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.

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...

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

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.

Busy Busy Busy

I've been so busy getting ready to go camping and catching up on my other blog that I haven't had much time to blog here. But I will tell you that I will be reading Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book in the next few weeks and I will give you a bit of a synopsis and review when I finish it. Right now I am concentrating on packing for our family camping trip and changing my diet(not like ON A diet but lifestyle, everyday food choices, that are better for my body diet). More on that when I get the results back from my thyroid blood tests then see the endocrinologist. I did take Dr. Oz's Your True Age test last night and considering my medical history I still came out younger than my biological age. Surprising to me, not surprising to those who still think I look 14 years old (pimples and all) LOL.

Words from WhyMommy about IBC

These words come strait from WhyMommy's fingers to my blog. She asked to spread the word(s) about IBC so here it is. I hope that it is information that you log into your memory bank, it may save someones life or yours someday. Whymommy will be at the top of my list of "Walking in HONOR or next year in Denver, SF and LA Beaches.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Monday July 23rd 2007, 3:11 pm
Filed under: About Us / Favorites, breast cancer

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

Thank you for your words and your strength. I hope all of you keep this family and this mommy in your thoughts and prayers.

Where I find ME

I wanted to change my layout so that it was both easy to read and pleasing to the eye. It really makes me think of the beach and the waves. I love the sound of the waves and it made me think about our "creature comforts." Those of you who have gone through those days after cancer diagnosis or first rounds of chemo, or whatever it is that shakes you world, I hope you go back to your creature comforts, those things that make you feel like YOU! Mine is reading, I love to read, I'm actually in the midst of about 4 books right now. Yes I can keep them all straight and I rarely need a bookmark. I also love hot tea with honey and milk, most teas will do but I love the taste of Chai for all of its spices and feeling of Autumn my favorite season. Sweatshirts. They FILL my closet and I have been known to wear them in the middle of Summer. If you could give me a good book, with a cup of tea at a beach house with a fireplace and sweats I'd probably be the happiest girl on earth. Rarely do I get all of these at once. Last night I did get 3 out of 5 and that is quite an accomplishment for me. I finished Harry Potter with a HUGE mug of tea in one hand, in bed with my favorite Sweatshirt and most comfy MINNESOTA PJ pants on. I was in heaven (if I only had the sound of the waves in the background). what is your creature comfort? What do you LONG for on those hectic days after working all day and/or taking care of the kidlets. A long, hot, bubble bath? the smell of rain while sitting on the porch? I have a friend who dreams of sitting on the back porch watching storms (especially thunder and Lightening storms)I tell her she's crazy but whatever floats your boat LOL. Tell me what is YOUR creature comfort? You know mine.

Please do not confuse your creature comfort for Passion, ie my passion would be 1)my FFP he still makes me hot... phew! 2) Hearing my kids big belly laughs while we roll around tickling eachother in bed 3) finding a cure for CANCER by walking and spreading awareness and 4) Photography, beautiful people and places make me HAPPY and holding those memories close. But those are a whole other post!

Why I WALK and WhyMommy!

If you happen to be new to my blog, or to my life and don't know why I walk for Breast Cancer here's a taste.


This fall will be 4 years since my MIL was diagnosed with an aggressive form of BC. Luckily it was found early and with surgery, chemo and radiation she is now doing GREAT! This prompted my (then) SIL and I to find a charity walk to show our support. My husband shaved his head. He looks great bald. I didn't think I would be as flattering bald so I walked. We raised $4000 that year. We walked 26 miles each in the Summer of 2004 through San Francisco, up and down the hills and across the Golden Gate bridge. I made friends at the walk, on the message board. Most of all I found friends who had been diagnosed or someone they loved had been diagnosed, I found a passion for doing something wonderful by not just raising $$$$ but also awareness. Since then I have also walked in 2006 with my mom and BF and also this last year AWBC SF 2007 with my BF and held a local BC walk at Starbucks near my home. I have logged about 100 miles so far in charity walks and have three Big 40 mile walks planned for next yearin Denver! In SF! and in LA! That is about 120 miles next year, but it's about the mission not the MILES.That's $5,400 worth of local walks, bunco games, yard sales and good old begging and pleading. For me, Finding a cure for cancer is even more personal.

I had stage II Malignant Melanoma when I was 14. Thankfully I didn't have to go through chemo or radiation just 2 surgeries at the site on my back. But I did feel alone and not comfortable talking about "IT". When people did find out, they were usually really surprised, including a certain dermatologist who told me that I was too young to have Melanoma. Jackass. But the thought of doing something about it seemed out of reach to a global or even local level. So I made sure my friends wore sunscreen to a point of nagging I must say.

