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Wednesday, March 16, 2005 – THE FIGHT OF FLIGHT

We made it to Denver late last night but not without complication. We are thankful to have arrived safely but what a series of events, humbling events.

The day started out with my blood oxygen level hitting an all time low level, yet Bob the Ironman tried to carry on as I normally would for a trip – packing, slinging suitcases and carry-ons around the house as we hurried to get ready for our trip. As shortness of breath grabbed hold of me, I tried to deny it but finally had to give in and sit down and rest.

We were thankful for Brett Hedgepeth who volunteered to take us to the airport and for his strength in helping us get our bags to the car. When Brett dropped us off at the airport curb, rather than hale a skycap, the old Bob tried to assume his
old role of grabbing as many bags as possible and rush off to the Southwest Counter. As we entered the building, the line
was about two blocks long yet we hurried to get a place at the end of the line. By this time I was extremely short of breath and my heartrate was sky high. Jan was scared and quite frankly so was I. I must have looked like death warmed over because Jan took over and said, "We’re going back out those doors and I’m going to get a skycap to check our bags and
I’m going to get a wheelchair for you."

Somehow, I knew she was right so I cooperated. We made it out the door to the skycap area and was relieved to not only have a very nice skycap check our bags but provide a wheelchair which Jan used to push me through security to the gate.

You talk about a humbling experience – being wheeled through the very airport where you have hurried to make a flight so many times before, yet realizing you just do not have enough breath to make it to the gate. I am thankful for a faithful wife who took control and wheeled me through Orlando International as well as our connection in Chicago and our destination in Denver.

Jan and Bob in Orlando International Airport with a Disney reminder that once Bob is able to run, he’s going to run the
Disney Marathon with his doctor, Richard Feibelman next January, Lord willing.

It was also most humbling to wear a surgical mask on the airplane at the advice of my doctor. I was OK with the looks
after while, realizing it all had a purpose to keep me from getting any worse from an infectious disease in the air.

We finally made it to Denver, late Tuesday night and after finding our way to the hotel Jan and I unloaded things while fighting an even lower blood oxygen saturation level, pushed even further to the limit by the thin air.

Today, we are thankful for the opportunity to visit National Jewish Medical Center later this morning and I’ll post an
update later today.

As yesterday took me down another notch or two I was reminded last night of the following passage in 1^st Peter:

1 Peter 5:6-7 (New Living Translation) So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he
will honor you. [7] Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

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March 16 – THE FIRST DAY

The first day at the National Jewish Medical Center has been filled with one test after another. There have also been consultations in which we have been given tons of information about the diseases I have, how to cope with them, and the treatment of those diseases. In the meantime, I have been poked a number of times for blood samples, been given an extensive oxygen test while seated, walking, and recovering, had another chest X-ray, and talked to nurses, a respiratory therapist, and doctors, including Dr. Gwen Huitt.

My blood oxygen has been a central focus of much of the testing today which led to my being linked to an oxygen tube
in the room assigned to me and to a portable tank while traveling about the hospital. I even have to spend the night for overnight blood oxygen saturation testing. (We’re hoping Jan can sleep in the extra bed here for the night!)

In addition to being linked to the oxygen, because of the bacterial infection in my bronchial tubes and the number of
people with respiratory ailments in this facility, I have been placed in isolation. This means every time I leave my room
I have to wear a mask and everyone who enters my room has to wear a mask. It makes me real aware of the severity
of the disease I have, although they have assured me it is precautionary measures for other patients, rather than the
cause for any contagious concerns.

From the looks of the daily schedule of events, today’s whirlwind of activities is going to be the norm for my time here
at National Jewish Medical Center but I am thankful to be here. With every consultation about the severity of my
problems, there has been the assurance that I have come to the right place and the goal is to get me back to as normal
life as possible.

The people here are most positive and helpful.

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March 17, 2005 – "STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM"
Today began in the hospital (National Jewish Medical Center) where we spent the night so my overnight blood oxygen saturation could be checked. As was suspected, my levels drop enough at night that I will need oxygen at night for the duration of my recovery and maybe at other times through the day.

