Advocacy & Safety - Cancer

I'm posting to say I'm going to taking a leave of absense here.

My wife of 29 years has been diagnosed with cancer and it looks like I'm going to be pre-occupied for a bit of time. We're off to London to visit our daughter before we begin treatment while my wife is still feeling well.

As much as I enjoy this board, my time is going to be put to use in another area.

I may still look in from time to time, and I don't want anyone to think I'm avoiding responding or not interested in the arguments on how best to advocate for cycling, it's just that for now, priorities have shifted

I'm sorry to hear that. My best wishes to you and your wife for a full recovery of her health.

Best wishes to you and your wife.

Your priorities are clear.

Cancer can be beaten; my mother has been cancer-free for 17 years, and I have been cancer-free for four years.

We are so sorry./ I very well know that sinking feeling - Closet. Our battle took over half a year and I was a nervous wreck. For several months I was unable to ride much. But, to keep up my resolve- but coming back to an empty home at night I'd get on the trainer for 20-30 minutes . That seemed to help keep my resolve somewhat intact during the worst of it. Cancer can be beaten. Our thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself in order to be strong for her. Only time I actually thought the trainer worth having. Man, did I ever crank out a speedy cadence to try and stay on top of my worries.

Very sorry to hear that, and all the best to both of you. Keep us posted occasionally, if you get time.

I'm posting to say I'm going to taking a leave of absense here.

My wife of 29 years has been diagnosed with cancer and it looks like I'm going to be pre-occupied for a bit of time. We're off to London to visit our daughter before we begin treatment while my wife is still feeling well.

As much as I enjoy this board, my time is going to be put to use in another area.

I may still look in from time to time, and I don't want anyone to think I'm avoiding responding or not interested in the arguments on how best to advocate for cycling, it's just that for now, priorities have shifted

Sorry to hear that. Good luck.

I'm so sorry to hear that, closetbiker. Best wishes to you and your wife. I hope you have a nice time in London.

Best wishes, CB. I know where you're at, my wife is a cancer survivor, so whatever you do, don't give up.

I'm posting to say I'm going to taking a leave of absense here.

My wife of 29 years has been diagnosed with cancer and it looks like I'm going to be pre-occupied for a bit of time. We're off to London to visit our daughter before we begin treatment while my wife is still feeling well.

As much as I enjoy this board, my time is going to be put to use in another area.

I may still look in from time to time, and I don't want anyone to think I'm avoiding responding or not interested in the arguments on how best to advocate for cycling, it's just that for now, priorities have shifted

Bummer. My best wishes to you both during your ordeal.

Take care of yourself and take care of her too. Good luck.

Best thoughts and wishes to you and your family Closetbiker.
Stay positive. Good spirits go a long way to making bad stuff
right again.

Although I don't post in A/S, and when I do it's usually jokingly I want to still wish you a good trip and your wife a speedy recovery.

We'll be looking forward to hearing back from you when your wifes cancer goes into remission and she is feeling better.
And yes, I said when.

Take care of her, and yourself.

Cancer can be beaten.
Damn right.

We love you both!

I'm posting to say I'm going to taking a leave of absense here.

My wife of 29 years has been diagnosed with cancer and it looks like I'm going to be pre-occupied for a bit of time. We're off to London to visit our daughter before we begin treatment while my wife is still feeling well.

As much as I enjoy this board, my time is going to be put to use in another area.

I may still look in from time to time, and I don't want anyone to think I'm avoiding responding or not interested in the arguments on how best to advocate for cycling, it's just that for now, priorities have shifted

I'm a survivor for six years now. I sympathize with your situation. I have enjoyed our debate regarding helmet effectiveness etc. and will miss your postings. Of course your wife needs all your support and hopefully you both have additional support through family, friends, church etc. Just don't try to deal with it alone. There are support groups available also. I learned that many times people are uncomfortable with the subject. Try not to allow the occasional unthinking comment to get you down either. Most folks mean well, they often just don't know what to say or how to listen. We will keep you, your wife and family in our prayers.

ClosetBiker - take care of her and yourself. We will still be here when you return.

so sad to hear news like that. hope she receives the best treatment/recovery, and your family grows in strength.
tomg

Sad news, stay strong. Cancer is an equal opportunity destroyer, yet the most unfair.

I ride every year for cancer, especially for my friend Ann.

Keep the spirits up.

My best wishes to you and your wife. I've already had one cancer scare myself and can vividly remember the feeling that the word can bring. The cycling community will miss your input, but we will be here when you take care of those much more important.

