Had a cancerous appendix cut out of me via an 8" hole in the ol’ tum tum back in 2015. Thankful to have been able to catch it before it spread. Funny thing is, doc didn’t tell me they had found cancerous cells in it until 10mo. after the surgery. Cycling has helped put me on a healthy lifestyle path for sure. TR suffering doesn’t compare to the 5 days spent in the hospital…and all the follow-up tests each year to make sure nothing’s coming back. Cancer has impacted many folks at my office. Blessed to have been able to participate in a sister division’s 2nd annual Relay for Life fundraising 4 day ride last year. Looking forward to riding the Natchez Trace Parkway on this year’s 4 day ride.
If you’ve eaten recently…don’t watch this fundraising video I made for last year’s ride…if you’re in between meals…go for it! And join us for our Cycle the South ride this September! Cycle the South Hope Ride 2018 - Tony C Fundraiser - YouTube
Keep up the efforts folks! Let’s keep those cranks turning!
Great read @hmaceachran! Great display of determination! Congrats on the W! Following you two on group rides must have HURT back then! Also read your latest…keep going strong! You are showing survivors it can be done!
Congratulations to every one on here for keeping at it.
I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer 11/2012 at 47 Y.O., still not cleared but not at the front of my thoughts either. I was in great shape when I was diagnosed, had surgery and was back on the bike in about a month.
So glad to see you back on the bike. Seven years ago at what I thought was my peak fitness, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery to remove it. I was a driven triathlete before my surgery. I recall watching the Kona Ironman that November after my October surgery and declared i was going to make my focus to finally go for a finish of a full Ironman. I just needed a distraction to keep me focused on something positive. It was one of the hardest training journeys I’d ever attempted combined with the surgery recovery. I was truly blessed with all of the support I received. I completed a full Ironman the following September and I dedicated my race to those fighting cancer. I’m now 64 years old and still cancer free. Every bike ride, run, or swim is still a celebration. I say Never Give Up The Fight. What makes this possible is Faith, Family, and Friends.
Peace
This is why I ride my local CFC (Cyclists Fighting Cancer) sportive every year. The funds raised help buy and convert specialist bikes for children who are both dealing with and recovering from cancer.
@craigjok - Bravo sir! I’d love to figure out somehow how to make my racing (and training I guess) benefit other cancer survivors. I checked out Team in Training but am unsure how they go about helping you out. I’ll check out CFC too!
-Hugh
my blog: ex-prosays.blogspot.com
Diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer mid 2017. A swift chop and 4mths of intensive chemo followed. All good since then thankfully! Just got to keep up my 3mth blood tests and CT scans.
Know your nuts men! I could have picked mine up earlier but just assumed the ache was a bad saddle position or i had taken a hit during mountain biking…
59 year old 5 years post Hodgkin Lymphoma and my overal health is good.
I am glad most on the thread are thriving in recovery but unfortunately that hasn’t been my experience as my cycling fitness has never recovered close to pre-cancer levels despite using TR for a couple of years and using a coach another.
One of my doctors passed along another study that showed the effects of chemo can accelerate the again process and one never quite gets back to the prior baseline.
Losing and not being able to regain -20-25% of my endurance power is frustrating and forced me to redefine cycling away from competition to just enjoying time on the bike. I love it though I must be honest that I miss racing.
My best wishes to all who are working through cancer.
Glad to hear that you’re on the road to recovery. I’m coming to the end of my monitoring program and it has been a humbling experience. So many caring people who work in the NHS.
Fingers crossed your recovery is a good experience too
I had R-CHOP chemotherapy followed by a week of radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin diffuse large B cell lymphoma in my upper right leg 9 years ago. Having started cycling 6 years ago, I can’t tell how much the chemotherapy has affected my performance versus the effects of my 67 years. I suspect the therapy has caused a significant loss as you have experienced. I’m currently at 248 watts, having advanced slowly from 200 when I first started with TrainerRoad 4 years ago.
I haven’t given up on competition, but enjoy seeing what I can squeeze out of this old body. As mentioned in another thread, one of my goals has been to place in the top 50% of all finishers. That’s not often achieved, but I’m hoping to do better this year.
May all of us stay in remission, enjoy cycling and find improvements in fitness.
I had the same thing and went thru RCHOP also. It’s looking very much like my power has been effected or, rather, my ability to build it. My last FTP test revealed it to be 263. And while that’s a big improvement since I started training again, it puts me at a rather unremarkable 3w/kg. I’ll keep plugging away. And my first race back is next Saturday. I’m just hoping to not get dropped and finish in the group really.
I’m figuring some of the sluggishness to regain power is also my age, I’m 47. Like most of us here I have a full time job (that’s kind of physical), a wife, and 2 small children (4 and 7) so, life is full.
Nice job all to be taking care of yourselves and staying fit!
Reading the replies of this topic sparks great admiration for all the stories of struggle and triumph! You all deserve a heart kudos, chapeau, and ride on!
Each of your stories are incredible, and I’m so glad you’ve come out the other side, better!
George, I am glad that there are others that are struggling to get back in shape. I have felt frustrated because it felt like I was the only one so must not be trying hard enough.
Here is a link to another paper about chemo and how it causes similar responses as aging.
“Ageing is a natural and in some ways desirable phenomenon; however, we believe that a decline in health that mimics age-related illness is a negative consequence experienced by many recipients of cancer treatment. Recognising this phenomenon and understanding the mechanisms underlying it offer an opportunity for the development of alternative therapies and ameliorating medications. We believe that cancer survivors deserve long-term follow-up for mitigation of the late effects.”
After seeing my wife fight bowel cancer and go through surgery and chemo last year (age 36) and hopefully now ok every person on this thread has my up most respect, far more than any grand tour winner!
Same here. That’s interesting to know. I have age on my side (I’m just on the wrong side of 40) but I don’t feel like I have the same capacity for higher power endurance that I used to. Not quite resorted to a triple up the hills yet but you never know!!!
