A Wookies return.....

Frank said:
I was so inspired that I started a FB group called Cranks for Cancer…..hopefully that brings a platform for folk to share their stories and trials with cancer.
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Thanks for the invite on that! Having a cycling specific platform for us cancer survivors would be great. I'm in a BMT group on FB and when I talk about how cycling throughout my cancer journey has helped me I get the feeling that no one there can relate to what I'm talking about.

Have you considered Cranks for Cancer jerseys? I can talk to my people about helping sponsor (as we are in the business of killing cancer cells with proton beams).

Had a great time on Sunday!
 
1speeder said:
Thanks for the invite on that! Having a cycling specific platform for us cancer survivors would be great. I'm in a BMT group on FB and when I talk about how cycling throughout my cancer journey has helped me I get the feeling that no one there can relate to what I'm talking about.

Have you considered Cranks for Cancer jerseys? I can talk to my people about helping sponsor (as we are in the business of killing cancer cells with proton beams).

Had a great time on Sunday!
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Sadly, there are plenty of us going through cancer and other diseases so I started that group on a whim. I’m glad I did because one of the first to share really touched me. Have not thought to much more into the future other than a donation bucket for St Jude’s, so the Jersey idea is pretty badass.
 
Frank said:
Sadly, there are plenty of us going through cancer and other diseases so I started that group on a whim. I’m glad I did because one of the first to share really touched me. Have not thought to much more into the future other than a donation bucket for St Jude’s, so the Jersey idea is pretty badass.
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PS….it was awesome to finally meet you.
 
Frank said:
Sadly, there are plenty of us going through cancer and other diseases so I started that group on a whim. I’m glad I did because one of the first to share really touched me. Have not thought to much more into the future other than a donation bucket for St Jude’s, so the Jersey idea is pretty badass.
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What about selling the f Cancer stickers and t shirts
 
Cole said:
What about selling the f Cancer stickers and t shirts
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Again, another cool idea!! Sadly my bandwidth can’t handle all of that. Honestly I was wiped out on Sunday, Monday, and into Tuesday just from stressing over whether the ride would all come together, and running around trying to greet as many as I could. Couple that with my continuing treatment, I just can’t move forward with that…..yet.
 
Frank said:
so the Jersey idea is pretty badass.
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If you guys decide to look into this I can help with my connections to Pactimo they have very low minimums for Custom Jerseys and they offer a lot of help with the artwork and design. I am not a sales rep I make no $$ off this but as a Brand ambassador I have some connections to their customer service teams.

I didnt get to go to this event but for sure would like to join the FB group too.
 
Frank said:
Have not thought to much more into the future other than a donation bucket for St Jude’s, so the Jersey idea is pretty badass.
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St. Judes is sure to get a donation from me every year and has always had a soft spot in my heart. We treat pediatric patients with brain cancers and it's always been hard for me to see them anesthetized and with all the monitoring lines attached to them. Our former lead medical physicist is now the Chief Clinical Physicist at St. Judes.

It was great to finally meet you, too!
 
Frank said:
Again, another cool idea!! Sadly my bandwidth can’t handle all of that. Honestly I was wiped out on Sunday, Monday, and into Tuesday just from stressing over whether the ride would all come together, and running around trying to greet as many as I could. Couple that with my continuing treatment, I just can’t move forward with that…..yet.
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Ok.
We will see what we can do next year.
 
I made it to 2024!!!!!!!!!

I know that sounds fucked up but that’s the way I feel. Every holiday and event is more special than they were before I got sick because I always felt that tomorrow is another day.

Anyway, 2023 had its high and low points with high points being the ebike that @jdog blessed me with, the fund that once again is saving my ass, and the 2 cancer rides which brought a lot of emotions. Low points, besides the obvious, having the detached retina and ending the year with a crash that took out a rib or two. Honestly, I was not going fast as @Juggernaut can verify but it was just one of those things.

I ended 2023 with a chemo week which made me feel blah about New Years Eve, but to be honest the wife and I are too old to party and we were both out before midnight lol. This week I have been battling a cold which has left me even weaker than normal. Trying to get to the basement to ride my road bike on the trainer was not fun as I get winded easily, but I did it today for a little bit. Will go for more later as I need to get my breathing under control. I miss riding my bike something terrible and will definitely get back to it when I get some strength back.

