Thankful Things Thursday always seems to come around when we need it most, doesn’t it?
I have spent the past two days cooped up in my apartment with little contact with the outside world.
OK, that’s a lie. I Tweeted a lot. Twitter is the same as real human contact. And I had to entertain myself somehow.
So yes, I am still battling this little Crohn’s flare-up. It hasn’t been super fun. It hasn’t even been a little bit fun.
See, I can handle the stomach stuff. I’m used to it, and even though it’s way worse during a flare, it’s still completely manageable and I try not to let it bring me down. Is it frustrating and unpredictable and a pain in the gut (see what I did there)? Yes. But I can handle it with minimal complaining. This time though, I have this dang fever that won’t let up. I’ve had a fever since Friday and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve taken my temperature and it’s clocked in under 100 degrees.
Last night I hit an all-time fever high: 103.4 degrees. Now I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty sure this all isn’t normal. Naturally I diagnosed myself with pneumonia, side of Crohn’s, with a slight touch of Anthrax and possible Rabies. Cause unknown.
I debated going to the doctor last night, but figured they’d say, “Make sure you hydrate, a fever is normal when you are having a flare-up.” Instead, I continued to sweat through everything I own and today I will get Remicade and be magically cured.
Now let’s get thankful, shall we?!
I’m thankful for my fame. Oh, you didn’t know about how I became famous this weekend? Let me show you:
Perhaps at first glance you look at this screen shot and see runner Kim Smith, leading the women’s pack at the New York City Half Marathon on Sunday (she ended up taking second to badass Firehiwot Dado). Kim Smith freaks me out, let’s just get that out of the way. Her running style is all choppy and weird and I feel uncomfortable watching her, kind of in the same way I feel uncomfortable about Stonehenge. It’s just unnatural.
Anyway. You see Kim Smith, but I see a pair of hot pink legwarmers, a green skirt and an orange cowbell. THAT IS ME. On television. ABC, in fact. Wicked famous. You can also see Susan. She’s famous now, too.
I’m thankful I have actually been resting. By 5 PM yesterday, I was getting really restless. I hadn’t moved, I was alternating between chills and the sweats, and I craved human contact. I did a lot of work from home yesterday, but other than being glued to my laptop, I wasn’t what you could call “impressive” or “productive” or “pretty.” My fever had gone down by late afternoon and I declared I was going to take a spin class. Deep down, I knew this was not wise. And then, as if my body could sense my inner crazy coming out, the chills kicked back in, I was back to being horizontal, and I did not, in fact, end up spinning. More total rest. It does a body good. Or so I’ve been told.
I’m thankful I’m getting Remicade today. Seriously, thank goodness this is finally happening. Technically they’re not supposed to drug me up if I have a fever, so my plan is to pop a bunch of Tylenol before I go in so the fever goes down and I’m good to go. Dang, I should have gone into the medical profession. I have this stuff all figured out. I’m really hoping I can get through this flare-up without having to go on Steroids, and Remicade sometimes does the trick. Stay tuned, my friends. I know you’ll probably be on the edge of your seats waiting to hear about how it goes, so check back tomorrow for a very exciting update about my IV status.
I’m thankful for the Robyn song “Indestructible.” It’s my new jam.
I predict I will be sick of this song within four days. I have a tendency to overplay things I really really like.
I’m thankful I got a seat on the subway this morning, both on the 4 train and then when I transferred to the 6. Yeah, I take the 6. I’m basically JLo. Remember, she had that album…On the 6? It was about living in the Bronx. No? OK. So anyway, I usually hate taking the subway when I’m sick. I get all panicky about being underground and what if my stomach kicks into high gear and there’s nowhere to, uh, go? Well today the subway was shockingly empty and I got to sit down. Anxiety = gone.
I’m thankful for the Cottonelle toilet paper with the cute puppy on it. I love when it goes on sale at Duane Reade.
I’m thankful for Dri-Fit clothing. Yes, I am wearing a completely inappropriate outfit at the office today, but it’s truly the best I could do. I did some fancy layering — a Lululemon racer-back tank and a long-sleeved Nike shirt over it — but by the time I walked from the subway to the office, that sad Nike shirt was soaked through. So now I’m sitting here in just a skanky little top. Please, job, don’t fire me. I promise I can still produce exceptional-quality work even in semi-naked attire.
