Saturday Patrick drove up this way and we went for a nice 40-45 mile ride into Snohomish and on the Centennial Trail. It was a great ride, great conversation, and some simple climbing at the very end. It was nice to climb just a little since we were both fighting off head congestion.
However, the powerful part of the ride was the individual for whom I was riding. Matthew Coles passed away in December of 2010. He fought brain cancer and was alive to experience the birth of his third son. A fellow parishioner was great friends of Matt and told me that Matt was the biggest influence in his life. Chris was raised Catholic, but it wasn't until he met Matt that he truly embraced his faith in a new light and transformed his life. Chris said of Matt, "He's the most devoted Catholic I've personally known and a true friend." Below is a prayer that Matt wrote about 2 years ago:
"Vivre d'Amour" (To live in love)
To live your life, oh Christ - here, now, and with my whole being.
To give every one of my days to You, and with each of my actions to live in Your presence.
To put others before myself - and to give myself for them.
To focus on taking care of myself only insofar as it is an act of love towards you, Lord and towards others - especially Lucy and our family.
To love without measure and without fear.
To be misunderstood by this world, and to love you all the more!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Spring Riding, Winter Gloves
Despite the much cooler than normal spring that we've been having the weather is starting to turn a bit clearer than recent days. Great news for riding. However, our mornings are still hovering around 38-40 degrees and we are lucky to just cross over 50 during the day. Now for the most part that isn't bad. 38-40 degrees I'm ok with bibs, leg warmers, arm warmers, base layer, jersey, and windfront vest. It's my hands...
A few weeks back I went on a ride with some of my riding buddies, and had on my full finger Pearl Izumi Cyclone gloves which are known to be "heavy/warm" gloves. It was true for that day when we were riding since it was about 45. However, by 3/4 of the way through the ride I realized that I could have gone heavier. Similarly, on the mornings I need to be wearing the pair of gloves that Sarah told me to get after I showed her my finger one night at dinner (about 45-60 minutes after getting home). I almost wonder if I need to wait until 70 degrees to even think of fingerless gloves.
Now I've never said that I was a medical professional but here is what I think is going on. On my 2nd chemo they accessed a vein in my hand. At one point it felt really weird so they came over. Adjusting the saline/poison ratio that I was getting my reaction was delayed. I thought that it was feeling better at one point and the nurse was surprised since she had completely blocked the saline. Then it came. BURN. Wow did that hurt. Ever since I've noticed a dark smudge under my skin on my pinky. Now I dont know if they are related and I'm not speaking medically but I think it is an internal burn. One of the benefits of getting a port is that the chemo goes into a vein with a higher volume of blood so it dilutes faster rather than beating up veins. Patients that continually use their arms/hands sometimes find it more difficult to access the vein because the chemo makes the veins collapse. This is what I think, to an extent, happened to my middle finger. One those cold days at my top knuckle there is a very specific line of coloring to white. The tip of my finger gets VERY little blood supply and the only way to warm it up is to massage and push the blood back up, combined with heat.
Oh well, I live with that now, but at least I can just put on the winter gloves and get riding.
LIVESTRONG
A few weeks back I went on a ride with some of my riding buddies, and had on my full finger Pearl Izumi Cyclone gloves which are known to be "heavy/warm" gloves. It was true for that day when we were riding since it was about 45. However, by 3/4 of the way through the ride I realized that I could have gone heavier. Similarly, on the mornings I need to be wearing the pair of gloves that Sarah told me to get after I showed her my finger one night at dinner (about 45-60 minutes after getting home). I almost wonder if I need to wait until 70 degrees to even think of fingerless gloves.
