In this most difficult year of my life, I've just now enjoyed my first bike ride. This was an amazing achievement for me, and not because of the two inches of snow.

I had leg and back pain (along with a flu) in late December and went to the emergency room for it. I went again for the same thing on New Years' down in Hilton Head, and was again given Percacet and Prednazone. They again ignored my flu like issues, which were pretty severe.

When I saw an orthopedic doctor at home on Jan 5th, he ordered an MRI and found a mass impinging on my spine. The radiologist confirmed this with a biopsy and associated pathology assessment. Another biopsy and several catscans and a color MRI later led to a lymphoma diagnosis. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph nodes, which help the immune system do their job. Chemo therapy started Jan 24th and will go through June.

Anyhow, the impingement would have left me paralyzed if untreated. As it is, my right leg has been in constant pain and the right foot has limited range of motion, even the toes. I cannot put my heel down before the ball of my foot. I use a cane to help me walk, even though things have been slightly improving.

So, yesterday I go into the garage, which was empty of cars but has my bike, fitted with studs. I decided to see if I could bike circles in the garage, with big boots on. Wow--I was fairly stable.

Then I opened the garage door and went down driveway and then down the block. What joy!

I went back and grabbed my grocery pannier and went for a longer ride. Two miles later I took off my balaclava and was sweating bullets on my newly bald head in front of a cashier at Malley's, a chocolate candy store in Cleveland, and bought a yummy box of chocolate covered strawberries for my valentine. I know I looked like a mess in front of her, but I was all smiles. I biked home and when my wife came back, she found the newly wrapped chocolates in the fridge. She couldn't figure out how I did it, as the other car still had snow on its windshield. I hoped she'd be happy when she realized I biked there, but she was fillled with worry. Oh well, she'll do better as I get more miles in this year.

My bad foot slipped off the pedal once. I went slow. Despite this, I'm so happy I now have a legitimate way to get cardio excersize done. I can't tell you how much faster it is to bike than walk with a cane.

Wow, that's heavy thdave... Congrats on finding a way to regain some mobility, and best wishes in your recovery!

Sorry about your diagnosis but I'm glad you found a way to bring a sense of normalcy and forward progress into your life. Spring will be here soon and your wife will have less to worry about.

Dave,

Man that sucks! I'm sorry to hear about your journey. Glad to see you were able to get back on the bike & enjoy the ride. Malley's is delicious & well worth the ride.

Best of luck.

Didn't that first ride feel just wonderful?! Here hoping for a long and happy life filled with many more rides and kisses for your valentine!

A very inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. My best wishes to you and hope that you will ride all the way to full recovery and then some!

Peace.

I second modernjess. Inspiring! I'll be praying for a speedy recovery! Keep pedaling!

+1!

That's great Dave...evidence once again of how much joy a bicycle can give us!

It may seem stupid, a 52 year old man biking in circles in his garage, yet I was in pig's heaven. I just couldn't believe I could keep control of my foot to keep pedaling. I think I can bike better than I can drive a car, given that I have a difficult time raising my right foot in the air quickly. I can definitely bike better than I walk.

Keep in mind that I've had virtually no exercize in a month and a half. Now, I have prospects for getting out of that rut.

Dave,

This is a great post!

We see other posts from folks who took a ride that made them happy. I enjoy them and I'm happy for these people.

But your story really stands out from the crowd.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Nice job, sounds like you might need to clip in j/k! Keep it up and do be careful!

We take soooo much for granted. Your story shows that you are indeed strong willed. Very moving. I hope you have many, many more rides ahead of you. I'll send some healing thoughts in your direction, thdave.

thdave - that's an inspiring story. I'm sure it was a great feeling making it to that candy store.

In September, a good friend of mine and avid bike rider was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and required emergency brain surgery that left him in speech and physical therapy. He's slowly been getting back on the bike and the last two Fridays we rode 24 miles each day.

From what I have seen, bicycling is good therapy. Good luck on your recovery and keep us posted!

When it comes to it, I'm not surprised. I guess I already knew it but hadn't put it in those words.

I wonder if bicyclists make noticeably better physical therapy patients than others?

I'd bet a week's pay on it.

Best biking story I've read in a long time.

Thanks.