Why Cycle Wednesday:Because I Can (Part II)

I rode my bike in to work this morning.  Yes, it's Bike Month and this is Bike to Work Week.  But while those are certainly good reasons to ride, they aren't why I decided to ride over 40 miles from my home to my office today.

I rode because I could.  Because five years ago today - also a Wednesday as it turns out - I was admitted to the hospital and then diagnosed the next day with Crohns Disease.  While I'd been sick on and off for a long time, I never thought it was anything major.  It just became "my normal."  But this was different.  I'd never been in the hospital for it.  And doctors were seriously considering surgery.

To make a long story short (if you'd like the more detailed version, click here), I was in the hospital that first time for almost a week.  All that summer, they tried to treat it with drugs and avoid surgery.  I was in the hospital again in November, and they determined that the drugs weren't working.  I had surgery in December (10 day stay that time) and was in the hospital again in January.  Four times in nine months.

I didn't know what my life was going to be like going forward.  I'd read and heard about all the worse case scenarios and how Crohns can exhaust you and make you dependent.  In some cases, you don't even want to risk leaving your house, or associating with other people, and you feel tired all the time.

But I've been very blessed with a good doctor and we discovered that I responded well to a cancer-fighting drug that's used with some success in Crohns patients.  As a result, I've been in remission (mostly) for the past few years.  But I wanted to make sure I wouldn't take my health for granted again. 

So for my 10th wedding anniversary, Mrs. Suitcase got me a racing bike.  I'd never been one for exercising - hate doing it for its own sake - but I knew I needed to take better care of myself and I always enjoyed riding.  Now I'd have a fancy new bike that would make me feel guilty if I didn't use it.

I started riding as much as I could.  Short trips at first, then longer.  All of them - purposely - going by the hospital where I'd been so often.  It was my own little way of kicking Crohns in the teeth.

Just riding for myself wasn't enough though.  I wanted to do more.  And when Mrs. Suitcase told me about a charity ride for Chrons Disease, and especially when I saw the video, I knew I HAD to do it.

Get Your Guts in Gear is like an MS 150 for Crohns Disease.  It's a 210 mile ride from New York City to Saratoga Springs that raises funds and awareness.  I rode it last year, and am doing it again this year.

The fundraising is a little tougher this time around with the economy in the doldrums, but many of you have already been generous with your support.  THANK YOU so very much!  If you'd like to learn more about this project and/or to sponsor me, you can click here or click the "Get Your Guts in Gear" button in the upper right corner of the blog.  Your donation will be put to very good use and it'll also allow me to participate again this year (there's a fundraising minimum to ride).

Whether you can help out or not, I hope if you or someone you know has Crohns Disease that you've been encouraged by my story.  You're not alone.  There is hope.  And over a hundred Crohns patients, family members and loved ones will be riding up the Hudson River for you June 6-8, 2008.

I plan to be one of them.  With the miles I got in this morning, I should be ready.

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If you'd like to read more about how I got from the hospital to participating in GYGIG, check out the first edition of "Because I Can."   To read more about Crohns Disease, click here.

Comments

[Kim]

Good luck in your fund drive for this very good cause. I had a friend with Crohns who really suffered. It's a terrible illness.

I'm glad to see that you found a creative way to get some saddle time in. It sounds like you've been crazy-busy lately.

[Mrs. Suitcase]

I'm very proud of you! So many people have been educated about Crohn's Disease and also encouraged by your efforts. Being healthy enough to race is icing on the cake. Allez! Forza!