Guest Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Hi Everyone. Boy, what determination, a good bike, and a whole lot of well wishes can do for a one lung cancer surviving, crazy mountain bike racer!! In the midst of some of the not-so-uplifting news I've missed over the past few weeks, and for the hopeful benefit of the many recent newcomers to the message board, let it be known --- THAT YOU CAN STILL LEAD A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER, OR HAVING HAD LUNG SURGERY!!! I made it! I finished the race! I completed 11 laps of the 14.2 mile course in 24hrs for a total of 156.2 grueling miles! I placed 9th out of 11 riders in my category, and 98th out of 142 riders in total! I'm tired, sore, cut up (had one good crash), and thankful the race is over, but it all pales in comparison what everyone on this message board has to go through daily. That's one thing that actually got me through tough parts of the race; more than once I had to look down at my handlebars to remind myself of the strength and courage you all have -"LCSC", "JESSEE", "CONNIE" were on small stickers afixed to my bars; all I had to do was glance down in the middle of a particularly steep climb I was about to give up on, and I was able to continue. Thank you to all of you who wished me well. I read all your posts before I left, but had no time to respond. I had numerous interviews over the weekend and mentioned lung cancer, it's lack of funding, and some of it's dreadful results as much as I could; whether they use that info or not is another story. I did have two camera crews follow me around for most of the weekend - I think one was from the Outdoor Life Network OLN, and one was the 24hr crew preparing a one hr TV show. I'm trying to find out when they will air the programs, and will keep you posted so you can watch. One funny thing happened while I was waiting for the ferry to leave the island for the race. Last week I was interviewed by a newspaper guy and expected to see a small article in the health section on Friday morning. I stepped up to the paper dispensing machine to put my quarters in and let out a huge yell, "WHOA!!" People around me said, "what's the matter?" I said, "That's me!" "No way", they said, until they got a little closer... on the ferry I could hear people whisper, "that's him". One fellow I know showed up at the race for his weekend holiday just to see me race because he saw the newspaper article. When I figure out how to link a website to my posts (Rick?), I'll let you read it. And I've seen links to video articles here in some posts - perhaps someone can show me how to do that as well - I'm on a local TV show this Friday as well. NO, no autographs just yet. I've got to get up enough courage to get back on my bike tomorrow to ride to school... Owww. Thanks for all your support. Take care all, David P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny G. Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Wow David! Let me be the first to congratulate you. Glad you're back safe and sound. That was an awesome accomplishment! Jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniemac Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 David-I'll be the 2nd to congratulate you!! We are all so proud of you. Don't know how you do it, but we all aspire to live like you do. I checked the website for the 24 Hours of Adrenalin, so I new you had 9th place. What a ride. You're great!! Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estelleanna Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 David GREATTTTTT!!!!!!!! God JOB it would be nice to see u on tv! David! You would make a good tv star!! I have a hard time walking a mile to think of all the miles you have ridden on your bike!!! (((((hugs))))))) Estelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaMRG Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 A GREAT BIG CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're all just so proud of you!!!!!!!! Thank you for all the plugs for lung cancer funding!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolsdaughter Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 David, That is wonderful NEWS!! Do let us know when you will be on TV I would love to see it and I have also told my friends about YOU! Just to think...... we even loved you even before you became FAMOUS!!!! Sorry to hear about the fall and I hope it didn't hurt your handsome face of yours!!! Get some well deserved REST. Hugs, Shelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina D. Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Wow David! You did great! I wish I could have been on that ferry with you! Thanks for helping get the word out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Good Job David!!! Glad to hear you did so well, gosh and only having one lung too..so what were the excuses for all those that placed after you!! Just kidding...congratulations on a job well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 I look forward to the possibility of reading the article and seeing the television specials you mention. Congratulations, David, on this accomplishment. It motivates me to try new things. Fay A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna D Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Congratulations, David, That was great!!!! Dona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Wow. Thank you so much for sharing your success with us and giving voice to this dreadful disease. I would be more than pleased with myself if I could finish one lap! ou did 11 laps!! Great news! Please let us know if you are "On the WEB" we want to see!! Congrats Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Hi David, YOu sure did do a great job for yourself and for all on this board. Hope you can figure out how to post the article for I sure would love to read it.. Great Great job.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 My prayers were with you, David P., and I am sooooo proud of you. Thanks for being there for us all. Take a deserved rest. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Hey Dave; TRUELY, OUTSTANDING, CONGRATS, on you VICTORY.!! What a fine example you set, good to be alive & a 1- LUNGER today!! God bless and be well Bobmc- NSCLC- stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 David, Way to go! WE are all so proud of you!! Congratulations!!! Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 Congratulations David, You are truly amazing, and what a spokesman for LC. You give so much hope to so many that there is not only life, but quality life after a lung cancer diagnosis. Your strength, determination, and devotion to all of us here and all LC survivors everywhere is truly admirable. Thank you, and God Bless you Carleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 Way to go! I think of you when I ride my stationary bike for a half hour a day...that's my level, but it is totally important to my well being. What an inspiration you are! Congratulations, Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 David, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berisa Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 You are amazing, what a wonderful and strong will man. You are GREAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 David, Congratulations on your accomplishment and the win. Whether it is 1st, 2nd or 9th, you are a winner in our eyes. We can never say Thank You enough for getting LC in the news. You are deffinately a person that we all are inspired by. Knowing a person like you with all of your motivation, energy and stamina is truly an honor. Praying for a "Cure" for all of us..... God Bless Karen ********** Dx'd 3-03, 3a, nsclc Radiation (38) treatments 3-25-03 to 5-15-03 taxol/carbo 4-1-03 to 5-20-03 taxol/carbo 7-23-03 (every 3 wk) 6-8 cycles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyS Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 AWESOME! INCREDIBLE! OUTSTANDING! IMPRESSIVE! THOUGHTFUL! ............... Okay - I'm out of adjectives - but we'll never run out of appreciation of everything you do for US! Email Rick (or me) to post that link - would love to see it.... Hugs and prayers, SandyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaveG Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 David: What an inspiration. Just knowing you with one lung and doing what you have done is an accomplishment. You are going to help me make it through my down chemo days over the next few days. I'll call your story up for inspiration. Thank you for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 Dave G, One of the things I did before I entered the hospital for the pneumonectomy back in May was to make a "little book of heroes". I printed up the pictures of the survivors, and the encouraging posts written by others, both survivors and caregivers. I clipped these things out and taped them into a small notebook. When I would become discouraged I thought of David P on his bike, Connie B just as she is, Rick and Katie for their love of family and their fierce loyalty to her Father, Judy B. and her sense of humor, Tiny climbing mountains and hanging out in butterfly houses, Janet K. living life to the fullest with grace of spirit and true class, in spite of lung cancer and it's treatments, Mrs. Mike coordinating Mr. Mike's care. The truth is that if I knew about you from this list before I left the house on May 18th, either your photo or something you posted ended up in my little notebook. And I read it, folks, to keep my spirits up. I had pictures of others I've known over the past 4 years who have walked along a lung cancer journey. I had their writings and photos in there, too. Try it...and one of the nice things about it is it doesn't require me to sit at the computer to access it. I still look at it when I need to. Fay A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanna M. Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 That is so great!!!!!!! Wow what an accomplishment!!!! I would love to see those articles, please try and find out how to reference it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 He Prepares, He Interviews, He Rides, He Finishes!!!! He Exhorts, He Cajoles, He Counsels, He Inspires!!!! We love you, David, and thank you for being you, and for being "there" for us. Congratulations on an AWESOME accomplishment. Rest easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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