Happy Today! Today, and two years ago.

Two years ago today, I barely passed the MSF course. Tanked the u-turn, but was good at stopping.

Two years ago, I got my M-endorsement. Looking back, it seems to have been worth the three-hour wait at the local DMV office.

Fast forward to April, 2010, and I barely passed the Northwest Motorcycle School "Ride Like a Cop" 40-hour course. I was terrible at the sickle, but was good at little u-turns.

The Sickle

Last month, I completed the NWMS 40-hour course again. This time, with my mentor and friend, Friction-Zone Flo Fuhr! It was a gas! Never has training been such a giggle! This time, my turns were teeny, the sickle was just another challenge and I learned more than I can ever say. Thank you Flo, so much!! I enjoyed trying to keep up with you!

Flo and Ed, owner of Northwest Motorcycle School

So, what's next? I don't know. Work is a new job and a lot of learning/multitasking. My family is growing up and branching out. Is it because of that, my cancer or of the big 5-0 that I don't readily have the answers??? Beyond helping my family, what's next?

My question is what can I do to help other new riders? Should I learn to teach MSF? Model by action? 

Should I just ride far and wide until summer is over?

Or, should I just go get that dirt bike that keeps haunting?

What's next? :)

Obviously doing well enuf in Wenatchee. ;)

Conga! and Motorcycles are Good for Your Health

Today, my oncologist talked to me about this ride quite a bit. Told him I was riding for me/for my life and for everyone with CA and those who support... so I won't wear a lot of pink, just some. I need to be me and I'm angry at Cancer. He smiled, then removed his gold professional pin from his lab jacket, handed it over and told me I was officially in complete remission. I will wear that pin proudly.

Gotta love that, eh??

Going with the Flo

The Conga III motorcycle ride to raise awareness and money is approaching soon. Flo has been busy keeping this event and cause in the forefront. Recently, a TV station near Campbell River interviewed her. Click here to watch the interview.

Last year, Flo raised just over $12,000 by riding from Florida to Campbell River. This year, Canada and the U.S. sisters join forces and our goal is to raise $14,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundations in both Canada and the U.S.

Click here to donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (U.S.)

Click here to donate to the Canadian National Breast Cancer Foundation

Please join me by donating to this worthy cause.  Thank you!

Life is a Strange and Wonderful Thing

Since my diagnosis date, I've learned to look for blessings. These days, it seems like I can't keep up with them.

Want to hear a cool story? As you'd expect, the paperwork of my new bike listed the former owner's name. I contacted him with hopes of learning more about his bike and to find out if he had any pieces he'd like to sell.

It was easy to find him on the Internet. Ken's work is to create the most beautiful fine art glass and crystal paperweights. Please go take a look, they are breathtaking.  Can you believe what you are seeing is all handcrafted glass and not Mother Nature at her best?

I used Ken's website contact area to introduce myself. Ken responded with information and he did have a few items to sell. Boy, did I want that stuff, as I'm still am working on buying all the gear needed to outfit me and the bike for travel. During our back and forth emails, I shared a link to Dave's blog so Ken could read about our adventures when riding my new bike home. I also gave him the address to my blog.

In short, Ken and his wife Marilyn, want to support the Conga III by selling a lot of great gear to me at an incredibly low price. I will in turn, pay it forward and make a financial donation to the Canadian "side" of the Conga in honor of their brother-in-law. Marilyn's sister's husband is currently working hard to beat the challenge of cancer. His radiation treatments are scheduled in Victoria; their home is in Campbell River.

This is where the Strange and Wonderful comes in. My dear friend Flo lives in Campbell River and it was she who found my first bike, she welcomed me in her home, fed me, propped me on my feet and taught me to ride it. Ken and Marilyn's family plan to stop by the barbershop for a hello.

What comes around, goes around. Flo, I bet you can expect a hug coming your way. XO girlie, you got it coming. 

It is at times like this when life can show us affirming moments that we need to bank. Like Ken said, "We are all in this together."

XO,

Karen

Karen's Journey to the Dark Side.

Is it lust or love, and does it matter?

I've always loved clean, sleek lines and pure horsepower. I've always loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The incredibly sexy FLHX Street Glide was The One. I knew it and I fought it, but not very hard. A girl just knows when to give in.

On May 15, 2009, I passed the MSF beginner course on a Honda 125cc trainer. Late June, I bought my first bike, a 2006 V-Star 1100cc Custom. I barely got on the bike, then struggled with blistering heat and lost my mojo for a while. Friends put me on my feet and got me on the road. I watched my friends' riding style and gleaned from each. I tried to celebrate every ride as a victory of learning, fortitude, progress and a sneer at cancer. April 2010, I took a private lesson with Ed Melroy, owner of Northwest Motorcycle School. That bumped up the skill level considerably and prepared me to take his Ride Like A Cop course on a KZ1000P. The 40-hour course well prepared me and I started believing a touring bike was in my future. The X caught my eye and I couldn't help myself; it was The One.

Lucky for me, I have many good Enablers. A Chief Enabler is Dave. When I first thought I had found The Actual One, I ran it past him. He did some research and found some nice things to say. (A tuff thing for a Beemer guy to do when discussing merits of riding an American Legend.) He liked it.

A quick call to the current owner, Fred Allen of Allen's Alley and I was fairly certain this was the bike for me. I committed to viewing the bike. Dave and I checked in with our spouses and a plan was hatched to bring her home... I mean, to go check it out.

Dave drove his BMW; I rode pillion. The trip down was windy, cold, rainy and nice right up until we hit urban Portland, Oregon at 3:30pm rush hour traffic. Fred keeps a stock of about 15-20 mostly HD bikes, and was waiting for us with the welcome mat out and his keys in the front door lock.  :)  Gotta luv a guy for trusting me so much! I figured if the guy trusted me with his shop keys, he'd let me test drive my bike! After laying on the floor to peel off my rain gear, Fred taught me a little about the bike. Yes, I really couldn't gracefully remove my pants very ladylike. So, I fell to the floor and made the most of it. The guys didn't seem to care much or notice. I'm sure this sort of thing happens around most Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Now that I remember it, Fred said 30% of his sales go to women riders! But, I digress; what's new?! I rode around his store parking lot and down the street a short way to another big parking lot. My greatest fear was that I would not be able to control the bike at low speeds and I did fine. (thanks NW!) I asked Dave to ride for his opinion and I checked out the paperwork. Dave came back smiling which I took as another good sign. So the moment came for me to decide. I wanted the bike, but I toyed with the idea of what it would feel like to go home without it for about 5 seconds. Not an option in my dream.

