Kicking Cancer

Prevention Through Healthy Living

Archive for the tag “cycling”

23 Jun 2012
26 Comments

Cancer Patient

I never thought I’d do this on my blog, but here is Pollyana in the dumps….

I feel like a cancer patient.  I suppose I am and have been since March, but now I really feel like it and look the part.

Asher and I just before going for a bicycle ride

I have no intention of quitting chemotherapy, but I can see why people decide to and I barely have horrible side effects.  The cancer does not make me sick right now, it is the medicine making me sick…..and some people become willing to take the chance with the cancer.  Well, not I.  I will endure, but it is a big pain (I am grateful at the same time!)   I have minimal fatigue, no mouth sores, very little and quite manageable nausea , no skin issues.  Yes, I lost my hair, but that does not phase me so much.  For me it is mostly about how I feel, and if I can do the day to day with my family.

The main thing for me, is being a mom of young children and being susceptible to illness like a common head cold and not having the faculties to defend it within my body.  My daughter has a fever hovering around 100 degrees and a head cold, and I have taken to wearing a mask in our home.  I am extremely low energy and just trying to do the bare minimum.  I have canceled most weekend plans (save a small birthday celebration for Taylor if we can!!) and feel sad to miss out on life with the healthy and vibrant.   I have been tired since chemotherapy on Monday morning and have been fending off germs since.  I went to Eureka Internal Medicine on Tuesday for my white blood cell booster–Nuelasta.  Without that I am sure I would have succumbed.

As far as the mask-the most dramatic new addition to our family life…..Taylor is OK with it as long as I only wear it at home she has clearly stated.  Her and Asher each decorated one  with pens and a sticker while I was on a ride.  Asher thinks it is a game and that I am pretending to be James, a friend and the man who mows lawns in our neighborhood.  He loves it, but wants me to talk in a deep voice and push a basket around that he calls my mower.  When we were reading tonight before bed he kept telling me to talk in James’ deep voice.  It will either shift or he will become frustrated.  We will see!

That is not to say that life has not been great in many ways.  I had a great time with my sister’s family in Marin.  I flew down on stand-by with a friend’s buddy pass.  I played bananagrams with my niece Samantha during the infusion and had a Jin Shin Jyutsu session with Corliss at the Marin Cancer Institute.   I spent the day laying around their house and went for a few nice bicycle rises through my sister’s neighborhood on my nieces bike.

My niece Samantha keeps my spirits high with bananagrams at chemotherapy infusion #3

My family picked me up at the airport on Tuesday morning and we’ve enjoyed time in the front yard and on the couch doing various projects from building with blocks, to making a scrapbook.  We are reading Charlotte’s Web.  Solstice was a beautiful day and we made it to a T ball picnic where Taylor received her first trophy.  Taylor was in a ballet camp this week which was great fun, but she did need to miss the last two days due to her getting sick.  We are hoping to celebrate her sixth birthday this weekend (to be determined Saturday) and made a cake today, but it may be one for the freezer and another time.  It was tough for Taylor to not be able to lick the beater/spoon/bowl…a traditional treat when birthday cake making normally, but with a fever, cold and cold sore…..a no go today.

I enjoyed acupuncture with Jessica Baker at Jade Dragon Medical Spa on Tuesday and Qigong with Zena Bardelas of Misty Mountain Healing Arts Wednesday and Friday.  Soon I hope to write a post on the amazing benefits these treatments bring my mind, body, and spirit during this time.  It is life saving and I look forward to these sessions more than anything right now.

Some very lovely meals have come my family’s way Monday and Friday of this week.  Due to our health status we did not get to see the cheery, beautiful family who brought food tonight, but when I opened the door to retrieve it I burst into tears (what a raw state I am in).  Beautiful garden flowers tied with a ribbon, handmade signs from their family to ours, and a gorgeous meal obviously made with love.  We really did a number on it.  We were ravenous.  Thanks everyone for the offers of help, the help, the forgiveness and understanding, the music CD, the hello in the bookstore, the money you slipped my husband, the well wishes.  You are all paying it forward and I shall too someday!

My rides at home have been mellow.  These past few days I have taken to riding very slowly sans trailer as to conserve energy.  I mostly just zig zag through my own neighborhood, and am bundled up warm with scarves, gloves,  and wool clothes.  If you saw me, last night you would have seen me sipping Magic Mineral Broth  throughout my ride, and the past few nights you may have seen my eyes fill with tears while I ride.  It is not such a bad thing to let the emotions come.  It is a lovely time of night for me to do some thinking and process the day.  It is not easy having cancer and being on chemotherapy.

