A Note from the Missus
Dear Fat Cyclist Readers,
Can I just say, “wow!” I know you all as readers – many as extremely funny, commenting readers – of my husband’s blog. And I lurk constantly on his site, never opening my mouth because I’m a little on the shy side. So most of you only know me through my husband’s sometimes funny, sometimes serious, often sillily (although not recently) exaggerated posts about me. So without really even knowing me, you all have blown me and my husband away with the vast amounts of sincere prayers and positive thoughts coming our way.
Imagine my surprise when Elden brought home a huge bag full of notes, cards, and gifts, mailed from all over the world (Thanks Botched, for orchestrating it). The “Cancer Sucks” hat made me laugh, as did the Biohazard socks (I’m sure I’m still glowing after three weeks of radiation). The “Believe” sign will go over my desk, and the custom-made “Girl Power” CD is going into my car.
It’s hard to believe so many people would go to the time to write and mail a card. All of your personalized notes were very touching. In fact, I had to read them a few at a time, because I started tearing up. One card had all the signatures from the kids in a middle-school band class. Another had hand-drawn pictures from their kids. Several cards looked homemade, and the words and thoughts on every card felt like they came from close friends, even though I’ve never met most of you.
Also, I feel a huge wave of support from all the comments and suggestions you have left us in this blog and in your email. It is more than I ever imagined, and it helps me and Elden and our children more than you could know.
I have finished radiation: fifteen sessions to help shrink the tumor in my hip. (Doc was worried I’d fracture the weakened bone.) So, one step down. Tuesday morning, I start chemo. And next week, more chemo, and so on and so on. Who knows if I will be up for Leadville this year like was planned. But I am trying to tell my body that it has to be up for this one adventure this summer. I really want to be there when Elden finally spanks the sub-nine. So, if I can request more positive vibes, that is one of my goals this year. It would be fun to be able to meet some of you who have been so wonderfully supportive to us during this quite frustrating turn of events.
Again thank you for everything. I am still stunned by your incredible generosity, kindness, thoughtful words. And, well, you’re all just dang (my kids read this blog) cool. Elden has the best readers anywhere. You guys rock!
Susan
PS from Fatty: People who say the Internet is an ugly place have been hanging around the wrong parts of the Internet. You guys are the best. Thank you.
Comment by aussie kev | 05.28.2007 | 9:27 pm
i have tears in my eyes after reading that…. i am glad you still get to laugh.
take care k
Comment by Lins - Australia | 05.28.2007 | 9:34 pm
Aha! It’s Susan herself. I’m glad Fatty gave you his keyboard for a little while.
Last weekend I won a Mountain Bike race (by 20 minutes!!!!). If the Pink Lemonade jerseys had been in existence I would have worn it but since they weren’t I rustled up a pink jersey to wear in your honour for the race. Thankyou for the win! Get well soon as winning hurts.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 05.28.2007 | 11:37 pm
As is often the case, my first smile of the day came when reading this blog. Today yeat another solid guest contributor! Just where do you find ‘em Fatty? ;-)
The whole family is oscillating for you – feeeeeeel those good vibes!
Two Aussies and a Brit at the top of today’s comments. Not bad.
Comment by vertigo | 05.29.2007 | 12:37 am
And rounding out the top 4 comments is a Canadian in Japan…our thoughts and prayers are still with you.
Comment by Born 4 Lycra | 05.29.2007 | 2:55 am
It truly was a pleasure to be able to contribute. Botched and FC did a great job keeping it a secret. A well run smooth operation.. Really glad you got a buzz out of it and hopefully this is just the start as you get better and write to us more often with regular updates got to tell you it is a lift for us (well at least for me) also. Not sure who came up with the Biohazard Socks but that is really good! Leadville here you come!
Love from an Englishman with a french name living in Australia (South that is the best bit)
Feel the Love
Comment by John | 05.29.2007 | 3:10 am
Make that three Aussies. Must be a time zone thing.
All the best to you Susan. You’re lucky to have a husband who can keep you smiling – your positive attitude is the key to winning this fight.