Thanks for posting, closetbiker, and best wishes to both of you. Since my wife is a 15-year survivor of thyroid cancer, I do understand what you are going through. We had much to celebrate on our 20th anniversary, which came 6 months after her surgery and radiation treatment.

You don't mention any details, and it isn't our business to know. Regardless, the course of treatment will leave you and yours feeling euphoric one moment and at the brink the next. Many of us have stood where you now find yourself. Your present business definitely takes priority. Our thoughts and prayers go with you and your wife.

If you feel like sharing, then, update us. If not, then, just know that this poster will keep you in his prayers.

Caruso

It isn't just priorities that keeps you from posting. When cancer struck my mother at the begining this year, I didn't enjoy posting or even riding anymore. Cancer can do that to you. I hope your wife makes a full recovery. You have my condolences.

Thank you for sharing this very personal situation. My family has been cut down to a small size by cancer, but never mind that. My very, very best hopes and wishes for your wife - and for you. Please come back when you're ready, and by all means, if you wish, keeps us posted.

I may still look in from time to time, and I don't want anyone to think I'm avoiding responding or not interested in the arguments on how best to advocate for cycling, it's just that for now, priorities have shifted

I don't think any reasonable person would blame you for your decision under the circumstances.

Seriously, I wish you the best of luck, and hope everything turns out as it should.

closetbiker, your priorities are clear. You are obviously needed elsewhere right now. Best wishes for you and your wife.

--J

And we'll miss you, too. :)

Sending positive thoughts your way and wish you and your wife well. Stay strong.

ClosetBiker,

it's been said before, better than I can express, but this can be beaten.
We (BF) will be here when you pop in and when you return.
You and your wife are in my thoughts, hope everything goes well.

Marty

Good luck and best wishes to you and your wife for a healthy recovery of that terrible disease.
Dealing with cancer is not an easy task.

Thomas

I may still look in from time to time, and I don't want anyone to think I'm avoiding responding or not interested in the arguments on how best to advocate for cycling, it's just that for now, priorities have shiftedYou and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers...please remember that this can be beat...a reason to live strong...take some time for yourself also, whether you think it's cycling or something else, don't forget that the healer in you will also need to be healed...above all stay positive and beat it!

Maybe pick someone here to stay in contact with that can keep us up-to-date on her positive progress!

Best wishes to you and your wife.

Your priorities are clear.

Cancer can be beaten; my mother has been cancer-free for 17 years, and I have been cancer-free for four years.

WOW! Now there are words of encouragement. Best of luck closet and our prayers are with you.

roughstuff

While obviously nothing in comparison to you situation, I had the scare several years ago when a lump was detected in my wifes.

You have my deepest condolences and I wish nothing but the best for your wife.

Thanks everybody for all the kind words. They mean the world.

I think one of the most important things I learned from my father leaving when I was 7, was the importance of being there for your family, in good times and bad.
It's always been my priority to spend time with my family and in times like this, I don't think there's anything more important than giving her all the attention she deserves.

It'll be a bit different for me. My mom died of cancer 24 years ago when she was in her 40's and when my daughter was born 22 years ago, we didn't think she was going to make it. She was born with kidney disease and had the further misfortune of suffering a number of other problems with her heart, liver and spleen, so we spent a good part of her early years in the hospital. She even had the bad luck to catch whooping cough for her first Christmas so I spent all Christmas time in intensive care holding and trying help sooth her when she had an attack to help it pass so she could catch her breath. Shes had a transplant and has been relatively stable for a number of years, but a transplant is a treatment, not a cure, and it could fail at any time. Further, the side effects of anti-rejection are scary. It lowers the body's ability to fight foreign tissue, keeping the doner's organ working but leaving the body easily susceptable to infections and all sorts of other nasty things. The anti-rejection drug is also a carcinogen. Everything's a balance, if she didn't have this treatment, her life could have been drastically worse.

Just last year a good friend of mine died after a 2 year bout with cancer and I was with him as much as I could be. He was 38.

I was just shy of my 18th birthday when my wife and I met, and 3 months later we were living together. 29 years have passed so fast it seems like a blink. We're were looking forward to this new stage in our lives as both our kids are now adults.

I think this is going to be different than my other experiences and very hard, but reading all your good thoughts and wishes helps.

I'm looking forward to being able to come back and post about cycling. Cycling is something I love, and I like talking/posting about it too, particularily in advocacy, but I love my wife more, and she needs the time.

