David P

Hi everybody. I didn't ever think in my wildest dreams (and I've had some pretty wild ones) that I would be saying this... I placed first in my age category in the 24hr World Solo Championship mountain bike race on the weekend!! It was a very difficult ride, and one where I spent most of the time thinking about all of you - dealing with this crummy disease, especially young Drew and his rare case, and all those who have past away since I began on this message board. I decided at the start line to dedicate my race this year to all of you, past and present, and even had a short conversation with Jesse just before the gun went off. My new photo shows me wearing the coveted winner's white jersey I received at the awards banquet. I have one cancer related story steming from the banquet to share with you -- the president and founder of The 24hrs of Adrenalin races was making his welcome and introduction speech at the start of the banquet and was talking about the wonderful stories that come from such an epic marathon event like the 24hrs race. Well, he told everyone about a guy that almost didn't make it to last year's race because his qualifying race was cancelled, and when he did race, his profile said his goal was just to finish the race... and this year he came first in his category riding 10 laps... then he made me stand up, and told everyone I did it with only one lung... but that's just the lead up to my story; the fellow sitting next to me was from Bute Montana (Lance Armstrong's good friend and riding partner, Levi Leipheimer is from Bute), and he leaned over and asked,"do you know what this is?" pointing to a yellow band on his wrist. I recognized it as being a "Livestrong" band that is purchased and worn as a symbol of hope, courage, and perseverance, in support of cancer research and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. He then removed it from his wrist and put it on my wrist saying, "wear yellow, live strong." He then told me it was given to him by Levi Leipheimer's brother who owns a bike shop in Bute. I almost started to cry. The Livestrong bands can be purchased from http://www.lancearmstrong.com Now that the race is over for another year, I should have more time for the message board, but this year, I'm going to have to maintain some training over the winter so I can successfully defend my title next year. Thanks for all of your support everyone. Take care. World Champ (45-49 yr age group)

Tammy, please accept my condolences on the passing of your mother. It's strange to think that the five weeks spent with your mother before her death were such an uplifting, happy time full of life and laughter, while still surrounded by the outcome of this dreadful disease. What a beautiful memory of your mother to be left with. The arm at arms length that was taken down and wrapped around you in awesome hugs is such a wonderful image. Take care. David P.

That was good advice you gave your sister Shelly. All you can do is stick by her and lend support. You would be a welcomed adition to anyone's bedside in these kind of situations. And your sister appreciates it greatly - that's why she expresses herself to you the way she does -- she knows you're there to help. Hope everything goes well. Take care Shelly. David p.

Heylee, I hope all goes well for your sister from here on. It can be a bumpy road, but we're all with you and your sister on this. Take care. David P.

OK Sandy, this is for you and anyone else who was tiring of my one year old biking photo. This is me on the rugged 50 mile long West Coast Trail on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was built as a rescue trail for all the shipwrecks that occurred along the coast in the 1800's. We took six days and five nights to complete the trail. It was the toughest thing I had ever done in my life -- even tougher than my 24hr races!! I started with 75lbs in my backpack. (big mistake) Hiking up and down steep mountain trails for 10 and 12 hrs a day, the sore shoulders, and the HUGE blisters from my boots (which I left at the end of the trail), was all counteracted by the sheer beauty of the waves, beaches, gray whales, sea lions and otters, wolves, bears, and the afternoon we bought live crabs and some beer from the local Natives and caught some fish off the rocks right next to a huge propellor and drive shaft from the shipwrecked S.S. Michigan. What a trip!! If anyone out there is into hiking -- this would be the trip for you. David P.

Angie, you are to be commended for your tenacity - your father is a very lucky man to have you in his corner. Now, speaking as a father, your father's response, and that of other dad's in like situations could solely be to protect you. At the point of his response, you were in conflict with the nurse, and were to soon get into it with the doctor. Him saying it doesn't hurt that much could be him thinking of you more than of himself. Glad to hear he got in for his scan. Take care. David P.

Congratulations Peggy!! And a well deserved pat on the back that would be. I can hear the drum roll loud and clear. I hope you're combining a whole lot of fruits and veggies and exercise with those other goodies you mentioned. Good luck with the rest of your "getting smaller" program, (if indeed it's still necessary to continue ). Take care. David P.