Comment by gewwez | 05.29.2007 | 3:24 am
and now it’s my turn from Malta!
you’re both great, it’s awesome to see you with such a good attitude. hope you get well soon
Comment by Tim D | 05.29.2007 | 4:25 am
Can I just say “during this quite frustrating turn of events” is understatement worthy of a master. Missing your bus is fustraiting, forgetting your bike shoes (gloves, wheels…) is fustraiting. Accidentally closing the tailgate of our MPV on my son Jamie’s head this weekend, splitting his head open and knocking him unconcious is fustrating. Oh no, sorry, that last one was quite serious too.
Good luck with all your treatments. Hope all goes well
Tim D (in sunny Lancashire)
Comment by Big Boned | 05.29.2007 | 4:35 am
So…Looks like I’m the first US based reader today! Comes from getting to work early with nothing to do…
Great to read this post today. I am glad that the cards had the intended effect. I’m sure today is going to be a tough one, be brave, be strong, you have an army of believers standing behind you.
Leadville awaits…
BB
Comment by Big Boned | 05.29.2007 | 4:35 am
So…Looks like I’m the first US based reader today! Comes from getting to work early with nothing to do…
Great to read this post today. I am glad that the cards had the intended effect. I’m sure today is going to be a tough one, be brave, be strong, you have an army of believers standing behind you.
Leadville awaits…
BB
Comment by Big Boned | 05.29.2007 | 4:36 am
So…Looks like I’m the first US based reader today! Comes from getting to work early with nothing to do…
Great to read this post today. I am glad that the cards had the intended effect. I’m sure today is going to be a tough one, be brave, be strong, you have an army of believers standing behind you.
Leadville awaits…
BB
Comment by Big Boned | 05.29.2007 | 4:36 am
So…Looks like I’m the first US based reader today! Comes from getting to work early with nothing to do…
Great to read this post today. I am glad that the cards had the intended effect. I’m sure today is going to be a tough one, be brave, be strong, you have an army of believers standing behind you.
Leadville awaits…
BB
Comment by Tim D | 05.29.2007 | 4:36 am
Spelling frustrating wrongly twice is frustrating
Comment by Tim D | 05.29.2007 | 4:42 am
Big boned, your efforts to single handedly redress the US/rest of the world comments balance are a little transparent.
Comment by Big Boned | 05.29.2007 | 5:01 am
Wow! Something is REALLY going on with this blog site lately! I think what I have to say is important, but didn’t mean to have that post 4 times!
Comment by Lowrydr | 05.29.2007 | 5:05 am
So glad you have had many a light hearted moment while reading the cards. The tears are just natural when the Sun gets in your eyes. Hang tough and kick hard against this illness. You are in our thoughts every day. And your husband (The Great Fatty of course) should rub your feet for you tonite. Just because it’ll make you feel really good.
Comment by regina | 05.29.2007 | 5:13 am
in the old days there were neighborhoods, there still are sort of, but blogs and the blogs you choose for yourself are really the new neighborhoods, that is how i like to think of it, at least they are the neighborhoods that are as good as the way it used to be, when everyone new everybody and would just walk into each others houses, yell at each others kids to behave and get out of the street when the cars come. vibe++vibe++vibe++
Comment by bikemike | 05.29.2007 | 5:43 am
Susan,
i hope that after all of your pain and suffering (and when you get better!) that we all remember the compassion we felt for a fellow(lady) human and continue this in our daily lives.
when we had two hurricanes in south florida within three weeks and there was no power, everybody was patient and kind to one another. when things got back to “normal”, all the snippiness and road rage came back. as a species, we don’t do too well with kindness and love on a daily basis.
Fatty, please remind us of this every once in awhile. thanks.
God bless. we ride for Susan and her family.
Comment by Mehera | 05.29.2007 | 6:55 am
Susan, I truly find myself thinking of you so often. You see, we have come to love Fatty, and he so obviously loves you and your family. We feel like we know you, and when you’re in a rough patch, we hate it.
Comment by Bob | 05.29.2007 | 7:04 am
We talk about you a alot here in Seattle, Susan. You should guest-host this site more often.
Comment by Miguel | 05.29.2007 | 7:20 am
Susan,
As long as you allow your husband to keep entertaining us I am willing to bet that you will receive a whole lot more cards and there will be more people hoping, praying and pulling for you than you will ever know. Being able to read this blog over the past year has really made it seem like I ‘know’ your husband, and he is hilarious! It is funny, I have never met him and he probably has never even noticed me or any of my comments that are generally written late in the comment string! Heck, I would have participated in the B7 challenge but at 144 and 6 foot I do not have much to lose without really hurting my time trial (which is definitely in need of a boost, not a hinderance!).
