Susan Nelson

[firenze11]

I just thought I'd let everyone know that Susan passed away tonight. I tried to find a thread to see if someone posted already, but I didn't see one. I'm not sure if this is the right spot or not.

Here's Fatty's tweet:
"Susan died 7:25pm. Her battle with cancer is over. Mine just got more intense. FIGHT LIKE SUSAN."

I'm at a loss for words. I know people always say things like "she's in a better place now" or "she's no longer in pain" and all of that is true, but it's so hard to lose someone. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Nelson family and their friends. I hope they can find some comfort and peace.

[bmccasland]

On one hand you're glad the suffering is over, but on the other you sorely miss the person that was. Sigh. May the Nelsons find some peace and comfort in these difficult times.

[Blueberry]

Thanks for posting this.

It's just so, so sad. I do think (from recent blog posts) that she was at peace in the end (or at least, that he was able to give her some comfort). I wish him and his family strength and peace - it has to be hard, and I'm sure it will be a long time before the healing can even think about beginning. They've been through hell, and in some ways the worst is just beginning.

CA

[jobob]

Oh crud.

[KnottedYet]

Oh dear.

Thank you for letting us know.

Here's the web page: http://www.fatcyclist.com/2009/08/05/dont-say-she-lost/

[kenyonchris]

How terribly sad.

[Pan Dulce]

Oh no no no..

I have been checking his blog every day, I didn't see it today..

I feel so badly for the kids, too. I'll be thinking of them. I don't even know what to say. :(

[Urlea]

Hard news. I've been crying on & off at my computer since I read the tweet about her passing. It's still official: Cancer sucks!

Lots of prayers being lifted up for the family & community who love Susan.

Will be wearing my Fat Cyclist jersey the next time I ride.

[aka_kim]

Just so heartrendingly sad. I wish the family peace.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Very sad evening indeed. I was riding at that time.
I sent Fatty a return tweet. No words seemed quite fitting for the fight he led for her.

[melissam]

After reading the blog recently, you knew that this was coming, but it's horribly sad just the same. My heart breaks for Elden and the kids. :(

[smilingcat]

Very sad...

She brought out the best from Fatty and out of all of us. Through her, Fatty's web site became far more than just another cycling web site, blog site. It became a rallying point for all of us to fight cancer. We rallied for Fatty, we rallied for Susan and we rallied for her children. Her physical being is gone now but her spirit will live on through Fatty. Her fight..., will continue with Fatty. One day, we will have a cure. And Susan will be part of it.

My absolute respect for Fatty in his unweavering devotion and support for the long trek. All I can offer is my deepest sympathy and condolence.

Peace and tranquility for Fatty and their children,
Shawn

[papaver]

what a sad story, but with two very strong heroes. :(

[Selkie]

Susan left quite a legacy. All that money raised in her name that will go toward finding a cure, helping others, etc. She and her family taught a lot of people about courage, dignity, strength, grace, and love.

I am a spiritual (not church going) person, so I really do believe that she's in a better place. May the ones she left behind, who love and miss her, find comfort in the good memories.

[OakLeaf]

How sad - not only her death, but her whole struggle. :(

Whether or not you believe in heaven, she's in a better place. There's no question about that for me. She's out of her pain, and now her family can begin to heal. I'm sending them my prayers.

[sfa]

I knew this would be coming soon, but I had hoped not this soon. So sad for their family--you know that they will be fine in time, there's so much love there, but you just wish people didn't have to ever go through this. Cancer sucks.

[crazycanuck]

Poo :( :mad: :( This is what I find not fair about life..Why is it that so many good people have to die young? *shakes head*

Give your loved ones a bigger hug than normal tonight.

Darn. Darn Darn.

[ivorygorgon]

I have been following Fatty for over a year now. I have been dreading this moment since November. I am really shocked she held on so long. What a courageous and heartbreaking struggle for both Fatty and Susan. My heart truly hurts for them and their children. Those poor children. Boy does that family seem to have a lot of love though. I am sending positive thoughts into the universe for all of them. I truly hope Fatty can find some peace and comfort.

[tongue_tied]

it's almost like losing a member of your own family.

[indigoiis]

Cancer sucks.

[redrhodie]

I went to bed thinking about her, and woke up thinking about her. What a hard end (but at least she knew how much she was loved).

Yes, cancer sucks.

[Chile Pepper]

Oh, how sad.

[alleyoop]

I was doing OK, till I went to Twin Six's (http://www.twinsix.com/) site to check on a T-shirt. That WIN with a teardrop... oh man, buckets of tears. :(

[GLC1968]

I was doing OK, till I went to Twin Six's (http://www.twinsix.com/) site to check on a T-shirt. That WIN with a teardrop... oh man, buckets of tears. :(

No kidding. That's how I found out (somehow I missed this thread). :( Powerful image, huh?

