kr32

I came in late to this thread but agree 100% that this ride report is the most impressive yet!
Best wishes and a speedy recovery.
KR

tuxbailey

Thank you for sharing this great achievement! Very inspiring and I hope you have a good recovery and be able to ride as far as you want.

njkayaker

pcad had better watch his back!

Juan Foote

Hope things go well for you in your recovery and chemo.

I am an LBKA and I ride. It will take several weeks, but you will be quite suprized at how much you will adjust to the new situation. You will be making miles, and speed in no time, just keep at it.

PhotoJoe 

Chemo makes me feel sick. The leg missing the muscle hurts. However, it is you, my friend, that is the inspiration. I have both legs and both feet, and while it ain't easy yet, I HAVE THEM and will most likely live through this. To lose part of a leg entirely and still ride...that is HTFU if I ever heard of it.

During my initial visit, we asked the surgeon to shoot straight with us, from best case to worst cast. So far, I've ended up on the extreme best case side of the spectrum, however amputation was on the list of possibilities. That took a while to digest, until I thought about the worst case, which then made the possible amputation not nearly as bad of an option. However, I think I would have needed MAJOR encouragement to get through it, let alone get back on a bike.

Thanks for the kind words, motivation and encouragement.

CNY James

good for you, that makes my July hernia surgery seem like a haircut. I still haven't gotten back on the bike. it is inspiring to hear stories about people who don't give up on the stuff that they enjoy, even when something seemingly huge like this comes their way. keep it up!

Juan Foote

Thank you as well, sir. I do appreciate the kind words especially since I am just getting back on the bike as a serious activity. I had some issues that kept me off for a while from injury and lack of motivation. I plan on taking things much slower this time, you do too.

PhotoJoe 

Not posting this for 'ataboys. I'm just taking a little self-indulgent victory lap. Sunday I did 2 miles and last night I did 3 miles. It's really convenient that the block I ride around is almost exactly one mile. And I have to say, I'm feeling GREAT!!! Taking it easy though. I meet with the surgeon tomorrow and will ask if I have the green light to try to bump up the mileage or what my limitations should be. Man, I can't wait to get home tonight. Maybe I'll do four....and ask the surgeon's forgiveness tomorrow if necessary!

Daytrip

Good luck with the surgeon, PJ. Mine always say "just don't lift anything over 10 pounds," but my stuff has been abdominal, mostly. I imagine they're a little pickier with a leg wound when it comes to cycling.

IME, many medical professionals like surgeons, oncologists, nurses, PAs, etc., either seem ignorant of the benefits of vigorous exercise, or oblivious to them. I've never really figured that out, other than most of their patients--with the exception of sports medicine specialists--don't really do a lot of intense physical activity. I do have a few docs who appreciate what I'm saying, but most are, "Meh, just don't lift anything over 10 pounds."

alexfboyle

You are without a doubt the hardest hard man that ever rode.

PhotoJoe 

What gives me hope is that every time I leave the hospital, they all tell me "exercise as able". Now, that's after chemo, not the surgery, but at least they address the issue!

PhotoJoe 

I beg to differ, but I think I may happiest smiley guy who rode yesterday!

PhotoJoe 

So, just over a year ago, I posted about my first ride mid-chemo and post hamstring removal. That ride was so therapeutic for me. So was this past Sunday. I wrapped up chemo on March 17th, got my road bike in July and yesterday, rode Glendora Mountain Road to the Village. (44 miles and 5500 feet of climbing).

https://app.strava.com/athletes/749498

Please understand, I don't post this for kudos or 'ataboy's. I have had a hard road, and am doing my best to overcome. But everyone has a hard road, in one way or another. For some, it's weight. For some it's diabetes, or arthritis, or family situations, or ........the list is endless. I'm unique in that my cancer was very unique. However, everyone's fight is unique in their own way. This is hard...but accomplishing the difficult goals feels so good! Now that I've checked this off my list, my wife and I are training for a Tri in February. Not sure how running will be without a hamstring, but one way or another, I'm going to do it, side-by-side with my biggest supporter....and I can't wait.

bike56

Hell Yeah!

qcpmsame 

This update is well worth the wait, Joe. Made my day early to read this. Hope the progress continues for you.

merlinextraligh

Great job!

And the good news going forward is that cycling performance for the most part is not limited by maximum muscle force. So even though you'll likely never have the same strength in that leg, you can compensate for that with low gearing/ high cadence, which will shift the burden from muscular endurance to your aerobic system.

Will G

Makes my cycling or health complaints miniscule by comparison. Thanks for the inspiration and awesome example of HTFU.

bradlyaolson

What a great thread. Thank you very much for sharing, and being generally awesome!

bigbadwullf

Way to go! Keep it up.

Gluteus

Good for you.
There seems to be something almost therapeutic and "cleansing" about cycling for some reason.

pallen

Thanks for posting! As many have expressed this is very inspiring to all of us.

RUOkie

a big +1

mpath

No soup for you!

I'm not going to let my wife see this thread. She thinks my foray into the world of triathlons is inevitable, just a matter of when. I can swim, bike, run.....just not all on the same day! Last spring we happened to be vacationing in Kona while the Lavaman took - I wasn't in it, but whether I was running or cycling, people kept asking me how I did in the race. Weird. We're heading back to Kona in a few weeks, and another Lavaman is taking place while we're there.....great.

Keep us up to date on how your training goes. Despite the usual aches and pains - I'm nursing achilles tendonitis at the moment - I really don't have an excuse now do I?

Chickenstrip

Congrats Joe! Very inspirational indeed!

On a similar note, my soon to be step daughter completed her first 4 mile run about this time last year. She has CP and it wasn't very long ago that she couldn't even walk without crutches and later braces. She received Botox thearapy at Chicagos children's hospital. We ran together as a family, meaning that at times her mother and I walked with her. We didn't come in first but none of us were last in our age groups either! It's been nearly 2 years since her last thearapy session and she looks and functions just like any healthy 15yr old should.

It is stories like yours and hers that get me off of the couch.

Carloswithac

Man, way to persevere, Joe! Keep it up!