First Spring Run

Today it was a warm day of 39 degrees, and I decided that it was time for my first run of the year.... with Indy.  (Not that I've run without him, but Indy and I haven't run together since last fall.)

The process started with dusting off my running shoes, literally.  Have I mentioned that it is shedding season? Indy picked up that something excited was about to happen before I even touched my shoes.  I think it was my running shorts that was the clue for him to start whining.

It took Indy to get back into the swing of running with me (i.e. walking quickly for Indy.)  With Keith they sprint across the park really fast, or if they're going for a run, Keith runs much faster than me. (Hello sub 2 hour half marathon!)

The weather was near perfect.  And it almost even felt like Spring!

 

After our 1.5 miles, I didn't quite live up to my standard sprint to the finish end (Indy's favorite part) since I slowed down before the finishing corner.  However, I am very proud of myself for even doing this in the first place.   I am also proud of Indy for sitting patiently at each street corner before we would cross the street.  

Let's just say that I think we both deserved naptime today!  

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

(As posted on Facebook)

4 years ago, I went to the doctor for unexplained chronic fatigue symptoms.  After dozens of negative tests and confirmation of hypersomnia through sleep latency tests we have yet to know the cause of my fatigue.  The best diagnosis that fits me is "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."  I have been officially disabled for the last two years.  I am thankful to have had doctors, family, friends and even insurance representatives who have never questioned that my symptoms are real.  I am grateful to my graduate adviser who let me work reduced hours mostly from home to complete my PhD rather than taking a medical leave of absence.  

What is living with CFS like?  I wake up every morning feeling like I just completed a very long day at work and am so mentally exhausted that I cannot think.  I get easily overwhelmed by simple tasks and decision making.  I have always been somewhat scatterbrained, but now it is much worse.  My fear of melting down/collapsing in public keeps me from attending certain events.  Slowly, I am getting better at compensating for my deficiencies (thanks again to the help and understanding of friends and family.)  After 4 years, I still feel like if I just have a good week of rest I will feel better, but that rested feeling has yet to come.  

I say this today because many people who look at me cannot tell I am sick.  They still see the bubbly energetic girl I used to be.  She is still inside of me, but I am just not able to let her out to play as often as I would like.  It pains me that some people judge me as too lazy to get a job or content to live off of my husband.  It pains me that I have had let go of certain dreams.  However, despite the limitations of my disease, I am happy.  I have new goals and dreams that work within the framework of my fatigue.  These last 4 years have been some of the best of my whole life, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  

Family day at the beach

When Mom (Bev) was visiting us, we went for a walk and discovered the amazing ice piles created by Lake Michigan.  I couldn't wait to take Keith back there to show him how awesome it is!

While the beach was closed (no lifeguard on duty), there was NOT a sign that said no dogs... so we were able to bring Indy with us!  

Indy was having a blast climbing on these snowy mountains that are actually on top of the lake.  At some point, he must have been sick of the wind or was getting cold, because he suddenly started resisting the romp.  (It also could have been my nervousness while climbing down that caused him to dig in his heels.)  

On the way to and from the beach, we found some really fun snow forts left behind by some of the local kids.  Indy LOVED jumping around these big snow boulders.  

What else do we call Indy?

We may have named the dog Indiana, but we frequently call him by other names (you may be able to see the progression of some of these names):

• Boo-ga-loo
• Boo-ga
• Boo Boo
• Boo Boo Kin
• Pumpkin
• PK
• Pumpkin Head
• Bucket-Head 
• Bucket
• Indy Ponts
• Indy von Ponts Ponts
• Indy von Ponts von Ponts
• Ponts
• Ponts von Ponts
• PVP
• PVPVP
• PVPVPVP
• Undu
• Undu von
• Muffin
• Muffin top
• Indrius
• Ass Hole (affectionately) 
• IndyANNA (when we're mad)

We are going to have trouble naming our next dog since all the good names are now taken!  Indy's full legal name (on his papers) is Indiana Lancelittle Brown.