"OUCH!"

That's sounds like it could hurt!

After playing phone tag for a few days I finally connected with a doctor from the head and neck clininc who works with Dr Yoo(the surgeon). Her name is Dr Mercedes Ceron and her interest in me is my hyposalivation situation. Dr Yoo recommended me as a candidate for his experimental procedure which is intended to restore salivary function. He mentioned this idea to me at least a year ago but I was surprised to actually hear anything more about it. The plan as I understand it so far, is that they take some of my blood, spin it somehow to remove the platelets(I think) and then to inject these platelets into my saliva glands. That's where the "ouch" comes in because as I understand it from her over the phone, it would mean up to 10 sessions of multiple needles inside my mouth!! I meet with her next monday and then will know more.

There is for me another, perhaps bigger question surrounding the possibility of regaining some of my saliva gland function and that is "do I really want it back?" Yes I would love to be able to sleep without a water bottle at my side, and yes I would love to go out running without the painful dryness that sneaks up on me, and yes I would like to be able to whistle again. But do i\I want to renew my love affair with potato chips, and bread and french fries? It's kind of complicated, especially because I don't really know how much of my changed eating pattern is related to the saliva as opposed to the taste buds.

Another big question for me is when. I don't know how much blood they want to take and/or how debilitating the needles will be but if either of these is a problem to my training it will simply have to wait until september. or not happen at all. Then again this idea of taking out your blood and then putting it back in at a later date could be appealing It has proven to be a sussessful formula for some unethical sports figures on an ongoing basis...even though I think you need the whole blood not just parts of it, and I think you're supposed to put it back in your veins, not in your saliva glands... Cory?

Then of course on the pro side, I do want to particpate in experimenatal studies which will potentially contribute to future successes in this field, even if this one isn't the cure they are hoping for. I feel like I owe something back.

It's gonna be a tough call. Roo and I will make it together. Maybe she can even get half the needles...lol!

On the training front, I'm spending my evenings in Mexico puttting together a comprehensive daily schedule for every one of the remaining 81 days. EIGHTY ONE days! Man that is so scary!!! I hope that my triathlon weekend coming up in Guelph helps from the confidence perspective. I think I mentioned that I am doing 2 races on back to back days and it should feel relatively easy. For interest sake they are 750 swim, 19k bike, and 5k run on the first day, and then 1500 swim, 42k bike and 10k run on the second. If anyones bored silly that weekend I'd love to see you. Here's the schedule. http://www.trisportcanada.com/guelph1.php

I wish to dedicate day 265 to Dr Hammond....the nice South African gentlemen that killed all my saliva glands....with my permission.

“All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last."--- Marcel Proust

"Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide."---Napoleon Bonaparte

"Some problems are so complex that you have to be highly intelligent and well informed just to be undecided about them."--- Laurence J. Peter

love
peter