I maintain that my riding is one of the healthiest activities I engage in right now.  Leaving my house with germs and a sick child feels so good and it is something I may not do daily if I had not made this commitment.  Fresh air and a bit of body movement–I go so slow some days I don’t really call it exercise.  There may come a day when I do not actually have the energy to do my daily ride, and that will be fine, but until then, you will see me out there riding at least that one mile through my neighborhood, albeit slowly, slowly and bundled in warm clothes with hot liquids in hand.

With Taylor about to turn six, we spent much of today reviewing the big fat book we splurged on making on our mac last year for her fifth which contains memories in pictures of her first five years.   I can’t help but to look at the pictures of our family in which we look young, radiant, and healthy.  And the thought that comes to mind is…..was I really thinking I was out of shape/hair looked funny/life was not good enough.  Was I really wanting more?  Geez.  If only life were like that time again!!  I am sure it will be soon enough, and I hope I will be more thankful for every minute.

Rejoice and live it up if you are reading this and have abundant health and a healthy family!

A blue heron on my ride two days ago reminded me of the blue heron I saw at the marsh a few days before my daughter’s birth.  I really wanted to invoke the grace of this beautiful bird during my labor.   Now it served to remind me of the ups and downs of life, the joys, the sorrows, the achievements and struggles.  As I go to sleep tonight I will find the smells and sensations that were present in my home when my babies were born, the immense joy and great fortune I felt on my wedding day.  It will bring me solace.

At grandma and papa’s in 2009

Hiking Na Pali Coast in December 2010

Laying low with the kids

Posted in Pedaling Each Day, Post Cycling Trip/ Chemotherapy and tagged , , ,
14 Jun 2012
4 Comments

Days 6-13 Pedaling Each Day

Well, this project did not turn out how I imagined.  I imagined a nice tidy blog entry with photo or video for each day.  And initially I envisioned peaceful solo time riding my bike, contemplating the world, but that vision quickly vanished as the reality of family life, cancer or no cancer, set in.  Fortunately my husband Garrett is as dedicated to this Pedaling Each Day project as I am because otherwise I will tell you, it would NOT be happening.

Like yesterday for instance when Taylor had a horrible dehydration bout, complete with screaming in agony due to the painful headache and culminating in vomit.  It was nine o’clock at night, Asher was still awake, I still had not been on a ride, and Garrett needed to get to the Scoop to make the locals their favorite flavors (or at least someone’s favorite flavor–he can’t possibly please everyone at once).

I thought it interesting that it was going to be my daughter’s sickness, not my own, that prevented me from going for my daily ride.  The life of a mother!

It also felt a bit like waiting until the last minute to write a paper in college, and then having the flu or the power go out.  I had a month to write it, but when I finally sit down at the last minute something catastrophic happens, and it does not get done (with no good excuse).  These thoughts were going through my head.  I was also contemplating pulling the trainer out to ride in the living room.

I am proud to say I have not missed a ride and do not intend to!  Garrett ushered me out the door and I rode a mile last night with night lights, sick child and all.

Days 6-12 rides were completed either on the family bicycle car (also powered by Garrett) or with one or both kids in the trailer.  Garrett and I share bedtime routine duties (we usually alternate between children each night) so either we all went for  a ride before bed (which is a lovely way to end the day), or while Garrett puts one to bed, I ride with the other.

Today however, I rode during the day to my qigong appointment (about five miles) which felt really great!  I felt less like a cancer patient and more like an athletic young woman just doin’ her thing.  Although, I have spent very little time feeling like a cancer patient anyway.

Here are a few photos of the past few days…..

Family bike ride to end the day.

Asher in Trailer Solo

My Team

Posted in Pedaling Each Day and tagged , , ,
03 Jun 2012

Day 3 Pedaling Each Day

Heading off to Chemotherapy in 20 minutes with my good friend Rhonda Weidenbeck of Beck’s Bakery, a hot new bread bakery in Arcata…well, about to be up and running.  The equipment is rolling in, and she is shooting for August 2012.   Locals, watch for her loaves on the shelves!  We’ve been friends for a long time so I have witnessed the evolution of her bread baking, and just general awesomeness in all arenas (knitting, gardening, raising chickens, cooking, etc).

This girl has many interests, researches every nook and cranny of making bread and geeks out on the science behind it all too which is fun.  Rhonda has been in our book club, the Brainy Book Babes (B cubed) for ten or so years and we have all had our share of her delicious bread.  I am looking forward to the 5 hour drive south with her, and then of course, north tomorrow afternoon.  These long drives with a friend certainly contributed toward the appeal of traveling out of the area for my chemotherapy treatments.

Back home after our two mile ride.

Today’s Pedaling Each Day ride was about two miles.  The whole family joined me.  Taylor is getting a bit big for the trailer so I am not sure how much longer this will work, but for now both kids love it and it enables me to share my ‘riding for a cause’ with them.