Now I've never said that I was a medical professional but here is what I think is going on. On my 2nd chemo they accessed a vein in my hand. At one point it felt really weird so they came over. Adjusting the saline/poison ratio that I was getting my reaction was delayed. I thought that it was feeling better at one point and the nurse was surprised since she had completely blocked the saline. Then it came. BURN. Wow did that hurt. Ever since I've noticed a dark smudge under my skin on my pinky. Now I dont know if they are related and I'm not speaking medically but I think it is an internal burn. One of the benefits of getting a port is that the chemo goes into a vein with a higher volume of blood so it dilutes faster rather than beating up veins. Patients that continually use their arms/hands sometimes find it more difficult to access the vein because the chemo makes the veins collapse. This is what I think, to an extent, happened to my middle finger. One those cold days at my top knuckle there is a very specific line of coloring to white. The tip of my finger gets VERY little blood supply and the only way to warm it up is to massage and push the blood back up, combined with heat.
Oh well, I live with that now, but at least I can just put on the winter gloves and get riding.
LIVESTRONG
Monday, April 11, 2011
Fundraising update and request
(text from email sent to family and friends on 04.10.2011)
Hello to all!
Hello to all!
Happy rainy evening in the Greater Puget Sound region, and even a stormy evening to my friends in the Midwest who I hear are getting hammered with some tornado watches right now. I wanted to send an update on how things are going in our world of fundraising, awareness, and my riding.
First and foremost, thank you so much to the many individuals that responded to my first email and provided donations to get to our goal. We are so appreciative of those donations and I wanted to include you on this email to say thank you, provide you with an updated, and also, you never know when someone may want to forgo that morning coffee and give an added $5 to a great cause - you can always give more too!!
Things are going well here. We topped $1,000 in January, however, for the most part February and March were extremely flat. That is okay, though, because people were focusing on paying their taxes, getting ready for some spring projects, and saving up for spring break trips. However, I also hope that in the meantime it has added some pennies to a few pockets and that you would be willing to help us out.
Why should you help us? You know, that is a great question. I'm sure that many of you wonder how we will even get remotely close to any of our goals just by targeting family and friends. Let me be honest and say that you are definitely a big part of this endeavor and even if it is just $5 we will take any bit that you can offer up. I wish that we could tell you about the various fundraising that we have done, but much of it has been in the planning stages. Some things are too big and will have to wait for next year (like the Wine Night at Januik Winery), other things are too early to tell if they can happen this year (like a spinning relay with Anytime Fitness), and others are forthcoming in the upcoming months. For example, we will be hosting a trivia night with various swag from local breweries and potentially some specials on beers at the Wedgewood Alehouse 1 or 2 weekends this spring/summer. We have donations jars waiting for a home at local restaurants, businesses, or whoever wants to offer to help fill them. Sarah and I have been stretching our arms out and finding those who would be looking to downsize or get rid of things, and this summer will be hosting a Livestrong garage sale (hoping the neighborhood may even jump on the bandwagon). So trust us, we are doing a lot of the behind the scenes work right now which will be bearing fruit in the future.
Throughout the winter I was also fortunate enough to be able to commute quite a bit. This has helped keep my legs in tolerable shape, and now we are back to building up miles. Myself and some guys I ride with went 45 miles last weekend over the top of Lake Washington, took on the Kirkland hills, the wind of the I-90 bridge and back into Seattle. It was a great ride and I really felt like my legs could keep going. Great signs for the improving weather since, now that Gabbie is the center of our lives, most of my 60+ mile rides will be on days off during the week. The greatest part of our ride the other weekend were the hills. Last year I was always lagging in the back. However, this year I'm not. I've focused a lot on my climbing and I'm definitely getting better. This will really help with the first ride of the season in June (Flying Wheels Summer Century) which has a fair bit of climbing in the Redmond/Carnation/Duvall region. I'm also planning between the end of May and middle of June to take a weekend and bike up to Anacortes one day, meet Sarah and Gabs, and ride back the next. Between the rolling hills, possibly some added riding on Fidalgo Island, and the 2 days of miles it will be great prep for the Seattle to Portland ride.
