Santa Barbara to Marina Del Rey, 89 miles.
I had adjoining rooms with Brian and Joe, they decide to remodel my room while I shower.
Team1090
QMDC Day5
October 21, 2009
Santa Barbara to Marina Del Rey, 89 miles.
If you see this over your shoulder, pedal harder, you are about to be dropped!
Team1090
Santa Barbara to Marina Del Rey, 89 miles.
Team1090
Post Ride Procedure
Step 2. Enter the gigantic blow up QMDC arch.
Step 3, Pick up your day bag.
Step 4, Get your room key from the 'luggage angels'
Step 5, Get a massage.
Step 6, Eat!
QMDC Day1
October 17, 2003
My talented friends...
Ok, so there is a lot going on here, so I think I will just post a few photos from each day of this incredible event and then write it up later.
So, here's day 1.
My talented friends...
Finishing an Old Chapter and Beginning a New One...
October 16, 2009
On October 16, 2003 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I remember that day with vivid detail, what the weather was like, the warm sun and cool breezes, the color of autumn leaves on the Indiana landscape, and waiting around a small Hoosier hospital with my mind racing from the news that I was ill and had a huge battle to prepare for. All of the blood tests, X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds...it was not an enjoyable morning. I recall sitting in a small waiting room with my mother watching President Bush speak on the television from California when the doctor came in with a not so positive look on his face. "We don't know what it is, we know it is cancer but can't figure out how to treat you until after we remove it. Please clear you schedule for tomorrow, we are going into surgery first thing...but wait you don't have kids, let's delay for a week to allow you to bank sperm." I just thought I had a sports injury, what a change of events it turned out to be.
A week later I had surgery, they were going to remove both testicles in a very short operation. When I woke up the doctor was there, with that same look of confusion and seriousness from the previous Wednesday. "We stopped the surgery; I have never seen anything like this before. I am going to have to send you to IU Med. They are the experts." Awesome, I thought that it would be over in one quick sweep, but I had to do all of the tests again, and let all of this stew in my mind for the next month. The team of doctors at IU was incredible. Dr. Bihrle and Foster are hands down the experts in the treatment plan that was developed. I go into surgery again, just a few days before Thanksgiving. The doctors decide to remove the tumor from the remaining testicle. (It is as painful as it sounds, gentlemen.) Pathology comes in the day before the holiday, and it is not all that great. "Lytic cell tumor, very rare, pretty well encapsulated but this tumor does not behave like any other cancer. It is untreatable, undetectable, and metastasis certainly has a low survival rate. Chemo and radiation will do nothing for this." Happy Thanksgiving.
During the post op appointment, we discussed the options. 1) Do nothing and hope that there is no metastasis. 2) Undergo a radical operation to remove the lymph nodes between the testis and the lungs to hopefully confirm that there is no spread and have peace of mind. I took the second option and went into surgery in mid December. The operation lasted over 8 hours, and the recovery was hell. They removed 17 nodes from deep within my abdomen which we sent out for a pathology report. It only took a week, but it seemed like an eternity. On Christmas Eve, Dr Bihrle called. He stayed around to get the report, even though he was supposed to be home preparing for a holiday party. He sounded scarily serious when I picked up the call. He spent about 5 minutes describing the process of the testing that they did all sorts of details that I cannot recall, until he said all 17 lymph nodes showed negative pathology, congratulations, have a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas indeed!
I thought I would share, although many of you already know the story, some of you may not. Today is a big day. 6 years means no more x rays or annual CT scans. No more anxiety waiting to get the radiology report even though you know it is negative. No more excuses. No more worries.
Cancer, is a horrible thing to deal with, its hard, its ruthless, and it beats you down. I would have to say that I am glad that I have fought the disease. It has changed my perspective on everything. Without it, I would not be the person that I am today.
Tomorrow we start the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. This whole experience was been the perfect way to close the cancer chapter and start writing a new one.
On October 16, 2003 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I remember that day with vivid detail, what the weather was like, the warm sun and cool breezes, the color of autumn leaves on the Indiana landscape, and waiting around a small Hoosier hospital with my mind racing from the news that I was ill and had a huge battle to prepare for. All of the blood tests, X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds...it was not an enjoyable morning. I recall sitting in a small waiting room with my mother watching President Bush speak on the television from California when the doctor came in with a not so positive look on his face. "We don't know what it is, we know it is cancer but can't figure out how to treat you until after we remove it. Please clear you schedule for tomorrow, we are going into surgery first thing...but wait you don't have kids, let's delay for a week to allow you to bank sperm." I just thought I had a sports injury, what a change of events it turned out to be.
A week later I had surgery, they were going to remove both testicles in a very short operation. When I woke up the doctor was there, with that same look of confusion and seriousness from the previous Wednesday. "We stopped the surgery; I have never seen anything like this before. I am going to have to send you to IU Med. They are the experts." Awesome, I thought that it would be over in one quick sweep, but I had to do all of the tests again, and let all of this stew in my mind for the next month. The team of doctors at IU was incredible. Dr. Bihrle and Foster are hands down the experts in the treatment plan that was developed. I go into surgery again, just a few days before Thanksgiving. The doctors decide to remove the tumor from the remaining testicle. (It is as painful as it sounds, gentlemen.) Pathology comes in the day before the holiday, and it is not all that great. "Lytic cell tumor, very rare, pretty well encapsulated but this tumor does not behave like any other cancer. It is untreatable, undetectable, and metastasis certainly has a low survival rate. Chemo and radiation will do nothing for this." Happy Thanksgiving.
