Monday, August 18, 2008

Couch Time

I've been doing some serious couch time this summer. I spent the whole Tour de France on the couch and at this point most of the Olympics. I am on the couch as I write. It is a good couch. We bought it a couple of years ago at Ikea. It is leather, long enough that I can lie down and comfortable for sitting up. It is starting to feel like an old friend. We've spent some good and some bad times together and it is always there to hold me up. The good news about getting to know the couch so well is that I am able to get out of bed and make it to the couch on a daily basis.
Maybe, if everything goes well, in six or eight months, I will be renewing an old relationship with my road bike and the couch's cushions will be recovering from bearing my weight for so long.

I continue to feel better. Nausea and pain are still my biggest challenges and both are under control enough that I am able to eat and move around the house pretty well. At my lowest weight in the hospital I was down to 141 lbs. I weighed in on Friday at 155, so I am doing my work. It would be nice to put on another 10 before I go in for the transplant on Sept 1. So I'll keep eating Ben and Jerry as I sit on my couch.
My energy is fading so it is time for me to sign off. See you soon. Thanks for reading

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spence,
As far as B&J I love "The Monkey" and "The Brownie". If you tell K and I your fave we will make sure you don't run out of your chosen flavor.
Also, if you can stomach eggs and cheese I have a great potluck dish that I can make for you. Basically it is a baked quiche, but cut into bite sized pieces. Usually I put in jalepenos and spicy cheese to punch it up but I've made it plain and it is still yummy. Tons of calories, in a bite size. What more could you ask for?
Let me know and I'll make it for you.
Judy (K's Judy)

Marc and Laurence said...

Spencer and Sarah - although its always long periods of time between seeing each other i still feel close to you and Sarah because of all our great river time - Also you were a huge help at our wedding which i am not sure you remember -(12 years ago) I have been intensely following your situation – In many ways its strange how obsessed I am with what happening to you – Maybe because it could happen to any of us and I am living through you and trying to understand how would I deal in a similar situation – I follow lococare and your blog daily –
I cant even begin to tell you how much I have learned from you and Sarah – You have taught us all so much about what is important in life and what is not – I thank you for all your strength and your sharing of your feelings – I know you are going to enjoy life for a long time after this is all done – Thanks for showing us the light!
Love Marc Goddard -

Anonymous said...

Leather couch, B&J and the olympics! Sounds like the perfect recovery plan to me. We love you and miss you. Keep up the lbs.
Pantani e famiglia.

bikesgonewild said...

...awesome, spencer...your writing makes you "sound" better & stronger...although we've only met once, like a lot of your long time friends, i've been following this perilous journey of yours on a daily basis...

...i know you still have a long way to go, but my god, man, instead of just hoping for you all the time, i'm feeling good for you right now...sounds like you have more energy to back up your always good attitude...

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

...that being said & at the risk of alienating you, family or friends, in what are still early days, i'm going to suggest you spend some "free time" (hey, i know...existing is still kind of a full time job for you right now) doing a little on-line research into nutrition...everything in moderation but when your body can handle it, you wanna build back up w/ the proper building blocks...

...i'll say no more about it & i accept any & all criticism for the suggestion because it's based solely on concern...

...WIN, SPENCE & every day, just win some more...

Heather Brooks Freer said...

Yo, Spence!
Looking forward to seeing you! We're with you every day...
love,
H

Anonymous said...

Spence, go for Chubby Hubby ! B&J

It works!

Love ya and miss ya, R.

Judi said...

So glad the weight is coming back on Spencer. Keep fighting, rest and recovery is so important!