It is not difficult to keep the focus on this challenge and the reason why we are doing this. A man I knew during my diagnosis has had his cancer spread into his lungs and the family is beginning palliative care. The mother of a family at church was recently diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer. Another friend had a spot removed which thankfully was benign. Another friend was missing her mom who she lost too many years ago. And then there is the little girl from church who comes in every weekend with her backpack holding the tubes supplying her dosage. This ugly disease needs your help.
My experience in the grand scheme of things has been good. In the next month or 2 I will be scheduling my 1 year check up. They skipped my 9 month scan to give my body a break from the radiation of the CT scan - no sense in encouraging a secondary cancer. I want to put off my 1 year scan as long as I can, but I'm also very excited for it. Our oncologist has said that the greatest probability of recurrence is in the first year. However, that also doesn't do much for anxiety - especially when your wife likes the temperatures warmer and the spring weather leads to warm - almost sweaty nights. Or when a lingering sinus infection makes you wonder. Still I trust the Lord that He will take care of our family and that there is nothing to worry about for years to come other than the scars on my body and decreased circulation in my pinky and middle finger of my left hand (damn chemo burns).
So to that end, what can you do to help us? Were you thinking of going to lunch this week? Could you put that off for next week and make a donation? Is there someone you know who's name you could make the donation in their honor - or if we've lost them, in their memory? I know that everyone can help out, but I also know that everyone has to do what is best for you. I'm just asking you to think about it. We would really appreciate if you'd help us get that 1 step closer to never having to talk about this again.
Please generously consider supporting us in our efforts to end cancer and provide the support needed for all of the cancer community who has to hear the words "you have cancer"
You can make a donation online at http://austin2011.livestrong.
Thank you for your generosity and remember that I will ride 1 mile for every $5 donated. You just let me know who I should ride for.
LIVESTRONG!
Andrew J Steinbrecher
Andrew J Steinbrecher
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Bernsteins
There have been so many incredible people that we have met through our time at Blessed Sacrament - hence the reason to drive the added miles to church every weekend. One of these families are the Bernsteins. They are a family with 2 little girls, a little boy, and another on the way. As odd as it sounds they are partially to thank for the miracle that Gabriella is in our lives. Michael and Monica teach the NFP class and Blessed Sacrament and it was through that course that my eyes and heart were completely opened to NFP. Sarah planted the idea in my head which I had never thought of as a "normal opportunity" in the past and it has been one of the best realities in our life. So without going into all of the detail (this is a cycling blog and all) the understanding of Natural Family Planning is to understand your body and get to know it in terms of when you are fertile and when you are not. This knowledge helps you to achieve pregnancy or avoid depending on what God is calling you to do. Men... well we are always fertile, but it is very interesting to get to know your wife on a very different intimate level. Well, because of those courses and their shared knowledge, when we were diagnosed we had a much greater likelihood of conceiving a child because of NFP. For this and many other reasons, the Bernsteins have a special place in our hearts.
One weekend after mass Michael shared with us 2 very contrasting things. They were pregnant and could use our prayers during the earlier times, and also that Michael's mother was rediagnosed with breast cancer. They were blessed to find out that the cancer was at stage 0 but still, surgery was recommended. Last we heard, Mrs. Bernstein was doing well, but still never a thing someone wants to go through.
The family also made a very generous donation to our fundraising efforts and so this last weekend when we were out for our ride, I wanted to ride for their family. We did a ride over the north end of Lake Washington, up Juanita hill, through Kirkland and Bellevue and over the windy I-90 bridge before re-entering hilly Seattle. It was a victorious 45 miles and I was very happy with the added energy I had after pounding through those hills. Great to be improving as a climber!
LIVESTRONG
One weekend after mass Michael shared with us 2 very contrasting things. They were pregnant and could use our prayers during the earlier times, and also that Michael's mother was rediagnosed with breast cancer. They were blessed to find out that the cancer was at stage 0 but still, surgery was recommended. Last we heard, Mrs. Bernstein was doing well, but still never a thing someone wants to go through.
