stepay Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Some of you know that I'm a runner. Both of my kids are also runners who have had some decent success. Daughter is in high school and my son is in the 8th grade. Here's his story... My son is 13 and runs cross country for his middle school. Prior to June 2012 (that's a year ago June just so we don't have any confusion), he would enter little races here and there on basically next to no training and he would destroy all in his age group, and often other age groups; he once finished 2nd in an all comers road race 5k. He then ran in the summer track program I direct before his 7th grade year. He was still better than the others, but he started having breathing problems where he couldn't "breathe in all the way". This was with every breath and it didn't matter if he were exercising or not. So, we see several doctors who say his symptoms are atypical but after some chest x-rays it is finally determined that he has mild asthma. His breathing is so bothersome to him in the spring of last year that he opts not to run track. He does decide to train for CC this fall and we finally get an asthma medicine that seems to give him some minor relief. In 7th grade, the highest he had finished on the team was 2nd. In 8th grade through the first 4 meets, he had finished anywhere from 4th to 2nd, but still finishing in the top 10% of any of the races he ran in (his team is pretty good). Then finally last Saturday, he busted out to a PR and beat everyone on his team soundly on a difficult course. He was stoked, and he said his breathing issue was still there but that it wasn't too bad. Skip to this past Monday...he has a lot of pain in his abdomen and throws up all afternoon. Finally he says the pain is unbearable and we take him to the ER...he has appendicitis. It is removed early Tuesday morning. The thing was HUGE. The surgeon called it "impressive". The second he wakes up from surgery, he says his breathing problems are gone. Now on Friday he hasn't had his twice-daily asthma medicine since Monday morning, and his breathing is perfect. The doctors were puzzled by his symptoms and even by a slightly enlarged gland in his neck that he had the whole time (since June 2012). The doctor said it wasn't anything to worry about. Well, that gland is no longer big enough to feel. Some research on my part tells me that a person can have an infected appendix for well over a year before they have an emergency situation and that it can cause all kinds of things including breathing problems. He can't run until next week, and then he still has a few weeks left after that with some big meets at the end of the season. He's eager to see what he can do with his new-found perfect breathing. Crazy. Hope you don't mind me sharing this story, but I'm amazed and very excited about this. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe P Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Stepay, that's great, man. Your son has already showed tremendous heart running with the disability. Without it, there is no telling what he can achieve. Good luck! Regards, Joe (fellow runner) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dama Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Sounds great! Wish him continued success. Nord electro 3 73, Casio Px-5s, Yamaha SY-85, A&H ZED FX mixer, 2 QSC K8.2s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 It's rare in life that we experience so immediate and profound of a 'cure' for anything. That's gotta feel freaking awesome. Asthma is really interesting. Teddy Roosevelt struggled with it for years and obviously overcame it to become the ultimate man's man. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Stepay, that's great, man. Your son has already showed tremendous heart running with the disability. Without it, there is no telling what he can achieve. Good luck! Regards, Joe (fellow runner) Thanks. He is chomping at the bit to get out there and go running. I just asked him at lunch time how his breathing was, and he said with a big smile on his face, "still great". Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Sounds great! Wish him continued success. Thanks! Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 It's rare in life that we experience so immediate and profound of a 'cure' for anything. That's gotta feel freaking awesome. Asthma is really interesting. Teddy Roosevelt struggled with it for years and obviously overcame it to become the ultimate man's man. My son has wondered aloud several times since June 2012 if there were something systemically wrong with him. He asked about cancer, parasites. When we first tried some asthma medicine and it didn't work, he was really down...felt like he would never be able to breathe normally again. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time. It's awesome. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Always nice to hear a success story, music or not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opdigits Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 I'm happy for you, your son, and your family!!! Nobody told me there'd be days like these... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wright Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Good news! All the best. "I cried when I wrote this song Sue me if I play too long" Walter Becker Donald Fagan 1977 Deacon Blues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-string-man Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 That's fantastic, all the best to him for next season. Occasionally, do something nice for a total stranger. They'll wonder what the hell is going on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 That's fantastic, all the best to him for next season. +1 Great news! When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Thanks everyone. I like hearing the good stories from others, so I thought I'd share this one. I still can't quite believe it. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Very happy for you both! Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Steve, that's very cool. Very few nicer feelings than knowing your child is healthy and happy. All the best to both of you. You do realize, you are going to have drive him to more events now right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicale Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Probably should take it easy for a bit. You can have complications set in after a big surgery, so let the doctor clear him before running hard again... Musicale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steadyb Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Crazy. Hope you don't mind me sharing this story, but I'm amazed and very excited about this. That's a great story. Congrats!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EscapeRocks Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 That's great news!! David Gig Rig:Depends on the day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elsongs Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Great news...good to know your son's doing better. I have mild asthma (sensitive to pet hair and dust, but never have asthma attacks). My grandfather died from appendicitis - but then that was back in the 1940s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phred Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 That is a great story. I NEVER would have known that anything other than lungs and throat/nose etc.. could impact breathing... It's mind-blowing to me how seemingly unrelated parts of the body can impact the whole self. I hope that this is the end of his breathing issues, and am looking forward to the update after his training ramps up again. I'm just saying', everyone that confuses correlation with causation eventually ends up dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nadroj Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Fantastic news, encouraging to hear a story that isn't all doom and gloom. Hammond SKX Mainstage 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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