Monday, April 14, 2008

Ironman: the next day

well...

I am using my blacberry from the hospital. Mistress said I went to ER. I'd lost 13 lbs on the course and another 2 at home vomiting. I hadn't stopped throwing up for six hours and the neighbor down the street heard them all. The blood test came back with my kidneys and liver non-functioing. so they admitted me.

I've had cat scans, x-rays, ultra sounds, too many blood draws. I am here overnight hoping that the IV and stuff they put in me get kidney function back or i go on dialysis.
I've had a history of kidney problems from increased core temperature since my heat stroke 15 years ago. Two seperate doctors today have expressed its an actual medical condition that does get worse. Each strain on the kidneys wear them down, sort like my concussions. The term dialysis has never come up, but its never taken my system this long to reset.

Once again I eschewed all rational thought to Charlie Mike. At mile 40 the cramping started. By 50 it felt like someone was tazzing my legs. One the third loop I meet Mistress and several friends at the base of the 11 mile hill called B-Line. I laid on the ground in intense pain unable to breath because the muscles around my lungs cramped up. Unable to bend my legs from cramps. I had to push started.

At the top of the hill at the turn, I stopped to sit and ended up laying down again. Some medics came by to treat me but I refused to get in the ambulance. They strongly advised not continuing. A race official came by telling me the course was closed. I told her I made the turn in time and I would Charlie Mike until I couldn't make the cut off. Regardless that the last two aid stations were out of water and so was I. Regardless that the next 18 miles was unsupported.

Mistress waited for me at the bottom with no chance of making the last ten miles in ten minutes. So I packed in in. I would have finished the last ten but between not able to breath fully, a police escort, my wife, absolutely zero energy in me and a race officail telling me I was the last rider off the course, the overwhelming evidence suggested finally to stop moving forward.

I was Ironman's cautionary tale yesterday. and I'm paying for it today.

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27 Comments:

At 3:22 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

good lord, mann. benny and i will be praying for you... you do NOT want to mess up your kidneys, bro.

dammit.

 
At 3:35 PM, Blogger Iron Krista, "The Dog Mom" said...

Oh comm.... I'm so sorry. Please take care of yourself and get better soon! Wishing you the best..

~K

 
At 3:36 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Oh Comm's!!!! If thoughts and good wishes could make you well, you'd be in perfect shape. Take care and let's get you healthy again as soon as possible.

 
At 3:38 PM, Blogger Trisaratops said...

Comm--sending you well-wishes and prayers for your recovery! You are in our thoughts.

 
At 3:39 PM, Blogger Jenny Davidson said...

Yes, you take good care of yourself now!

 
At 3:47 PM, Blogger Sarah said...

I'm so sorry to hear this Comm, I was following you on IMLive all day yesterday. Am so glad you are ok - take care of yourself and I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

 
At 4:30 PM, Blogger Steve Stenzel said...

Oh my gosh. I hope you get better soon. You're in my prayers! What a crazy day!

 
At 4:42 PM, Blogger Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Hang in there! You're in my thoughts!

 
At 5:12 PM, Blogger J~Mom said...

I am praying for you!! If you need anything please email me, I don't live too far.

 
At 5:16 PM, Blogger William Lobdell said...

commodore,

please have the doctors examine your head as well -- i think you may be crazy! we're here for you.

 
At 5:25 PM, Blogger Melissa said...

Oh My Gosh Comm. Get better quick. I will definetly be praying for you all. Thanks for the update. I will especially be praying for your kidneys.

Lord, I pray for complete recovery for Comm. I pray that you will touch him and heal his liver and kidneys, so that they will be full functioning again. Please be with Mistress and Mo as they wait for Comm to get better. Give them a peace that passes all understanding. Lord, you do not give us more than we can handle and I know that Comm with be able to pull through this and be a stronger person because of it. Please Lord be with this awesome family. I know that I have never met them in person, but I know just from Comm's blog and the emails of encouragment I have received that this is a special family Lord. Be with them during this trying time and be with Comm. Be with the doctors, nurses, and everyone that is helping our dear friend Comm. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Take care,
Melissa

 
At 5:28 PM, Blogger Mary Sunshine said...

All day long I've thought of nothing but someone I do not know-- man named Commodore Mann. And I've talked with God about what happened to him yesterday. And I have no answers, no understanding...but he remains at the top of my thoughts and prayer list....the flying public will have to wait. Please keep us posted and know that many you have never met care very much.

 
At 5:39 PM, Blogger the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

comms, I'm thinking healing thoughts at your kidneys. I know that sounds weird, but it'll have to do.

 
At 5:44 PM, Blogger Brent Buckner said...

Prayer said. More coming!

 
At 6:13 PM, Blogger Tracy said...

Big hugs for you buddy. What tough stuff you are...

 
At 6:40 PM, Blogger IronWaddler said...

Prayers and hugs to you. Take care.

 
At 6:40 PM, Blogger Molly said...

Take Care!

 
At 6:56 PM, Blogger jeanne said...

don't know you, know OF you, am praying for full recovery for you.

 
At 7:05 PM, Blogger LBTEPA said...

Geez Comm you are SUCH a worry! Please let people take care of you and get well soon. Adding my thoughts and prayers to the list

 
At 7:12 PM, Blogger Jumper 2.0 said...

Now, don't get too down if they set you up for dialysis. It doesn't mean that you will need to continue getting dialysis, sometimes a person needs it just once or twice.

Get better. We are praying for you and your family.

 
At 7:39 PM, Blogger Bigun said...

jeesh, I had a kindey stone once and thought I was gonna die - kidney failure, and you were CM'ing?!?! I don't mean to encourage the behavior in others, but Comms, you a tough sob. Stay tough and get fixed.

 
At 9:29 PM, Blogger Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

I am speechless, Comm. That is dangerous. You are an Ironman, and you always will be. There is nothing, no one, and no other event that can ever take that away from you. And nothing is worth risking your life like that. You have an amazing amount of will power that is almost inconceivable to me...I cannot imagine continuing under those circumstances. I'm worried about you...rest up and be nice to yourself. I'll keep sending up the prayers.

 
At 10:45 PM, Blogger Lisa said...

I'm praying for a full recovery for you. I hope dialysis is an adjustment you never have to make. Take care!

 
At 2:53 AM, Blogger SimplyStu said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to you! Take care!

 
At 5:22 AM, Blogger Melissa said...

Hey Comm, Good Morning!! I just wanted to let you know that I called my 10 year old into my room last night to kiss her good night and pray for her. She told me, "don't worry about praying for me Mom I already prayed and Mom I prayed for your friend, um, what's his name, Comonadora?" I gave her a big hug and thanked her. I asked her this morning (Tues) what she prayed for you about and she said that you would get out of the hospital soon and that when you get out that you would be doing well. She said she also prayed for your family.

Just wanted to let you know that even my kids are thinking about you.

Have a great day and please listen to what they are telling you to do, so you can get the heck out of there soon.

Take care,
Melissa

 
At 6:08 AM, Blogger Cliff said...

Commodore,

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. In the meantime, rest well. Everytime we toe the line, we do not know if we will finish or not. The most important thing is that you are ok.

 
At 8:42 AM, Blogger The (IRON) Clyde said...

Comm, get better Dude. Wishing you the best.

 

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