Fifty Plus (50+) - First Ride of the "Chemo Era" - different

The good news is that after my first week of chemotherapy, I got on my bike, Kemo Sabe, and rode 10 miles. I was happy to be on the bike and riding, but it sure was different than riding a week ago. :twitchy:

I started pretty strong, probably too strong in hindsight. For the first mile or so, I rode at a steady, moderate pace with no trouble. But after a couple of mild hills, I was gasping for breath and had to stop to avoid passing out. I recovered quickly and continued on, taking it easy and stopping to rest 3 more times to catch my breath.

Another big change is the loss of muscle tone. I barely recognize my legs. They still have a lot of muscular definition, but much of the bulk is gone. I've always had big calves, so seeing then so skinny now is a shock. But they worked well enough to push me down the road. My core strength is a different animal. I can see that the normal drop position that has served me well for many years is not going to be what I will need during this time. My shoulders ached trying to maintain a leaned forward position. Poor Kemo Sabe really liked his new dirt drops, but I really think some North Road bars are in his future. I'm going to need to ride upright for a while.

I was pretty beat after the ride, but I feel good now after a shower, a meal and a nap.

Here is the report I put on my club's site. (http://www.mvillebikes.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=46#post46)

Under the circumstances Dawg, I am thrilled to see you out riding. Keep it up, and keep posting the results.

The good news is that after my first week of chemotherapy, I got on my bike, Kemo Sabe, and rode 10 miles. I was happy to be on the bike and riding, but it sure was different than riding a week ago. :twitchy:

I started pretty strong, probably too strong in hindsight. For the first mile or so, I rode at a steady, moderate pace with no trouble. But after a couple of mild hills, I was gasping for breath and had to stop to avoid passing out. I recovered quickly and continued on, taking it easy and stopping to rest 3 more times to catch my breath.

Another big change is the loss of muscle tone. I barely recognize my legs. They still have a lot of muscular definition, but much of the bulk is gone. I've always had big calves, so seeing then so skinny now is a shock. But they worked well enough to push me down the road. My core strength is a different animal. I can see that the normal drop position that has served me well for many years is not going to be what I will need during this time. My shoulders ached trying to maintain a leaned forward position. Poor Kemo Sabe really liked his new dirt drops, but I really think some North Road bars are in his future. I'm going to need to ride upright for a while.

I was pretty beat after the ride, but I feel good now after a shower, a meal and a nap.

Here is the report I put on my club's site. (http://www.mvillebikes.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=46#post46)


How 'bout them Dawgs!

Sounds like a great ride to me. Congratulations on getting out there, most people would be on the couch.

Man, chemo is tough, and your entire body is dealing with the effects of massive amount of toxic stuff... nothing you don't already know. It always seems to me that reality is a bit different than anything you can anticipate. I'm impressed that you got out and did 10 whole miles. And, yes, modify your ride for now. It's a smart move.

I'm just stomp down glad to read you where out for a ride. You are still in my payers for a complete victory over the "C"

Bill

Just think, if you weren't in the shape you are in, like a lot of people our age. It sure helps with the battle your in, to get through this terrible sickness. Good luck Dawg, I know you'll beat it. God bless.

You can do it, Dawg! Ten miles is AWESOME!

We're all pulling for ya...

Keep it up BG-when you feel up to it.

Great job, Dawg!

Paul

Good work, BD. Here's an important thing to remember. The purpose of chemo is to make you sicker and sicker throughout the process so as to kill as much of the cancer as possible. The healthy cells that die along with it are collateral damage. After each session you recover, but each recovery is lower, and each valley after a session is also lower. The second time through chemo (which, I am happy to report, ended exactly two years ago yesterday) I had twelve sessions separated by two weeks, and by the twelfth session I was very sick. But this is what you need to remember - the sickness passes, and the benefit, you hope, stays. You can hang by your toes for a month if you have to, so long as you get the long-term benefit. You feel awful, you look worse, you smell like a toxic waste dump, nothing tastes good, and the clock slows to a crawl, but time does pass. And in the end, you beat the bast*rd.

So tell them to turn the dial up to 11. Take all the adjuvent medicines they will give you for pain, nausea, low blood counts (tell them you want EPO - it's magic juice for cyclists), or anything else that the sh*t does to you. If the chemo lands you in the hospital (I spent a day there after my fourth session), tell them not to turn down the juice. Remember the pain - it makes you stronger.