I’m thankful I’m no longer a pack rat. I used to save everything. For a while, I saved every single magazine I ever owned. And I would move from home to my college dorm and back again, and then into apartments and things, and those magazines were heavy. Eventually I realized I had to let the magazines go. Now, as I prepare to move again, I’m learning to let go of other things I used to be so attached to…like my billions of middle and high school journals.
Oh yes, I was a journal writer. Big time. I thought I’d want to save these things forever, but looking back at them, wow, I was dramatic. Shocking, I know, because I am not at all dramatic now! I guess people really can change!
So yeah, I skimmed the journals, came to the realization that I had some serious body image issues in high school, and now those journals can burn. Actually, I put them in the recycle bin outside my apartment. Someone might be reading them right now and thinking, “Man, this Alison chick is so sad. I hope she lived to be OK.”
I did, concerned person on the street reading my middle school tales of love. Don’t you worry about me.
I also got rid of this:
RELUCTANTLY.
I’m thankful that, despite the fact that I’ve sweat more in the past week than ever in my life, Brian has not broken up with me. I guess it’s a good thing we signed that lease. Now he’s locked in. Mwahaha. Really though, last night was pretty rough. I had to do a full-on pajama wardrobe change around 1 AM because, yet again, I had soaked through everything I was wearing. Chills, fever, sweats, repeat. Neither of us have slept much this week, and yet he keeps coming back. Brian hearts sweat.
I’m thankful for springtime and wonderful weather.
I hope to be all better soon so I can enjoy these fantastic temperatures and glorious flowers! Remember when I used to wake up in the morning and run? Weird. I miss those times.
I’m thankful for all the times I said I was thankful for my health. Naturally right now I’m not super psyched about my oh-so-weak-and-deteriorating immune system. But lately, when I have been healthy, I’ve been appreciative. That makes times like these not so bad. I know I just have to get through a few days of slight misery and then I’ll be totally fine again. I can live with that. I’m sick. I’m not dying. (Oh jeez, I hope I’m not dying!) These things happen, and they come and go, and in a few days or weeks or whatever, this will all be a distant little memory.
So until then, I’ll keep sweating up a storm and fevering and Crohnsing and not running.
AND NOW DO YOU PART: Tell me what you’re thankful for today! Are you thankful you don’t have a fever? Are you thankful that the drugstore near you actually has Cadbury Mini Eggs in stock? (What’s that like? Stupid Duane Reades on every block being sold out…) Are you perhaps thankful you have no weekend plans and can actually relax?
70 Responses
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any way you’ll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
Ha – love love love the old journal entry 🙂
I didn’t know I was on TV! FAMOUS.
Awww, you should have kept the journals so your kids (if you will have some) can laugh at you. *haha*
Hope you will feel better soon and that dang flare up will go away, like far away.
I’m thankful for, hm, everything? I have a good husband who’s kind an understanding. I have a job, which is good to me too. Nice family, good friends…
I am not thankful for the head cold I had which prevented me from running. A running nose is just not cool in the gym (living in Canada, running outside is no option just yet).
Feel better soon, Ali! I feel your pain 🙁 I had a fever of 103 / the flu 2 weekends ago, which turned into bronchitis. Despite being 1/2 way through antibiotics I’m STILL hacking up a lung (the boyfriend is decidedly grossed out).
Maybe the silver lining is that you have time to really soak in and enjoy all of your latest successes. (Congrats on the magazine articles (plural!) and impending move!)
Please feel better soon, keeping you in my thoughts!
Here is the original song 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tY5R-k3iFg
Smiles 🙂
Hej Ali
I’m thankful that I grew up to this Robyn song that she sang on Swedish television in the program Little sportsmirror. She sings “You can always be number one”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqtsemR2iJU
Love from Sweden
http://www.alltelleringer.se
http://www.easyadventures.se
Oh wow girlie. I hope you feel better!! I can’t imagine. I love that you brought up your favorite toliet paper…I have stomach problems too and you just gotta have the best (cute dog or baby is always helpful!) 🙂 I also had about 3 years of Seventeen and several lisa frank notebooks I had to toss a year ago when I moved…sad day.
I am thankful that I saw your article in Fitness magazine and reached out to a friend from second grade, who I was convinced might not even remember me. You are inspiring and hilarious and I very much enjoy the word “Chronsing” and may use use it occasionally from now on.
You totally made my day.
The flowers are all blooming here too. It is so pretty makes you wish spring that feels like summer would never end.