Anyways, I raced Iron Horse this weekend, 4th in the Cat 3s, but the point is that I heard two different groups of bikers talking about your husband’s site and both were very complimentary. You two hang in there (and your kids too) and remember that there are tons of people out there thinking of you and praying that everything works out. Good luck with everything, we are praying for you.
Miguel from NM
Comment by Miguel | 05.29.2007 | 7:22 am
Susan,
As long as you allow your husband to keep entertaining us I am willing to bet that you will receive a whole lot more cards and there will be more people hoping, praying and pulling for you than you will ever know. Being able to read this blog over the past year has really made it seem like I ‘know’ your husband, and he is hilarious! It is funny, I have never met him and he probably has never even noticed me or any of my comments that are generally written late in the comment string! Heck, I would have participated in the B7 challenge but at 144 and 6 foot I do not have much to lose without really hurting my time trial (which is definitely in need of a boost, not a hinderance!).
Anyways, I raced Iron Horse this weekend, 4th in the Cat 3s, but the point is that I heard two different groups of bikers talking about your husband’s site and both were very complimentary. You two hang in there (and your kids too) and remember that there are tons of people out there thinking of you and praying that everything works out. Good luck with everything, we are praying for you.
Miguel from NM
Comment by mocougfan | 05.29.2007 | 7:48 am
Susan,
My wife mailed the card for me with the rest of the days mail. She asked me who “Susan” was that I was mailing a card to. I explained. She already has heard my commentaries on Fatty. She knows I’m inspired by him. She reminded me that I never get my mother or grandmother cards, that she always does this for me. She said Susan must be quite the lady for me to send a card to her. I agreed. You must be quite the lady. Hope and pray for your best.
Chad
Comment by chtrich | 05.29.2007 | 7:52 am
Glad so many cards and gifts could arrive. I hope they bring lots of happiness your way for many times to come. We’ll all still be thinking of you and your family!!
Comment by MTB W | 05.29.2007 | 8:37 am
Susan,
Keep up the good fight! We are pulling with all of our might for you. I was thinking of you yesterday as I was doing a hill climb in prep for a race. As my back and legs began to hurt, I thought of what you were going through and it gave me strength. It’s my turn to return the favor and send you my thoughts, prayers and positive vibes.
My best to you and your family!
Comment by Anonymous | 05.29.2007 | 8:57 am
Keep it up!
Sending even more positive vibes from the UK
(Does anyone else feel FC could find itself doing well with podcasts in future?)
Comment by jill | 05.29.2007 | 9:03 am
Your post made me smile, too. That is touching. Good work, all.
Comment by AMG in Texas | 05.29.2007 | 9:20 am
Susan,
Best wishes and good vibes to ya! Fatty has been an inspiration to me to get out and ride my bike and lose weight. Too bad I have been too busy this year with remodeling the house to do either :-( But, one thing for certain is that when the pink jerseys are available, my wife and I will wear ours with you in mind.
Please tell Fatty to fatten up to give us round boys some hope of losing weight!! Also tell him that I want the number 208 on my jerseys sleeve to post my high water mark! If not, then I will get my wife to also customize our jerseys to put your name and our friends (Lupita who is battling breast cancer) name on it for additional inspiration.
Best wishes again!
Comment by Clydesteve | 05.29.2007 | 10:11 am
Susan – Very nice you could respond. The rad-haz socks were genius! It is good to hear you in good spirits.
You have my continued prayers. I’m pleased you are over the radiation – Onto the next step. (If the next step is a little shaky, don’t be afraid to stick a new bolt in the crack – whatever it takes to hang on! – It’s progress!).
Steve
Comment by dpcowboy | 05.29.2007 | 10:41 am
Susan and Elden,
Keep pushing. You are both welcome.
DP
Comment by Erin | 05.29.2007 | 11:28 am
Susan, I think Fatty would make CarrotTop seem a little on the shy side…
Comment by Boz | 05.29.2007 | 12:30 pm
Fix the post, I would like to read it, but the off-set margin is in the middle. I can read about half.
Comment by Tg | 05.29.2007 | 1:12 pm
Susan, Continued prayers and positive thoughts for you and your family. You are an inspiration to all. Keep turning the pedals over!
Love and peace to all.