I best finish packing for chemo.  More from the front-line tomorrow.  I’m bringing the ipad!

Posted in Pedaling Each Day, Post Cycling Trip/ Chemotherapy and tagged , , | Leave a Comment
02 Jun 2012
6 Comments

Day 1 Pedaling Each Day

My husband Garrett joined me for my first ride of Pedaling Each Day.  We rode about 5 miles around the Arcata Bottoms, the farm land of which our neighborhood abuts.

Of course, Garrett could not help himself and filmed with the GoPro mounted on his helmet.   And of course he could not help himself and also put together a video.

This video was made using iMovie on an iPad with a GoPro Hero2 camera.  Music is Ooki Na Kuri No Ki No Shita De (Under the Big Chestnut Tree) by Elizabeth Mitchell.

Posted in Pedaling Each Day and tagged
31 May 2012

MCI Cycling Support Team

Just want to shout out for the doctors and staff at MCI who took their time join me for the last fifty miles of my 300+ mile ride (it actually totaled 314.7 miles when all was said and done).  What a fun, supportive, dedicated, and athletic group of people.

Dr. David Gullion (my medical oncologist)

Dr. Tim Crowley

Dr. Jennifer Lucas

Dr. Lloyd Miyawaki

Dr. Leah Kelley (my mastectomy surgeon)

Sandy Schindler (LCSW) and her cycling husband too.

And nurse Kim drove shuttle and support along with Dr. Tim Crowley’s medical student daughter.

Posted in Post Cycling Trip/ Chemotherapy and tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment
23 May 2012
10 Comments

Who Was That Woman?

I am not quite sure who that woman was who took to sleeping with her cycling gear next to her so it would be appealing enough to slip on first thing in the cold morning air. It tended to get me out of camp faster so became a habit. Who was that woman who waved goodbye to her adorable family every morning for six days in order to bicycle that 320 miles to my first chemotherapy appointment? Who braved the narrow shoulder, particularly when there were speeding cars and a steep cliff on the other side? Who pedaled those steep and unexpected climbs after already cycling forty miles on Day 5? And then pedaled another 11 into camp after desperately fueling up on energy bars at gas station in Jenner? Who cycled past this cow and her eight friends?

Not what you want to run into when you are cycling down the coast….

Part of it was just little ol’ me as I have always enjoyed being active and pushing physical and emotional limits, but I also believe I was accompanied by a divine force that I have had along with me since my diagnosis in March, a bit even since I discovered the hardened region that turned out to be the tumor. It is difficult to explain, but my close friends have seen it and inquired about it — a sort of fierceness, grace, tremendous will, and determination that is a bit over-the-top of the pre-tumor Nicole. So, apparently this happens sometimes. It sometimes takes getting a disease like cancer to awaken in this way (others are in a different place and can get here without a disease jump starting them–I suppose it is karma and just where we are all at). We will see how long it lasts and where it takes me.

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors all of which can be viewed and linked to on the sponsor page! They all made the trip possible in some way and I am honored and indebted. A particular huge thanks to our friends Amy and Steve at Alchemy Construction who graciously paid for all of the ‘Night-Night Bus’ gas, camping in State Parks, meals out, and a few necessary supplies. Also Jeff at GoPro camera which enabled us to virtually bring you all along on the adventure flawlessly and provided a lot of fun for us gear geeks. Garrett and I needed to take turns with the GoPro camera and sometimes it was hard to hand it over. Jennifer at Adventure’s Edge provided me an awesome kit to sport, along with a few other cycling related supplies. I loved the wind proof vest–it was essential to keeping my core and neck warm and protected on the coast.

Also a huge thanks to all of my supportive and loving friends and community who provided me with broth and juice to power me during those six days. I think I am the only cyclist ever to carry around two glass Ball jars in my handle bar bag at all times. All of it was delicious–it certainly carried me through the trip. Also thanks for all of the little tokens–I am likely one of the few cyclists carrying around rocks and crystals too, and sprinkling wildflower seeds along the roadside (fun idea, Cheri)!

Last but not least….my pit crew! My helmet is off to them. They kept my spirits high and everything in order. Before the trip Garrett tuned up my bike that had been collecting dust in the garage, got me bomber tires (I did not get one single flat! See, divine force was along the ride). Garrett kept things orderly, washed dishes, did laundry, shopped for supplies, parented all day every day, prepared meals, pumped my tires, walked our dog, made videos late into the evening, powered through technical troubles…the list goes on and on and I could not have done this without him!

Posted in Musings, Post Cycling Trip/ Chemotherapy and tagged , , , , , , ,
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 , , , , , , , , , ,
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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