Stories of Strength - Donna

Stage II cancer survivor, Donna has shared her very personal story about her participation in the MS City to Shore ride the weekend of October 3, 2009.  Originally diagnosed in October 2003, Donna has used fitness as a way to heal and move forward, and the completion of the 150 mile bike ride would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but it is even more amazing given the circumstances.

Every year I faithfully take part in the ACS Bike-a-thon – 64 miles from Philadelphia to Buena, New Jersey.  It is always an amazing journey.  Seeing thousands of people gathered for one cause is incredibly moving.  Knowing that I am one of the reasons they are there … there is no way to describe it. 

For a couple of years now I have been trying to find the courage to attempt the MS City to Shore Ride.  That’s 150 miles from Cherry Hill to Ocean City, NJ – a scary thought for someone whose lower half was radiated for cancer treatment.  Last year I came very close to registering for the ride, but backed out.  This year my friend Michele was down for a week with a flare up of her MS.  It was then that I realized I had to register for the ride.  I had to ride for those who cannot.  I had to ride for Michele (who, by the way, plans to ride with me next year!) and for all those living with MS.

While getting to know Michele, I learned that there are a lot of similarities between MS and cancer.  There are the seemingly endless scans and then the wait for results.  There are the many doctor appointments.  There’s that innocent little cold or virus that makes us wonder if our body is about to betray us once again.  And let’s not forget the effects of our illness on our family.

It is with all of those thoughts that I began my training last Spring.  I should probably mention that I talked [my husband] Bob into participating in the ride with me.  Together we logged many miles/hours on the bikes. There were some sacrifices along the way. For example, the house wasn’t always clean.  The yard was out of control.  We had to trade gym time for saddle time.  But there were benefits that came from those sacrifices.  For example, Bob and I had no choice but to spend time together! As time went on, we noticed our pace was getting faster.  I noticed that my heart rate was slower.  My lung capacity increased.  In general, I just plain felt better. 

Thanks to friends and co-workers, fundraising went well.  It is amazing how generous people are even in the toughest of financial times.  Speaking of, our overnight accommodations were also donated – thank you, Audrey and Jimmy!

Many flats, rain storms and sore muscles later, we were as ready as we were going to be for the ride.  It seemed that everything had fallen into place.  There was just one hurdle – my mom went into the hospital for a major surgery on September 25th.  The surgery went well, she put up a good, strong fight, and then on September 28, 2009, with my brother and I by her bedside, she passed away.  All of a sudden, time stood still … but at the same time went too fast.

The ride was five days away.  My mom was gone.  I just wanted to curl up and sleep it all away.  But there was no sleeping that week.  There wasn’t much eating that week.  There was a lot of doubt.  There was shattered faith.  There was emptiness.

In the worlds of MS and cancer, if one wants to survive, he/she must keep pushing forward.  When everything inside says give up, one must find a way to keep going. 

I knew it was a matter of taking the first step.  I’m most at peace in the saddle, and that is exactly where I needed to be.  There were some who looked at me like I was crazy when I said I was going ahead with the ride.  But those who know me, really know me, knew that is where I needed to be.

So, the morning of Saturday, October 3, the bikes were loaded on the truck, and off Bob and I went to the Woodcrest Train Station to begin our biggest challenge.  Michele was at the volunteer tent long before daylight.  By 7:30 a.m., Bob and I were on our way to Ocean City via the scenic route.  We had an absolutely amazing ride and then treated ourselves to our first massages at the end point. After a good pasta dinner, we walked the boardwalk, taking in the view and sounds of the ocean, and then turned in for some much needed sleep.

Sunday morning we were up before sunrise once again.  We expected to be exhausted and sore, but surprisingly we both felt pretty good.  Aside from a flat in fog so dense that the support crew didn’t see us, we had another amazing ride.  Fighting tears, we crossed the finish line with 150 healing miles behind us. 

Thousands of people.   One cause.  Over $4.5 million raised.  Life goes on.