Tg
Comment by JB | 05.29.2007 | 2:56 pm
Susan, Thank-you for the update! You and your family are an inspiration! Bolder Boulder was yesterday and I have been dealing with a sprained ankle issue for the last month, but as I was going along (slowly!) the fifth mile or so I thought of you and other friends that are working on big “C” issues and got me to the finish line. “Friends”!!! isn’t that funny how a great blog has worked for all of us!
Continued thoughts and prayers for you!!!!
Jim
Comment by John Gilliland | 05.29.2007 | 3:02 pm
Non-stop positive vibes coming your way!
Comment by Mike | 05.29.2007 | 3:23 pm
Susan and Elden,
I’ve found that there are many more good people in this world than bad (despite what some of our world leaders may try to make us believe). I read about three sites every day (this one, Jills “up in Alaska” and an Australian triathlon forum) and I get a lot of great reading, advice and some inspiration from people who love bikes like I do. We’ve all been touched by cancer in some way and if I can cheer up one of my friends by sending a card then that is the least I can do. Keep strong and most importantly keep fighting.
Michael
Comment by Sprocketboy | 05.29.2007 | 4:16 pm
That’s a pretty nice selection of cards–I even see the one I sent! Mr. Experiment had a very clever idea and it is good to have friends like this. We are all sending our best wishes to you, Susan, and to Elden and family in these trying times but the number one thing is to think positively and get energy from that and from us. (The Biohazard socks were a brilliant idea by someone).
Comment by Jose | 05.29.2007 | 4:50 pm
I’m so sorry for not sending you a card, I feel so bad, I kept posponing it and then I forgot! I just want to tell you that my best wishes are with you. As per FC comments, you must be one of the best wives in the world. My wife is in the same group, of course (just in case she reads this). Be strong and be happy, the rest will come along!
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 05.29.2007 | 4:56 pm
Dear Susan and Elden,
Like everyone else, I wish you the best.
You are both a genuine inspiration to us all I think.
I am sure all the other FC blog readers and commenters will continue to send all the good karma we have.
Comment by Philly Jen | 05.29.2007 | 5:39 pm
Hi, Susan!
I’m so glad to “hear” your laughter, and I’m pulling for you to crew for Fatty at the big race this summer. (Floyd Landis is slated to ride Leadville this year — if your hip gives you any more trouble, maybe he’ll let you borrow his bionic one?)
A supersized hello to all the kids: Your oldest, who can outprogram me; your second, who can outbuild me; and your two youngest, who can each outcute and outwit me on their own, never mind as a collective bargaining unit. You might be small and young, but you’re a big and awesome part of the team — hang in there, kiddos!
Comment by eliel | 05.29.2007 | 7:44 pm
Fatty and the gang did a wonderful project for Susan.
Can I give Susan, Fatty, and the kids a big group cyber hug? HUG!
Love and prayers from the Philippines
Comment by buncit | 05.29.2007 | 9:27 pm
It’s been a while since the last time I visited this blog. I’m very shocked to read it. Just as Jack Dawson put it, “Promise me you won’t give up” You hang in there, keep fighting.
KL, Malaysia
Comment by Camille | 05.30.2007 | 3:01 am
Susan, this is only my 2nd time to read this blog, but I’m cheering you on also. I want to tell you about a group of great college kids who are doing something wonderful for people like you. My daughter is on a cycling team called Texas 4000 For Cancer, and Friday morning they are beginning a 10-week cycling journey of 4,500 miles from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska, riding an average of 90 miles a day. Each rider personally raised at least $4,000 for cancer research and all along the way they will stop at hospitals and visit cancer patients, telling them what they’re doing. Most of the kids have blogs you can follow daily all summer if you want. My daughter is Claire on the Rockies team and you can find her blog and all the other riders’ at Texas4000.com . It’s a pretty cool adventure and shows just what someone else was saying earlier, that the world is full of a lot of wonderful people, and many of them are young! I hope you get better VERY soon! In the meantime, check out Texas4000.com, click on Cyclists, and then Claire on the Rockies team… :) I’ll be sure to tell her about you!
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[...] Back when Susan was first diagnosed, BotchedExperiment told me that there’s a demonstrated correlation between the amount of emotional support cancer patients get and how well they respond to treatment — which was part of why he was the one who engineered that big “Get Well Card” extravaganza a couple months back. [...]
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