........................ Of course your wife needs all your support and hopefully you both have additional support through family, friends, church etc. Just don't try to deal with it alone. There are support groups available also. I learned that many times people are uncomfortable with the subject. Try not to allow the occasional unthinking comment to get you down either. Most folks mean well, they often just don't know what to say or how to listen. We will keep you, your wife and family in our prayers.


Just to add to an excellent reply;
You will have friends come forward and ask what they can do to help. You may find, as I did, that it is hard to accept their offers. Go ahead and lean on them. They will appreciate doing what they can to get you and your wife through this.

I have found these support groups to be very helpful in guiding me through the process of getting the right medical, emotional and financial advice.
CancerCare (http://www.cancercare.org/)
and
LiveSTRONG Survivor Care (http://http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2662949/k.73BB/Get_OneonOne_Support.htm)

There are many others, they will help you cut through the confusion.

Best wishes to you and your wife. Enjoy your trip to London and give these flowers to your wife.

http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/85270375.jpg

family first - and we will always be here.

I hope for the best for you are yours

There have been many of us here who've made it through, with love and support from friends and family.

We'll be thinking of your wife, and you, and wait for your return.

East Hill

All of our differences set aside, best wishes Closetbiker. Good luck and please do come back and tell us how it's going from time to time.

As a survivor of ten years I know this was the hardest time for me, once I started treament and had a goal it was easier hopefully every thing will turn out well. All the best to you and yours.
Billew

Full of dread, I hesitated clicking on a thread from one of my favorite posters entitled simply, Cancer. My heart goes out to you. From what I understand, the key these days is to become totally immersed and educated on the topic, to use doctors as consultants, but not just blindly follow their advice. The good news is that we've had 10 years of advancement since Lance beat it. Never-the-less, just like dealing with motorists in traffic, with doctors you have to trust, but verify. I look forward to seeing this thread refreshed some time in the future when you're back to tell us how she beat it.

sorry to hear this but theres hope.... it can be beat and or cured with proper nutrition and detoxification...if not completely....the almighty will wipe it out one day along with the rest of the dreadful diseases we have.. as predicted as only he can....

I thought I should give everyone who may have read this thread an update.

We are still in treatment, but received good news. It looks as if we may have eliminated the cancer. Examination of the lymph-nodes revealed them to be clear of cancer. There are issues to still be concerned with, but for now, that's a big hurdle we seemed to have lept.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone here who have been so supportive. I'm in debt to your kindness and I'll be sure to act in kind when another needs help.

I thought I should give everyone who may have read this thread an update.

We are still in treatment, but received good news. It looks as if we may have eliminated the cancer. Examination of the lymph-nodes revealed them to be clear of cancer. There are issues to still be concerned with, but for now, that's a big hurdle we seemed to have lept.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone here who have been so supportive. I'm in debt to your kindness and I'll be sure to act in kind when another needs help.

!!!!!!

Inspired me to go for a trail ride this fine day.

May you continue to hear good news.

Robert

Closetbiker, that's really good news. I'm so happy for you and your wife. All my best wishes for the two of you as she recovers. Thanks for letting us know.

I thought I should give everyone who may have read this thread an update.

We are still in treatment, but received good news. It looks as if we may have eliminated the cancer. Examination of the lymph-nodes revealed them to be clear of cancer. There are issues to still be concerned with, but for now, that's a big hurdle we seemed to have lept.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone here who have been so supportive. I'm in debt to your kindness and I'll be sure to act in kind when another needs help.

That's great news man. I'm sure your support for your wife had a lot more to do with it than we did.

I thought I should give everyone who may have read this thread an update.

We are still in treatment, but received good news. It looks as if we may have eliminated the cancer. Examination of the lymph-nodes revealed them to be clear of cancer. There are issues to still be concerned with, but for now, that's a big hurdle we seemed to have lept.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone here who have been so supportive. I'm in debt to your kindness and I'll be sure to act in kind when another needs help.

This is great news! My mom went through this a few years ago, I took 4 months off work to care for her through surgery chemo and radiation. She beat it, and so will your wife.

Stay positive, always focus on what needs to be done, and if you ever need to blow off steam or just nee to hear positive words you know where to find us.

Best wishes to you and your family and I will pray for her and a speedy recovery.

That's great news. Great news. Thanksgiving is going to be extra special this year.

That's fantastic! Hell of an early Christmas present.

Wonderful news!

I managed to miss your update, probably because I was too stressed over the results of my own tests :( . I am very happy to hear that your wife's lymph nodes are clear. It's taken two years, but apparently I am now in the clear, and my husband is finally able to start feeling better.

A serious illness takes it's toll on more than just the person with the illness.

So, both of you keep getting better, all right?

East Hill