Tim Simpkins: Update 1/28/01

Hello, Friends

Just your crazy, costume-running friend with another boring update! Hope everyone had or will have a fine training run today. I joined you in spirit.

I leave Tuesday morning at 6:00 am for Mexico for treatment. I should return in twenty days. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. Hopefully, the cancer will be positively dealt with. Superman is optimistic.

Chemo just was not going to help me, I believe. It was only tearing me down more. Mexico at least gives me a glimmer of hope.

I slept last night despite many aches and pains. My right shoulder is so sore from lung tumor that if I lay on the right side, my right arm will go numb and right shoulder develops intense pain. Kidney pain on left side lets me lay on left side only with a pillow support and only for 60-75 minutes before I am forced awake. So I sleep only on left side. Every night, really, I sleep only 60-75 minutes before being forced awake. I visit restroom and somehow body pains slightly lessen during the 2-3 minutes I am up. Back to bed I go for 60 minutes before process repeats itself and up I get again. So every night I get up 6-8 times. I stay optimistic. My thirty years running- developed self discipline is really what gets me thru the nights.

Again, I thank everyone for their support as I run the toughest race of my life. You folks are the best friends in the whole world despite some of you despising me because I don't drink beer with Felton, Jeff, and Tommy, because I wear stupid costumes, and because I eat bowls of dog food! Seriously, I would have stopped running fifteen- twenty years ago if Tally did not have the wonderful running club it has.

In Mexico, I will have my laptop. I believe I can receive and send email. I welcome hearing from you. I intend to respond as treatment permits. Cora and Rachel remain in Tally and you can contact them for updates also. I still intend to respond to emails and cards and flowers and books you super runners have graciously given me.

I wish everyone fantastic running and racing. In three weeks I hope to see you again. I am doing my best to stay optimistic. Everyone leaves this world eventually. It may or may not be time for me to depart earlier than I was hoping. Whatever happens I must accept it. I expect everyone else to be strong and accept whatever happens also.

Thanks again for 25 years of fantastic friendships and many, many incredible racing experiences. Happy Running and Happy PR's and Happy Living!!!

"Superman" Tim Simpkins

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