Tim Simpkins: Update 1/27/01

Hello, Friends!

You folks are the greatest people in the world! The incredible support you are still giving me blows my mind. Thank you so very much. I managed to sleep decently last night despite many pains. I stay optimistic. Dying young is not on the GWTC Grand Prix racing circuit. So I am fighting like mad to live long enough to challenge Tim Unger, Greg Waddell, and Paul Hoover for those valuable grand prix points. They think I am a wimp because I ran like a chump last fall. I must show these gracious gentlemen and many other runners that they are mistaken.

Every day I am still very, very, very tired. I manage to fight fatigue off until mid afternoon. Then it often virtually shuts me down the rest of the day. My stomach pains and chest pains and side pains continue almost nonstop. The actual discomfort ranges from very mild to moderate to quite intense pain. I never know what new pain will greet me each day. It's tough going. I fight hourly to stay tougher than the whole situation. I cancelled yesterday's chemotherapy. The side effects from 1 week ago chemo seem to be killing me faster than the cancer itself. 

I may or may not continue chemo next week. I may seek alternative treatments outside Florida. That decision most likely will be made today. With current chemo I have only 2-4 months to live. I must develop a new strategy. (Greg Waddell cannot be allowed to continue gloating over stomping me every time we race.) 

I wish like mad that I could see my friends at my home. However, my overwhelming fatigue often prevents me from being alert and articulate. As much as possible, I welcome phone calls and emails. Please forgive me for not yet responding to your emails. I intend to answer them, especially the ones from Tim Unger and Mike Labossiere bragging about how they just destroyed me at the Wilderness Run 5 Miler. 

I wish everyone continued success in their training and racing. Stay motivated to run regardless of this cold weather. Exercise most definitely adds much quality to our lives. It is true that exercise does not necessarily guarantee years to our lives. Despite my terminal cancer I fully believe running has given me forty six years of quality living. I fervently pray that the quantity of my life will continue. 

My doctors say my excellent health is what keeps me alive and going despite my lung/liver cancer. Yes, I'm bitterly disappointed that my running failed to prevent my cancer. But, I still believe in all the wonderful benefits of running. My friends, please keep running and run a few steps for me. I hope to join you later this year. Enjoy your day!

"Fitness Crusader!" Tim

Send your best to Tim at:
1701 West Pensacola, Apt. 132
Tallahassee, FL. 32304
atck18@nettally.com