Ali, I think you’re great – you have the best attitude and are such an inspiration for all of us who suffer from horrible stomach issues! Today, I’m thankful my apartment is actually clean AND I’m hopefully going on Remicade soon, too. Very thankful I have the insurance and live in a spot where it is is avaiable to me. I have to say, I was a bit nervous about starting it, but seeing you and how you deal with it makes me not nervous at all – thank you and feel better soon!
Let me know how the Remicade works for you! It’s been amazing for me, and I hope that’s the case for you as well. Don’t be nervous!
I am thankful you posted your 6th grade journal on the internet. Fantastic stuff right there!
I am absolutely thankful that the only responsibility I have this weekend is to write a five page paper. No long run (woo hoo! done with training!), no papers to grade (a rarity). Just sleeping late, eating brunch, and watching The Hunger Games and Mad Men. It sounds like heaven and I cannot wait!
Feel better, lady!
I am also thankful that you are getting Remicade and are keeping your chin up. Remicade literally saved my life (I’ve been on it now for exactly 10 years). I went off it and switched to Humira 3 years ago and went straight into a flare and finally went back on it after losing 20 pounds. Honestly, running was one of the ways I gauged how i was doing and when I was in BIG trouble! Ooops. Take care of yourself, pretty lady. We’ll get you out on Central Park loops soon. I’ll bring you a pair of clean sheets and new towels if you need it.
Hang in there.
It’s so crazy how Remicade works. The very first time I got it, I swear I felt better within the HOUR. Total miracle drug. So glad it’s worked for you too!!
Hope your feeling better Ali! (although, who doesn’t love a reason to wear a skanky little top to work?) I am thankful that mini eggs are plentiful ’round these parts (Seacoast NH). And I’m thankful to have gotten out of work early so I can run. (but waaaaahhhh! It’s so hot, & I’m waiting until the time I normally would have gotten out anyway).
umm wait – did you get rid of the Miley notebook yet? I mean, Miley AND Hannah Montana – it’s the best of both worlds! [please tell me you get that reference]
thankful for the networking I’ve been able to do at this conference.
Feel better!
I am thankful for the warm weather and compression shorts. They’re the jam! No sore legs!
Feel better Ali!!!
When my parents house burned down all of my journals went with and I still get sad thinking about the face that I no longer have them 🙁 I can’t believe you threw yours away!! Also LOVE Robyn..she’s a great running companion!!
I love the journal, that made me giggle…oh the good ole days…
I actually ate some Cadbury mini eggs for my after lunch sweet treat, and thought of you lovingly. 🙂
Hope you get to feeling better soon girl!
I’m thankful that today I ran 1.2 out of the 4 total miles I logged. Even more than that I’m thankful that for .5 of those miles I ran in the 10:00/mile pace. (Clearly I’m a beginning runner!)
I don’t eat cadburry mini eggs but I’ve seen them at my grocery store. If you want me to buy you some and send them I will – just send me a mailing address.
Oh man im so sorry you’re feeling crappily again. What a terrible few weeks. I hope the Remicade helps quick! Isn’t it weird how Robyn disappeared for like a decade and now she’s back? Where did she go?
I’m thankful that it’s beautiful outside, even though I’m stuck inside at my desk for a while.
Feel better Ali! For the life of me I could not wake up early to go to the park to run, but I hope to do so tomorrow, maybe run the reservoir track. It would be great to see you there. Although, I do not guarantee that I will be able to wake up early and get out there to run.
As for Cadbury Mini Eggs — Rite Aid has them on sale (the big bag — I think it was $5). They had them in stock at the Rite-Aid on 8th Ave in the 50’s. Also, I have luck finding them at Walgreens.
Out of total curiousity — how you know the difference between being sick with the stomach flu, like you were recently, and having a crohns flare up?
Crohn’s is a very different kind of stomach pain. It’s severe, sudden cramping. Also, what happens in the bathroom is very different. With the flu — here comes the potential over-share and gory detailing — it’s just regular diarrhea. Not pretty, but not too scary. With a Crohn’s flare-up, it’s not so much diarrhea as it is just blood. Gross, I know, but that’s the dead giveaway that it’s a flare-up!
So the answer is … you can very easily tell the difference! I actually thought twice after I published the comment and wondered if the question was too personal and the answer would lead to gory details, but then I realized you were Ali, and it would be okay. Thanks for the info! Happy Friday! Feel better!
