Michele’s first blog ever

When Andy started his blog, I immediately asked if I could write a guest blog, thinking it would be a great way to keep in touch and reach out to family and friends.   But as I soon found out, and as many of you are well aware, the responsibilities of primary caregiver to toddler, chemo patient and beloved dog left little time for much else.    So I am finally here, 5 months into the 6 month chemo adventure.   

I am really writing to say thank you for the outpouring of love and support from our friends and family.

Cancer can spark a feeling of helplessness – that feeling that nothing that seems to make it better or go away.  I know this feeling well, having watched Andy suffer the effects of chemo.  If only I could make him the perfect milkshake, maybe he would have a great day.  If only I could find him a tshirt so fantastic that he would feel energized and even maybe normal.   I began to realize that I couldn’t take any of it away for him.  

I share this because I know that our friends and family often ask what more they can do.   I know they want to do something more.  Something bigger.  Something better.  Something spectacular.  I know that deep down they would do anything to take this away for us.   

I never found the perfect tshirt for Andy.   And maybe some of you wished that you could find that spectacular special something too.   Perhaps the search continues.

In the meantime, I hope you know what a difference you have made for us over these difficult months.   

Your unwavering support in the forms of meals, emails, cards, calls, visits, care packages, to name a few, have helped us profoundly.  It is hard to imagine the power of cards and packages until you are the recipient.   You made generous contributions to our meal and housecleaning programs, knit special blankets, sent flowers and delicious cookies, emailed and texted us on chemo days, and offered to travel many miles and take time away from significant responsibilities to help us out.  Those nearby somehow found time to bring us homecooked meals, walk our dog, entertain our daughter, leave us exciting surprises on the porch, do airport runs and drive us other assorted places, and check in on us regularly.  

All told, your gifts continue to give us strength and courage when we need it the most.  They remind us that we are in your hearts and prayers, near and far.  We are humbled by this.  We hang on to it.  We put it in our pockets for a little extra something in the crummiest of moments.   In the best of moments, we look forward to celebrating with you when it is all over.   We can’t thank you enough.  

xoxo Michele

#9 is in my veins & a PMC Weekend Recap

Waiting for chemo treatment #9. Had to get stuck by 4 needles today.

The 32nd Pan Mass Challenge has come and gone (but you can still make your donation). And so has my 9th chemo treatment. As is typical, treatment day was a very long day and I am resting. The recovery time to regain my energy level now is nearly the entire time between the treatments. In the next 41 days, I will have my final 3 chemo treatments. Not that anyone is counting.

I had the good fortune, thanks to the tremendous effort of my wife and her family, to be in Barnstable on Sunday, August 7th as my Forza-G teammates were riding the second day of this year’s PMC. It was great to see the team, and some other great friends (Diane, Jared, and Pastor John). It was fairly early on Sunday morning, before 8 AM, and our family was out front of our vacation rental, conveniently located on the PMC route. Everyone except for my daughter, who decided to sleep in (for once).

My teammates, during our traditional team photo in Bourne, held up ‘cardboard’ cutouts of myself and two other missing teammates so we could feel like we were there. Sadly, these two missing teammates were not riding during this years PMC as there were separately with beloved family members who passed in the days after the ride. Another reminder of why we ride the PMC.

Diane taking our traditional Bourne photo, wishing I was there. (apologies for the blurriness - camera battery was about to fail)

In another photo taken in Bourne, my fantastic PMC friend and fellow cancer survivor Diane, took a picture of her (sorry, it is a little blurry, her camera battery was about to fail) in the same spot she and I had our picture taken last year. Her arm is extended, acting as though I was there with her. Very thoughtful and very touching.

Here are some photos of my teammates visiting us in Barnstable. You should know that our team today passed $200,000 raised this year. WOW! Thank you for your donation into that total! It is amazing…. our new goal for this year – $250,000!

