Groung hog day…

So this morning when someone turned on the lights in the room where we were all sleeping on cots, the first thing I heard was “it’s groundhog day” and he was right.

Each day is amazing, biking through surreal scenery but each day is also very much the same. Get up at the crack of dawn, find food, bike, get in the van to find more food and a place to stay for the night.

We are on hump day now, tomorrow is day 7 which is supposed to be the hardest day for all.

I have a millions stories to tell about this beautiful trip, but everynight I make it in I’m so exhausted I just want to crawl on my cot and go to bed!

Until you ear the stories from me, you can check the FB album I’ve been tagged in, I’ll let the photos do the talking

Day 0

Coming from a fun and different evening out with Geoff… We got dressed up to attend a 50′s party then proceeded to go carb load dressed from a different era, I Woke up early and scared.

Stomach full of knots as we drove to the airport, broke down crying like a kid when I had to say goodbye. (please don’t tell anyone, it was a bit embarrassing!

I’m usually a pretty brave girl, not very much makes me scared but I have to say thats the main emotion I felt this morning and for the past few days as well.

A good kind of scared, kind of like the scared you get in grade 5 before an oral presentation.

Knowing myself, I’m going to keep feeling like this probably until we start getting underway. Race jitters but on a much different scale that I’ve ever felt before.

To keep busy on the flight I was reading our safety procedures when encountering wildlife. They defined what to do for bears, bisons, coyote and wolves. But my favourite one was the one associated with a deer:

“try not to run into it, it’ll hurt you more then you’ll hurt it.

On this note, I’m resuming trying to not get spooked by a bumpy flight; looking forward to arriving in Vancouver – my good good friend Marie is picking me up for a little bit of an adventure before I hit the road.

xoxox

ISA

Start of day 3

Hi everyone!

You’ll have to help me out and tilt your head to see the picture, my iPhone ain’t that capable!

Yesterday we made our way into Spokane, we had a long, not that steep but long climb on the bike. The last 60+km were on a never ending slope. Somehow that was more painful then the short and steep (like the 1km pink lake equivalent we had just ahead of us on this picture).

I am seeing breathtaking views already, we had a pack of wild horses running on a high ridge beside us in a canyon.

My knees are killing this morning, the only satisfaction is that I know that once I get on the bike and the first 25km’s wear off I’ll be feeling good!

Today we head into Montana, heading to Missoula.

Should be a fun but cold day

Catch you all in the next time zone!

Tap here to begin writing.

Ooooo! Tired legs!

Not much time (or wi-fi) for a long update! We just rolled into Sultan WA a little bit ago.

All I can say now is that I’m a tad tired and I want to hit the pillow.

Day was great, we crossed into the states, rolled in the dark for a while but thankfully had a police escort for the last 30km’s or so.

I ate a lot of cookies, drank an insane amount of H20.

Okay, night –

Day 0

Coming from a fun and different evening out with Geoff… We got dressed up to attend a 50′s party then proceeded to go carb load dressed from a different era, I Woke up early and scared.

Stomach full of knots as we drove to the airport, broke down crying like a kid when I had to say goodbye. (please don’t tell anyone, it was a bit embarrassing!

I’m usually a pretty brave girl, not very much makes me scared but I have to say thats the main emotion I felt this morning and for the past few days as well.

A good kind of scared, kind of like the scared you get in grade 5 before an oral presentation.

Knowing myself, I’m going to keep feeling like this probably until we start getting underway. Race jitters but on a much different scale that I’ve ever felt before.

To keep busy on the flight I was reading our safety procedures when encountering wildlife. They defined what to do for bears, bisons, coyote and wolves. But my favourite one was the one associated with a deer:

“try not to run into it, it’ll hurt you more then you’ll hurt it.

On this note, I’m resuming trying to not get spooked by a bumpy flight; looking forward to arriving in Vancouver – my good good friend Marie is picking me up for a little bit of an adventure before I hit the road.

xoxox

ISA

The final hours

Here we are, the final 24 hours before I start on my journey to make my way to Austin, TX!  I’m leaving for Vancouver on a 7am flight and we start cycling as a group of 40 towards the Peace Arch Border Monday morning at 8:45am.

I wanted to thank everyone for helping me along the way,

To everyone who contributed either financially or with supporting equipment and with time in helping me organize events, thank you, my efforts would have been futile without your generosity.

Judy,  thank you for your strength and courage, you continue to amaze me on a daily basis and I am so grateful to now be able to call you a lifelong friend.  Stay strong cookie!  I’m doing this for you!

Mom-Dad-Cat:  I promise to stay safe and come back in one piece.

And last but definitely not least Geoff,  thank you for the months of being my side, helping-encouraging-supporting and loving as I’ve been trying to do my best at getting ready for this.  I couldn’t have done this without you, I hope you know that.

I will be blogging along the way, uploading pictures of the route etc…  Stay tune for updates and if you want to follow my next 2 weeks, use the subscribe button of the blog!

Chemo #4 – New Drug, New Side Affects, New Fears

Well I am over the hump so to speak, number 4 down and 2 to go.

Number 4 brings with it a new drug, and as I learned when i got to treatment, a new procedure. First I cant have my chemo in the arm with the blood clot anymore, which leaves the other arm which they cannot use a tourniquet.  That was an experience in itself and the nurses first! Needless to say my arm is a mess.

Then came these new rubber boots and gloves filled with ice packs.  When i asked what they were for, I was told to try and stop my finger nails and toe nails from falling off. The side affect of this drug…

Just when i thought all the fears were behind me, I was filled with dread. I got over the loss of a breast, then my hair, and you have got to be kidding me…not my finger and toe nails….

Then to add to it the nurse told me the flu symptoms would be much worse, but I thought how bad can it be…It wasn’t long before i found out…

This is definitely the toughest yet, but then I recalled a quote from the book Man’s Search for Meaning. There is much wisdom in the word’s of Nietzsche:  “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”   I thought, this is easy compared to how many have suffered and endured much worse.  I have so much to be grateful for and it is a constant reminder of my blessings and the amazing future ahead of me.

Life is journey and this is mine, and I am living it as intended, and sharing it with those who surround me with love and support.

My beautiful daughter is here with me for this treatment and we got through it together, with a little anxiety at times, some laughter and a lot of love….Isabelle and Geoff ran for the cure in my honour today and I draw strength from Isabelle on a daily basis.. On Sunday she leaves for her bike ride from Vancouver to Austin Texas and I will be with her in spirit.

Looking forward to the better days I know are ahead…and give thanks daily for the most amazing support group one could ever hope for…..Thank you…Judy