Hey again Ray. You know what they say about when it rains, huh? Well for you right now, IT'S POURING like crazy! You've already proven to yourself and to everyone on this website that you're one tough cookie Ray. You can still do this. I don't think it will do anyone any good to get too upset -- you have to take this in stride like you have since the begining of this lousy journey. We're all counting on you Ray. I wish I could be there with you brother. Take care. David

Hey there Brother! It's OK to be scared. You'd be crazy not to be. But you've got to have faith Ray, and I know you do. Everyone on this board will be with you on the 3rd. You just hang in there -- everything is going to be alright. And have a great birthday on the 2nd Ray. I'll be thinking of you. Take care. David

Hey Connie. How exciting it must be for Austin to start hearing things. And for the rest of your family as well! Have you played him classical music yet? Hope you have been well. I heard you were going to phone me if I didn't show up soon. Take care. David

Hey there Matt. I can understand why you, along with so many others lurk before posting... they're a pretty scary bunch until you get to know them, huh? But as you can see, it only takes one post and you have more support than you could ever imagine. Take care, and good luck with the treatments. David P.

Ginny, I've never had to go through 978 posts before -- of course I didn't make notes . How have you been holding up? I just sit here and stare at the photo of you and Earl and can't even begin to imagine what it's like. Just like last year, when I had Katie's dad Jesse's name on my handle bars during the race --- this year's race will be dedicated to those special people we have recently lost. And thanks for the vote of confidence and support I'm getting from everyone. It will definitely help me get through some tough moments next weekend. Take care all. David

Hello everyone (almost 1400 of you!!). Some of you have noticed I haven't posted for a while. Sorry, I didn't know about the Hall Pass. I have lately been consumed with training for my big World Solo 24hr Mountain Bike race coming up on September 4th and 5th. I normally do my message board posting in the late evening when my family has all gone to bed. But over the past couple months I have been going to bed much earlier (beauty sleep you know) so I can get up early and ride. I am now going to lighter workouts as race day approaches (no more 6 to 12 hr rides) so I will have more time for the board. As I scanned the 978 posts since I was last logged on, I was surprised, and saddened by all that I have missed. First and foremost, to all those who have lost the special person in their lives to this awful disease, please accept my sincere condolences; they will be missed--Earl, David A, T-Bone, Johnny, Robert, and Tess' mother. Now I haven't had time yet to respond to many messages, but I plan to - especially those newcomers who have logged on since I was last here. To those posts I did read, Becki I hope Drew is doing OK; Connie, I hope your grandson's operation went well; Tiny, I love your new photo, you continue to make me smile; Shelly! a photo at last!; it's good to see the very funny Frank is still going strong; and speaking of still going strong - happy belated birthday Dean, I love your posts; and happy B-Day to you too Donna; and Don, thanks for fielding the posts about my whereabouts. I hope Lucy is doing well; Ray A, I hope things are going well for you - hang in there big guy; Cindy, I hope Tom is doing well; and to everyone else out there, if there's anything you want to know about living with one lung, especially if you've recently had your operation, or are about to have it -- call me. I'm still planing on creating a website to post some of my past mountain biking exploits if anyone is interested in viewing them, but that won't be for a month or two, and I'll be updating my story again after my race. Last year at Whistler I rode 11 laps of the 14.2 mile course in 24hrs; this year I plan to ride at least 13 laps. Oh, and I should have a new photo of me hiking the very rugged West Coast Trail posted fairly soon too. Take care all. David P.

Hey there Dean. I haven't been around much lately either, but I sure enjoy your attitude and what you have to say, and the way you say it. I can imagine myself logging on for the first time and reading this, your latest post, and feeling better off for it. You are definitely an asset to the people on this message board. Do you ever let the cats out for a little fun? Take care Dean, David P.