But on a positive note, I’m happy to get the texts and calls that keep me going. It’s amazing how big a difference it makes. If you know of someone else who is going through this kind of shit, give them a call, tell them that you love them, you will never understand how much that will mean to them.
 
Frank said:
If you know of someone else who is going through this kind of shit, give them a call, tell them that you love them,
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Great and inspiring update - every day here is a celebration.

My buddy has also had the same highs and lows as you in 2023 but I call/text/visit as much as I can more proactively because of your reminders here.

Keep telling Cancer to F off so eventually we can meet and ride in person.
 
Frank said:
I made it to 2024!!!!!!!!!

I know that sounds fucked up but that’s the way I feel. Every holiday and event is more special than they were before I got sick because I always felt that tomorrow is another day.

Anyway, 2023 had its high and low points with high points being the ebike that @jdog blessed me with, the fund that once again is saving my ass, and the 2 cancer rides which brought a lot of emotions. Low points, besides the obvious, having the detached retina and ending the year with a crash that took out a rib or two. Honestly, I was not going fast as @Juggernaut can verify but it was just one of those things.

I ended 2023 with a chemo week which made me feel blah about New Years Eve, but to be honest the wife and I are too old to party and we were both out before midnight lol. This week I have been battling a cold which has left me even weaker than normal. Trying to get to the basement to ride my road bike on the trainer was not fun as I get winded easily, but I did it today for a little bit. Will go for more later as I need to get my breathing under control. I miss riding my bike something terrible and will definitely get back to it when I get some strength back.

But on a positive note, I’m happy to get the texts and calls that keep me going. It’s amazing how big a difference it makes. If you know of someone else who is going through this kind of shit, give them a call, tell them that you love them, you will never understand how much that will mean to them.
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The Himalayan’s may have their “Snow Leopards”, but Allaire has “Sand Pumas”! It’s a fact, you can write it down. ✍️
 
Frank said:
I made it to 2024!!!!!!!!!

I know that sounds fucked up but that’s the way I feel. Every holiday and event is more special than they were before I got sick because I always felt that tomorrow is another day.

Anyway, 2023 had its high and low points with high points being the ebike that @jdog blessed me with, the fund that once again is saving my ass, and the 2 cancer rides which brought a lot of emotions. Low points, besides the obvious, having the detached retina and ending the year with a crash that took out a rib or two. Honestly, I was not going fast as @Juggernaut can verify but it was just one of those things.

I ended 2023 with a chemo week which made me feel blah about New Years Eve, but to be honest the wife and I are too old to party and we were both out before midnight lol. This week I have been battling a cold which has left me even weaker than normal. Trying to get to the basement to ride my road bike on the trainer was not fun as I get winded easily, but I did it today for a little bit. Will go for more later as I need to get my breathing under control. I miss riding my bike something terrible and will definitely get back to it when I get some strength back.

But on a positive note, I’m happy to get the texts and calls that keep me going. It’s amazing how big a difference it makes. If you know of someone else who is going through this kind of shit, give them a call, tell them that you love them, you will never understand how much that will mean to them.
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The obvious question here is was the bike OK?

Sorry to hear about the crash, I hope you did not break anything, even though bruised ribs are no joke...I bet you got an hear full from your better half about that!

New Year's Eve? Overrated, we were in bed at 12:01 a.m. just because a point was made to see the ball drop, which I didn't because I could only focus on the countdown in the corner and missed the rest of the TV screen!

Same here in terms of appreciation of what we got rather than anger at what we're missing, I find it the only sustainable approach in the long term.

Juggernaut said:
The Himalayan’s may have their “Snow Leopards”, but Allaire has “Sand Pumas”! It’s a fact, you can write it down. ✍️
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Pictures or they do not exist!
 
serviceguy said:
The obvious question here is was the bike OK?

Sorry to hear about the crash, I hope you did not break anything, even though bruised ribs are no joke...I bet you got an hear full from your better half about that!

New Year's Eve? Overrated, we were in bed at 12:01 a.m. just because a point was made to see the ball drop, which I didn't because I could only focus on the countdown in the corner and missed the rest of the TV screen!

Same here in terms of appreciation of what we got rather than anger at what we're missing, I find it the only sustainable approach in the long term.


Pictures or they do not exist!
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Sorry Leo, they’d be NSFW…and we have NICA kids on the board. 😉
 
serviceguy said:
The obvious question here is was the bike OK?