Working with Fred was a real dream. I was dealing with a top-notch good guy who did everything he said he would and more. I had worried that Dave and I would arrive and there would be no bike. You know what I mean? Things were so far from that fear. I recommend buying from Fred at Allen's Alley. He was there when he said he would be, the bike was more than he described, he did some minor adjustments for me, he taught me about the bike and became a friend.

Sale completed and off to a nearby motel to chill. After unloading the bikes and trying to get to the front desk, I had to fight off the magnetic pull to return to my new baby for a cruise around the block. I turned to admire her from afar and noticed something in the back tire! Yep, I was screwed, drywall, that is. Hmm, was it an omen or a fantastic show of good karma to notice something so tiny like that? I blame it on good karma. The new plan was to hit up a HD store before we started the big trip home.

The guy was nuts. $165 a night?  Nooooo. A battle ensued. It was taking time and it was entertaining. I wanted two rooms at less than $100 each. The guy didn't know who he was dealing with. I negotiated with aplomb!  Got it all the way down to $99/room, then showed him my priority card.... or do I have that backwards? Is this TMI?

Another bright moment followed, in walks Fred with the soft lowers that came with the bike! I show him the screw and he lines out the remedy and insists upon covering costs. !!!  Fred filled the tires to 36lbs that morning (gotta LOVE that!) and the tire was down to 30lbs. The next morning, Fred arrived with a charged air compressor, topped off the tire and sent us to His Guy, who bumped me to the front of the queue and entertained me, too!

Our return journey started via hwy 26 through Portland. Our goal was to boycott the heavy winds seen in the Columbia Gorge by traveling just south of Mount Hood via Government Camp. All was great until we hit the summit and the rain turned to snow.  My first experience with snow.  Dave's blog describes it well, so here is the link.  We pulled a U-turn in the middle of the highway, in heavy snowfall, on a hill above a blind-curve.  ;) (Discipline of the Head-I...thanks NW Motorcycle School!) The gorge was fine and I lived through crossing the Columbia at Hood River via a 0.8 mile grated bridge deck. My first experience with grated bridge decks. It was stressful, but I looked where I wanted to go and did just fine, regardless of heavy crosswind and gusts and big trucks in narrow lanes and and and.



My favorite part of the trip for driving was Blewett Pass and the twisties. My very favorite moment of the trip was as a passenger. We rode underneath a hawk and has we passed under, it turned it's head and looked right into my eyes.

Everywhere we went, the bike captured everyone's attention and they offered information about it.

Thanks Dave for helping me get my dream bike. Someday, when you need to pick up your dream bike, I'll return the favor! :) Can't wait!!!

Love ya Everyone!
Biird

Ride Like a Cop - Northwest Motorcycle School

This course was the best class I've ever taken, bar none. Pretty strong words, eh?

I learned skills that will save my life and ensure a better, more enjoyable riding experience. I came away  with a better understanding of how a bike works. Better yet, I now understand how I ride under pressure. I passed the course, but that is only the beginning. Now, I must practice frequently and thoroughly to retain my skills. For in an emergency, I will resort to what I know.

Northwest Motorcycle School is located in Renton, Washington and Gresham, Oregon. The school offers use of retired KZ1000P police motorcycles or you can use your own.

The training patterns are set up for the turning radius of the KZ. The teaching progression is quick. I recommend everyone, regardless of how well you ride, to use NW's bikes; you're gonna drop it more than once. I guarantee it.

I attended at the Renton location with five other students, all men. Here's a photo of the graduates. As you can see, the guys have no issue with helmet-hair. ;)~

The instructors were Ed Melroy, Zsolt Dornay, Curt Erickson and briefly, Bob Posey. Fairly rich instructional environment, eh? Ed gave me a 4+ hour private lesson in mid-March. He was also present on the first and last day of the 40-hour course, which I found comforting, as I like his instructional style and he knew my background. Zsolt and Curt were the primary instructors, with Bob visiting and chiming in for a while. Zsolt was the primary instructor, with over 22 years of motorcycle instruction within his foundation. Every lesson came with a pertinent story, which highlighted the necessity of learning correct technique and practice. Zsolt's story illustrating need to watch mirrors when stopped will never be forgotten. I've also shared his suggestion of aligning your mirrors so the autos are seen only in the top half of the mirror. For when you maximum brake, the nose dives. Those same autos are now in the lower part of your mirror and you may then still see where your hazards are at all times,  -if you're looking.

One student twisted his ankle and went home early. He has option to return at any time to complete the course without any additional fee. Now, how cool is that? Good Karma on ya, NW!!!

Each day's instructional progression is a building block of the proficiency exam.

Day 1: we learned about the Gray Area or Friction Zone and to coordinate clutch, throttle and rear brake to begin our foundation. Added in was a large and imperative dose of Head/Eye coordination, which later Zsolt often referred to as the "Discipline of the Head-I" because you simply could not complete the pattern if you didn't "look" where you were wanting to go. "Discipline", because you had to make yourself look, even when you thought you'd fall over. Keep looking at your goal. We learned about the seven elements of braking, starting at about 20-25 mph. Worked in patterns called the open figure 8, Square: hard right and left turns initiated from a full stop into a narrow area, 20' intersection, closed figure 8, slow cone weave. I went home pooped.

Day 2: Took our new skills to a higher level, introduced aggressive braking and escape, curb pullouts: everyone lines up and faces a curb, which is only about four feet in front of you and then pulls out and turns hard either left or right (ugh!) and follow the leader. Have locked both brakes individually and have learned what to do. At this point, my stopping was better, but better yet: I was still lucid and thinking about what I needed to do, instead of hearing a lot of internal "oh shits" and white noise. Nailed the intersection and was at about 50% left and right keyhole. Loved follow the leader in insanely tight areas, nose to butt. Patterns added: offset cone weave, keyhole, eliminator: a series of u-turns between a chain-link fence and a brick building, WSP with 30' circle. We started linking the patterns together. Favorites: intersection, braking, follow leader and keyhole, but I bet you knew that!  I went home so tired, I was a shell of my former self. What do you think of the 30' circle? It was one of my favorites, too. The two inside cones were replaced with 50 gallon drum barrels for the proficiency test.