Since I was placed on oxygen yesterday to help adapt to the higher altitude and thinner air, I found a new respect for
people who carry their oxygen tanks as they go through life. Jan and I got the look as we went out to eat last night
before heading back to the hospital, where thankfully they allowed Jan to spend the night with me.

After awakened at the completion of the test, another full day of activity and information began. It started with a CT
scan of my chest, a meeting with Dr. Huitt and a team of other doctors who are here to learn from her, a strength test
with a physical therapist, a treadmill test, a hearing test (because the antibiotics can cause a hearing loss), a
consultation with an occupational therapist, respiratory therapy, an insertion of a PIC line, a pulmonary function test,
and two IV treatments.

The time with Dr. Huitt and the team of doctors was most enlightening but frightening because we were made to realize
how close to the edge I had gone. Dr. Huitt carefully described my condition, using the CT scan taken moments earlier,
to show us the advanced bronchiectasis and bacterial infection effects on my airways. It was as clear as day that left
alone, I was loosing more and airway space and I have blessed to just be alive. We were thankful that Dr. Feibelman
had both caught my condition last summer and recommend as well as helped me get into National Jewish Medical
Center.

Dr. Huitt has recommended some very aggressive antibiotics via IV which required the PIC line be inserted into my
arm and travel to my chest. She pointed out that things I can do via respiratory therapy to help my situation. Although
we felt like we hit the bottom when we heard the severity of my condition, we have seen it as the first step toward
recovery. Every nurse, therapist, doctor, and employee seem to be God-sends in their constant positive attitude
and encouragement.

We felt like Paul described in 2^nd Corinthians chapter four when he described being cast down but not destroyed,
as one translation put it.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NLT) But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in
perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is
not our own. [8] We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed,
but we don't give up and quit. [9] We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we
get up again and keep going. [10] Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so
that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

We are not destroyed, although we were cast down for a brief moment when we heard the truth of my condition in
details. But as it seemed hopeless and overpowering, we felt encouraged by the knowledge, confidence, and attitude
of Dr. Huitt and the others. God is gracious to help us quickly out of the pit.

Meanwhile, the rest of the day was the beginning of the implementation of Dr. Huitt’s plan and my adjusting to
making a long but slow comeback – one step at a time.

One of the hardest things about the plan is the need for me to be "at the hospital" for IV antibiotic treatment three
times a day – 6:00 a.m. / 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. – even on the weekends. That will mean the things that Jan and I
wanted to do and see in Colorado when we had time off will not likely take place. I hope we can do something because
Jan deserves a break. She hangs in with me through every appointment and is constantly making things better for me
and as she always does – for people around her.

"The purpose of this trip is to focus on your healing, that in turn benefits me." - Jan

You can tell who are the Floridians here in Denver. Jan is wearing three layers of clothes - even in the hospital
while the locals are running around in shirt sleeves.

My apologies for not answering emails, for some reason I am having some difficulty with the SMTP connection in
Outlook Express. We can receive email and I can send up my updates to the website, it’s just the sending emails has
been non-cooperative. Thanks for understanding and for your encouragement and prayer on our behalf. God has been
good. Although TODAY was a dip to the bottom, we have begun our climb to recovery and I’m looking forward to the
Disney Marathon and celebrating with Dr. Feibelman, Bruce Penn, Jan, and a host of other people.

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The words of Dr. Gwen Huitt as we met with her and the team of doctors this morning concerning my case were, "You are a
work in progress" meaning they are working to uncover everything that has anything to do with my ailments and the treatment
that is necessary. She said she will be presenting my case to another team of doctors and bringing in an additional pulmonary
specialist to review my case next week. It’s comforting to know that the goal is not to just get treatments started but to leave no
stone unturned to make sure that everything that could be a factor is taken under consideration. Jan and I have appreciated the
thoroughness from the beginning even though it meant another full day of flurried activity. (Speaking of flurries – it just happens
to be snowing in the form of flurries outside our window as I write this update.)