I also have been team captain and walked in our local American Cancer Societies Relay for LIFE. Then cancer struck home again. My uncle James was diagnosed with Leukemia and for almost two years fought for his life along side of my Aunt who stood by him through all the pain. I couldn't image the feelings and physical pain that inflicted from day of diagnosis to today almost a year anniversary of the day we lost him.

There is a mommy out there who found out a short time ago that she has Inflammatory Breast Cancer (AKA Beast Cancer). We call her WhyMommy (or rather she calls herself WhyMommy). She could not wait to hear and to answer the "WhyMommy" questions that come with parenthood. She has two small children at home. I wanted her to know that IBC has taken on a life of its own in her body but has also prompted so many blogging friends to spread the word about it. Awareness is key. We are doing our part. We are spreading the word to our friends, to everyone we know. You are a victim, and a hero. You are right, Cancer touches anyone, everyone is susceptible and lets stop hiding from it. I hope that each of us reaches out and tells somone else about IBC. It may save the life of someone you love. That is the goal.

Harry Potter update... almost done

I should be back to myself by tomorrow... and sad that the series is over.

New mission will be to see the movie on the big screen. OK Army Wives and Harry are calling. Oh yea and those things called children that take up so much time... I guess they require the typical 10 feedings a day. Off I go.

When Harry Potter Fever is OVER

I promise that I will post slide show from the walk with more information. I am just starting the book so it won't be until at least tomorrow night. I assume that I must tend to my children before I can get the slideshow off the ground . For sure, most of my friends are reading the book so they won't be wondering where the heck I am anyway! For the rest of you, I cannot appologize for being a Harry Potter Nerd. That is just who I am. Happy reading and type to you soon.

I HATE BREAST CANCER!

This is me... and my very best Girl friend Kelli. Kelli doesn't have a family member who has had breast cancer but she has had close calls in her family with BC and too many who have lost their battle with Cancer itself, whatever its form. I am so thankful to have her walking next me. I am blessed she is in my life. But my post today is not about Kelli its about "Me HATING BREAST CANCER!

Did you hear me? Damn... I see it everywhere. Pink ribbons signifying that someone we love is fighting or can't fight any more or has lost their battle .... I hate it. some of these women (and men) are parents of small kids, are parents of adults who don't know what to do or say to make it better, are sisters, husbands,mothers, daughters and friends who wish they had words and actions to take away the pain, the chemo side effects, the radiation burns and tattoos you can't even put a cute tattoo over to hide. Damn I hate Breast Cancer.

I love pink too and that makes me mad... it symbolizes something that hurt my family, but it also brought them close together. So pink isn't so bad I guess. As long as its purpose is to educate and bring awareness to helping women who need diagnostic and treatment services even if they can't afford it or have no insurance. or to finding a cure, finding one soon so our walks across the US, and the world, will be a memory instead of a planned event (or three or nine)each year.

I walk because it started out that I was walking for MIL's honor and Pinhead's (that is a nickname) memory but it became so much more. I found friends, I got to walk with my mom and my best friend last year. I got to train and raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer and the services we provide. I give people the chance to talk about something that no one would talk about 20 years ago and I am so proud to be a part of it.

I have walked over 90 miles as my REWARD for believing in this charity, this cause and the people I have grown to know and love over the last 4 years. My MIL is a survivor and I am proud to be her DIL.

It gave me the courage to walk out that door and talk about something that still far too many people are afraid to. It gave me the courage to keep walking knowing that from the moment she found that lump she didn't know what was around each corner or how high a hill she would have to climb that day (metaphorically of course). That kept me walking.

This weekend I walked nearly 40 miles for EVERYONE with Breast cancer, for me, for you, for our tata's and for anyone with cancer at all. I walked with hopes and prayers for a cancer free tomorrow. I walked hoping that finding a cure for BC is finding a cure for all cancers...I walked because I can't walk away. I walked because little girls should wear pink ribbons in their hair not on their shirts. I walked because I made a difference and I will keep walking until I can't or until there is no more reason to.

P.S.
#1 Thank you SF for hosting us and being a great city to walk in! Even if we couldn't see the GGBridge. Thank GOD for SJ police bike crew.
#2 Thank you to our Army Soldiers who held a walk in solidarity in Iraq for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. You ROCK! cancer does not descriminate. It changes, manupulates and takes the lives of those we love even if they are over there preserving our freedom and we are over here waiting and praying for them to come home. Keep them in your prayers. I will be going to purchase a yellow ribbon for my tree for reasons I will post in the near future. Pink ribbons suck almost as much as putting a yellow ribbon on my tree.