Sunday was a day of rest. I needed it and my gear needed to dry out. Note: you may see all of the 'natural hazards' in the photos and on NW's videos. Some people may take exception with these hazards with thought that they are dangerous. Well, they are dangerous only if you go out of your way to hit them. In real life, the hazards are both static and elastic/potholes and autos.

Day 3: Continued practice of patterns and aggressive braking at 40 mph with escape at end of stop, counter steering to 30 mph. Loved that one and it is more difficult than it looks. Patterns added: 90 degree, 180 decel,  chicane, circular cone weave, sickle, end box. Now, we've learned all of the patterns and continue to link them together. Steve, a former student, paid a visit from Vancouver, BC. He won the 2009 Top Gun Goldwing challenge a year after he took this course. It was great to meet him and he offered up a few good suggestions. I went home tired and energized!!! I couldn't believe how much I had learned!

Day 4: Proficiency exam. Must complete the full course with two out of six successful attempts within 3 minutes, 40 seconds. Points (time) deducted for putting a foot down, knocking cones over. Your attempt is disqualified if a pattern is blown. You must also complete the maximum emergency braking at 40mph and counter-steer at 30mph within 2/6 successful attempts. Last, the rider must successfully ride two complete revolutions of figure 8 in a 17.5 x 34' box without putting a foot down or hitting the perimeter lines.

It was an awesome experience. Intense. I want to do it again!! My very favorite part was follow the leader into snakey places only a wonderfully demented expert instructor would take you. LOVED IT!!

Sign up for a course in your area, it is an investment in yourself.

Thanks everyone for your support through this amazing journey of mine. It has been a blessing. ♥ I hope that you, too will find your bliss and have an opportunity to grow.

Lots of love to you all,
Karen

Free Me by Joss Stone

Ok, this is my theme song. :) I hope you like it!

Click to hear in YouTube via new window.

(mmm...Hey! All right now! ooh)
Ain’t I got you on your back foot
And you know I got you really good
Cuz there’s something deep inside of me
I've got to be

And if you find it hard to follow me
If I loose you in my jet stream
Then you only got to raise your eyes
And see me fly

Don’t tell me that I won’t
I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not
I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Ain't coming true (yeah!)

Don’t tell me that I won’t
I will
Don’t tell me how to think
I feel
Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real
What I can do

Something that you don’t see every day
A little girl who found her way
Through a world that's designed to break
All of your dreams

And if there’s one thing I will say to you
It's that there is nothing that you can’t do
Cuz it’s all about your attitude
Don’t let them get to you

Don’t tell me that I won’t
I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not
I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Ain't coming true

Don’t tell me that I won’t
I will
Don’t tell me how to think
I feel
Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real
What I can do

(Oh yeah! Yeah! ooh ooh (giggle) mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm Hey! ooh yeah!)

And we are singing in our own voice
We can make the choice to be free (to be free now!)

And we are singing it our own voice
We can make the choice to be free (to be free now!)

Music hey L.U.V. I love it (yeah hey eh yeah!)
Music, now, now, now eh L.U.V. baby I love it (eh) yes I do now

Don’t tell me that I won’t
I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not
I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Ain't coming true
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I will
Don’t tell me how to think
I feel
Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real
What I can do

So, just what does Follicular non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma have to do with motorcycles and living a good life?

Everything. Life is about challenges. When I have time, it seems that I add challenges to my life.

Vinnie and Blair asked me to write up a little word about me and my challenge, so here goes....

In short, I'm basically a typical Wenatchee mom: work full-time, married, couple kids, teenager chaos, too many pets, etc. You know the story. But, there's a twist; a couple years ago, I found a lump, which took me to the doctor. Even shorter story, I was diagnosed with fNHL, stage 4 (out of 4). Not a good day. Currently, the menu doesn't offer a cure, but with todays treatment options, I'll get repeated remissions, a potential run with difficult chemo, and perhaps a stem-cell transplant some day. Treatment for someone in my condition/age is typically "watch and wait". That didn't sit well with me and I eventually was offered a spot in a clinical trial at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

This trial allows me to be very well studied and it offers me something positive from my cancer: I get to donate extra blood and bone marrow for research. As my oncologists says, it is golden for them, because they cannot buy it. Who knows where my samples will go or what research I'll help with. I love it, because it is an aspect of my cancer that I control. With the realization that I could gift from my cancer, it helped me get my brain around my cancer and look at it with a healthier head. I've found my cancer diagnosis to be a blessing.

Whaaat?!

Lucky for me, I've always wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Yes, I know the whiplash you must be experiencing while reading this! I've lived it!

I opened the door to try out the local Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. I met important friends like Friction-Zone Flo, V-Girl and Miss Iron Butt aka Dragon! I hope to meet Belt Drive Betty, a Facebook friend this summer! I have deepened friendships with co-workers who ride. I've met those who changed my life by opening doors that I never would have without their influence and support. I would never have signed up for an advanced moto-cop course.

I joined Gold's Gym to support my new motorcycle habit and to build health for my future.

My health is good. It appears that I may be in remission. Tests in June may confirm. I'm shopping for another motorcycle. I passed the moto-cop course. Next challenge: riding my motorcycle to Cheyenne and back! Yippee!

I hope the story you read in my blog somehow lightens your mental load and helps you find a way into a place where you find yourself with some goals that initially look impossible, but that you find eventually, they are just part of your life.

Love,
Karen aka Hummingbiird, a biker name bequeathed and then shorted to Biird.

