A research day...

... is usually full of surprises. Today was an official "research day" for my staff, which means I can go on the academic adventure of my choosing. So, I decided to cross-scrub a partial nephrectomy (tumor removal from a kidney) and then concentrate my afternoon on prostate and kidney cancer research. While some projects have been more than frustrating and difficult, others continue to bear fruit. Today, I was awarded an opportunity to speak about my research on a novel approach to prostate cancer surgery at the Society of Urologic Oncology in Washington DC (at the National Cancer Institute) this December. I'm excited, but nervous. It will be quite a test to see if my research holds up against the biggest names in the field. But, I get a practice run in Arizona next month; I'm speaking about my research on bladder neck preservation during prostate cancer surgery and, a third project, on anesthesia technique affect on prostate cancer recurrence and survival.

More importantly, my family continues to grow up. I can't believe how quickly this all happens - I know Mom and Dad, "you told me so". Noah is already a toddler (but he is my baby) and Evan is just an absolute joy of a little man. I guess I'm especially sensitive to the fact that life is short, as one my favorite songs it quick to point out...

No, I'm not colorblind
I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind
But I just can't sleep on this tonight

Don't know how else to say it
I don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From finding life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving, and
Honestly won't someone stop this train

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said, "Help me understand"
He said, "Turn 68, you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train,
Don't for a minute change the place you're in,
And don't think I ever couldn't understand
I tried my hand, son, honestly we'll never stop this train."

Once in awhile, when it's good
It will feel like it should
And everyone is still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing until you cry when you're driving away in the dark
Singing, "Stop this train"

I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can
Cause now I see that I will never stop this train

That pretty much sums up my feelings about turning 30 in a couple months. Weird...

Marathon training: 3.5 mi today, 12.5 mi week, 25.5 mi total (almost a marathon!!!)

Kenya: 141 days (start praying)