The family also made a very generous donation to our fundraising efforts and so this last weekend when we were out for our ride, I wanted to ride for their family. We did a ride over the north end of Lake Washington, up Juanita hill, through Kirkland and Bellevue and over the windy I-90 bridge before re-entering hilly Seattle. It was a victorious 45 miles and I was very happy with the added energy I had after pounding through those hills. Great to be improving as a climber!
LIVESTRONG
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Flushed Out
So for the most part I kept it to myself other than Sarah and those that I had to tell when they were curious as to what was going on, but I must say that though at first glance it may seem that I gave into peer pressure, I didn't. Bryan, who I work with, was the first one to use Blessed Herbs and after sharing his experience with various guys in the office a handful of others did it as well. I talked to Bryan about it a month or so ago and after discussing with Sarah decided to order some Blessed Herbs and do it myself.
Blessed Herbs has both a full Internal Cleanse as well as what is called the Colon Cleanse, but it does more and is more than just your normal colon cleanse (dont worry, there aren't any pictures). Basically, Blessed Herbs operates from the foundation that our bodies are our most important possession. We do A LOT to make sure that we look good and at least from the outside, appear healthy to others. However, we really don't do much to take care of our insides, rather we just assume that nature is doing it's job. Well unfortunately, as you hear over and over and over again on various news shows from research, the foods that we typically eat do not align with the organic, natural, raw, fruits and veggies, little or no animal protein, recommendations from the medical professionals. In fact, it isn't to say that it is anyone's fault, nor is there anyway to find out, but I truly believe that my cancer developed as a result of the foods that I ate my whole life, stress in my life, and just my body being a little out of whack.
Back to Blessed Herbs. Especially when eating any processed foods, unnatural sodium, etc. not all of those foods can be easily digested. Therefore, overtime a plaque builds up on the inside of your intestinal walls. The cleanse materials bind with the plaque to strip it from the walls of the intestines. There is also a digestive stimulant that you take to increase regularity and stimulate the various organs that are involved in the digestive process (liver, gallbladder, etc.) to get those organs to work a bit harder and rid the body of toxins held within the organs. I wanted to do it, not only for the standard processed foods and animal protein that the body struggles to digest, but also knowing the amount of toxins that made their way into my body that I just really wanted to make another effort to wring out my body of the "yuck."
Some of the benefits of the cleanse are increased energy levels, increased metabolism (since your intestines can now do what they are supposed to rather than fighting through the plaque), and just an overall feeling of "betterness." I have definitely felt more energized and don't get the "I just want to lay on the couch and do nothing" feelings, I feel more alert, I've noticed the last 2 days riding to work that my body must be somewhat more efficient because I'm not getting winded, and a side benefit are the pounds and even inches that came off. From when I started to the end there has been a 7.5-8 lb swing in my weight (now at 171 and closer to my goal weight), and about a notch and a half off my belt. Others who have done it have kept off the weight and inches, and I'm even hoping that it helps me to get down to that 157-162 range I'm targeting since oxygen increases the burning of fat and now my body should be able to get more of that oxygen due to the plague it no longer has.
The way the cleanse works is you first ramp down your food intake. 75% on day 1, 50% on day 2, 25% on day 3. Then you are on a liquid only fast for 3-10 days depending on what you choose (majority of people do 5 days). During the liquid only fast you can drink water, organic apple juice, and filtered vegetable broth made from potato, carrot, celery, and onion. Although that seems impossible, you also drink a shake which is a mix of apple juice and the toxin absorber every 3 hours. This really helps since you always have something in your body and the toxin absorber is very fibrous and expands.
Afterward you pick back up by eating an apple for breakfast, small salad for lunch, and a small dinner of salad or veggies, brown rice, and some protein like tofu. It has definitely decreased my portion size which is great since I've wanted to work on portion control. Apple for breakfast is just fine for me these days. Normally by 11 I'm watching the clock wondering when it is lunch, and its 1245 and my stomach isn't telling me anything. I'm now in more of a routine of drinking 6-8 glasses of water/tea a day and don't have the feeling of wanting to eat just because (granted I just finished this past weekend).