You Just Aren't Broke Enough

My friend Char wrote a blog story about a T.V. news program aired when the economy started to take the big downturn. The show's guest was the Coupon Queen. She could shop for her family of four using 90% coupons and only spending a small amount of her own cash. She would consistently take home $200-$300 worth of groceries purchased with coupons. The T.V. hosts asked questions and invited the guest audience to comment. When an audience member said "I work long hours, have four kids, and get home late at night. I just don't have time to cut coupons". The Coupon Queen simply responded, "You just aren't broke enough."

Char's response was, "BAM! How powerful is that?!" When reading her blog, the reader gets the sense that she hit the proverbial wall, then decided it was time to change. She adopted an Athletes' Mentality. She has been working out since October 2009 and has adopted a healthier lifestyle of sensible eating and including exercise every day. Char's fitness question to her blog readers was, "So, how broke are you?"

I found Char's comments and blog inspiring!

Today, to check progress, my trainer Vinnie re-measured me. The initial measurement date was 1/7/10. I have lost two pounds, 2.25 inches overall, 7.4% fat, and a pant-size. I traded in about ten pounds of fat for about nine pounds of muscle.

My goal has been to get my body to Gold's every day. It has not been hard; I just show up. My discipline has paid off already! More on that later!

Love ya! :)~

Conga III Motorcycle Ride for National Breast Cancer Foundation

The Conga III Motorcycle Ride for Breast Cancer is dedicated to fund-raising and raising cancer awareness. This year, donations go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Click here to go to the secure portal for our donation site.


The National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need. NBCF accomplishes this mission through various initiatives. NBCF programs provide women help for today and hope for tomorrow.

NBCF is committed to spreading knowledge and fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer. By funding free mammograms for women who could otherwise not afford them and supporting research programs in leading facilities across the country, NBCF helps inspire the courage needed to win this monumental battle.

Be a part of the solution and please join me with your support to fund this foundation as part of the Conga III Motorcycle Ride for Breast Cancer. Thank you!

(Love you! xo naw, I'd not forget)

Meet Vinnie!

Please meet Vinnie, my personal trainer. Vinnie will be making a sizable contribution to my wellness, and he's got a long road in front of him.

In mid-January, I joined the local Gold's Gym. My goals are:

-Gain wellness. To be stronger and have more endurance.

-To help my chemotherapy drugs work to the fullest extent.

-By April, be able to function well during an intensive 40-hour police motorcycle training course.

-By July, to be able to ride my motorcycle in the "Conga III" breast cancer motorcycle ride to Cheyenne, Wyoming and back, and feel like I want to do it again!

-Ultimately, to be in a best possible position to receive a bone marrow transplant, should that day ever come.

Like any good teacher, Vinnie weaves in foundation knowledge, highlights purpose, he demonstrates, and if needed, finds ten different ways to talk about the same thing - so that I can understand his point. Vinnie encourages and then, celebrates. He's directed me to try harder, don't quit, focus, retain correct posture, then, "ok, lets do it again!".

In the past, I've been fit. Like many, I passively traded my fit body for one that works very well with a computer eight hours a day. Then, quite often, I go home to sit at a computer.

My progress will be bumpy, but I expect to see gradual improvement. It is good to already see new muscle. My family is fully supportive and I try my best to get into the gym every day. One reason I chose Gold's is the hours of operation. Some days, I arrive at 8:30 pm. I've been tempted by going in later, but haven't yet. I'm afraid I'll be too wound up to sleep. Little tiny baby steps. I feel as long as I keep moving forward, I can call it progress. It may not be giant leaps and bounds, but it is progress. I'm excited to proceed!

If you see me in the gym and want to say hello, please do!

Take care! (and lub ya!!!)

India 2010

Just a quick word to share a favorite blog. Friends are doing mission work in India. Amazing.

Northwest Motorcycle School

Wow! This photo pretty much sums it up! Flo told me I'd be dreaming pylons, but wow! Perhaps orange is my new favorite color!

On March 6, I enjoyed a three-hour private lesson at Northwest Motorcycle School, which is located in Renton, Washington.

The lesson included use of their bike, a Kawasaki KZ1000P. Some of you know of that bike and are now probably raising eyebrows a wee bit, with a thought that it is a big bike for a beginner. If you don't know, it is a motorcycle used by some law enforcement agencies and was the biggest star of the T.V. show, C.H.I.P.s! They've gone by the way, with BMWs and H-D more favored.

Ed Melroy, owner, was my instructor. Ed knows his stuff!! After getting the paperwork out of the way, Ed had me sit on the bike to configure it to me. While still sitting on it, Ed asked me to right the bike, then he turned around and got really busy with something. I could not get it off of the stand...the side stand. I KNOW that is fairly pathetic, but the thing felt like it was glued to the ground. It simply would not budge. No amount of body-english worked. Huh? He had to know I wouldn't succeed!!! I think he was hiding a giggle!

So, that little scenario sort of opens up the relational aspect of student/instructor. Ed did bail me out by lowering the front forks 1.5 inches, with a direct warning that lowered forks reduces stability at speed and is not the best solution to fit the bike to the rider.

Ed directed me to complete a little u-turn and cone weave to see if I could. I did, barely, but not embarrassingly in a country-mile sort of way. Right off, I told him where my weak spots were and we set out to fix. Immediately, he had me working on locked turns from a stop. I didn't master them. U-turns were worked on until I had them down to <20' routinely, left and right. During the lesson, I didn't want to get off of the bike, even after front-brake only emergency stops. Towards the end, we worked on the "Intersection" , a set of 20' squares blocked into an 4-way intersection (10' lanes). My U-turns fit within the 20' perimeter, next they became figure-eights and later, I followed the outside perimeter of the intersection, dipping around. It felt like slalom skiing, with a weight/unweight, extension, etc. and was my favorite exercise.

At every inch of success, Ed was there with a grin. It is obvious the man loves to teach. My little successes were his, too! Often, there would be long silences while I learned. I liked that he wasn't constantly interrupting my thoughts, but when he instructed or shot a needed correction at me, it was succinct. Sometimes, I'd be so in the moment, trying so hard to imprint the right stuff in my brain and I'd hear him laugh. Ya gotta love that in an instructor. Instant positive feedback. Woo-hoo!

