Kicking Cancer

Prevention Through Healthy Living

Archive for the category “The Journey”

30 May 2012
6 Comments

The Final Stretch Video

My film editor/ice cream maker husband just finished this video of the final day of my ride to Marin from Bodega Bay Dunes Campground, through the quaint towns of Tomales and Point Reyes Station to my sister’s house in San Anselmo. Riding along Tomales Bay was absolutely beautiful and the great bike path through Samuel P. Taylor State Park was a highlight as well.

Two of the doctors on the ride also had GoPro cameras and some still shots were taken as well, so at some point we may get that footage and put it together in a video of the whole trip.

I love the beginning of the video–leaving the campground with the supportive crew of doctors and such from the Center for Integrative Health and Wellness/Marin Cancer Institute.  I am honored that these hard working people woke up at the crack of dawn to meet me in the boonies and spent their entire Sunday riding in with me.  And not only the riders, but the drivers who shuttled everyone and kept our water bottles filled and snacks on the road.

The video clip shows my arrival in San Anselmo–a surprise that a bunch of people gathered to welcome me (and the kids held a bake sale), friends, family, and other supporters. It was a fabulous day. I felt at a pinnacle of sorts.  The clip ends with the culminating event, of course….my final destination, chemotherapy.

This video was made on the road using iMovie on an iPad with a GoPro Hero2 camera.  Music is Peng 33! by Iron and Wine.

Posted in Post Cycling Trip/ Chemotherapy, The Journey
22 May 2012
14 Comments

Video Footage

Finally….a video capturing highlights of Days 4 and 5….

These videos were made on the road using iMovie on an iPad with a GoPro Hero2 camera.


The Coast, part 1 music is Half Moon by Blind Pilot (without permission once again). Please buy their music if you like it!

The Coast, part 2 Continued music is Casimir Polanski Day by Sufjan Stevens.

The poem was read by Nicole and was written by Jane Kenyon as mentioned in a previous post. It reminds me to live every moment in awe and gratefulness!

Posted in The Journey and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
21 May 2012
21 Comments

Let the Chemotherapy Do it’s Thing!

What a ride it has been. The six days of cycling was fabulous with breathtaking scenery and numerous unforgettable memories on the road and in the campgrounds. The last day riding with the doctors and friends was perfect. Truth be told I was a bit tired and looking forward to the finish, but the group support riding along with me was uplifting and fun. I loved getting to know my doctors and others involved with Marin Specialty Care in this way. Blue skies, not too hot….a brief stop in Tomales and another at Bovine Bakery in Point Reyes Station (a long with all of the other cyclists–it was a party).

The last climb up White’s Hill was great partly because I knew it was the last climb. One of the chemotherapy oncologists and a radiation oncologist were at the top cheering me on, and then when I rode down the other side my sister and friend Renee were on the other side with great signs and other flare.

As I rode into San Anselmo, I noticed a large gathering on the side of the road and it was for me! My sister’s family had arranged a welcoming party/bake sale. Thank you everyone who donated cookies and lemons (lemonade) for the event. They raised $380 for the Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. Thanks to all who came to welcome me after the ride–I wish I was able to say hello to everyone.

The last I heard we raised $5000 for the Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. I will find out about the Breast Health Project when I get home. WOW!!! Thanks so much for your generous donations. I was thinking about the money being raised as I was climbing those hills!

I received my first dose of chemotherapy medicine today at 11:30. It was a pleasant experience. I received Jin Shin Jyutsu for an hour which I am sure will help with side effects of nausea and fatigue. During the first hour a harpist played next to my reclining chair, I had a beautiful quilt on my lap made by the Mount Tam Quilters Guild, and nurse Herb brought in his homemade banana bread as he does every monday morning.

Oh–had some press today too.
To view the ABC San Francisco news clip, click here.
Marin Independent Journal article click here.
To view Derek Wilson’s Patch article click here.

We are hitting the road in the Night-Night bus back to Arcata. More video and photos once we return. We are having technical difficulties.

XO

Posted in The Journey and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
20 May 2012
17 Comments

Yes People

Yes People are spontaneous, joyful and are surrounded by levity. Let’s take for instance my husband Garrett who said “whatever you want, dear. Tell me where and when and I’ll be there” when I approached him with the idea of this ride to chemotherapy at one o’clock in the morning one week after my mastectomy surgery.

