Summer is gone, already??
Daughter Erin dropped by for a visit Monday morning and was eager to talk about her new math program for this year and the work that she planned to start tomorrow to get things ready! Then I read an article about how to ease your kids back into school. This got me thinking about another “first” for me as this will be the first time in almost 50 years that September has not found me in a school building or educational endeavour. As we weren’t sure how this transition would feel, Loretta and I have decided to make a short road trip in early September to Montana to drive the “road to the sun” and also enjoy some mountain time there and on the way back. While we look forward to the trip, it is another reminder of how our daily rhythm of life has changed in the last months. We wonder if the present or new reality will ever feel “normal”?
What continues to be “normal” for our family is the parade of angels that God sends our way on an almost daily basis.
Angels ride bikes and pull holiday trailers!! We spent August 11 - 13 at the Enbridge AB17 Ride to Conquer Cancer. Over 1,500 riders took to their trusty steeds to cycle over 220 kilometers of rolling foothill country to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. I was honoured to have Doug’s Storm, a small and combative group made up of family and friends, ride on my behalf and raise over $20,000! The Storm had a tremendous pit crew, with supporters actually outnumbering riders by nearly a 2:1 ratio. While the bikers stayed in tent city on Saturday night, the Pit Crew circled up in a group camp area near the overnight location and enjoyed a fantastic BBQ potluck supper that evening.
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| Tent City, Okotoks |
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| Kase and Gus hanging at the campground at the potluck |
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| Marijka, Kase, and Gus at the potluck |
On Saturday I was alone in the truck, heading off to pick up a couple of riders, when I was struck by the intensity of some of the hills, especially when the ride was nearing its end and there was a strong headwind of nearly 40 km/h. While I could continue to enjoy the panoramic views as I was climbing the hills, I judged by the body language of the riders and the halted bikes with bent-over riders that they weren't interested in the swaying canola fields or the manicured ranch yard. Then I would crest a hill and imagine a blessed downhill stretch where the riders could “rest” for a bit. Invariably I would find my eyes drawn upward to yet another hill to be climbed after the brief reprieve of a downhill. It was during this up and down adventure that I began to see my journey as a cancer patient, and the importance of angel riders.
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| Greg, Matt, Amanda, and Doozer. |
I noticed an interesting pattern emerge. For riders on the way down the hills it was every rider for his/herself, as the pack spread out and riders pistoned their pedals to get maximum speed to ride part way up the next hill. Riders going up the hills tended to work in packs, drafting with each other to conserve energy and offer encouragement that the hill would be conquered. Riders bent over from exhaustion seldom stopped alone as fellow cyclists seemed to pull over for support (or maybe they were just looking for a good reason to stop and catch a breath?). It became clear that the “pack” played an essential role in sustaining the struggling cyclist. I am convinced that many a cyclist would not have completed the ride were it not for their support riders. The beast of the ride was slain but only through the efforts of the pack riders.
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| Reliving the hills |
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| A welcomed pit stop visitor |
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| Getting back on the road |
I know that our journey has been made so much easier by the pack of angels that travels along with us. When we seem to be attacking hill after stinking hill in the treatment of the cancer, not sure if we have the energy or will to battle again, God seems to be putting just the right people on the bike next to us, and up another hill we go.
To all those who pray daily that the beast be slain and support our family on a daily basis, we offer our deepest thanks!
Interestingly, I noticed that the struggling riders were renewed as soon as they entered Okotoks and knew the ride had only a few kilometres left. Many that had struggled up previous hills now powered up the last hill prior to the finish line. The end in sight was a real gift and sparked a hard push to the end. The challenging part of our ride is that there isn’t a defined finish line that we need to make it to - it can seem that the ride will continue to be hill after hill after hill after hill. This unknown is very challenging to prepare for and to pursue. So we beg that you continue to be earnest and diligent in your prayers and support as the toughest part of the fight is still likely ahead. Please pray that the beast will be slain and that our family be hopeful and energetic in the battle.
A quick update on treatment! I just completed another round of chemo and it has been more challenging than past rounds, with more intense nausea and fatigue. The dose has increased and it is winning this battle but hopefully the hill will be soon be crested and I can coast down the other side before beginning rounds in September - January.
- Doug
