“First, Outride Cancer”

I think this is another first. In 2+ years, I have always worn a short sleeve shirt to treatment. They have to get to my arms for a blood draw and then for the IV. This, on top of the fact that I am usually warm, makes wearing a short sleeve the way to go.

However, I received this long sleeve shirt as a gift from a friend, advisor, and former teammate last week. He has known about my biking for decades and searched for an appropriate shirt. This maybe my all time favorite long sleeve shirt ever. I bet it gets used a lot after Labor Day weekend.

I think I have posted before that my personal moto for the last 18 months is: “Don’t Let the Hard Days Win”. (This saying is on bracelet you can see on my left arm.) What I have not told many is my other moto is: “1st Out Ride Cancer”. There are two reasons for this moto.

1st: I am completely convinced that I can, and the only path for me to out live Multiple Myeloma is lifestyle on top of all the medicine. This is diet, meditation, and being in the best physical condition I can get into. I believe that with every bike ride that includes a degree of pain, I am killing cancer cells.

2nd: While I am pretty organized, I also lose track of my top priority. Being in remission, is it tough to remember that I am NOT normal. So, when I start to prioritize work and even family over beating cancer, this saying brings me back.

I have visual reminders all around me but never enough or in enough sneaky places. Now I have a shirt where the bike is kind of blended in, but is completely obvious when I focus. Exactly what I need.

SHINE!
The Road Rider