Hi Becki. Sorry for not replying sooner -- I normally do my message board work later in the evening when my family is in bed, but lately with my training intensifying as my next race approaches, I have been getting to bed quite early. But I am now going to lighter workouts and find myself with more time. I'm saddened to hear about your nephew. It brings back so many vivid memories. But all is not necessarily lost. If the operation is going ahead, there are three things that could work in your nephew's favor: his age and good physical condition; the fact they are removing the entire lung; and finally, a must for success -- your nephew MUST have a super positive, "I can do anything, nothing is going to keep me down" attitude throughout the entire ordeal. He can most definitely still be a Major League player. I'll reply to your PM. Take care, David P.

Hey!! What's going on?? I've been off line for two weeks -- six day hike on the rugged West Coast Trail last week, and preparing for a 12hr mountain bike race this past Sunday. What were the problems people are talking about? I can't see that any sort of problem would warrent awful hate mail. PM me if you don't want to go in to details here, but I would like to know. Bob Mc -- it's GREAT to see you back!! You too Connie my dear. Take care. David P.

Dave Grant -- you, your attitude, your determination, and your will to fight are truely amazing. Thanks for being here, and good luck in the tourney on the 16th. Take care. David P.

DITTO !!

Hello everyone. There have been more than 600 new people register on the message board since I last posted my story of survival and living post surgery, and many have questions and fears that are similar to those my story seemed to help last time. So, for those who already know my story, this is not for you . (and I'm glad there's now a separate forum again for these types of stories to keep them all together so new people could go directly to it). My name is David Piercy. Many of you know me from my posts, but as we are over 1200 strong on this message board now, there are probably some who don't know me. I found this website two years ago in November as a result of being interviewed by my oldest daughter Karoline for a biology research paper she was working on about lung cancer. She kept quoting the grim survival statistics and mumbling, "boy, are you ever lucky to be alive." Then she went off to write the paper and I sat there thinking. For the first time in the long time since my surgery I was thinking of myself as a survivor -- who has beaten some kind of odds -- was I really that lucky -- where were these statistics my daughter spoke of? At that moment, I felt quite naieve; I had never given my "survival" a second thought; come to think of it, in all these years I had never met, or spoken with anyone with lung cancer, let alone someone with one lung. There were no support groups or computers back then,(in 1977) let alone CT scanners (I had my first CT scan last January). I was too busy getting on with life I suppose - must have blocked it all out. As we had just purchased a computer about two weeks earlier, I typed in "lung cancer survivors" and found this site within minutes. I couldn't believe it, I started reading messages and it was like finding your long lost twin that you didn't know you had, but always had this feeling of missing something. "HEY, THERE'S SOMEBODY WITH ONE LUNG!!" I yelled. "AND THERE'S ANOTHER!!" My girls came running. Everything I read made sense. I was brought right back to my own diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. I could relate to those having difficulty climbing stairs, and thought to myself " don't worry buddy, you'll be running up stairs before you know it." And there was Bob Mc. enjoying life hiking the Costa Rican forests. (Bob, I hope you're doing well now). I knew others could do it. I spent about one week reading and re-reading all the posts before I got up enough nerve to write my first message. I remember thinking what a wonderfully loving, caring, and supportive place this message board was, and how comforting it would have been to have something like this way back when; to receive advice, support and prayers from Dave G., Ginny D., Katie B., Debaroo, Laurie, or Connie B. herself, would have made a huge difference in my state of being. My first post was generated in response to a call from Connie for survival stories. After reading messages and replies, I could see how just talking to someone who has been through what you are going through could ease ones fears. With Connie and Just Rich being the longest term suvivors on the board at 7 and 13 years, I felt I had something to offer with 26 years of experience. One thing I had noticed in reading all the messages was that nearly all of them mentioned TIME. Survival Time was that one thing that survivors had, and those newly diagnosed or in recovery wanted. Everyone seemed to wear TIME as a badge of honour. They wore it proudly, almost always mentioning how long they've been around for in the first line of their post. I could see how comforting it was. Well, here's my story for those who don't know it. I hope it helps. Today I am a 47 year old Middle School Technology Education teacher. Twenty seven years ago I was a 20 year old university student who was informed that the cause of his recurring pneumonia that began on a Sun Valley ski trip was a 2 cm. carcinoid polyp in the upper left lobe. Surgery was scheduled two days later and after a complete left pneumonectomy, I began recovery with no chemo or radiation. I think when Dr. Hosie took out my lung he replaced it with a huge attitude - one that I can credit for getting me here today. There was lots of pain, morphine, chest tubes, cute nurses, and advise that said, "relax, you're not going anywhere for a while, it'll be too tough to breath." The attitude kicked in when the nurse brought the first bed pan. Instead, I got a rolling I.V. pole and I shuffled off to the washroom. Two days on morphine, a couple of late night pizza deliveries through the emergency ward, and three days of shuffling around the hospital in self pity with my rolling I.V. pole thinking, "why me, why me?", before I wrangled a day pass from the head nurse so I could walk home four blocks to surprise my parents. (head nurse didn't know I was walking). Parents were surprised. I was home for good a couple of days later. I never did like sitting around, so two days after that I told my mother I was going for a bicycle ride. As opposed to the idea as she was, she couldn't stop me and my attitude. I've been riding my bike almost every day since. It started with only a few blocks, then progressed to a few miles, and over the next few years evolved into rides up to six and eight hours. Three years after surgery and back in university, I was the oldest member of the varsity rowing squad. They all thought I always came in last in the 10 mile run because I was the old guy. (I actually came second to last once, and if I only had two lungs, boy I would have...) My