I've been pondering this post for many, many weeks, it's difficult to tell the story and ask for help. I first posted to ST-Owners in 2007 as I recovered from injuries related to a collision with a car in December of 2006. That wreck took me from my GL-500 that I enjoyed riding and put me aboard an ST1300 in early 2008.
During the first weeks of my tenure with the ST1300 I managed to put 16,000 miles on the bike as I worked in earnest to log some serious miles against the estimated 175,000 it would take to complete my "Ride Around America." The goal of that project is to visit all 3,059 counties of the lower 48 states and to document at least one veterans memorial in each. To date I've ridden well over 50,000 miles, photographing about 1,000 monument areas in about 700 counties. I've still got a long way to go, and that's why I'm posting here today.
At the end of 2008 a recurring problem with my pancreas got serious. I was diagnosed with Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) - a very rare form of pancreatic cancer. The preferred method of treatment is to resect (remove) the damaged part of the organ and in some cases move on to radiation and chemo.
I was relatively lucky with the first go 'round - a little over half of the pancreas was taken, along with my spleen. For the purposes of riding the news wasn't that good. I spent several months either not riding, or riding only a limited amount. Any distance over 200 miles required a bulky abdominal truss and a good dose of pain killers. Regardless of that, I was still able to cut the list of undocumented counties when away from hospital stays.
Several more in-patient stays for various complications put a damper on a concentrated effort to finish the project. But I was relatively young and could rely upon what my doctors told me was a long life expectancy. I was happy with some progress, even though it wasn't what I had first envisioned.
Early last winter I went for another of the monitoring scans now required by my condition. That was quickly followed up by an upper EUS - a tube shoved down my throat into my stomach with an ultrasound attached. Two days before Christmas a VA doctor called to tell me the biopsy revealed "evident colloid carcinoma." Cancer again, but in a more advanced form.
In January almost all of what remained of my pancreas was removed. Clear margins were not gained during the resection. Cancer cells remained. A six week course of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatments were scheduled - but not before I went back into hospital for a week to resolve a bowel obstruction. One of the adverse effects of many surgeries are adhesions that cause things to stick together at the most inopportune places and times.
A month ago I finished the radiation. My primary oncologist revealed this particular form of carcinoma is very persistent. According to him, it's not a question of if it will return, only a matter of when. His time line estimates are not encouraging.
We talked about the time line and the discussion centered around what meant most to me. I've got a large family, with three adult children and 11 grandchildren. There's a young man sniffing around my oldest granddaughter and I suspect the first great-grandchild will be here in another year or so. I should be content just enjoying them, but my nature is not to sit in a rocking chair telling the youngsters what it was like "back in the day."
I told the doctor about Ride Around America and how it was not about me, but it was all about remembering and honoring our veterans, and educating others - telling the stories of those names found etched upon monuments around this nation. He understood and said, "Let's do the math."
Long story short, if I find a way to get back on the road NOW I probably have enough time to reach the remaining counties and the memorials they hold. Currently I am free of pain and other than being pretty bummed over the whole thing, I'm doing well. I did a 250 mile non-stop run a few days ago and tolerated it without undue problems. All I noticed was that the 30 pounds I've lost gives me a slightly different ride in the seat - my butt has to re-engineer those hard spots I had developed before this last operation.
Forgive me, this post is going on much longer than I imagined, but I have to explain all of this as I ask all of you for some help.
Obviously the goal of this ride is very important to me. I'm a veteran myself. I come from a long line of veterans that goes back to the patriots of the American Revolution. Three of my ancestors are listed in the DAR/SAR Book of Patriots, and one of the in-laws of that generation was Maj General Henry Knox - the first Secretary of War.
I think it's important that the younger generations be given every opportunity to learn about the individual sacrifices that have given us a free republic and have maintained it for more than 225 years. These sacrifices have to be placed into context. They are not just names etched upon a memorial. These are stories of courage, deprivation, endurance, and patriotism. They are the stories of YOUR ancestors and for some of us they are the stories of those we served with.
While I have the good health to ride I need to be on the road; collecting photographs and learning about the hometowns of the fallen. Unfortunately, this is an expensive process and funding it personally as anything more than a casual effort is impossible on my monthly VA pension.
I find it distasteful to just put my hand out and say, "Please." That's why it has taken me so long to post this message. I would rather ask those of you that understand my mission to help me find a way to make this an honorable request.
Do you have a veteran you would like to honor by dedicating a memorial visit? Send me photos and background information - and tell me the county that you want to identify as your veteran's hometown. I'll format his or her story and photos on the introduction area of that county. Give what you feel is appropriate. Offer $20 and I'll mail you a 4" embroidered patch that commemorates Ride Around America.
Do you know of a civic club or riders group that would like to host my presentation about the project and my personal experiences during the ride? Let's set it up as a stop during my next outbound or inbound leg from North Carolina.
Are you aware of a local business that would help with an inexpensive sponsor ad? Put me in touch . . .
If you want to ride with me for a leg or two, let me know. I don't want to turn it into a parade, but having a local or two along with me helps shorten the time it takes to locate and document a memorial in your county.
Wednesday the 27th I'll mount up and ride a three day trip to finish the last of the South Carolina counties and visit a few more of those in Georgia. Send me a message or email if you want to ride a few miles with me. I'd enjoy the company.
I post this reluctantly. I don't want the thread to turn into a long, overly involved, saga talking about me and how I cope with cancer and the ultimate outcome. I would, however, be pleased if those of you that feel inclined to say something in response - post a story about a veteran. Or, if you are a veteran yourself, tell us about your experience. There are many active duty and veteran riders on this board - I'm proud of all of them and pleased to acknowledge them.