(click on any pic to see a full size image)

Waiting for chemo treatment #9. Had to get stuck by 4 needles today.

Diane taking our traditional Bourne photo, wishing I was there. (apologies for the blurriness – camera battery was about to fail)

Roadside – cheering on the PMC Riders

Me with my great PMC friend and fellow survivor Diane

A quick visit with Jared

with Simon and Garrett

Many of my teammates wrote my name on the back of their legs. This is a PMC tradition to show others who you are riding for. Honored.

Cycling Mentor Jaime and my father-in-law

with Team Captain Matt and great supporter Suzy

Photo with many of my teammates who stopped

with Kathi, Pie Stop Maven Extraordinaire and knitter of my new treatment blanket

Again – thanks to all my teammates for their continued support, their tremendous fundraising efforts, and their energy. Seeing all of you in Barnstable was the highlight of my summer. I will see you all soon on the road.

Finally, I had the great pleasure tonight of finding this video by country singer Martina McBride. She wrote this song about supporting a loved one with cancer, and this morning, a special video was shown on Good Morning America and on CMT.com. Watching this video made me so thankful for my amazing wife who has taken care of me every day, my family and her family who have come to stay with us to help, our many friends who have provided us meals and house cleaning, and for all of the people who have sent me notes of love and support. This video moved me tremendously, I hope that you will find the power in it for someone who has cancer.

>> watch “I’m Gonna Love You Through it” by Martina McBride

As always, thanks for your support as I continue this battle.  Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and share my experiences.

Love,

Andy

Watch the Opening Ceremonies from 2011 PMC

If you want to see fellow cancer survivor and now veteran PMC rider Lance Armstrong speak, skip ahead to: 15:15

Watch the PMC Opening Cermonies Tonight!

On Friday, Augsut 5th at 7 pm, WCVB’s premier news magazine, Chronicle (Channel 5), produces a one-hour show, from the grounds outside the Sturbridge Host Hotel, in celebration of the PMC. Friends and families from outside Massachusetts can watch the Chronicle special as it streams live online at www.thebostonchannel.com.

This is a great way for you to learn more about the spirit and energy of the PMC and the impact it is having on the fight against cancer. Enjoy!

It’s PMC Week (& Chemo #8)

As you can imagine, with the arrival of PMC week, my thoughts have been generally about the ride, the fundraising, my team, and the cause. I thought that in honor of my 8th chemo treatment, I would put together a list of the Top 8 Things that I will miss this weekend.

Chemo Treatment #8 - in the syringe, is the Red Devil – Adriamycin - one of the four drugs that I receive each treatment