Sorry to hear about the crash, I hope you did not break anything, even though bruised ribs are no joke...I bet you got an hear full from your better half about that!

New Year's Eve? Overrated, we were in bed at 12:01 a.m. just because a point was made to see the ball drop, which I didn't because I could only focus on the countdown in the corner and missed the rest of the TV screen!

Same here in terms of appreciation of what we got rather than anger at what we're missing, I find it the only sustainable approach in the long term.


Pictures or they do not exist!
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First off, the bike didn’t even get a scratch. I fell to the left and landed in some shrubbery. The issue was that I landed on my arm with my ribs. The Mrs has become used to my off bike excursions.
 
Frank said:
First off, the bike didn’t even get a scratch. I fell to the left and landed in some shrubbery. The issue was that I landed on my arm with my ribs. The Mrs has become used to my off bike excursions.
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IMG_0638.gif
 
Like sands through the hourglass……

Well my cough got a little better, but I was still weak as hell…..actually had me a tad worried, good thing. Tuesday I went to chemo and the drew my blood and ran it like normal, but this time Rikki walked up to me all serious and said “we have a problem”. She call Dr Amin and returned saying “here is a prescription for a CT scan, go to the hospital now!” Ok now I’m nervous. I drive over to the hospital, next to the lab, and barely made it to the desk. An elderly gentleman volunteer recognized I was struggling and he was kind enough to bring me a wheelchair. I got through to the ER pretty quickly after I told them my hemoglobin had dropped 4 points. So I ended up seeing about 8 doctors, specialists, and at least a dozen nurses during the day. During that time I received X-rays, CT scans, and I was even violated by a thick fingered small woman. At about 9pm I finally was brought to a room in the oncology unit which was arranged by my buddies wife. She thought with everyone sick, it would be the safest place for me.

So I got all settled in my room and my roommate has the exact same condition as I. Nice guy. As I was relaxing I found out that a) I didn’t break any ribs in my fall. and b) the gastroenterologist determined from the CT scans that I had no internal bleeding……phew. Before was admitted Rikki indicated that it was possible that I injured my spleen, either way I was happy. So the next step was to monitor me overnight and check vitals often and they drew blood at 5am. The results were not great, my hemoglobin dropped again and was at 6.5. Those not in the know….thats bad. It’s what was causing my shortness of breath and my dizziness. They were all concerned that if it dropped further it could negatively affect my heart and brain. Now I’m a bit scared. So I tried to get some sleep, difficult with that storm beating on the window 2 feet from me, but I managed a few hours even though my stomach was growling due to the fact that I was on a “clear liquid diet”.

This morning I’m awakened at 5 am by this huge dude with a Jamaican accent who just said “I take some blood”. I was pretty groggy so I just extended my arm and happily he was good at his job, barely felt it. I then went back to sleep and was awakened by my Oncologists partner and he confirmed the CT results. About 30 seconds after he leaves the hospital doctor walks in and confirms again the CT results and that I was no longer on a restricted diet……I could have kissed the guy. So I call dietary and order lunch as that’s how late it got. I was apprehensive as I’d always heard about hospital food and I couldn’t remember what I had 2 years ago, or if it was any good. Well I got a Penne and chicken lunch that was amazing and devoured everything. You see it 6 am the prior day that I had food. Dinner was equally good Teriyaki steak….damn, I don’t want to go home. After lunch they cautiously started a transfusion and I took on bag just fine. Now for one more and sadly I have to wait until at least tomorrow to be released, but I’m not holding my breath.

Today I had 3 visitors, Mrs Wookie, my friend Gary, and my brother. Gary went down to the lot and got my “Chemobak “ which has all the stuff I need for chemo day like chargers for my phone.
I’m once again blown away by the calls, FB Messenger messages, and texts. Thank you all as it brought a big smile to my face. I would also like to express my eternal love for those who contacted Cindy with offers of help. I’m blessed

Tomorrow starts day 3, so we will see what awaits me…..at least I ordered and awesome breakfast.
 
Juggernaut said:
You said the roommate had the same condition, were they able to determine the cause? Do they think it’s a side effect of whatever chest cold you had… or perhaps the chest cold was a side effect of low hemoglobin? Either way, rest up big guy. Love ya.
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Sorry to mislead. My roommate also has colon, liver, and lung cancer. He’s here for gastric issues right now.
 
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