Fifty Plus (50+) - Still riding :-) - Final chemo

Yesterday was the 6th and last chemo treatment:thumb: Today I stop by the doctor’s office to get the injection to rebuild the white blood count. It feels great to know that this is the last time I will be experiencing some of those annoying side effects. My doctor says there should be less side effects from the radiation treatments. Hopefully all I'll experience is the fatigue and minor skin Irritations.

I'm looking forward to food tasting like food, less insomnia, no water retention, losing the 8 pounds I’ve gained due to the steroids and growing back some hair. I'm still hoping for straight blond hair this time. I would even settle for some of the red hair prevalent in my family.

My first appointment with the radiation department is early December for a CT scan and treatment schedule. I'm hoping to be done with these treatments by the end of January. This would give me a few months to regain my strength and stamina. I'm hoping to be able to ride the GOBA (Great Ohio Bike Adventure) in June.

I managed to get about 30 miles on the bike since the previous treatment. I still want to hit 1,000 miles for this year. I need around 40 miles. If the weather stays nice for a few more days I should meet my goal !

Way-to-go, and cycling will speed your recovery. My wife finished Chemo in August and is feeling much better already.

Glad to hear that you have cleared that hurdle successfully. Hitting your 1000 mile goal will be a bonus.

Way to go, Bev! Keep taking it as it comes and you'll get your 40 miles and then some.

Hard to believe, but I just made 3 years since my last treatment on 11/7.

Speedy recovery and good health.

It's great to hear that you have had your last chemo treatment, and you kept riding through the whole thing....good for you! Keep fighting and riding, you'll be back to regular riding soon.

Good news, my wife was equaly motivated and kept going, kept her spirits, best of luck to you, I am sure you will get to 1000 miles

Great news, Beverly!

thats great to hear Bev, Judy is at 900 hundred for the year don't think she will hit 1000 but she gave it a nice try.

You are showing so much courage--you are an inspiration.

My wife went through this experience 6 years ago and doing great. (stage 3a)

Go for those last miles and enjoy!

Congratulations

Good News! From your posts you seem to be doing just fine. No, more than fine.

Beverly, you are an inspiration.
Keep going!

congrats...... get well soon !

Beverly you ROCK! go gettum! those trails are calling you!

Way to go, Bev!:beer:

Great news! A close cousin battled cancer last year. Not expected to make it but family pulled together. Plenty of Relay for Life activities and events. Raised a ton of money for the cancer society as well as her treatment and house modifications. Even though she has been free for a year or so, the family still takes part in the Relay for Life events.

One of my cousins has a buddy that cycles. He agreed to organize an event to raise money for us "if" one of the family members would agree to "struggle" through the 75 mile event. I guess he didn't know about Cousin Beanz. :D I will be doing my part in April. ;)


One of the events last year. My family.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBvmJCKLb8Y

Glad to hear that your treatments are going well. I never had chemo for my leukemia, so I can't say I know what you went through but I did have radiation treatment and seed implants for my prostate cancer three years ago. Still experiencing some very minor side effects from the radiation, but they are no more than annoying and nothing that I can't live with. I hope your radiation treatments go well.

Outstanding news Beverly, glad you are still progressing and getting the battle in hand. Now you can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and some nice munchies.

Bill

Today I stop by the doctor’s office to get the injection to rebuild the white blood count.

You realize that you will fail the blood doping tests and will be forced to stop racing! Oh, scandal!

Hang in there!

Very inspiring, keep at it. Godspeed.

Best wishes for continued success in your treatment... go for the ginger! :)

Brad

I did 12 sessions of chemo in 2006. I also tried riding through it, but without much success. I had the worst crash of my cycling career while doing chemo - I thought I had broken my hip, but x-ray showed a sprain. I got some crutches, and it was a subject of great mirth when I showed up for chemo a few days later (not a lot of bike crash victims in the chemo room). After sitting in the chair for about three hours I got up to leave, and my hip was greatly improved. I went home and made some soup and I could walk without the crutches and without much pain. The pain came back after a few days, but after my next chemo session I was cured. I mentioned that to the doctor, and he said it likely was the steroids included with the chemo to treat the nausea - it worked to treat the inflammation caused by the crash. A very rare positive side effect of chemotherapy.

Regarding the white count medicine - I hope you got Neulasta. That stuff is great. I got a few shots of Neupagen, which caused some real bone pain. Neulasta worked much better for me.

Regarding the white count medicine - I hope you got Neulasta. That stuff is great. I got a few shots of Neupagen, which caused some real bone pain. Neulasta worked much better for me.

Yes, I got Neulasta. No side effects except for a little bit of joint pain after the 4th injection.

Congratulations on finishing the chemo, Bev! I'm so glad to hear it didn't hold you down! As for the straight blonde hair, I've had it all my life--meh! Go for so curly red--much more exciting!

Great story and congrats. You are inspiring in so many ways. It is posts like yours that keep reminding me of why I am so fortunate and just how important our health is. I am a diabetic and have had part of my left foot amputated. I remember the 14 months it took me to recover from my surgery and how thankful I was to shower and just walk again.

I feel happy for you and wish you all the best.

Regards,

Brian J.

Hard to believe, but I just made 3 years since my last treatment on 11/7.

Time flies!
Beverly, you always seem to see the bright side of things.

Time flies!
Beverly, you always seem to see the bright side of things.
That is so true, John. I've ridden across the state with Bev and her "boys", rode the Finger Lakes tour with them and other 50+ers, and they've been to my house a few times as well. She always makes me feel like "life is great".

Just make sure she gets her morning coffee.:twitchy::innocent:.....:lol:

That's great news Beverly! Now that part is all behind you, and in time to celebrate the Holidays too.

Way to go. This is a great support group to have during these times.

Beverly what an inspiration you are. You have no idea.... I have used my cancer treatment (now cancer free YEAH!) as an excuse to get lazy, and fat and out of shape and for the last few years the source of my lack of motivation. Shame on me and good for you. I need to stop my foolishness and get out and do more. Beverly can do it! No excuses so can I!

PS: Brian you too! The "B's" have got me motivated!

You're an inspiration - good going!

I sure hope that the you've seen the last of the rough water - and you have smooth sailing from now on. Rack up those miles!

Congrats, Beverly! Way to kick cancer's *ss!

I predict you'll get those last 40 miles + a few bonus miles before the year's end. How great for you to end 2011 on a high note.

:thumb:

Great news.

Beverly, everyone here and me too is delighted by your good news and wishes you well.

Oh and, about the hair. I have a lovely head of skin and blondy tonsure. Swap? (!)