8.25.2007

Lance Armstrong: Its Not About the Bike



My Journey back to Life

Lance Armstrong's fight with cancer was a story well worth the price of the book if you like to read about bike races... I do most of the second half of the bike is about the goal and success of his first Tour win. In general I'm a sports fan, of just about any kind. I also has surgery to remove stage II malignant melanoma about 14 years ago. Although I didn't have to go through chemo or radiation or brain surgery I felt a kinship to the "cancer club" that Lance speaks of in his book.

You will probably not be surprised by his egocentric ways... they are pretty appalling but that is also what gave him the drive to face an opponent unlike any he has faced before, and win. I found myself really disliking him as a person for much of the book... I got over it though.
Cancer took him to a different place in his life. It gave him a reason to live instead of taking advantage of the life and talent he had. The chemo ravished his body and changed its composition, to his favor, to help him win the Tour de' France. I do not think that he has ever done any drugs, including steroids or HCG that could be considered performance enhancing drugs. I could also see how those who have never had cancer would not understand that Lance would rather work his butt off to prove that he could preform to his maximum limits without drugs. The life of a celebrity, sports, TV or big screen is under constant scrutiny and criticism. I adamantly believe that he has never taken drugs that would enhance his performance... he took chemo and anti nausea drugs to live... but for some that will never be good enough.

This book is not particularly well written but its about a cyclist, not a novelist. This book is non-fiction not a great American novel. This man wrote a book from his heart and I believe that he had a lot of enlightenment by writing or thinking about writing this book and I hope it made him a better person. From his childhood through his second Tour de' France win in 2000 this book will take you through extremes of cancer survivorship and the odds Lance Armstrong not only overcame but came out far more than victorious on the other side. I recommend this book but not for just anyone, you must love to read non-fiction for the love of insight into someones life, not for a well written book, you really must take joy in reading about a sport such as cycling and there are parts of this book that are pretty dark... and dry but they are important to the overall book. I enjoyed it.

8.18.2007

When He comes knocking... open the door.

I have had feelings and thoughts that have found difficult to express about my faith. I just don't want you to think that I'm trying to shove my beliefs down your throat. Essentially I believe in Him, I love Him and I am so thankful that He is in my life to guide me. I enjoy going to church and wish that I could get my behind in gear and attend on a more regular basis for me and for the boys. In my thoughts and prayers about how I feel I found this blog. He gives us gentle nudges or throws us to the church doors sometimes depending on our needs. He gave me today, and again I am thankful. Serving the Queens puts into words what my heart has been saying for months, perhaps years about the way I feel. We all have our own opinions, I don't share her life or know her troubles because I am not her. What I can do is relate.
I end each of my letters I post asking you all for things and support and sometimes $$$ with a line that lets you know a little bit of who I am, I hope you take it as what it is, how I feel about him... that he can move mountains, he can preform small miracles every day. I hope he gives us the knowledge to find a cure for all cancers.
because I have
Hopes and Prayers for a Cancer Free tomorrow...

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Left to right" me with BFF and my Mom before we crossed the GGBridge AWBC 2006

8.12.2007

Linkin

Please, please, Please! Send your love, prayers and good thoughts out to Jenn at Serving the Queens. She really needs them right now. Thank You WhyMommy for posting the link. Lets get the word out. BC (not that she has it... still in that diagnosing the lump stages) is not a disease to hide or ignore. Each of us can make a difference by taking the time to educate ourselves and others. Most of all, lets be advocates for our own health care and give love and support to those undergoing these trials, from finding a lump (or something else wrong or different about our bodies) to second opinions or demanding a course of action be taken to the level you are ready to pursue. Let us support and pray for each other the best way we know how. Whymommy wants to remind us that "You don't have to have a lump to have Breast Cancer". Just a reminder that this disease takes on many forms and disguises.