still at the hospital.  I couldn’t wait to see him.

Although I was hoping he would recognize us right away, I was a little sad that he kind of shied away when I tried to pet him.  We got to meet Phish Food (originally named after the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor), who is now officially Jaime Lannister,  and he was as sweet as could be.  Even though I thought Tyrion didn’t remember us, he cried for a long time when we left. 

Not an effective water drinker.  Half in his mouth, half on his face.

Monday morning we arrived at the hospital at 9am. We began getting versed in our new regimen/way of life.  Lots of medications and instructions.  It was overwhelming.

As a last precaution, Tyrion’s labs were checked that morning. 

The staff at U Penn had even arranged a grand send off for him.  Someone had got him a little crown, (because if you are a Game of Thrones fan, you know Tyrion will someday be king – we hope), they had made him a sign, they even had a photographer there.  

Dr. Cleroux - one of Tyrion's lifesavers

So much fanfare for this special little kitty. 

Wanxin - another Tyrion caregiver/fan. 

We were within 20 minutes of springing him from kitty jail when the team of vets told us to slow our roll….Tyrion wasn’t going anywhere.

Something was going on with his new kidney.  His kidney values had doubled and his white blood cells were very elevated (indicating a possible infection).  Needless to say, we were worried.

We quickly rebooked out flight, remaining hopeful that we would return with him on Wednesday.

The rest of Monday was spent trying to figure out what exactly was going wrong.  No one seemed sure if he was rejecting his kidney (because it was *really* early for that to be happening), had an infection or something else that was an unknown. 

By Tuesday morning, we still had no answers.  He had spiked a temp overnight and was looking punky in general.  Late Tuesday morning they began rejection protocol with him, which involved flooding him with cyclosporine (his anti-rejection medication), as well as treating him for a possible infection.

Ryan and I thankfully got to spend a lot of time with him on both Monday and Tuesday.  The typical ICU visit (where he was on Tuesday) is 15 minutes.  We stayed for an hour and a half.  He perked up when we got there, but was pretty sleepy in general.

Things were not looking good for a Wednesday return.

Not the look of a well kitty.  It's all in the eyes.

His had inflammation in his kidney, which has nearly doubled in size and continued to look, as Dr. Aronson likes to call it, “dumpy”. 

Even though I remained hopeful that he would turn it around, like he always does, it just didn’t happen.  We went to the hospital Wednesday to tell him goodbye for now.  We were crushed.  I cried most of the plane ride home.

The minute the plane landed and I turned my phone back on, Dr. Aronson called. The news was not great.  We asked to call her back as we were being blasted with a very loud flight attendant and I just couldn’t bear the news at that point.

Tyrion’s kidney values were still high.  Higher than they had been on Monday, yet no one was sure if that was an improvement or deterioration as there were no labs done the previous day.  He was suddenly very anemic again and needed yet another (what I think might have been his 14^th) blood transfusion – this was probably part of the reason for his dumpiness.

The plan was made to support him and see where he was in 24-48 hours.

In the meantime, we had a new kitty to bring home.  Jaime Lannister had escaped the life of having no home.  We are pretty sure he’s never had a house, a bed, or a family.  

The last few minutes of being a Pennsylvania kitty!

He seems incredibly grateful.  In the past, we have kept our new pets separate from the rest, especially the dogs and our beaver of a cat, Khleo, but being that he was so relaxed and submissive; we just threw him right into the crazy.  Ryan gave him a tour of the house.  He was a little spooked by the ceiling fan and the stairs.  We are pretty sure he’s never even been in a place with stairs! Or dogs!  I think he looks at Roscoe and thinks, "dang, that is a BIG cat".  When bedtime rolled around, Louis fell asleep in our bed and Jaime quickly cuddled up right next to him, then by me after I put Louis to be.  

He is such a sweet boy.  So relaxed.  We didn’t think we’d see Khleo for a week (she likes to hide when there are new pets on the scene), but the two of them have been cohabiting fairly peacefully so far.  I was so happy to give him the home he deserved because, after all, he saved Tyrion’s life and was the reason he was still with us, yet still upset that Tyrion couldn’t be back in his home and is instead spending what is going on his 6^th week in a cage (kitty jail). 

The bright side is he is very loved by the doctors and nurses (and even the front desk staff!) at U Penn.  Everyone knows him.  When we found out that he couldn’t go home on Monday, everyone was disappointed.  They had worked so hard, literally night and day, to keep this kitty alive.  As Dr. Aronson said, it was if he was never going to look back.  He bent the minds of everyone there and challenged them on so many levels.  It is truly a teaching hospital….Tyrion has taught them so much.

Going into today was nerve wracking…we received a call this morning from Dr. Aronson who said he looked significantly better; bright and energetic, eating again like a little pig (eating so much they had to take away his food, worried he’d gorge himself), but his lab results would tell the true story. 

What a HUGE difference a day makes!  Looking good Tyrion Lannister!

Thankfully, the news was good.  He turned it around.  AGAIN. His renal values had decreased by almost half…things were headed back in the right direction.  One theory was that he had a GI (stomach/intestinal bleed) which was causing his labs to go bizerk. We may never know.  He is being treated for infection, rejection and a GI bleed and it seems to be working so far, but we still have no idea when we can bring him home, which is all I want right now. 

I am so happy that he is eating well again.  He had gained some weight (a whopping 0.4lbs!), but is still just skin and bones.  I could feel his little spine and hip bones.  Knowing what a little belly he used to have on him, it broke my heart. 

While we were in Philadelphia we were able to see some of the sights.  We celebrated the 4^th anniversary of our first date Sunday night at Del Frisco’s (which is by far the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been in - the building itself was over 100 years old) and instead of returning home on Monday we explored the city (aka we walked A LOT) and saw the Liberty Bell (there is a *really* long line for this) and all of that fun stuff.  Philadelphia is such a beautiful city!  It wasn’t anything like I expected (although I’m not sure what that was?).  The University area put the campus where I went to college to shame.  Even though I would’ve rather been taking Tyrion home as we had planned, I was thankful we were able to see some of the city. 

So for now, Tyrion remains at U Penn for an undetermined amount of time.  We hope every day will bring improvement and continue to move towards another homecoming trip.  We can’t thank our family enough for stepping in and helping us while we were away all of those unplanned days, as well as our friends (and family too!) for their continued prayers and thoughts.   We couldn’t do this without all of the support we have been so graciously been given.  We continue to be so grateful for the care he is being given at U Penn.  They are hands down, the best.  All of them.  Secretly I think they just want to keep him, but he is such a pain in the rear with all of his issues - I know they want to see this be a success as well. Tonight we joked with Dr. Aronson that we all have Tyrionitis.  It's serious.  It's contagious.  It's difficult to treat.

Here’s to hoping I make another trip to Philadelphia soon!