The Mercury News, which covers Silicon Valley in California, ran a story recently that gave me goosebumps. It profiles Tom Kaisersatt, who recently completed the Silicon Valley Marathon, although he is in the midst of preliminary treatments for mesothelioma. He completed a fourth round of chemotherapy after the race.

According to the story, Kaisersatt, 68, is a regular marathoner who also coaches first-timers to the sport. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June, and is now talking with doctors about the possibility of undergoing an extra-pleural pneumonectomy, removing his right lung.

The News reports Kaisersatt received special permission from race director J.T. Service to run the marathon in stages, completing parts of the distance over five weeks prior to the event, and the final five miles of the race on the day of the marathon. The course was lined with well-wishers wearing bright yellow shirts emblazoned with the words “Team Tom” and bright balloons, who cheered Mr. Kaisersatt to the finish line.

The prospect of losing a lung has to be difficult for a man who loves to run, but Kaisersatt proved he is keeping a positive outlook, quoted by the News as saying, “A lot of people get along with just one lung, although that will probably increase my marathon time next year.”

What an amazing spirt, and an amazing man. Blessings to you as you face this challenge, and we’ll see you at the finish line next year!

Tags: California, mesothelioma, Silicon Valley Marathon, Tom Kaisersatt

This entry was posted on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 9:49 am and is filed under News, People. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.