All in all I've been happy with it thus far and it will hopefully help Sarah as we continue to focus on healthy eating. Last night we made lettuce wraps with brown rice, crumbled tilapia, tomato, and avocado for dinner. We had some veggie crisp chips on the side. Perfecto!
Blessed Herbs has both a full Internal Cleanse as well as what is called the Colon Cleanse, but it does more and is more than just your normal colon cleanse (dont worry, there aren't any pictures). Basically, Blessed Herbs operates from the foundation that our bodies are our most important possession. We do A LOT to make sure that we look good and at least from the outside, appear healthy to others. However, we really don't do much to take care of our insides, rather we just assume that nature is doing it's job. Well unfortunately, as you hear over and over and over again on various news shows from research, the foods that we typically eat do not align with the organic, natural, raw, fruits and veggies, little or no animal protein, recommendations from the medical professionals. In fact, it isn't to say that it is anyone's fault, nor is there anyway to find out, but I truly believe that my cancer developed as a result of the foods that I ate my whole life, stress in my life, and just my body being a little out of whack.
Back to Blessed Herbs. Especially when eating any processed foods, unnatural sodium, etc. not all of those foods can be easily digested. Therefore, overtime a plaque builds up on the inside of your intestinal walls. The cleanse materials bind with the plaque to strip it from the walls of the intestines. There is also a digestive stimulant that you take to increase regularity and stimulate the various organs that are involved in the digestive process (liver, gallbladder, etc.) to get those organs to work a bit harder and rid the body of toxins held within the organs. I wanted to do it, not only for the standard processed foods and animal protein that the body struggles to digest, but also knowing the amount of toxins that made their way into my body that I just really wanted to make another effort to wring out my body of the "yuck."
Some of the benefits of the cleanse are increased energy levels, increased metabolism (since your intestines can now do what they are supposed to rather than fighting through the plaque), and just an overall feeling of "betterness." I have definitely felt more energized and don't get the "I just want to lay on the couch and do nothing" feelings, I feel more alert, I've noticed the last 2 days riding to work that my body must be somewhat more efficient because I'm not getting winded, and a side benefit are the pounds and even inches that came off. From when I started to the end there has been a 7.5-8 lb swing in my weight (now at 171 and closer to my goal weight), and about a notch and a half off my belt. Others who have done it have kept off the weight and inches, and I'm even hoping that it helps me to get down to that 157-162 range I'm targeting since oxygen increases the burning of fat and now my body should be able to get more of that oxygen due to the plague it no longer has.
The way the cleanse works is you first ramp down your food intake. 75% on day 1, 50% on day 2, 25% on day 3. Then you are on a liquid only fast for 3-10 days depending on what you choose (majority of people do 5 days). During the liquid only fast you can drink water, organic apple juice, and filtered vegetable broth made from potato, carrot, celery, and onion. Although that seems impossible, you also drink a shake which is a mix of apple juice and the toxin absorber every 3 hours. This really helps since you always have something in your body and the toxin absorber is very fibrous and expands.
Afterward you pick back up by eating an apple for breakfast, small salad for lunch, and a small dinner of salad or veggies, brown rice, and some protein like tofu. It has definitely decreased my portion size which is great since I've wanted to work on portion control. Apple for breakfast is just fine for me these days. Normally by 11 I'm watching the clock wondering when it is lunch, and its 1245 and my stomach isn't telling me anything. I'm now in more of a routine of drinking 6-8 glasses of water/tea a day and don't have the feeling of wanting to eat just because (granted I just finished this past weekend).