I also liked a very tight weave that Ed tossed out there like a bone. It was a 'one-ups-manship' story of him riding a 12-14' weave and finding a brand new rider right on his tail! He loved that it happened. I'm sure he tossed it out there for me to chew on, and he pegged me right: I'd bite because I couldn't resist. As I repeatedly tried it, he said something to the tune of "I knew you'd try it". Well, of course, I have OCmD!

I dropped the bike +/- 5-6 times during the lesson. It was GREAT, after I got used to the idea that it was OK, even sort of encouraged. I suggest it was great, because I could hang out on the very edge of learning. There was no fear about expensive replacement parts, embarrassment, etc. My drops were due to loss of friction-zone at a very slow speed- probably like a slow walk. I figured out why I dropped my bike in September. Exact same scenario: locked left turn and I closed the clutch, probably by pulling the handle bar to me with left hand, instead of pushing away with right hand. An a-ha moment!

When I speak to the relational aspect of student/instructor, it is of communication, humor and trust. I've now had three people instruct me, Mike, Flo and Ed. Each one believed I could. Each are good communicators. Each love a giggle. I trust each to teach me whatever it is they need to show me.

Ed ended the lesson with a compliment. I'd done well. That big bike grew smaller with each minute. My dream would have me at NWMS every couple weeks until I nail it. I really enjoyed myself. The challenge was magnificent. Priceless, really.

I'll see Ed in April, for the 40-hour course and I cannot wait to go learn more!

Take care everyone and remember, I love ya! I really do.

Remembering the Diagnostic Phase.

Maybe I'm thinking too much, but it seems to be how I'm built these days.

I could say that I've had a helluva last two years, but many blessing have been heaven sent.

You see the photo with all the pills. Since SCCA picked up my blog, I've been toying with the idea of sharing more deeply.

I remember the whirlwind of emotion that accompanied my first visits to the doctors. I can still feel my core biopsy of a cervical lymph node. A week or so later, my first bone biopsy was challenging. Afterwards I was lucky to see a general surgeon, who removed an entire node intact. Who knew that pathology needed an intact node to see the architecture to make the diagnosis?

It is at times like these when one becomes a vessel of God's love, because I would not have held together if it were not for the support of friends and family. My friends in the medical community helped me in ways that I cannot say.

At every step of the way, I did the prudent thing. Regardless, I was diagnosed at stage 4. I share this because many people with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are diagnosed at stage 3 and 4. Years earlier, I found a lump in my neck. Later, transient little buggers. Checked with the doctor multiple times. Yadda.

January 2008, I found a tiny submandibular lump. Teeny. Prudent watching ensued. Fast forward to April and the big show started. For those of you that have experienced the diagnostic phase of an obviously indolent cancer, I know you are a mentally strong person. It just takes too long to get the final diagnosis. If we had an aggressive cancer, we would have entered into a prescribed path and we'd be plugged in ASAP.

If I had a pearl to offer primary care physicians, it would be this: never order a core biopsy if the patient has multiple, easily accessed nodes that are not located in vital areas like the neck. Just go get one whole node. My core biopsy report came back with a request to get a whole node, regardless that my first surgeon got a stellar core sample. Yes, I had two biopsies.

And my pearl to patients is to get multiple opinions and learn to advocate for yourself. Learn about your cancer by talking to your doctor, then other doctors. Search for a website that will educate you about your cancer and offers up-to-date news of clinical research. Know as much as possible, for it is YOU that you are learning about.

Once you have all your labs done, a second opinion costs only $300-400 US dollars. Think about it. So what if your insurance will not cover, but chances are it will. It is worth the money.

I saw three oncologists at three different facilities before I decided what I wanted for me.

Each of the oncologists recommended a prudent course of action according to the research I found. Because fNHL is indolent and rituximab treatment data sets are relatively new, or rather, much of the emerging data is from treatment given long ago. Treatment has changed since then. The array of opinion went from A to Z- all of it good.

#1 Doc recommended Watch and Wait, until I needed treatment. Prudent: my cancer didn't slow me down much if any.
#2 Doc recommended full-tilt boogie with CHOP+R. Prudent: maybe get a remission for me. CHOP is another way to spell 'Yur gonna get Spanked'. I'm saving this option for my transplant.
#3 Doc taught me more, leaned towards #1 doc opinion. Told me about the clinical trial. He was more about educating me and explaining why data ran the gamut. Hmmm.

After a lot more research, I opted for curtain #3, Jane. More about that later.

Back to advocating for yourself. Don't worry a bit if you start to feel like you are FIGHTING to be heard and scheduled in. If you've experienced this, then remember to be polite, persistent, and unyielding in your quest for answers. These docs are busy and you just go right ahead and let them know you want to be heard. Give them time to respond. I found myself pushing very hard, then when I got somewhere I would apologize and explain why they experienced the warrior in me. Yes, you might have to fight. It's good practice for when you get to bigger issues that really matter.

Recommended read:"The Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life" by David Servan-Schreiber

Ok, I typically sign off with an I love you of some sort, but this time I'm going to say I love you. All you cancer folks know what I mean. Take it and run.

PS: Yes, that photo is my hand with my evening dose of fenretinide. 1600mg or 16 pills every 12 hours. It's a yummy breakfast and every day, I count myself lucky to have it. At first, I thought it was shocking. Now, it's nothing. It seems that quite a bit of "cancer" is like that.

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

A quick note here to encourage you to visit Seattle Cancer Care Alliance site for Cancer Patient Information and blogs. It is a high-overhead pass of all sorts of info. Among the pearls are some diamonds! These blogs are shared by patients associated with SCCA.

I'll write more about SCCA's blog later, when I've had more time to review and ponder.

Please take a moment to view the Conga III Ride for Breast Cancer blog. You've never seen anything like it before. Read the whole thing, read Conga II, as well. This is a true inspiring story of women riding to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research in July, 2010.

While the focus there is on breast cancer, each of the riders is riding for anyone facing the challenge of cancer, be it as a patient or a support person.

Remember I love you!!
:) xo

Dreaming about my next step....

In my dream-life, I dream big. However, the glare of daylight seems to highlight reality, but this time dreams win big!

We are taught there is never an insurmountable obstacle. With focused effort we may reach our goals. With a diagnosis of cancer, one learns to look for different goals when the obvious goal is not attainable. My cancer, Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, does not offer a cure. I can look forward to remissions. Many people live many years with this cancer and approach it as if it were a chronic disease.

