Health Updates

• Mike Marciniak (Cloquet, MN)
• Jul 29 update:
  Mike Marciniak's (long time Cloquet and Central Division coach) cancer has spread. He is currently in the Cloquet Hospital being treated for pneumonia. With the help of a hospice nurse, he hopes to be able to go home in the next day or so. Mike's mailing address is 1505 Washington Ave., Cloquet, MN, 55720.  [ Mike Marciniak's profile on MSHSCA ]
  - Brent Smith
  
  
• Odd Osland (Apple Valley, MN)
• Jun 20th update:
  My recovery has been/is painfully slow. Actually not that painful, just slow.
  After going idle for 7 weeks after the accident waiting for the neuro surgeon to fit me into his schedule, I finally had cervical surgery (surgery on some of the neck vertebra) in the middle of May. Repair which included one vertebra the front and 3 from the back. Last week I started back to work part time and next week I'm going to try full time. There have been a couple of set-backs, but I have now started PT and am looking for steady and full recovery.
  - Odd Osland
  Previous updates on Odd
  
  
• Roy Carlsted (St. Paul, MN)
• Jun 21st update:
  Dad is doing so well. He is up to biking 75 miles in a day. He is back to swimming at the Y and did a 5K race walk last weekend. No fear of getting back to activity I guess. Wish someone had done a study on how determination and Skinny Ski fan support bring quick recovery even to the unique, freak, aged.
  - Kim Carlsted-Gillis
  Previous updates on Roy
  
  
• Bob Faulkner (Westchester, IL)
• Jun 20th update:
  Bob Faulkner, a well-known Ski Patroller, died on Sunday (Jun 17th) as a result of colon cancer. Bob was one of the nicest guys to ever slap on a pair of cross-country skis. Many of you might know him as the patroller at the top of the hills at the NIN and Joliet races, making sure we all got down safely. Others might know him as one of the patrollers warning you to be careful on the big downhill about 10K into the Birkie. Bob was one of the true good guys in our sport, one of the guys who was in it from the early boom days of the 70s. He will be missed.  [ Legacy obituary ]
  - Bob Richards
  
  
• Nikolai Anikin Sr (Duluth, MN)
  
• July 11th update:
  
  A week or so ago Nikolai was accepted into the experimental group for colon cancer patients with the understanding that new chemo drugs may give him a year of life with side effects not great enough to justify not doing the study.  We were scheduled to start chemo last Friday but the blood test showed that his kidneys were not clearing out waist product well enough.  So the plan was go home eat and drink and hopefully on Monday we will start chemo.  Well, he ate and drank. Came back 1.5 lbs heavier and hydrated feeling much better but the blood test was worse.  Now the doctors are saying don't do chemo it destroys kidneys and you'll die of kidney failure before you die of cancer.
  This is a real disappointment because Nikolai is feeling much better and the doctors have no explanation as to why the kidneys are worse.  There is no cancer on them and the CT scan is no help either.
  We are going to have a get together at Snowflake Nordic on Sunday July 22 from 1-3pm.  All are welcome to come, bring food if you wish. Directions can be found at skiduluth.com.
  As always if anybody wants to do some potato farming or wood chopping you are welcome. Contact me at 218 724 5606, 218 728 5818 or [email protected]. Yesterday Nikolai Sr. was feeling so good he took the chainsaw from my hands and cut some logs himself. Potatoes are doing good too.
  - Nikolai Anikin Jr
• June 24th update:
  
  We (Antonina and I, Jr) were devastated by the diagnoses of terminal colon cancer for my dad.  After several discussions with many friends of the family, many of whom are doctors, we decided to get a second opinion.  Dr. Steve Kuross an oncologist recommended chemotherapy.  Dr. Kuross thinks that we have nothing to lose because the cancer is so advanced that any negative side effects of the chemo will be overshadowed by the negative side effects of advanced cancer. My dad has lost significant weight but he is cardiovascularly strong which is a plus. The doctor thinks at worst the chemo will have no effect and at best he might get a year or two of life.
  Now for a note on Russian culture:  My father understands the severity of the situation.  We are getting our stuff in order and I am trying to get him out to do fun stuff and what does he want to do? Potato farming.  I am determined to make this a fun summer for my dad, and he is making it very difficult for me.
  - Nikolai Anikin Jr
  
• June 15th update:
  Former Russian national ski team coach and Olympic gold medalist Nikolai Anikin Sr. has been diagnosed with colon cancer. A colonoscopy revealed that stomach pains and pressure were caused by colon cancer blocking the intestinal path. Surgery two days later showed the cancer was advanced. The doctor came out of surgery and said there was not much he could do. He estimated three months of life.
  This summer is going to be all about my dad. We will do whatever he wants. Antonina, Nikolai Sr. and I (Jr.) plan to spend a lot of time at our dacha 15 miles outside of Duluth. That is where he wants to be. We welcome visitors to hang out, sit around a campfire or whatever. If you would like to visit please call 218-724-5606 or email [email protected]. Send condolences to:
  Nikolai Anikin
  1619 E. 5th St.
  Duluth, MN 55812
  Cancer tends to take away appetite and my father has lost significant weight. It has been difficult to get him to eat. So bring something tasty. He and I share our sense of taste and we like sweets.
  - Nikolai Anikin Jr