All in all I've been happy with it thus far and it will hopefully help Sarah as we continue to focus on healthy eating. Last night we made lettuce wraps with brown rice, crumbled tilapia, tomato, and avocado for dinner. We had some veggie crisp chips on the side. Perfecto!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
More Scheduled Rides
The LIVESTRONG Seattle team (unofficially) has added another ride to our schedule - the Seattle Century. Wooptido, another 100 miles. I know that is what you are thinking. Although I also know that some of you can't even fathom riding 100 miles on a bike. I'm excited for my first century. At times I can't even believe that I haven't actually ridden a century yet. I was hopeful during the Livestrong Challenge, but the rain made the 70 miles that much more appealing. I know I could do it though. That was 2 months after chemo and I did 70. 100 miles would be a challenge but mostly mental. I'm not worried.
So why does the Seattle Century seem all that much more crazy. The Seattle Century is on July 30. Still not sure? Let me put this into a bit more of a perspective...
So why does the Seattle Century seem all that much more crazy. The Seattle Century is on July 30. Still not sure? Let me put this into a bit more of a perspective...
- Flying Wheels Summer Century - beginning of June
- STP - July 9-10 - 203 miles
- Tour des Chutes - July 16 - 100 miles
- Echelon Gran Fondo - July 23 - 100 miles
- Seattle Century - July 30 - 100 miles
Make a little bit more sense now? That is right, 503 miles of "organized/scheduled" rides for the month of July. I've been doing a lot of research for training during that month along with the prep in May and June. I can NOT let my legs sit stagnant at any point. Gotta keep the blood moving in those muscles so that they dont seize. That means that, being July, the weather should be nice which means that I'll be riding about 30 miles a day for commuting. And depending on how my legs are feeling I might need to get out for a walk or easy spin on my lunch. 30 x 5 = 150. 150 miles between the weeks of STP until Seattle Century means ~450.
As I've told people joking, I'm either going to be in the best shape that I've been in, since high school basketball, or potentially in my life - or I'll need to find an old person to lend me their donut (pillowed seat with a hole in it) and wheelchair.
I'm vowing for the great shape. I can already tell that my legs are feeling more efficient and have trimmed out. Some stuff to come in the future will hopefully lead to an increased metabolism and weight loss (more to come after the fact).
To note, yesterday I had a GREAT ride home. I'm on a new route these days, and in the first half of my ride (before the hills is important to note) I was at an average of over 20mph and spinning at a cadence of 105-112. Felt great.
As I've said before, and I like it, I'm addicted to cycling!!!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Well over 200 miles...
So as I've mentioned before I've been tracking every donation that I get to make sure that I ride enough miles in honor of the people who my donors ask me to ride for. In fact, I know that I've covered enough miles for every dollar donated so far (reading between the lines that means I unfortunately haven't gotten any donations in February), however, I'm still saving one ride for a sunny day away from work. So far my largest donor was my cousin Adam Sutton and I owe him 50 miles. Making such a financial commitment that he did, I do not want to repay those in 12 mile increments of commuting or leisure rides.
That being said, I'm well beyond the other 202 miles that I owed you, but far behind on documenting any of it here on the blog. That being said, I'm really sorry but I promise I will be better in the future. Especially since my beautiful bride called me out on it - and in all seriousness, you are donating your hard earned money for such a great cause and deserve the recognition that I promised.
We have had one of the coldest February's on record and the beginning of March hasn't been much better. Last year the average low temp for Jan-Feb was 41 degrees. This year the average high for the same period was 40 for our area. ZOIKS. But with the gas prices the way that they are, I told Sarah that if gas gets anywhere near $4.50 (let alone $5 like they are saying for the summer) I will be investing in some more cold/wet weather gear and plan to bike commute 99% of the time. No sense in paying that type of cents for gas. (Pathetic pun and play on words I know).
That being said, I've gotten some good riding in these days. Especially the past few weekends when we have seen some breaks in the weather. Actually, Sarah helped me recently with some photos when I got back from a training ride because I needed to submit some for a few different reasons. Firstly, there was an Alumni Spotlight article done about my battle and fundraising in our Sigma-Xi newsletter for TKE. I tried to pass on some info to Nationals but no luck. Secondly, my friend Ford works for the YMCA and at his Y they are running the Livestrong at the Y program and wanted to interview a cancer survivor. I'll have to see if anything was posted about me there. Anyway, here are 2 pictures.
