Day Plus Sixteen

Have you ever run a marathon before?

A "marathon" is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres equivalent to 26 miles and 385 yards or 138,435 feet, that is usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. The historical accuracy of this legend is in doubt, contradicted by accounts given by Herodotus, in particular.

Jody has run a "marathon' and she has several marathons more to go. She has pushed her IV cart up and down the hall 92 times, which is equivalent to two miles. In the beginning Jody started off just doing a mile for the first week or so and was not feeling challenged so she increased it to two-miles. Jody has been in the hospital three-weeks today. So adding it up seven miles give or take the first week, fourteen miles give or take for the last two weeks, and you can see she has easily done a "marathon".

Jody's ANC has dropped to "0" and her platelet count have gone up to the dreaded 50 level. This means two things; she can not go lower on her ANC (she has hit bottom) and the fear of uncontrollable bleeding is now less with the rise in platlets. Jody is now starting her second marathon today. She has to start raising her ANC so she can come home. Lets cheer her on...

Paula Jane Radcliffe, MBE (born 17 December 1973) is an English long-distance runner and currently holds several world records.

Radcliffe's distinctive "nodding" action while running has made her instantly recognisable to viewers worldwide. She is not known for her sprint finish, and instead relies on setting a punishing pace from the start in order to pull away from her opponents and open an unassailable gap.

Jody's distinctive style can be seen in her interaction with the nurses, staff and the doctors who care for her. Jody's smile, ability to become your "best" friend, desire to learn your name, caring, loving, laughing with you and at herself. Everyone of you, can name a dozen more. This is her style, and she sets a punishing pace to get things done in everything she does. This is what makes us love her and believe in her.

Today is a good day... Jody loves to hear from you... so write, email, text, call, visit (if you are well), and skype. It all helps the day go faster.

Jody's hair, as I mentioned has begun to fall out. She continues to hang on to the "maybe", but I can confirm it does not look promising. I have my clippers clean and ready to go on a minutes notice.

Jody asked me to cutoff her hair today. I will post pictures tomorrow. She was tired of her hair falling out all over the pillows and getting in her mouth. Now we look like two bald people... We are old bald people! OMG!

Marathon runners love to read signs along the race course to help break the monotony. If you're planning on watching a marathon, make some signs - the runners will love you for it. Here are some ideas;

•"On this day, you're my hero."

•"Pain is temporary, pride is forever."

•"You've done harder things than this."

•"You made it to the START, you will make it to the FINISH."

•"Pain is just weakness leaving your body."

•"Remember the reasons you are running."

•"It's not 26.2 miles…it's 10 water stops."

•"Last is just the slowest winner."

•"If it was easy, everyone would do it."

•The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race."

•"This 26.2 is for all the girls picked last in gym class."

"The marathon’s about being in contention over the last 10K. That’s when it’s about what you have in your core. You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what’s left inside you. To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon "

– Rob de Castella