On Wednesday the 13th, my trip to Seattle to see my oncologist was eventful. As was about to leave civilization and head over Blewett Pass, I filled my empty gas tank with freshly watered fuel. My mother lent me her car and dealt with the tow-truck. I was late to my appointment, passed two state troopers and how I didn't get a citation, I have no idea. They should have heard the sonic boom.

My recent cancer news is encouraging. It appears that my December labs indicate that I'm 0.1 mm away from what the medical world calls a complete remission. Now how do they do that? My peripheral blood is clear, my bone marrow is clear, PET and CT are good, except that pesky 0.1 mm on one lymph node. :) I liked hearing this news.

To celebrate, I did sign up for the motorcycle course at Northwest Motorcycle School. I'm excited, scared, anxious, giddy, impatient to begin. I believe I'll do fairly well!

So, another door opened and I walked through it without hesitation. Amazing that my journey keeps offering up these incredible experiences. Part of me feels this whole amazing line of opportunity isn't because of me, as it seems to have legs. It isn't me; it's my dream. I'm not experiencing fear which limits. If I start to think about the past year or so, I am filled with wonder. At some point I have thought, if I do this, then what will I do next?

The 13th was an eventful day for a friend, too. I was saddened to hear of the loss of his mother. She had advanced Alzheimer's and simply died; he feels she was just done. Today, her family honored her. My thoughts have been with them.

Today would have been my deceased father's 77th birthday.

I'd have liked to have a warm, comfy porch and rocker today, to sit and ponder these important milestones. A couple warm hugs would have been well-placed for my heart, too.

Hugs,
Karen
x

Tickle your funny bone!

Doesn't this graphic make you smile?

Dowager on a hardtail? In a granny dress. Don't you think the air cleaner cover could go by way of some ram air? Poser. Gawd, I'm afflicted.

The weather seems to be stuck in the melt by day, freeze by night mode. Sand and de-icer. Blah.

I'm shopping for a Harley, good rain gear, farkle and sunshine. Yeah, you heard that right. My husband asks what *will* I do with my 1100? Huh?! That sounds like a combo Big 10-4, proceed, "it's ok with me"!! Not that I ask for permission, now that I'm a biker. The bigger question is why doesn't he doesn't want my 1100? I wonder about his kayak farkle. How wonderfully exciting it must be to buy dry-bags! Paddles! Bug-spray! I know it isn't fair to pick on a guy behind his back, especially one's husband, so I'll lighten up. He's come far from his old Ridge to River days of lugging steel canoes around. Can a trolling motor go on a kayak?

So, did I share that I plan to take a motorcycle course? My friend Flo took it last summer and really enjoyed it. Ride like a Cop. 40 hours of intensive training right in my back yard: Renton! It's the King County Sheriff Motor Cop curriculum, but I won't learn how to pull someone over, grow a mustache or shoot a gun from my bike. Dang. The owners say it's the only place in the U.S. to get the same level of training without being a motorman. My plan is to take one private lesson prior to the big course. They provide Kaw 1000 police motorcycles. I can hardly wait!

As winter slides into the doldrums, remember that your loved ones ARE your loved ones. Love them up. Dole out affirmations and compliments; giving always bring a ray of sunshine. Spend your time differently. Call up that person you never get to talk with. Hand out a couple hugs. Enjoy yourself.

Love you, :)
Karen

Giving Gratitude

My Uncle Red.

Son.

Brother.

Husband.

Father.

Christian.

A Cancer Fighter.

Americans have set aside one holiday to give thanks. Does this single day remind us to be grateful or does it allow us to ignore gratitude the rest of the year?

I'm trying to adopt the "Everyday is a Holiday Gratitude Attitude". Why? It seems to me that if we learn to live our lives from a stance of gratitude, the challenges we face are more appropriately framed. Also, living a generally more happy, fulfilling life is an added bonus. We have this one life; why not make the most of it?

Learning to look for gratitude and positives as a way of life may sound easy. It is not, especially if one is just starting out on this journey. I don't think I would have recognized an ideal of practicing gratitude if I had not been forced to that path.

My father was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer in April, 2006. He struggled with the diagnosis, the statistics, his emotions and a lot of stuff one never thinks twice about until they join the dreaded Cancer Club. He died in February, 2007, from a heart attack.

Looking back, I find it quite amazing how much emotional ground he covered. He learned a lot. By his words and actions, he taught a lot, although I didn't see it at the time. It took my own cancer diagnosis to glean from my dad. :) My dad, the proverbial teacher.

The shock of a cancer diagnosis is a surreal experience. So is the first trip to the oncologist, first picc line, first CT, PET, infusion... the list goes on and on. The cancer patient and their loved ones often do not have the luxury to process their thoughts and reactions. Yes, I used the word 'luxury'. Forced initially into Fight or Flee, we quickly adopt Fight. Our energies are spent on focused items which help us. In the heat of it, anything else is Flotsam and Jetsam. Jetsam is more difficult, but necessary. Negativity is perfect Jetsam. We take wobbly baby-steps on our journey and we eventually move forward. As we learn how to live this life with cancer, it becomes easier to move to the gratitude.

Last month, I visited my father's brother, Red and his family. He has melanoma and has been receiving chemo and radiation. He is a fighter, surrounded by a strong family and many supportive friends, for which I am grateful. I wish that I could spend more time with my extended family and offer my support along the way. Love you, Uncle Red!

So, what are you grateful for? Can you write a list of those 10 things you hate faster than you can come up with 10 things in which you are genuinely grateful?

xo

Christmas Eve!

Brrrr! This picture shows very bundled up nut-cases. In case you cannot tell, that is me on the left. My buddy, Dave on the right, the big Enabler!

At work, we share and stew over our sadness that spring is far, far away. I've known Dave at least 16 years, so pretty much any amount of pouting is accepted as temporary.

Dave also knows I love to ride and serendipity runs deep within me. So, it doesn't take much to get me on my bike. Christmas Eve, I get a text asking if I want to ride. Wow! It's only :) 24 degrees, but it's sunny!! Sure, why not!