Top 8 Things I will Miss During PMC 2011 Because I am on the Sidelines

1. The Pie Stop: thanks to Kathi Nelson, wife of PMC rider Brian Nelson, we have made a tradition of the Forza-G Pie Stop just before the Wareham waterstop, the final stop of Saturday at the 100 mile mark. There is nothing better than a slice of cherry or apple pie when you have just ridden 100 miles. Many thanks to Kathi for making this magical stop happen for the 3rd year.
2. The Signs: Until you do this and see it for yourself, you cannot understand the power of seeing signs help up by folks on the side of the road ALL THE WAY from Sturbridge to Bourne that say things like “Thank You for Riding”, “I am Living Proof”, “Thank You for Riding for my grandma”, and “I am 12 because of you”. I cry just thinking about these signs and the people and the lives that they represent.
3. The Opening Ceremony in Sturbridge: Every year, I am moved to tears multiple times by this PMC event. And this year, you can watch it live (in the Boston area) on Friday, August 5th from 7 to 8 PM on WCVB Channel 5. I am not sure if it will be available online, but I will post a link if I find it. It is worth an hour of your life to watch and learn for your self where the race to cure cancer is today and how your donations are making a huge difference. Check out part of last year’s ceremonies.
4. Riding into Provincetown: Back in 2007, as I neared the end of my first PMC, I got someone who is holding a PMC sign on the side of Route 6 entering Provincetown to take a picture of me at the “Welcome to Provincetown” sign. When I have seen that sign each year since I am overcome with emotions, pride, sadness, and joy all sweep over my body. Some years, I have been cruising along in a Team Forza-G paceline. Other years, I have been pushing myself to finish. Either way, that sign tells me that the dunes are ahead and that the end of the ride is near. I am also reminded that the goal is not close. The fight to end cancer continues after I ride those last few miles and that I cannot stop, the PMC cannot stop, and that we cannot stop until everyone who gets diagnosed with cancer becomes Living Proof.
5. Random Conversations in the Saddle: I always seem to strike up a conversation with another rider or two each year while we are riding so I can learn the stories of other riders and why they ride. With over 5,000 other cyclists on the road, a good chat is never far away. I enjoy meeting and learning more about my teammates who I don’t see very often and share my story as well. Since I have usually done my training on my own, riding with others and having cycling be so social is a great change. I will miss this part very much. One year, I found Jared Fijalkowski, who I had met the day before via a mutual friend, and we rode for about 2 hours together. Each year, I am moved by these stories and each is worth every ounce of sweat and training that comes to make the PMC ride a comfortable, casual one.
6. Harpoon. Harpoon. Harpoon: I am a proud employee of Harpoon Brewery. I am never more proud than on PMC weekend, where I share the ride with my colleague, teammate, and cycling inspiration Jaime Schier and Harpoon co-founder Dan Kenary. Their stories and shared belief in the PMC inspire and motivate me. At the start of the event (as everyone checks-in) and at the end of each riding day, riders enjoy plenty of Harpoon IPA and UFO Hefeweizen. All free. For years and years. I know the effort that it takes to make and keg all that beer and the cost to the company. It is thousands of dollars. I am indebted and proud to be part of a place that doesn’t blink at doing good and being involved as community leader. I raise my glass to all of my colleagues on this day in admiration and thanks. I can’t wait til the day that I am done chemo and can enjoy my next pint of Harpoon.
7. Riding: Whenever I drive to chemo, acupuncture, or my cancer support group, I always see a cyclist. And, I think about the PMC. I look forward to starting my training and (slow) re-building of my strength and endurance with the ultimate goal of riding the 2012 PMC. This year, I will be with my wife, daughter, and my in-laws on Cape Cod during the ride, so I will see my teammates and PMC friends and all the riders go by on the road. I had thought at one point I would have the energy and desire to ride 20 miles on Sunday. That won’t be happening, I am not even bringing my bike, but the desire to be involved and on the road is definitely there now and I will be back for next year.
8. Thomas Graham’s calves: Tom Graham is one of my teammates on Forza-G. Last two years, I have spent many hours of riding during the PMC, right behind Tom, letting him pull me up the hills. I have shared many laughs with Tom about my inability to ride in front of him and have him follow me for a while. I will miss that time with Tom and most of my Forza-G teammates on the road, but I hope to see them all on Sunday morning. I also hope to see Jared, Dan, and my dear PMC friend and fellow Living Proof Diane.

A Bonus Thing: #9: Missing The Living Proof photo in Bourne – my favorite moment of the weekend.

My thoughts this weekend will be of:

• my mom, aunt, and grandmother, who have all battled breast cancer
• my grandfather who has survived prostate cancer for years and years
• my family who have supported me and Michele to no end this year
• my teammate Magnus and his mom and their family during their trying days
• my beloved Harpoon colleague and friend Kathy, who has also battled cancer this year and just had her last chemo (HOORAY!)
• the courageous people that I see every week at the Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore and at Hopewell Cancer Support
• my many friends and their family’s cancer stories who drive my passion for the PMC and the cause
• my amazing teammates on Forza-G (and our $250,000 fundraising goal for this year)
• all those who have taken the time to donate to my PMC ride.

Thank you for reading. All the best.

Andy