As we considered the words of Dr. Huitt this morning, it’s only fitting that she said that I was a "work in progress" because we
know that God considers us all a work in progress and His work in us will continue.

Philippians 1:6 (The Message) There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great
work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

His work of bringing healing continued today in the form of treatments, meetings, and tests. It began with our 6:00 a.m. IV
antibiotic treatment and included two barium swallow tests, a CT scan of my sinuses, a meeting with a steroid specialist
(he’s a Gator fan!) to discuss the long term use of steroids to treat my illnesses – the good it brings and the negative side effects,
a meeting with the physical trainer outlining a beginning training regimen while under treatment here in Denver, and meetings with
the team of doctors – and of course the additional daily IV treatments at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. WHEW!
(Those of you who know us, know that Jan and I are early to bed people so this staying up to go to the hospital for
an IV treatment, arrive home late, and get up early-thirty to make it back to the hotel for a 6:00 a.m. IV treatment
can understand this is a real challenge for the two
of us.)

Dr. Huitt pointed out when Jan and I expressed how "worn out" we felt, that people often come here with the thought of it being
a vacation, thinking they will spend a little time at this facility and sight see and take advantage of being in the Denver area.
However, as she said, it’s more like BOOT CAMP because of the plethora of checkups, tests, consultations, explanations, and
treatments. We are learning this is no vacation so we are thankful the work in progress is focused, as we are, on my leaving here
better than when I came here, which we believe is and will be happening more and more each day.

Thank you for praying and for all of your encouragement. Hopefully, I will get the sending email problem worked out so we can
answer emails and send out the PowerBreak on Monday – if not we’ll catch up on things when we return 3/30.

Psalm 121:1-8 (New Living Translation) I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? [2] My help comes
from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! [3] He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will
not sleep. [4] Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.[5] The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord
stands beside you as your protective shade. [6] The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. [7] The Lord keeps you
from all evil and preserves your life. [8] The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

It was a different challenge for Jan and me. First, I was carrying my oxygen tank over my shoulder, and had to keep cranking up
the volume as I grew shorter of breath. Secondly, Jan who is scared to death of slipping on the ice was leading me – normally I
would take the lead and make sure she didn’t fall, however, this time she was assuming the lead up the pass, doing her best to
make sure I didn’t slip. We made it about a third of the way and I was worn out as was she, although she being the
Total Sculpt leader didn’t let on. When we paused to set up one of our "self portraits," where I hold the camera with one hand
as my arm is extended, Jan’s camera battery ran out and the camera wouldn’t work. So we carefully headed back to the car,
recovered, and went back into Boulder.

As we regrouped and planned our next Boulder activity in the Starbuck’s Café inside the Super Target, where we purchased
a new camera battery – we noticed a bike shop having a giant tent sale in the shopping area next to Target. Even though it would
mean a bit of embarrassment on my part, (I felt as though I needed to explain the oxygen along with my slow pace while wearing
the only jacket I brought which is an Ironman Finishers jacket) we decided it would do some good and be a ray of hope –
WHICH IT WAS. Even though for a while this past week I wondered if I would ever make it back to the running & racing
community, God opened this little activity for us to feel the urge to push the limit again. AND IT FELT GOOD. I don’t know
how soon and I know it’s a long road to come back from the very sick state that I am in but I know I want to come back and
plan to be back – SOMEHOW.

God knew we needed some inspiration and He blessed us with a great morning of enjoying Boulder and we plan to return to see
more of His creation in Boulder and other areas as our "brief" moments away from the hospital and IV treatments and or tests arise.

It was also wonderful to be OUTSIDE for awhile today! We had become sun-light deficient because we’re at the hospital early
(it’s dark) and get home late when it’s dark.

This afternoon while taking the IV antibiotic infusion, we were blessed with another surprise. Dr. Carol-Lynn Petronaci, who is
one of the infectious disease specialists and a follower of Jesus Christ, popped in to see how we were doing. She wanted to pick
up the PowerBreak monthly devotional book that Jan promised her. The 3 of us decided to attend a local church together in the
morning and get a bite to eat afterwards. It was another great encouraging moment.