I wore everything I owned, plugged in and prayed. Actually, each ride starts with a prayer of thanks, asking for forgiveness and praise for this wonderful life, but this prayer was more. I think I was begging for more engine heat or some such thing.

By the time I got to Dave's house, 3 miles or so, my fingers were blanching. Punt! Dave lent heavier gloves that were big enough to toss in a couple shake and bakes. Yum! Off we went to Orondo. Hopped off when we got there. Did a little celebratory dance. WHAT a fine day! I was warm enough and very, very happy. Hit the road to my house and did another huge happy dance!! This last picture was taken in my front yard, 50 miles later. The smiles say it all, dontcha think?

We were the only motorcycles on the road. Yeah!

Thank you Dave, for being a good and nutty friend. I appreciate you and that you'd take this newbie out for such a memorable ride. I will never forget such a treasure.

Remember: love you!
xo,
Karen
BTW, Dave is thermally-gifted and rides a BMW K1200LT.

CONGA!

Flo is working on the website that will house the Conga III and links to sponsors: SassyBiker, LP Custom Embroidery, etc.

Take a look and think about joining us! Go with the Flo!!

Dreamin'

I'm dreaming of warm sunny biker weather!

I'm also dreaming of my summer bike trip to Wyoming. I love it when I have a solid reason to shop. My pending road-trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming is the perfect opportunity! You should see my new gray heels!! :)

This post is really a gear and ride update.

Purchased and installed a windshield bag and hand-shields. Got a little technical help with the shields, thank you very much.

Purchased the sissybar and travel bags. Need to install the sissy bar.

Want to purchase highway pegs and a little taller windshield. Maybe splurge for a new speedometer, as mine is metered in kilometers. Maybe get a powered jacket, as I think the sleeves would help keep my hands warmer.

I think I also want a new helmet for touring.

Rides? None. This afternoon, I was peering out my living room window at snow covered hills.

Think Sun!

Love ya! xo

Last Ride of 2009?

When will be your last ride? How do you know it is your last ride?

If it is the last ride, where will you go? How will you ride? Will you ride slow and take in the sights and smells? Or, will you roll on the throttle and let 'er go? Will you ponder along or will you go for the thrill of the moment?

Regardless of the 'where and how', the metaphor of the Last Ride is meaningful at any stage of life.

Just a couple days ago, on Wednesday, November 11, Veteran's Day, I was lucky enough to go for a long, chilly, sparkling-sunny ride. It was beautiful. I loved it. My first very cold ride, with temps in the mid to low 40's (F). The whole experience was unlike any of my other rides. The low temps changed my perception of what a ride may be for me. My bike handled a little differently. The vibration was different. My tires picked up the road differently. I liked it. No, I loved it.

A buddy, Bob was willing to share his day. Bikers understand that rides are somewhat like a toddler's 'parallel play', where we are with each other but with very little interaction until rest stops. It is all about the ride and where we are going to eat. :) Bob asked if I wanted to go any particular route, I answered that I wanted a sunny ride. So, off to Chelan, with an up-and-over via Navarre Coulee.

Generally speaking, as the beginner, I follow. This is a good thing, as I spend time watching my experienced biker friend's way of riding. I've learned that each rider has their own way. Realizing that I am watchful, in their way, my friends are quick to point out hazards or to demonstrate best practices. It has been a fantastic way to learn and to find my own way.

I've followed Bob over this route once before. Then, he carefully showed me a 'best practice' on a hairpin curve by taking the textbook line. This latest ride, we encountered deicer. I watched Bob's take on it and where he took his line. I tried his line, which was to hug the clear space along the centerline and it was good because there was no traffic. But, I didn't like the idea of riding behind him, as deicer is quite slimy. It feels like maple syrup. I figured if there was a catastrophe, I would not have much ability to avoid Bob, but I'd have a lot of road to slide over. I tried out the clear area along the fog line. Less road to utilize, but more clean road to use. For the most part, I stayed with my way realizing the pros and cons of my options. I knew we probably had just a couple miles of it.

In short, the ride was really nice, with a great chat at lunch. No comment was made about my decision to ride the fog line area.

Yesterday, it snowed.

This morning, I spoke with dear friends, Ina Mae and Ray, who sadly shared the unexpected loss of their beloved son-in-law.

Would I have ridden differently if I knew winter was so close? Would I have ridden that route if I foresaw deicer? Should I have turned around when I saw the deicer?

Would I live my life differently if I knew I would die soon? Or, if a particular hazard, like cancer, would crop up soon?

What if my challenges presented an option to proceed or retreat? My friend Maureen once told me our friend, Katie told her to bloom where she was planted. I'm proceeding to bloom.

Today, please think of the important and sweet things in your life. Think of your last ride, which is your current life. What do you want? How will you get it? Think of the tone of your last exchange with your loved ones.

Was your last "kiss" sweet?

xo

Great ride today!

Just when I thought there wouldn't be a "one last ride" before winter, it lands in my lap! Yeah! Beautiful day, good ride and company! I have the best friends!! The scenery and smells were really out there. My favorite part of the ride was the top of Navarre Coulee, because the fragrant pine occasionally mixed with wood-smoke. Ok, maybe there are about a dozen favorite moments, but I hope it wasn't the last ride of the season!

I'm at the stage in my riding development where I can find that certain bliss on the road. I love it and look forward to riding so much! I wish that I could describe how it feels to be so mentally plugged in and yet, so Zen and Freud's id all at the same time! For me, it is very much like carving long fast turns in good snow. And all that horsepower is good, too! Yeah baby! x ;)~

So, I'm thinking Las Cruces for winter break and a H-D rental. Hmmm.

Yesterday, I decided to go on a big ride next summer to join women riders associated with online forum, Women Who Ride. We'll meet in Cheyenne, Wyoming in early July, as Conga III, a fund-raiser ride for breast cancer research. I cannot wait! It's been a few years since I prowled around that greater beloved region. I previously lived in West Yellowstone and Bozeman, and I'm a huge fan of The Road-Trip. I also know the region quite well. My husband's paternal grandparents lived in Greybull, WY, so he introduced me to the Bighorns and western Wyoming. All of it beautiful, rugged, unique and simply put, splendid. God's country. So many roads, so little time!

