Brand New Course
The past few miles have been challenging for me and I wouldn’t define the road ahead as gravel free, but I’m still walking. My name is Kyrah Ayers and this is Running On Ayers. Speaking of walking, check me out on Strava still trying to get my miles in how I can. In this blog we will discuss my second surgery and it’s aftershock, provide an update on my “visitor” (formerly known as “cancer") followed by what lies on the road ahead and how I feel about it. Thank you for reading. Please make sure to subscribe to our website to stay up to date on new announcements and deals.
Surgery Recap
On the day of my second surgery, I found myself starting my day at a tire shop because of a nail that I had found in the tire. This had been a pretty common occurrence over the past year. Both of the areas that my wife and I work have become riddled with construction sites. We do our best to avoid the longstanding known potholes as well as the glimmers of a broken sense of security from the many violations of car window break-ins in the area, but somehow we haven’t managed to elude the smallest nails or screws. As I sat there at the tire shop, I began to form conspiracy theories about how the tire shop probably put magnets in the tires (no actual proof of this, but I’m vigilantly watching).
The journey towards this procedure was quite different from the last. Having the opportunity to count down the days as the surgery approached was helpful in some ways, but anxiety causing in others. In the days preceding the operation, my wife and I had done some prep work. We had spoken to our older kids and parents about what was coming, we had gotten all the required paperwork completed, worked out our family logistics, financial planning (which was on track before the random nail attack of 2024 turned into a four tire replacement price quote being set in front of me, but I digress). At the same time it set an imminent time of transition between my days of productivity and days of rest and jello-pudding. After receiving a call from the surgery department, I just found out that that the timeline for our arrival was moved up. Time to leave for the hospital NOW.
After check in I was almost immediately called to the back. My wife had to remain in the waiting room for a bit before being able to join me for the pre-surgery prep. It felt surreal to be back in that room. Going through similar questions with nurses. I probably even repeated some of the same jokes. I was a tad off my game. Family members visited and shared their words of comfort. Nurses, doctors and anesthesiologists whizzed in and out of the tight space seamlessly. I just waited for it all to be over like a child being scolded. Thank you to the entire hospital staff who helped me heal. Your work makes difference in lives and in this world.
After Surgery, I remained in the hospital for a few days before being released. The after effects of this surgery were more severe. The main issue was nausea. I reduced the quantity and variety of medications and foods until the nausea subsided. Since then, I’ve been keeping busy preparing for what’s around the corner.
The Artist Formerly Known As…
My wife, who has been by my side through it all, and I discussed it and agreed that we wouldn’t be using the term “cancer” in our daily lives. We believe in the power of words, so we decided to rename it “The Visitor” because it’s leaving. Thank you love for all the sacrifices you’ve made just to support me. Who knew loving you more was possible. Days after I was released from the hospital, I received word that trace amounts of “the visitor” were found in the removed portion of my colon and that I would be starting chemotherapy soon.
This news took me some time to process. I won’t even attempt to act like I went straight into a positive mindset. I granted myself a day of doing nothing but sulking and sharing the news with family and close friends. That day was a difficult one. The sulking trickled into some of the following days, but at the same time I began marching forward on all the preparation work that I could think to accomplish prior to this next chapter unfolding.
Chemotherapy is scheduled to begin soon and is scheduled to last several months. Prior to that I have another battery of testing, blood work, classes and a minor procedure where they’ll be installing a tube inside of me that will deliver the chemo meds to the targeted area.
Processing…
I know, it’s a lot to take in. Parts of my own brain are still processing this, but this is the journey that I’m on. I’m scared, yet optimistic. I’m nervous, but more prepared physically, mentally and spiritually than I’ve ever been. Although this is obviously the first time I’m facing this challenge, these emotions aren’t foreign to me or to many of you as well. In recent years, I’ve run quite a few long distance races. I’ve trained for many of them for months. I’ve prepared my body and mind for the task ahead, planned for success, researched and consulted gurus of the industry. I’ve prayed A LOT, committed to the plan and did everything I could possibly do to alleviate any additional stresses on myself and others.
Now, I’m at the starting line of a brand new course that I didn’t sign up to run and like many aspects of running, there are parts of it where you have to go it alone and parts where you need some additional support. I’m grateful for the family, friends, hospital staff and all others who found it in their hearts to volunteer at my life’s water stations or to hold signs of support up as I journey by. I’ll do my best to avoid the known potholes, broken glass and most importantly the nails left by construction. We’re all under construction and I look forward to seeing my own renovations as well as yours.
I’ll be dedicating time in the months ahead to writing so please be sure that you are on our mailing lists to be the first to read the upcoming developments. Please feel free to comment or message me anytime. I thank you in advance for your patience during any of my delayed response times. I don’t know how I’m going to physically feel during this process, but I will do my best to respond as soon as possible.
No races on the calendar for me right now. I’m on a different starting line. I implore you to keep running your race; keep chasing your goals and to keep enjoying your journey.
Until next time…