Hi Ali –
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but have never commented – I just wanted to say I have crohns as well (had it since I was 11 and I’m now 27!)…have done both steriods and remicade – honestly I hope that you can stay away from steriods, they are the worse and caused me to gain 40+ lbs in my freshman year of college. Remicade was a miracle drug for me and I’ve been in remission since I tried it in 2001!!! Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon 🙂
Feel better! I’ve found that sometimes just getting out of my apartment and getting some fresh air can make a huge difference when I’m sick.
I’m thankful for this great weather in NYC, The Hunger Games, coffee, a productive workweek and my upcoming trip to Las Vega!
I still have all my dramatic childhood journals too and haven’t been able to throw them away yet! I also have a bin full of notes from middle school under my bed full of gel pen ink and folded into weird football/triangle shapes. Someday I’ll be as strong as you and be able to let go…
I’m thankful for the cherry blossoms in DC!
Feel better!!
Wow, you’re journals are really funny! I love reading back over my old journals and realizing what a wierd child I was…i thought i was so cool! Hope you are getting better! 🙂
I’m thankful that you get Remicade today. AND I’m thankful that I get Remicade on Saturday. I’m going through a flare up at the moment, also, and hope to get back to running soon. Hope you feel better!
I’m thankful for a half day today and a day off tomorrow. I’m thankful for my neti pot but not for this sinus infection. I’m thankful for hunger games with the hubster tonight. I’m thankful that tomorrow is my birthday and that I have a bazillion awesome things planned (with a side of sinus infection).
i am thankful that it is almost friday – this week has felt way too long! i didn’t write this on your post the other day but i am also thankful you covered the topic of burnout. i am not a really serious runner (if you saw my mileage per week you might laugh) but i think when it’s not fun anymore it’s time to mix other things in with it so that it doesn’t seem like it’s such a chore. but man, i hope you feel better soon. this seems like it has lasted way too long!
I am so thankful that I am feeling so good post Rome marathon on Sunday that I could go out for a long bike ride today and enjoy the 80 degree weather. and that now i am going to eat ice cream.
you are so good for being so positive like this! i really admire your Thankful Thursday posts each week.
I hope you feel better soon!
Dude, I can’t believe how long this fever has lasted! I hope you’re eating lots of ice cream…
I am thankful for the unseasonably warm weather (YAY 75 degrees), my upcoming trip to SF, and the banana bread in my purse. I am going to eat it for a snack soon.
FEEL BETTER. Also, I hear you 110% on burnout. I think it’s so necessary to take a training break every once in awhile. I can’t wait to chill out after Boston!
Ali don’t throw out your journals! Trust me when I say some day you’ll regret it. I’m a big time purger and have gotten rid of so many things that I now regret.
Pack them up and send them off to mom and dad to store. You’re young and you don’t think they will ever be valuable to you but I promise they will – your future kids will love them.
Hey Ali! I hope you get to feeling better. I am thankful for my husband, and for my health! Even though I have a bum calf and can’t run right now- I am still training for a triathlon and killing the biking and swimming!
Feel Better- you’re awesome!
I’m thankful that my Dad is flying in today for a visit. That plus I’m taking tomorrow off to spend it with him. Looong weekend!
Ooh, rest up Ali! We need to spin our little hearts out on Sunday!
One GIANT thing I am ridiculously thankful for today: sleeping alone in my bed last night. It’s the first time in WEEKS that I’ve slept alone in my bed. The boy wasn’t over, I wasn’t over at the boy’s, I wasn’t sleeping on a red-eye, 15-hour flight, and I wasn’t sleeping on an air mattress on the floor of my grandparents’ house in Asia. These are all things that happened continually in the last few weeks.
Bam. SLEEPING IS AWESOME. There.
I am thankful I am getting a hair cut today so I can see. My bangs have gotten out of control. I am also thankful for headphones so I can work with music blaring in my ears.
I am thankful for my new crack: DRAW SOMETHING. (ShaunaBeth – any like-minded Ali comment lurkers!)
I am also thankful for Dailey Method, Deke for giving me a giggle this morning and my brilliant students!
I have two journals from high school– You just reminded me that they need to go. ASAP.
Today I’m thankful for Spring Break and my husband who is taking me to see Diana: A Celebration even though it cost an arm and a leg and he has no interest in it 😉
I think you get funnier the worse you feel, sorry for you, great for me. hilarious post today, and I never comment. I can’t believe you didn’t even rip the journals up a little bit before tossing. Man some person is going to strike gold with puppies today…ahh you know what you need? a too cute marathon.