Now, I need to rig my bike for distance. I need highway pegs, T-bag, sissy bar, and install my heated grips. I'd like passing lights as well. Ebay, here I come!!! :) I like shopping almost as much as riding!

This afternoon brought a neat surprise! While on my walk, a truck pulling a trailer slowly passed me and stopped. The bike in the trailer instantly caught my eye. My friend Cindy jumped out to share news that she just got a new bike (!!!), a 2007 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic with only 1500 miles! Way cool! Later, Cindy and Tim stopped by to see how Cindy sat on my bike. It was interesting to see the differences between the two models. Fun!

Cindy's beautiful former bike is for sale: Honda Shadow 650, $4500 w goodies.

I'm feeling gratitude for my great luck of good friends, who are interesting, supportive, kind and fun! They know how much more you can experience when you take the slow road and expose yourself to the sights and smells at a leisurely pace. Life is too short to hurry through.

Love and hugs,
Karen xx

Icicle Creek - Leavenworth

I got another one of those great emails from one of my biker friends. Andy asked if I was free to ride this afternoon. Oh yeah!! :) Our friend Bryan was camping up the Icicle and we were going to go visit. It was a great ride!

We left my house at 1:30pm and headed west on Hwy 2 to Leavenworth. The Purple Mountain Ash trees lining the main road (Hwy 2) through Leavenworth were in their height of color. Exquisite purple, crimson and a little yellow here and there. Icicle road is always very beautiful. Overall, it was a very nice, relaxing, beautiful ride.

However, there were a couple interesting challenges! First, I experienced my first encounter with my space being threatened. Sad to say it was a professional driver with eighteen-wheels. Two lanes westbound, and up ahead an electronic flasher in the left lane indicated the left lane was closed ahead. No other signage. I checked the mirrors and there is a semi a good ways back directly behind and one a bit closer in the left lane. Lots of room, we are way out front, etc. I speed up so as to signal the semi that he can slip in behind me. But nooooooo (ala SNL), he speeds up a lot and is about to encroach. Yikes! Andy is out front and clear of him, so I speed up to Andy so I'm right behind. The guy keeps speeding up and he is going to run out of lane. I can see Andy checking mirrors, so I creep up right beside him. Very quickly, the semi will be out of room; there is no other option now but for us to brake to give him room. I check the mirrors and the semi behind us has been braking and now is way back there. I think he thought he'd be witnessing splat. No way. My thought is the left-lane driver knew he had a semi there, but was not positive if he had any empty space. He gunned it for a look-see, but lost us bikes in the process. After it was all done and we were looking at the back end of his trailer, he went very slow. Hmmm. It was a good experience.

The other interesting thing about this ride was gravel road. Bryan camped beyond the end of the pavement. Interesting and rutty! Did OK! This time, I left it in first gear because I knew there were a couple very tight curves on inclines right ahead and I might want friction zone. Can you friction zone in gravel?? My motorcycle instructor never talked about that one and it isn't in my books. First gear sounded good at the time. Heck, what do I know?? I'm a beginner!!!

OK, here is a big admission about the gravel: I liked it! Maybe even loved it. Am I sick? The best part was the big washboard ruts right out of a tight curve on the incline. Cool! I love my motorcycle, but as I'm getting on through the curve, I was thinking about what size cc dual-sport would be best for me. Hmmm. Also, I was thinking about how lucky I am. I am so lucky!! This is a good life! Also, all this excitement and being flexible with thought patterns made me think of skiing crud, as it was so similar as to having a positive mindset to do okay. I'm ready to go again soon. Thursday's forecast looks fantastic!!

The photo up top was taken from Bryan's campsite. The photo below is the obligatory we were there shot of Andy and I. (Yes, I had the vest on. No, I didn't plug it into the cover. xo)

Remember: Love you and hugs!! xo

Karen

Got Bike? 59'er Diner with Bob and Gary!

Got another one of Bob's questions:
Got Bike?

I got bike, so we went for a ride.

Today was a beautiful, typical autumn Wenatchee day. The highs were forecast for 65F, with wind gusts to 30-40 mph. Sunny and perfect!

We met at Bob's garage and took off for Plain via back roads. Hit a little road construction and compacted gravel. Not bad, I just took it easy in second and tried to not do anything stupid.

Once we hit Leavenworth, we headed to Plain. The roads were good, twisty and the view was gorgeous from every angle. I took my sweet time pulling in all the sights and smells. Loving every easy-peasy second of it.

So, midway down the road, the leader, who shall remain nameless (u pick), checks in to see how I'm doing, etc. I'm great! Then, I hear I'm dawdling. Say what?! And, that they usually do this road faster.... Huh?! Message heard: quit smelling. It was getting chilly, and I'm talking temperatures here, so I plugged in my vest. So I stepped on it, which was easy to do and safe, of course. Loved the fall colors!

Lunch was at 59'er Diner -yummy! As always, the place was packed. Got to visit with Gary, find out what he does for a living, what bike he started on, etc. It was a nice lunch with lively conversationalists! I shared that my vest didn't seem to do too much.

Then back on Hwy 2 to Leavenworth. Because of Oktoberfest, we dove off the highway via Icicle Road to the fish hatchery loop, and back onto Hwy 2. Scraped my right foot peg on one corner - first time to do that.

Once at Bob's garage, we tested the vest. Yep, it worked. Tested my bike's wiring. Yep, it worked. Hmmm, it appears that my blonde was showing: I plugged my vest into the outlet cover. Yep, that doesn't work too well. Permission was given to Bob to blab away. It's going to be pretty bad at work for a while. I can take it. Why not have fun with this beginner rider's quirks? :)))

I also learned that my giving more distance to allow for my gawking, lead the leader to believe I wasn't keeping up/nervous/whatever. I didn't know he was slowing down for me. So, the two-second rule was officially invoked. I might have to be leader on some rides, eh? :)))

Hopefully, there will be a few more rides left this autumn. I'd sure like that! Today's ride was very nice. Thanks Bob! (I'll get the lead out more on next ride!)

Take care, love you, hugs and kisses!!!
Karen