goal in training hard was to always do something to expand my lung capacity; I've forgotten what the inside of an elevator looks like. I could feel my lung getting bigger as the months past. I even began getting breathing cramps way up in my collar bone area. I remember that when I had two lungs and I would yawn deeply, there was always a second stage to the deep yawn. The second, deeper intake of air would completely fill my lungs and I can remember how good it felt. Well, now I get that good, completely filled feeling on every breath I take. The doctor told me that a normal two lunged person will fill only 25% of each lung when breathing. I no longer go for cancer checkups, just regular doctor visits, but I did go for a pulmonary capacity test last year, and the astounded technician said my one lung capacity is 64% that of a normal, two lunged man of my size, and that I fill all of my lung every breath. All of you wondering if you can function normally on one lung, I say "YOU BET YOU CAN!!" and then some. Not many people know that I only have one lung. It isn't that I'm embarassed or ashamed. It's because I'm usually competing against two lunged people and I needed to know that I was doing well, (or not) because of my capabilities, and not because the guys saw me as the poor one lunged guy. Almost done. My increased lung capacity has no doubt come about through hard work and exercise. These days I go to work early two or three times a week and run up and down five flights of stairs 30 times before going twice around the universal weights gym, and finishing off with a couple of miles running on the treadmill. I ride my bike to and from work each day, and ride off road trails on the weekend. Three years ago my riding buddy and I decided we would try Cross Country Mountain Bike Racing. I got my race license and the first race I entered was a 24hr relay with five person teams, with each rider riding the 10 mile lap before passing the baton to the next rider... and so on for 24hrs. Of course, I had the slowest times on the team, but I was also the oldest and was only six minutes slower than my buddy who is six years younger than me, and had two lungs. All the guys on the team say how much of an inspiration I am to them. I don't know if it's inspiration as much as a greater desire not to be beaten around the course by the one lunged guy. My racing goal has been not to crash too bad, and not to come last in my age category. I have only placed last once. (yes, I crashed) This last season, I was faster than my buddy in two races and I even won a race! For the past three years we have ridden up the 17 miles to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains in Washington State, and I have beaten them to the top three years in a row. Last year my time was 2hrs 22min. This was a good year for me. I also entered my first adventure race -- 9 miles kayaking, 7 miles running UP a 4000ft mountain, orienteering, bushwhacking, and 18 miles of mountain biking. The team of four could never be out of sight of each other or we would be disqualified. I was hoping I wouldn't slow my team mates too much. I didn't, and we finished 34th out of 80 teams. I have raced three 24hr mountain bike relays so far on a team, and last September I raced in the World Solo 24hrs of Adrenalin mountain bike race -- 24hrs on the bike by myself riding around a 10 mile course. The year before, the guys in the 40 to 49 year old category only rode 10 laps of the 10 mile course in the 24hrs. I knew I could do at least 12 laps!! (there's that attitude again, But I only completed 11 laps.) I'm already registered for the Solo 24hrs race this September and am determined to complete at least 13 laps!! My philosophy in all this is you must insist on enjoying life. To do that you can't worry about things you have no control over. You have to get out there and be active - there's lots to chose from. You must, must, must, have a positive attitude in everything you do. You must eat healthy. You must breath healthy. And one more thing before I go. I have figured out two answers to that "why me" question that has bugged me ever since my surgery. The first one is all of you - for me to be able to ease some anxious moments or give someone a little hope is the best thing I could ever thing of to do with all of my experiences, and I've found it has been a sort of retroactive healing for me too. The second answer to the "why me" question has come from my bike racing. I have found that thousands of people attend bike races every year. If I am going to be there, I might as well do some fundraising for cancer research. I am teaming up with the Cancer Society and will set up a donation for prize booth at each race. This will mean I will have to come out of the one lung closet; all the racers will know the One Lung Guy will be a threat on the course and try not to have me beat them. I was one of the featured riders on the World Solo DVD from the race last year. (I'm working on setting up my own website so I can post some of my riding videos). I've designed a cycling jersey that has one big right lung on it, front and back. And my truck lisence plate will read IRNLUNG (I'm still looking for a sponsor to donate a truck and utility trailer) Time and hope. I've got lots of time, and I'd like to be able to give lots of hope. Update as of June 6th, 2004: I'm leaving tomorrow for a 7 day hike on the rugged West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. I race in a 12 hr mountain bike race on June 20th - from 8:00am til 8:00pm -- should be fun. I have some smaller races in July and early August, before a 40 mile race at the end of August. And that's just the warm up to this year's 24hr Solo race Sept. 4th and 5th, then one last 40 mile race at the end of September. I'll keep you posted. Stay active. Update as of September 12, 2004: One week after the World Solo 24hr race, and the white jersey I'm wearing in my photo is a coveted winner's jersey I received when I placed first in my age category, completing 10 laps of the 11 mile course in 24hrs - 3 more than my closest competitor. This year's race was dedicated to the members of this board who have recently passed away, and to those still struggling with LC. For that reason, I trained extra hard preparing for the race. The day I got my white jersey I said to myself, " self, now that you have a winner's jersey, you never have to do this again." (because it's far too difficult). And the next day I said, " Forget about that, I'll be back next year." As long as I have it in my power to do something that provides any level of inspiration to anyone looking for some, I will continue to do so -- because I can. What I go through in my 24hr race is nothing compared to what many people are experiencing with lung cancer. I have to go now; I have a 40 mile race in two weeks, then I'll take a few weeks off before I begin training for next race season, and next September's World Solo Race once again. Take care. I'll keep you posted. PM me if you want to talk about anything. David P.