Or Dr. Leah Kelley, my surgeon, who when I emailed her (on a weekend mind you) with this idea emailed me back with enthusiasm and support.

Next enter all my friends and family who offered meals, juice, tokens, and emotional support.

Which brings us to today. Currently there are about eight doctors, nurses, partners, and a social worker all from the Marin Specialty Care (Marin Cancer Institute) gearing up in the Bodega Dunes parking lot in order to ride the fifty remaining miles with me. Talk about Yes people.

So remember to practice being a Yes person. If it is possible, and helping someone to follow a dream say Yes! Of course honoring wisdom and knowing when it is time to say No.

The past few days have been phenomenal. A lot more climbs than I thought I had in me. A lot of beauty, meeting other cyclists with unique missions and circumstances. More details later, but the docs are waiting and the video will give you a glimpse.

Day 6!!!!!! Whooooo who!

Posted in The Journey
18 May 2012
45 Comments

The First Three Days… Awesome to Say the Least

Lunch and rest in Garberville set me up for smooth sailing into Leggett just in time for dinner at The Peg House with my family. Local grassed beef burgers and wild line caught salmon hit the spot! Never Don’t Stop.

Two big climbs over Hwy 1 to the coast were killer, but felt great. I was in a zone. I met the family for a picnic between climbs as they happened to catch up with me right in front of a great picnic area. The wind has picked up here on the coast, but it is mostly at my back.

Camped last night at the sand dunes of MacKerricher State Park as planned, and today head for Point Arena.

The first two days we were out of cell range so had no network coverage, but we intend to post more frequently when we are able.

Thinking today of a few awesome sponsors…..Adventure’s Edge, GoPro, and Alchemy Construction. The trip so far has been better than could have been imagined thanks to these generous donors. Also, my cousin Margaret who works at Apple, made it possible for us to have an iPad which enabled us to put this video together of our first three days. Enjoy!

Before the ride started I had already raised $536 for the Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, and I am uncertain about the Breast Health Project, but now that I am in cell range I will see what we have raised so far and keep you all informed.

Music by the beautiful Katie Herzig (currently without permission, but if you like her music buy some and maybe she won’t be mad at me)

Posted in The Journey and tagged , , , , , , , ,
16 May 2012
24 Comments

Loving the Road and Encounters

Day 2 and I just limped into Garberville with sore feet and out of water.

Highlights of day 1….

The send off at my home…about 20 friends, delivering juice, broth,wisdom, hugs, and coloring books for the kids.  A handful rode the street with me, some dropped off in Arcata and others rode me to Eureka.  My friend Denise rode with me through town and I must say it was surreal to say goodbye to the last of my supporters!  To be honest though, I have not felt alone once on this journey thus far.

Loleta Bakery.  My first stop.  I met Barney, a 78 year old cyclist who does this route regularly!  Very inspiring.  He was accompanied by two women, one a survivor, the other has a mother with breast cancer.

My delicious lunch was on the house. Jeannie blew me away with her generosity and spirit.  She offered to drive me home from chemotherapy if I did not have a ride.  Her family, too, has been touched by cancer…a member of her family is another survivor who has been rockin’ it for twenty years.

The Avenue of the Giants along the Eel River was beautiful.    I took it slow to Burlington, a Redwood State Park campground just outside of Weott.

The family arrived in the Night-Night bus and we played, enjoyed dinner, and slept great.

Day 2 I continued along the ‘scenic alternative’ to Highhway 101, Avenue of the Giants.  Rolled through the small towns of Miranda and Phillipsville, Redway and now in Garberville.  I just left Chataqua Natural Foods where I met Katie and Nancy….two awesome women (more on Nancy later).

Thanks for all the shout outs, honks (they seem in support not “get out of my way”).  Thanks to the lovely woman in Miranda on the Sportster who had read about me in the Times-Standard, and the Coors truck driver who had also read the article and told me he is leaving soon for Puerto Rico to support his sister with cancer.  So often we are too shy to say hello to someone and tell them we admire them, but let’s do it more often…it just might make their day.

Garrett picked up the ipad today so we should be able to post tonight if we find a hot spot.  Today I ride to Leggett (60 mile day) and tomorrow I cut over Highway 1, the big climb to the coast.

Lots of love, Nicole

Posted in The Journey and tagged , , , , , , , ,

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