Looking back over the week, we felt like we hit the bottom, further than we had ever been before but we have begun the ascent
to recovery. Along the way God has provided encouragement on every hand … from the many emails we receive on a daily basis
(I still can’t figure out this SMTP thing that keeps rejecting and not allowing me to respond), to the many people associated with
the National Jewish Center that are so positive and supportive, to the fantastic views of God’s magnificent creation, to the little
things that God has allowed us to enjoy like today’s quick trip to Boulder. God is good!

I wish all of you could see the little book that Marguerite McNeill assembled and presented to me on my birthday. Marguerite
(CDC Director) interviewed each child from the Child Development Center and asked them to pray for Pastor Bob and she
wrote down their words. Michelle Lyons & Mary Anne Hutcheson (CDC Moms who are professional photographers) took
the photos which were set next to the words of each child. How precious! Or as one person who saw the book said, "You can’t
look at that without a box of tissues." Jan and I look at that book everyday. When we need some encouragement we think of
those children as well as hundred of other children and adults, many we don’t know, who are praying for us and we are as
enthralled as we were this morning as we looked up at the magnificent mountains of Boulder.

We are thankful that amidst the regular IV Treatments we were blessed with a good day of activities and encouragement. We
started the day after the morning IV treatments meeting Dr. Carol-Lynn Petranosi at a local church worship service. We stopped
for breakfast after the worship service and spent some time getting to know Dr. Petranosi. What an interesting person who is not
only passionate about her work but compassionate when it comes to dealing with patients. It was really interesting to hear of her
medical mission work and her desire to return. Jan and I found the time very relaxing and encouraging to hear of the faith of
another person who is trusting God as she works on my case.

After our afternoon IV treatment we spent a few relaxing moments before we went out for a bite to eat. At the restaurant we ran
into a fellow triathlete who was quite interested to find out why a person wearing an Ironman finishers jacket was walking about
with an oxygen tank. As we shared our stories, we instantly had a unique connection. Jan and I have found it most fascinating on
this trip how God has placed distinctive people in our path.

Looking back on the day, as we prepare to head to the hospital for another treatment, we both agreed, "It’s been a good day."

By the way, the overnight nurse that "let us out early" was Adella who
happens to be Hawaiian. How cool is that? "SHAKA!"

Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words. We look forward to reading our emails daily.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to our emailing "on the road" problems, the Weekly PowerBreak which is
sent to subscribers via email on Mondays is not being sent 3/21 or 3/28. It is available on the PowerBreak website: www.powerbreak.org - where you can subscribe. We hop to get back to emailing the weekly articles on April 4th. Thank you for understanding.

Today was a very full day of activities and I do mean full day from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.. We began with our early morning
infusions of antibiotics at 6:00 a.m. followed by a series of three blood test throughout the day determining the way prednisone
is metabolized by my body and how much I should really be taking. Later we met with a nutritionist; I had another treadmill
workout, a bone density test, a meeting with a pulmonary specialist, a skin "prick" test for various allergens, and a meeting with
an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

The "Bubbly Bulgarian Boss" – Veronika, who has the job of making sure I make all my many appointments,
get all my treatments, watch all the informative videos about my conditions and procedures, and makes sure I read all
the many handouts. – Whew! She has a tough job.

In the midst of running here and there through the National Jewish Medical Center, we met with Dr. Gwen Huitt and other doctors
to discuss how things were going in the diagnosis and treatment of all the things I seem to have ailing me. We learn more in these
daily briefings than we can hardly absorb but it is so good to sit down with the doctors and nurses and hear about things from
their perspective and be able to ask questions.. In the midst of the conversation today after describing the way my body is not
absorbing oxygen like is should, particularly when I strain it – viz. training and racing, Dr. Huitt asked me, "What if you can’t run
again? What if you can’t train or race again?" Thankfully, she was quick to point out that she has a tendency to point the way to
the most negative news so we aren’t taken by surprise and that her pointing to that does not necessarily mean that’s where we are
but we should be ready for the worse case scenario. "What if…"