Welcome 2Dog! Sounds like you have had reasonable success with your treatment. And it also sounds like you're comfortable enough to share your experiences with those who are newer at this than you or I. Pleasure to have you aboard. Take care. David P.

Hello there Marie and Elaine. Looks like you have found what everyone here has... a ton of support from people you don't even know, but you feel as though you have known them forever. Anyway, that's the way I felt when I found this site two years ago. Marie, I've been around for 27 years since my left pneumonectomy, and still going strong (I'm training for a 12hr mountain bike race on June 20th, which is just a warm up to a 24hr race in Sept.) There's also many other people you will see on this site who are long term survivors. So, what are your chances? With surgery, and treatment, and the right attitude and support -- I'd say your chances are GREAATT!!! (think Tony the Tiger). Take Care. David P.

Nice to hear from you Annie. I'm glad things are going well - sorry to hear about Tim's mother. Take care. David P.

Hi Gin. From my experience reading through posts for the last two years, it is never hopeless. Things may look bad, but never give up hope. If hospice is involved you should be prepared to deal with the passing of a loved one, but as I have said, I've seen some pretty amazing recoveries in the past two years on this message board. Don't think hopeless. Take care Gin. David P.

Hi Ray. My name is David and I had my left lung removed 27 years ago when I was 19 yrs old. I can probable answer many questions you may have, especially when it comes to physical activities and limitations (there are no limitations). I'll email you. David P.

I love Dean's definition -- I'm still chuckling.