During the post op appointment, we discussed the options. 1) Do nothing and hope that there is no metastasis. 2) Undergo a radical operation to remove the lymph nodes between the testis and the lungs to hopefully confirm that there is no spread and have peace of mind. I took the second option and went into surgery in mid December. The operation lasted over 8 hours, and the recovery was hell. They removed 17 nodes from deep within my abdomen which we sent out for a pathology report. It only took a week, but it seemed like an eternity. On Christmas Eve, Dr Bihrle called. He stayed around to get the report, even though he was supposed to be home preparing for a holiday party. He sounded scarily serious when I picked up the call. He spent about 5 minutes describing the process of the testing that they did all sorts of details that I cannot recall, until he said all 17 lymph nodes showed negative pathology, congratulations, have a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas indeed!
I thought I would share, although many of you already know the story, some of you may not. Today is a big day. 6 years means no more x rays or annual CT scans. No more anxiety waiting to get the radiology report even though you know it is negative. No more excuses. No more worries.
Cancer, is a horrible thing to deal with, its hard, its ruthless, and it beats you down. I would have to say that I am glad that I have fought the disease. It has changed my perspective on everything. Without it, I would not be the person that I am today.
Tomorrow we start the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. This whole experience was been the perfect way to close the cancer chapter and start writing a new one.
Final Training Ride
October 11, 2009
Today was the last early Sunday morning training ride but there were smiles everywhere. After completing 20 weeks of training and logging 1,000+ miles on Sundays alone, everyone is in fantastic shape and ready to tackle the 620 scheduled miles from San Francisco to San Diego next week. I am sure that many saw the program as a daunting task, but with the incredible support of our ride leaders, coach, and support crew, we all made it. I was still caught up in the 'high' of winning The Scott and BR Cycling Challenge and was again overwhelmed with kind words and congratulations of fellow Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge riders, Scott & BR Cycling Challenge teammates, and great friends. It is a huge honor and I will cherish the journey, the support and friendships it took to get here, and the QMDC experience for my lifetime.
The pre-ride briefing had a special speaker this morning. One of the challenged athletes and hand-cycle studs, Fred, took a moment to thank us for all that we do for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. He shared his story, about how he was injured in a motorcycle accident years ago and how "in an instant" his whole life had changed, from how he lived to how others viewed him. Then he explained how athletics turned that all around. He went from being a guy in a wheelchair going to see his mother to a competitive athlete and how athletics and competition changed his and others perspective. Rock on Fred! Your story and attitude is truly inspirational, we were all touched by your words and proud to support you and the Challenged Athletes Foundation!
The ride was a short one. A almost 40 miler to recover, relax, and enjoy each others company as we make the final preparations for next week. I started with Groups 1 and 2 to talk to the folks I haven't had a chance to ride with over the last few weeks. Even after 20 weeks, I am still meeting great people. I spent some time with David Crabb this week as we decided to fall off the Group 1 pace and head back to Group 3 for the rest of the ride. We all had a great time out on the final ride. It was blessed with great weather and filled with good company.
This Friday I board a plane to San Francisco, and on Saturday we start the epic seven day journey down the coast. I am really excited, and honored to share this experience with all my new Great Friends in the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. See you all in San Francisco!
Today was the last early Sunday morning training ride but there were smiles everywhere. After completing 20 weeks of training and logging 1,000+ miles on Sundays alone, everyone is in fantastic shape and ready to tackle the 620 scheduled miles from San Francisco to San Diego next week. I am sure that many saw the program as a daunting task, but with the incredible support of our ride leaders, coach, and support crew, we all made it. I was still caught up in the 'high' of winning The Scott and BR Cycling Challenge and was again overwhelmed with kind words and congratulations of fellow Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge riders, Scott & BR Cycling Challenge teammates, and great friends. It is a huge honor and I will cherish the journey, the support and friendships it took to get here, and the QMDC experience for my lifetime.
The pre-ride briefing had a special speaker this morning. One of the challenged athletes and hand-cycle studs, Fred, took a moment to thank us for all that we do for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. He shared his story, about how he was injured in a motorcycle accident years ago and how "in an instant" his whole life had changed, from how he lived to how others viewed him. Then he explained how athletics turned that all around. He went from being a guy in a wheelchair going to see his mother to a competitive athlete and how athletics and competition changed his and others perspective. Rock on Fred! Your story and attitude is truly inspirational, we were all touched by your words and proud to support you and the Challenged Athletes Foundation!
The ride was a short one. A almost 40 miler to recover, relax, and enjoy each others company as we make the final preparations for next week. I started with Groups 1 and 2 to talk to the folks I haven't had a chance to ride with over the last few weeks. Even after 20 weeks, I am still meeting great people. I spent some time with David Crabb this week as we decided to fall off the Group 1 pace and head back to Group 3 for the rest of the ride. We all had a great time out on the final ride. It was blessed with great weather and filled with good company.
This Friday I board a plane to San Francisco, and on Saturday we start the epic seven day journey down the coast. I am really excited, and honored to share this experience with all my new Great Friends in the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. See you all in San Francisco!
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