Yesterday’s training ride reminded
me what the family of someone battling cancer goes through. See yesterday, the team and I rode around and
around UVIC's Ring Road in the rain…. in circles. There was grit flying up from the wheel of
the rider in front of me…..and it was hard to see. The grit also hurt as it pinged off my face. Finally, while riding in line and switching
front riders, I was the front rider and
the way was clear for a short time until bam….I was switched out and there was
a rider in front of me again and again the rain and grit is flying. With my vision impeded, I had to trust the rider
in front to make sure that my path through the rain was clear and that I didn’t
hit anything. Then without warning the
rain stopped and the sun came out and I breathed a sigh of relief that the ride
is over.
My family's battles with cancer, one with mom and one with Mike, reminded me of last night’s ride. At first it was hard to see our way through all the overwhelming amount of
information and news and the majority of that information and news hurt….just like the
rain and grit. Then during each battles,
there seemed to be a light...good news…and the way cleared just like when I was
riding my bike and was at the front of the pack. Then BAM…the light went away due to bad news
and we had to faithfully follow our doctor’s advice on how to help
our loved one fight their cancer….just like how I was blindly following the rider
in front of me hoping that they kept me safe helping me survive the ride.
For a long time….the battles continued on in circles as we wished for
light….sun. Unfortunately we never got
the sun in my family member’s battles………
So as I rode around in that circle last night…. Blind most of the
time….I reflected on my family's past cancer battles and was reminded why I was
riding….in the rain…around the University…in circles......I ride because with the money I
help raise..we can bring “sunshine” to the cancer fighter and their caregivers
through Camp Goodtimes and through money toward research. I ride because hopefully, in my lifetime, the
“sun” will come out and stay out…..cause it sucks to ride in the rain blindly
following the rider in front of you trusting them with everything just as it
sucks to faithfully follow the doctor’s advice hoping that they will help your
loved one survive.
Thank you
Janis
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