F*&%!

     To the amusement of the team, the F Word has become one of my favourites while riding.  When I am looking at a daunting hill, I say the word….when I am trying to push through a speed night….I say the word…..and when I want to catch up after falling behind….I say the word.  There’s just something about it that makes me go beyond my quitting point and makes me dig deep.  It makes me fight my mental limitations.

     I have had a fondness of the word ever since I watched my mom battle her Ovarian Cancer and during the battle that my brother in law, Mike, just went through with lung and brain cancer.  I’m hoping that other families and people with cancer have the same affinity towards it.   To me it indicates that you are willing to FIGHT!  You are willing to do anything you can to beat the dreaded C word. 

     Using a safe word like “bummer” or “shoot” just does not have the same impact as dropping a good ole F bomb!!

Janis

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To Shave or Not to Shave?

                To shave or not to shave?  That was only one of the questions I have asked on this journey.  Prior to March, I did not ride a bike and when I did get on my old mountain bike – I didn’t enjoy it.  I also did not work out and was quite out of shape.  I am pushing 45....and well...menopause etc is on the horizon.   My first time on a “road bike” was ummmm..... interesting to say the least.  I hurt and chafed in places I didn’t know existed.  I also began to develop sores in some very private areas.  So the research began.....”Pubic hair and cycling” was only one of the Google searches I conducted.  Others included....”What is Chamois cream?” “Women’s parts and saddle sores?”  “Why are my toes numb when I bike?”  “Should I wear two pairs of cycling shorts or not”....and the best one.....”what is crotchitis?”

                So why the heck did I sign up for a 1000 Km ride down the entire length of Vancouver Island? 

                I did because my Google searches are nothing compared to the Google searches made by parents of kids with cancer.  My computer reading about “crotchitis” made me laugh and shake my head however, I can honestly say that parents of kids with cancer wished they only had saddle sores to deal with.  So with this in mind.....I apply cream and ride on!!!

Janis 

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Bumper Stickers and Life Lessons.

I read bumper stickers.  They give me entertainment while driving and sometimes they scold me like the one that say “Unless You're A Haemorrhoid get off my ass.”  The one I read today though made me think.  After riding more than 100 Km for the first time that morning with the Tour de Rock team, I was driving along and the bumper sticker in front of me read, “Every day is a blessing.”  

As my body ached and I wanted to whimper in pain, this simple sticker made me take a step back because we began our ride today with some horrible news.  One of our junior riders had taken a turn for the worse.  Our superhero had had a stroke.  When hearing this from the trainers, Anne, the senior rider assigned to that little superhero and also her paediatric oncologist nurse, had a look on her face that you never want to see on a person.  It was a look of helplessness.  

There was nothing we could do at that moment but ride and take inspiration from that little girl.  This day was a blessing because we as a team were able to ride.  We rode farther than we ever had and rode faster than we usually averaged  This day was also a blessing because our junior rider survived her stroke and will keep fighting this awful disease which I call the"Big C." 

So to all those with bumper stickers – thank you.  For the person with the haemorrhoid bumper sticker..sorry for following so close but I needed to see what your sticker said!

Janis

Please consider helping me raise my goal of $25 000 to help fight the Big C and send these amazing superheros to Camp Goodtimes.   DONATE NOW!

F*&$! Cancer.......Embrace Life!

What have I done?

That's what I ask myself everyday as I begin this journey that all those who have ventured before me say is "life-changing."  Well for me...the pain is raw. That's what I'm discovering as I finally take my turn as a Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock rider. I have made so many excuses over that past twelve years as to why I have taken my turn to ride for the kids.  Every year I would say "Next year I'll ride" only to change my mind and chicken out.

To be honest ..it wasn't because of the bike riding causing me to change my mind....it wasn't the time commitment...and it wasn't the fundraising. It's the emotions.   I'm scared of the emotions. I'm scared of constantly crying. I'm scared of being vulnerable and I'm scared of seeing sick kids.
It was hard enough to watch Mike Lawless and my mom go through chemotherapy, radiation and every other treatment that goes hand in hand with battling cancer but to watch a child go through it............

I'm so thankful I have two healthy children. My heart breaks for the families that are battling this disease and riding 1000 Km is the least I can do.

I hope to chronicle the moments in this blog and share them with you.  Please consider supporting me financially in my endeavor and become a member of our "team."

Thank you
Janis

Tour de Rock 2016