Sunday, June 22, 2014

Last week I received an email from a HuffPost Live Associate Producer asking if I would be able and willing to participate with other athletes in a live discussion on how sport had a positive impact on healing from cancer treatment.  The "other" athletes included headliner, NY Giant Mark Herzlich, who also discussed his new book, Alex Niles, writer and former collegiate soccer player, and Jake Gibb, Pro volleyball player and Olympian.

Despite being right-smack-in-the-middle of moving, I did not hesitate to say YES!

The morning of the discussion, while still in my "moving" clothes from the day before, I had a short conversation with the Associate Producer and set up the webcam in my living room full of moving boxes.  The rest of the morning was spent figuring out a somewhat presentable 'studio' in our home full of boxes, finding respectable clothes to wear, and prepping my favorite accessory-my bike-for a studio backdrop.  Somehow, I was ready to go and 'on-air' by 11:45 that morning.

All dressed up for HuffPost Live wearing slippers:)


The discussion in its entirety can be seen here.  It was truly inspiring to be in presence of other athletes who have returned to high level competition after cancer treatment and I was honored to be included in the discussion.

Fortunately for me I had my hair cut earlier in the week.  Since I was showered, dressed up, and styling presentable hair, we took a photo!

36ish weeks and four haircuts since completing chemo

In other news, I raced my new green rocketship at Deer Valley this weekend.  I can say with absolute certainty that I love this bike!  Deer Valley has some of the steepest climbs around and the Pivot Les 27.5 makes them feel effortless.  Cornering has taken some adjustment as the bike is so quick and I was oversteering a bit, however I am getting it more and more dialed every ride and railed Deer Valley's tight switchback downhills faster than ever!  Good enough to finish 4th in a solid Pro Women's field!


The smile says it all:  I love racing! 
Photo: Trevor Hooper

Up next is my first MRI since completing Round 2 of treatment.  While there is nothing that is especially concerning to me at the moment, I will happily take positive thoughts and energy for negative scan results; especially at 8:00 tomorrow morning:)  




6 comments:

  1. Positive thoughts and energy from me!

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  2. I congratulate you on your successful journey and your amazing recovery and attitude. I just had one question, concerning your treatment. With the two chemo regimens you had, did you end up with any neuropathy in your feet or hands? Or were you not treated with Taxol or taxetere?

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    1. Yes, I do have "mild" neuropathy. My 2011 chemo regimen included Taxotere, my 2013 regimen did not, however the neuropathy does seem to have progressed a bit after my 2013 treatment. I do not have any pain which I am grateful for. I mostly notice that I have a "mild" loss of strength in my hands that is exacerbated to significant loss of strength when my hands are cold. Changing flat tires is a lot more difficult than it used to be, especially when my hands are cold....fortunately I rarely get flats:). and Thank You:)

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    2. FYI: My chemo regimens were:
      2011: TC (Taxotere, Cytoxan) x 4
      2013: FEC (5-Fu, Epirubicin, Cytoxan) x4

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    3. Thank you for your reply. I do have some in my fingers and in my toes and feet. I'm two years out and I don't think it's going to get any better. It is motivating to me that you have been so active though out. I also was treated at Huntsman. I'm just curious, who was your oncologist?

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