Much love to the Fatty family.

[jobob]

I was doing OK, till I went to Twin Six's (http://www.twinsix.com/) site to check on a T-shirt. That WIN with a teardrop... oh man, buckets of tears. :(

Yep, I just came across that too. The waterworks have resumed ...

[firenze11]

I was doing OK, till I went to Twin Six's (http://www.twinsix.com/) site to check on a T-shirt. That WIN with a teardrop... oh man, buckets of tears. :(

Thanks for posting the link. Such a simple image, and still so heartbreaking. It is amazing how Fatty has been able to spread the word and enlist people to fight cancer. Susan really will live on in so many ways.

[Pan Dulce]

I was doing OK, till I went to Twin Six's (http://www.twinsix.com/) site to check on a T-shirt. That WIN with a teardrop... oh man, buckets of tears. :(

Aww man, thanks for posting that, I hadn't seen it yet. It just gives me the goosebumps.

It just shows how amazing those two are, that so many people would rally behind them, care so much for them, help them raise so much money to fight cancer. Like I told my husband last night - it shows just how MUCH he loves Susan, that he did all this - just for her. (Of course for the other people that have cancer out there also, but it started with her.)

I was hoping to get a FC jersey to wear on my cancer ride this month, but it appears the website isn't selling them. :(

[Pedal Wench]

Knew it was coming, but it still hurts. Makes me want to fight harder than ever to cure this.

[copperlegend]

I was hoping to get a FC jersey to wear on my cancer ride this month, but it appears the website isn't selling them. :(

I emailed them last week about this, and was told that a new FC women's jersey is coming this fall

[tongue_tied]

I emailed them last week about this, and was told that a new FC women's jersey is coming this fall

On TwinSix's twitter, they mention that they might have new FC gear, ready for pre-order by the end of August... can't wait!

[bluebug32]

Just this morning, in the midst of some nagging IT band tendinitis, I was complaining about how I was starting to lose faith in being able to complete the LiveStrong Century in three weeks. I was telling my FDH this just before he saw the Tweet about Susan. In the words of Lance: Game On!

[sundial]

If you have ever lost a loved one to cancer, it's so difficult to put into words what you feel. I'm saddened for the kids who no longer have their mom....for the husband who bravely fought alongside her....for the parents who lost a daughter. Yet, in spite of all this, the suffering is complete and her body no longer toils under the wretched pain. May they be comforted with prayers of support.

[colby]

I admit I wasn't very familiar with what was going on, only peripherally, so I went back and read his blog. What an amazing father and husband he is, and what a terribly unfortunate time for them. Watching someone you love in pain is enough... but to know the inevitable end... :(

I hope now they can find closure in the end of her suffering, and that the fight against cancer lives stronger in her memory.

Argh, cancer. :mad::mad::mad:

[tzvia]

So sad. I keep thinking of the struggle my two Aunts went through, breast and bone cancer. How hard they fought and how they both kept up their spirits as they were dying. Yea cancer sucks big time. Sucks.

Thoughts and prayers to her family and all the Susans out there struggling and putting up the good fight.

[kenyonchris]

So sad. I keep thinking of the struggle my two Aunts went through, breast and bone cancer. How hard they fought and how they both kept up their spirits as they were dying. Yea cancer sucks big time. Sucks.

Thoughts and prayers to her family and all the Susans out there struggling and putting up the good fight.

I am riding the LiveStrong Challenge in Austin in October. For my dad, who died at age 54 before he really got a chance to know my children. And my Grandma, and my Grandpa, and my other Grandma, and my other Grandpa. For Susan and her poor family. For my friend Teri, who is 5 years cancer free, and my friend Linda, who is five months cancer free. And, if the genetic markers are reliable, for myself.

[five one]

Elden has posted a lovely tribute (http://www.fatcyclist.com/) to Susan today. Be sure to have a box of tissues nearby when you read it.

DH is a two-time lymphoma survivor. Eighteen years ago today, he received a bone marrow transplant that saved his life. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think about what our family's life would have been like had we not been so fortunate.

My heart goes out to the Nelson family.

[MtnBikerChk]

Well what's a few more tears today..... :(

RIP Susan - I didn't know you but you sound like one awesome lady.

[Melalvai]

Susan's book is now available (http://www.fatcyclist.com/2013/03/07/susans-book-the-forgotten-gift-is-now-available/).
I intend to read it but it might be a bit before I get to it. In the meantime, if anyone reads it, I'd appreciate knowing what you thought.

[Jo-n-NY]

I plan on reading it also. I am in the middle of a book right now, but The Forgotten Gift is next in line for when I am done :)

[jobob]

Susan's book is now available (http://www.fatcyclist.com/2013/03/07/susans-book-the-forgotten-gift-is-now-available/).

Thanks, I missed this post originally. Off to Amazon ... :)