Thanks for you time and attention -
See photos and stories at www.ridearoundamerica.com
During the first weeks of my tenure with the ST1300 I managed to put 16,000 miles on the bike as I worked in earnest to log some serious miles against the estimated 175,000 it would take to complete my "Ride Around America." The goal of that project is to visit all 3,059 counties of the lower 48 states and to document at least one veterans memorial in each. To date I've ridden well over 50,000 miles, photographing about 1,000 monument areas in about 700 counties. I've still got a long way to go, and that's why I'm posting here today.
At the end of 2008 a recurring problem with my pancreas got serious. I was diagnosed with Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) - a very rare form of pancreatic cancer. The preferred method of treatment is to resect (remove) the damaged part of the organ and in some cases move on to radiation and chemo.
I was relatively lucky with the first go 'round - a little over half of the pancreas was taken, along with my spleen. For the purposes of riding the news wasn't that good. I spent several months either not riding, or riding only a limited amount. Any distance over 200 miles required a bulky abdominal truss and a good dose of pain killers. Regardless of that, I was still able to cut the list of undocumented counties when away from hospital stays.
Several more in-patient stays for various complications put a damper on a concentrated effort to finish the project. But I was relatively young and could rely upon what my doctors told me was a long life expectancy. I was happy with some progress, even though it wasn't what I had first envisioned.
Early last winter I went for another of the monitoring scans now required by my condition. That was quickly followed up by an upper EUS - a tube shoved down my throat into my stomach with an ultrasound attached. Two days before Christmas a VA doctor called to tell me the biopsy revealed "evident colloid carcinoma." Cancer again, but in a more advanced form.
In January almost all of what remained of my pancreas was removed. Clear margins were not gained during the resection. Cancer cells remained. A six week course of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatments were scheduled - but not before I went back into hospital for a week to resolve a bowel obstruction. One of the adverse effects of many surgeries are adhesions that cause things to stick together at the most inopportune places and times.
A month ago I finished the radiation. My primary oncologist revealed this particular form of carcinoma is very persistent. According to him, it's not a question of if it will return, only a matter of when. His time line estimates are not encouraging.
We talked about the time line and the discussion centered around what meant most to me. I've got a large family, with three adult children and 11 grandchildren. There's a young man sniffing around my oldest granddaughter and I suspect the first great-grandchild will be here in another year or so. I should be content just enjoying them, but my nature is not to sit in a rocking chair telling the youngsters what it was like "back in the day."
I told the doctor about Ride Around America and how it was not about me, but it was all about remembering and honoring our veterans, and educating others - telling the stories of those names found etched upon monuments around this nation. He understood and said, "Let's do the math."
Long story short, if I find a way to get back on the road NOW I probably have enough time to reach the remaining counties and the memorials they hold. Currently I am free of pain and other than being pretty bummed over the whole thing, I'm doing well. I did a 250 mile non-stop run a few days ago and tolerated it without undue problems. All I noticed was that the 30 pounds I've lost gives me a slightly different ride in the seat - my butt has to re-engineer those hard spots I had developed before this last operation.
Forgive me, this post is going on much longer than I imagined, but I have to explain all of this as I ask all of you for some help.
Obviously the goal of this ride is very important to me. I'm a veteran myself. I come from a long line of veterans that goes back to the patriots of the American Revolution. Three of my ancestors are listed in the DAR/SAR Book of Patriots, and one of the in-laws of that generation was Maj General Henry Knox - the first Secretary of War.
I think it's important that the younger generations be given every opportunity to learn about the individual sacrifices that have given us a free republic and have maintained it for more than 225 years. These sacrifices have to be placed into context. They are not just names etched upon a memorial. These are stories of courage, deprivation, endurance, and patriotism. They are the stories of YOUR ancestors and for some of us they are the stories of those we served with.
While I have the good health to ride I need to be on the road; collecting photographs and learning about the hometowns of the fallen. Unfortunately, this is an expensive process and funding it personally as anything more than a casual effort is impossible on my monthly VA pension.
I find it distasteful to just put my hand out and say, "Please." That's why it has taken me so long to post this message. I would rather ask those of you that understand my mission to help me find a way to make this an honorable request.
Do you have a veteran you would like to honor by dedicating a memorial visit? Send me photos and background information - and tell me the county that you want to identify as your veteran's hometown. I'll format his or her story and photos on the introduction area of that county. Give what you feel is appropriate. Offer $20 and I'll mail you a 4" embroidered patch that commemorates Ride Around America.
Do you know of a civic club or riders group that would like to host my presentation about the project and my personal experiences during the ride? Let's set it up as a stop during my next outbound or inbound leg from North Carolina.
Are you aware of a local business that would help with an inexpensive sponsor ad? Put me in touch . . .
If you want to ride with me for a leg or two, let me know. I don't want to turn it into a parade, but having a local or two along with me helps shorten the time it takes to locate and document a memorial in your county.
Wednesday the 27th I'll mount up and ride a three day trip to finish the last of the South Carolina counties and visit a few more of those in Georgia. Send me a message or email if you want to ride a few miles with me. I'd enjoy the company.
I post this reluctantly. I don't want the thread to turn into a long, overly involved, saga talking about me and how I cope with cancer and the ultimate outcome. I would, however, be pleased if those of you that feel inclined to say something in response - post a story about a veteran. Or, if you are a veteran yourself, tell us about your experience. There are many active duty and veteran riders on this board - I'm proud of all of them and pleased to acknowledge them.
Thanks for you time and attention -
See photos and stories at www.ridearoundamerica.com