As I pondered that question, I thought of how this very scenario had gone through my mind on the way to the NJMC this
morning and how it would require a stretch way out of my comfort zone to live a life without running, cycling, swimming –
training and racing. As I thought of it I thought of the constant tension that someone like me faces from well meaning people.
It seems we are bombarded by people who on one hand tell us to just have faith and plan on a comeback – to not give in to
the negative by even thinking anything less than a return. On the other hand, there are those who seem to want to throw water
on the fire of faith, who remind me to be a realist, that things will never be the same and I should make other plans. It’s a real
tension because the voices are strong on both sides and very insistent on that one voice being the only way to look at things.

So what if… What if I can’t run because the oxygen saturation debt that it leaves me is too dangerous for my heart, brain,
and other organs to endure? What if I can’t race again – even the Disney Marathon, which I was counting on doing as a sign
of my return? What if… (The list goes on because the lifestyle of training and fitness to which I have subscribed for most of
my life is a part of me – of who I am.) So to consider what if is Bob Brubaker considering what life would be like without a
major part of who I am. (I realize only people who participate in athletics could understand what I just said but it's part of who
God made me to be and a very important part of my life.) Whoa! This is heavy stuff.

Does this mean that I have given into the devil and am allowing the disease to have control and I am less of a Christian? I
don’t think so as I am comforted by the words of Paul who asked God three times to take away his thorn in the flesh,
which we don't know what it was exactly - we just know it was something strong enough in Paul's life that he asked God to
take it away, three different times.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV) To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there
was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away
from me. [9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ's sake, I
delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What if… The more I think of it, the harder it looks to abide by the counsel of my doctor who is saying at this point: until
we make some significant progress on fighting the vast amounts of infection and inflammation in my body, until my body
shows signs of absorbing oxygen at a higher level – training and racing will be out of the question.

I am trying to think and plan for adapting to life without my rigorous training schedule, while I also ask God to intervene to
bring the wisdom to the doctors and results I need to get a handle on the diseases plaguing my body so I can return to a life
of training and racing again which means I am also planning on a slow but steady comeback, as God allows.

Therein lies the tension. I am asking, along with literally thousands of you that I will be healed physically. (Which we so
much appreciate your prayers on our behalf. Please don't stop.) As I pray, I know God is healing me spiritually and emotionally
as He prepares me for whatever lies ahead and part of that is the faith to count on Him providing all the grace I’ll need to stretch
out of my comfort zone to either make a comeback or live a new kind of lifestyle.

Jan and I are made more aware on a daily basis of the length of this journey. The length of this journey to recovery has seemed
to grow more everyday, although it's more like the awareness the problems as they uncover more about the diseases that have
a hold on me, than things getting worse. We are thankful to be here and under great care of Dr. Huitt, Dr. Petronaci, and really
good doctors, nurses, therapists, etc. We are also thankful for the encouragement, prayer, concern, and help in which so many
have reached out to us in this hour of great need. Most of all we are thankful to the Great Physician who has all this under His
control and will provide what is needed at the right time.

In the midst of pondering the "what if" question, I met with another pulmonary doctor, Mike Fessler, who is to perform my
bronchoscopy on Wednesday. Dr. Fessler is a cyclist and expressed great empathy for my situation. He also described the
severity of my problems and the possibilities of other testing including a surgical biopsy of the lung. It was great to exchange
cycling stories and just feel like someone really connected with my desire to train and race again. Dr. Fessler expressed great
hope for finding and treating my condition which was wonderful to hear.

So we went through both ends of the spectrum today. It made us realize more than ever that we are not in control but God
is and whatever the outcome, He will provide the grace needed to stretch to adapt. Either way, He is the Sovereign Lord and
caring Father.

On another note, Dr. Petronaci, stopped in to show us pictures from one of her trips to Africa on a medical missions trip and it
was great to see the pictures and see the passion and compassion in her eyes as she related the great joy she experienced in
serving God through her medical services. Just another great way God has set people in our path at the right time for
encouragement, strength, and help.