Good job, BD. Do as much as you comfortably can and don't push it. Just getting out there and riding is great!

BD, great to see you're out there riding.
You're still in my prayers.

Many Happy Trails

Good news. Great to hear this report. My sis has been through it twice and at 71 is doing great. So will you.

Well done!


I guess you'll call your bike Chemo Sabe now. ;)

Best ride report I've read in a long time.

Forget how fast, or far, you did it, you persevered and did it. My hat is off to you, not sure I would even have the fortitude to try to ride in that situation. Congrats Dawg.

"Don't give up, don't ever give up." Jimmy V.

Good job, BD. You are probably wise to keep rides short. I overdid it after my second round, and paid for it for days. The delayed effect the drugs have can have you not feeling too bad until something like too long a ride exhausts you. Stay the course!

Keep up the good work, BD. I really feel the riding will help you keep your spirits up. Battling cancer can be a struggle at times even in the best of circumstances.

Reading this brings tears to my eyes for you. Outstanding job sir.

Thanks for the comments, guys. You are part of what keeps me going these days.

I'm starting to think about getting one of those pedal exerciser things where you sit in a chair and pedal. I don't know anything about them. Are they worthwhile or should I skip over that and go for a recumbent trainer?

Dude , you are now officially my hero! God bless you and keep you strong.

Don't really know anything about recumbent exercise machines. Bicycleman is a legit bike store.
You wouldn't have to worry about being chased by dogs. The machine could be sold when no longer needed.

http://www.thefurniture.com/store/images/ICN/Fitness/ProForm_SR30.jpg
http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbent-exercise-bikes/images/LeMond-Fitness-G-Force-RT.jpg
http://www.bayoufitness.com/c/ht640lt_325.jpg

This probably wouldn't be a good time to start riding rollers, unless you are already good at them.

Jeez, BD, you're such a show-off!

Good work.

SUre makes me happy that you are out there riding however you can. Keep it up, go for what you can do, and get well.

Wow! I can't believe you're riding already! I know there are good and bad days, but most of the people I know couldn't even go for a walk. Good job!!!!

Way to go Dawg! All of us are right there with you. Fight the good fight and soon this will be behind you. And if you need to "vent" at some point, we're all right here.

Wow! I can't believe you're riding already! I know there are good and bad days, but most of the people I know couldn't even go for a walk. Good job!!!!

It is more of a "still riding" situation than "riding already". I am very early in the process and I can see that is going to be a long, hard road. I've been struggling to eat anything lately. My throat is very sore and eating has become a chore, rather than a pleasure.

On the other hand, I can see that the swelling in my neck has subsided quite a bit. More than I expected to see so soon. I can't even find the swollen lymph node that first alerted me that there might be something serious happening.

BD,

Hang Tough!

Jeff, still fat

BD: You ain't kidding about being a Bulldawg fan with an attitude! You da man!!!

It is more of a "still riding" situation than "riding already". I am very early in the process and I can see that is going to be a long, hard road. I've been struggling to eat anything lately. My throat is very sore and eating has become a chore, rather than a pleasure.

On the other hand, I can see that the swelling in my neck has subsided quite a bit. More than I expected to see so soon. I can't even find the swollen lymph node that first alerted me that there might be something serious happening.

BD - when you do eat, try to eat as many nutrient-dense foods as you can tolerate in whatever way you can get them down. Homemade vegie juices and fruit smoothies with lo-fat yogurt through a straw might work for you. I think we have a book about such things to make during cancer treatments... I'll see if I can find it if you are interested.

Great job keeping riding. That's the attitude that will kick the C in the ***.

BD - when you do eat, try to eat as many nutrient-dense foods as you can tolerate in whatever way you can get them down. Homemade vegie juices and fruit smoothies with lo-fat yogurt through a straw might work for you. I think we have a book about such things to make during cancer treatments... I'll see if I can find it if you are interested.

Yes, I'm trying to cram in as much nutrition as I can into what I eat. Today I tried a fruit smoothie with plain yogurt, frozen bananas, strawberries and white grape juice. I added a scoop of whey protein powder. It went down pretty well, but burned a little. I'll try it without the strawberries tomorrow. I'm definitely open to more ideas.