I can’t BELIEVE you threw out your journals! I can’t part with mine… yet . I also had body issues at an alarming young age (sad) and was boy crazy (awesome.) Feel better soon!
Swim in ice cream! Do it!
Also. I have Michael Flatley DVDs should you ever want to borrow them.
Seriously.
I was a journaler (journalist?) too (I think it goes with the whole blogging thing, right?). I threw them all out in college in a sort of emotional purge, but I wish I had kept them now. It felt good at the time to get ready but I feel like it’s a piece of me that I can never get back and quite frankly I don’t remember all the stuff that has happened to me.
Today I’m thankful for my bootcamp class. My legs haven’t felt this dead since my last half marathon and my hip hasn’t felt this good since before I started running.
That miley notebook is great! I recently turned the chorus of “Party in the USA” into a version celebrating GI tests….And now I’ve kinda ruined it…If you’re (un)lucky, maybe one day I’ll sing it to ya!
SO much to be thankful for this week! I am thankful that I crossed the finish line on Sunday with a smile on my face and feeling great (and passing people! woot!) and not on that scary end of the race pick up car. I’m thankful that my parents and sisters were here for it all. I’m thankful for the cute congratulations letters my sister’s kindergarten students made me (with pictures of me and BIG red hair). I’m thankful for 16 handles dinners/appetizers.
Awww. The title made me think you had new “I HEART SWEAT” sweat wicking stuff for sale. 🙁 Bummer. 🙂
I’m thankful for the run I had this morning with my dog. I really, really hope you feel better soon and the remicade works like a charm. Get better!!!!!!
I’m thankful for overnight oats with granola toppings – so good to have something cold – it’s hot and muggy over my end (maybe 30C)!
this post had me laughing the whole time. I am thankful for Ali on the Run! I just wish you were a little more dramatic sometimes.
I am thankful that I have blogs and websites that keep me motivated to do the things I love like run even when the training gets really tough. And we all know training is the worse part! Hope you feel better soon.
Kim Smith = Skelatora. I also feel uncomfortable watching her, even more than Paula Radcliffe! When she dropped out at Boston I was sad, but I was also like, “eat a hamburger!!”
OMG your journal. That is amazing. I wish I still had mine! +1 to Kim Smith slightly scaring me, but at the same time I am just in awe of her bad-ass-ness. She is so tough.
Hope you feel better after Remicade today and kick that fever, friend! I’m sure Central Park and the bridle path miss you a whole lot. (I do too!)
Oh man, I hope you feel better. And can I have your autograph since you are famous? 😉 I am thankful for wearing my I <3 sweat tshirt this morning on my run and feeling like it was TOO HOT! In March. LOVE THIS WEATHER!
What happened to Deke?? Hahah
I am DYING at that photo of your journal. I wish you had saved them – they would have been a good supplement to our regular nighttime reading. I could have brought mine too (which, for the record, I still haven’t thrown away, despite it’s dramatic sadness).
Please don’t end our friendship on account of my awful grammar.
Spotted: Cadbury Mini Eggs at CVS on 32nd and 5th. Yesterday. Lots of bags by the pharmacy counter.
Ok, I totally went to that CVS today based on this tip but only looked at the Easter display in the front! Argh, I will go to the pharmacy counter next time. I guess they hide them in the back so only the true Cadbury Mini Egg scouters get them.
I gave up candy for Lent, but my friend is holding a stash of Cadbury caramel eggs for me to eat as dinner for Easter!
I am thankful that I move to NYC this weekend! You’re blog has gotten me so excited for Central Park running! Naturally, I don’t even know where my apartment is actually located, but I have my first run mapped out and ready to go. And are the yoga classes at crunch worthwhile? I need to find a yoga studio and I’d love to have a gym too.
The trains really were empty this morning. Why is that?? Please rest up and get better! I’m thankful for: my birthday, The Hunger Games movie, warm weather, Refine, manchego cheese and good haircuts.
Ugh, I’m on the lookout for Cadbury Mini-eggs too… or the crunchy Robins Eggs, mmm. I’m definitely thankful for the strangely warm weather! Hope you’re feeling up to par soon.
I love how with a fever of 103, u still manage to stay positive! I hope the remicade kicks crohns add and you feel better really soon!