That being said, I'm well beyond the other 202 miles that I owed you, but far behind on documenting any of it here on the blog. That being said, I'm really sorry but I promise I will be better in the future. Especially since my beautiful bride called me out on it - and in all seriousness, you are donating your hard earned money for such a great cause and deserve the recognition that I promised.
We have had one of the coldest February's on record and the beginning of March hasn't been much better. Last year the average low temp for Jan-Feb was 41 degrees. This year the average high for the same period was 40 for our area. ZOIKS. But with the gas prices the way that they are, I told Sarah that if gas gets anywhere near $4.50 (let alone $5 like they are saying for the summer) I will be investing in some more cold/wet weather gear and plan to bike commute 99% of the time. No sense in paying that type of cents for gas. (Pathetic pun and play on words I know).
That being said, I've gotten some good riding in these days. Especially the past few weekends when we have seen some breaks in the weather. Actually, Sarah helped me recently with some photos when I got back from a training ride because I needed to submit some for a few different reasons. Firstly, there was an Alumni Spotlight article done about my battle and fundraising in our Sigma-Xi newsletter for TKE. I tried to pass on some info to Nationals but no luck. Secondly, my friend Ford works for the YMCA and at his Y they are running the Livestrong at the Y program and wanted to interview a cancer survivor. I'll have to see if anything was posted about me there. Anyway, here are 2 pictures.
I love this family pic!
Rather than rambling too much on here, I'll give a quick foreshadowing to come (and hold myself accountable to blog more). I have updated and also added some organized rides to my summer. Also, some fundraising updates other than targeting family and friends is underway. See what you could do to help us!
Now to catch up on those miles: Thank you very much to those who donated, especially to push me over $1000 for the month of January. Here is who I've been riding for...
My friend from high school and college, Chris, made a donation in honor of his father. Chris's dad is still around and a cyclist himself. He wishes there were rides like these in the Midwest because Chris knows that his dad would want to get involved.
Cosmo is a girl I knew from college. She sent me an extremely compelling story about her Uncle Jim. His cancer was bound and determined to get the best of him and Cosmo knew that all she could do was pray. She said that thinking of our story and all that we are doing now really gave her hope. Well, the last I heard, her Uncle Jim was doing well and the tests were providing the results that they wanted. I really need to check in with her.
A gal that I indirectly met during my cancer experience named Monica has such a huge heart. Her dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 the week after me. So everything that we did with treatment, they did right afterward. It was great to keep in touch with her and hear how her dad was doing, and we developed a great friendship though such an ugly experience - just another way to show how much good can come from cancer. The rat will never get us. Well, unfortunately, at his 3 month check-up, her dad did not have the same message from the doctor that I had. His HL was back...and in full force. Back to the drawing board they went and the medical team hit him with ICE - a very strong chemo. Now all of the tests are underway and they are going through with a BMT. I pray that everything goes well for them and when I dont have miles to dedicate, I will often be thinking of their family.
Natasha is another girl I met in college and is currently a flight attendant. Keeping up with what is going on through social media is how she keeps up with friends. Well, one day she saw a post that I made asking people what they could do - in fact it was Cancer Awareness Day. She made a donation in honor of her Grandpa who passed away not too long ago. In fact, I recall when she posted on Facebook that he passed away and that she knew she would feel his presents when she was flying the friendly skies.
Several others have made donations and have told me that I should just ride for what we are doing. I'm extremely grateful for all of these individuals no matter how large or small the donation was. They include my beautiful bride, Topher (co-worker at Camp Gray), Queenie Knox-Oates from TKE at SNC, Jill Boyle, Uncle Scott, Emily, M&M Vega, Mr. & Mrs. Dougherty, and my parents.
I'm looking for more donors and more reasons to ride. Do you have one? What can you do to help? Every $5 helps.
LIVESTRONG
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