Tim Simpkins: Update 2/14/01

Hello, Friends

Happy Valentine's Day! I wish you all a fast Flash 12K this Saturday! I will be there in spirit cheering for you.

Friends, I had a blood-filtering treatment today for 60 minutes. Ninety minutes is the goal if I can get there. Session had no pain. I hope that I recover from it enough to have another session in the morning. The more these sessions I can do the better I fight the cancer.

Today I feel the best I have felt since last Friday. Too many blood sessions in a row simply wipes me out. Yesterday for 3 hours stomach pain tormented me badly. Somehow pain got started before I could activate my medicines. Folks, I pay dearly when stomach pain gets started because medicines take 1-2 hours to mask the pain. The key to pain control is to take medicines every 3-4 hours regardless of how I feel. Misjudge the time periods and I suffer much agony.

I also enjoy hospital's oatmeal with fruit. My brother brings food to our room to save me energy. Mess hall hours are 8:30-10:00am, 12:30-2:00pm, and 5:30-7:00pm.

Nowadays the nurses station creates the most noise. Three to five nurses are always laughing loudly, speaking loudly on phone, and being very loud as they move down hallway. Hospital really does not understand quiet hours.

However, the staff is always friendly, smiling, helpful and really are very nice folks. Sometimes I do remind them that it is time for IV's and other treatments.

My brother had to go with a hospital driver to get my mail. My brother pointed out to driver that van was out of gas. So brother Mark supplied gas money to get back south of the border. Also, he told me that at least 100 cars were lined up at border crossing to enter USA. At least 30 hawkers moved between these cars selling rugs, ceramic vases, sunglasses, Winnie-the -Pooh figures, and glassware's.

Friends, please remember I am 3 hours behind you. Eight AM. at your workplace is 5 AM. in the morning here. When you run Tuesday intervals at 6 PM., it is 3 PM. here with sun shining brightly.

My wife Cora just sent me stack of get-well cards you mailed me at my Tally address. Very inspiring! Friends, your kindness is overwhelming!!

When I return home I must change my life for the better. Somehow life's stresses must be better managed by me. Twenty-four hours a day job of managing apartments has totally wiped me out. I must change careers! Please share with me any suggestions you may have to help me discover a new career.

Friends, I wish you fine running and great living! I am with you as you train for your upcoming races.

"Hanging-Tough Tim"

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