Sorry I haven't been here - a bicycle for the cancer ward

First I must apologize for being away for so long. But once my Dear Husband couldn't ride anymore, and I no longer had time to ride any more, it hurt too much to visit. A lot of you know that my husband has cancer, and sadly, it's terminal. The first time he was in the oncology ward, last september, he was a fit athlete. He really chafed at the fact that his daily exercise regime was restricted to walking laps pushing an IV cart. He asked for an exercise bike, and they brought him an old broken thing; the saddle didn't set, there was only one speed... when they found out what condition it was in, they threw it away.
Anyway, DOnald wanted to start a campaign to save enough money to buy the oncology ward a recumbent exercise bike. But then surgery, a 52 day hospital stay, and recurring cancer pushed that out of his consciousness.
He has been back in the oncology ward for the last week because he has a lot of problems, but we could see there were other people there who were still very fit, doing the same thing he did; racing around the ward, pushing their carts, which led him to resolve, we've got to get that going. He just doesn't have much time. A lot of people on bike journal were saving "Pansy Quarters" for this purpose last fall. Hopefully they kept going. Donald saved 170 dollars just in quarters!
For those that do not know about Pansy, she's a gal who fought liver cancer for about 8 years while amassing thousands of miles a year on HER bike. Donald was bitterly disappointed to not be able to follow in her footsteps. So, if you have Pansy Quarters, or want to save Raleighdon QUarters for that matter and make a donation to this fund, it would really honor him.
here's the website: https://community.swedish.org/donaldboothby

ps if you do donate, please put "Team Estrogen" in the comment field!

I wish I was closer. I have a nice recumbent exercise bike, it was used in a hospital for rehabilitation purposes. It's just sitting in our basement collecting dust. I've been trying to sell it on craigslist and no one is interested.

I'll go check out the donation page . . .

Sorry you are both having to go through this. Will be thinking of you both.

Thanks for your offer Limewave. Because it IS a hospital, they have serious rules about what can be acquired. We found one we liked in October and were thinking of buying it, but they said, no it had to be this super fancy one... So the hospital will be picking out what bike it is. Thanks for reading my post.

Mimi,

I am so very, very sorry to hear about Don's recurrence. I realized I hadn't seen you on here lately and hoped that this was not why. There are simply no words, but prayers will be sent to both of you.

Glad to see you back, and to give us an update on Don. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this, but it makes me smile that he wants to give something to others while struggling with his own illness.
(((Hugs))) to both of you. Please keep coming back (even if only for short updates). Will be thinking of you both. :)

((((Mimi and Don)))). You've been on my mind a lot lately and, ironically, I Googled your names yesterday to see if perhaps there was an update anywhere, e.g., on Bikeforums. I am heartbroken to read your update. I so, so sorry, Mimi. I wish I had something profound to say, but words fail me. You are and will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I hadn't seen anything regarding you and Don for a while and I was so fearful for you both. I am truly heartbroken for you Mimi; I immediately donated. I hope this helps.

You are in my thoughts.

Awash with emotions for you and Don. Glad you are focusing on each other and doing the best you can in a tough situation. I will gladly share your link and see if we can get some donations coming in.

Hold tight, do check in, Everyone is on your side.

((Mimi and Don)) - I'm so sorry to hear about Don. I have no words except that Dam" this is just not fair. All my thoughts and love flowing your way.

I don't post much but lurked most every day, often wondering how you were doing and feared your absence was not a good sign. {{{Don, Mimi}}} I will keep you in my prayers.

(((((((Don and Mimi))))))) Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Oh Mimi, sweetheart, I was wondering where you were :( so so sad to hear this :(

I'll be donating first thing. Big hugs to you both.

((((((Mimi and Don)))))). Cancer sucks. It just sucks. I am keeping you both in my thoughts.

Mimi, you and Don are in my prayers.
I know it has to be a time of great tribulation, but hope love indeed conquers all.

Mimi, I think about you everyday. This is an amazingly thoughtful idea that will really make a difference. I wish someone had thought of it sooner so RD could have used it. Hugs to you both.

Mimi, I hate that you and Don are going through this. Blessings and strength to you both. ((mimi & don))

Red and snap said what I could not put into words. Lee & I send our love.

Thinking of you both. Good luck with the campaign x

Like others I was worried about your not being around. Especially knowing what a b&(#(^ esophageal is, it had me quite worried.

All my years working in the cancer field and I still have no words to convey how truly heartbroken I am to hear the update.

I love that Don is trying to give back and I'm heading now to donate. Such a wonderful idea.

You are both in my prayers.

Knott and I send our love as well. :(

I understand what you are going through, as I just went through it with my sister. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.

Linda

Mimi - Words are not sufficient. Don and you are special, generous souls who make a difference in positive ways. Lots of love to you both from me, my husband, and our three k9s.

I will be donating; what a wonderful idea.
I, too, have been thinking of you and Don.
I will PM you about our impending visit to Seattle.

I am so sorry. I would be honored to contribute. My regional hospital recently built a state of the art cancer wing. I'll see if they have anything like that available for their patients. It is a very good idea.

The whole forum misses you.
Take care.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Mimi,

I am so very, very sorry to hear about Don's recurrence. I realized I hadn't seen you on here lately and hoped that this was not why. There are simply no words, but prayers will be sent to both of you.

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I could not say it any better. {{ Hugs }} to both of you.

You have been missed. Always loved your posts, and looked forward to seeing them, even though I haven't been on the forum that long.

I would love to donate to your cause in honor of Don. Thoughts and prayers to you both.

Big hugs to you, Mimi and Don.

Mimi-

Others have expressed my sentiments more eloquently than I could. I too had been thinking of you both, and fearing that your absence meant the news was not good. I will make a donation, and I will keep you both in my thoughts.

I wish I had even a little extra money to donate. Maybe in a few weeks.

I understand to some degree what you're going through and my heart goes out to you. My father-in-law just passed from cancer and he, too, was a very fit athlete. He was a runner. One of those who used to do sub 3 hour marathons.

It is a strange thing to go through, the knowing what is coming, reconciling with the reality, yet "living" in the meantime.

I'm sure you are making the most of every moment. I pray you both know God, as He is the only real source of peace in this kind of circumstance.

I will send the donation link page to my cycling club. Maybe they'll put it in their newsletter or send out a group email. They fundraise for Christmas bikes for needy kids every year, so they are very charitable.

God bless you and your husband. Keep your eyes on Jesus and rest in Him.

You guys are all awesome, thanks. As soon as they tell us, I'll let you know how the fund is doing!

((((Mimi and Don))))

I had been hoping that your absence meant that everything was okay--no news is good news and all that. But I had wondered...

My thoughts are with you both. I'll see what I can get out of the next paycheck.

Mimi, you and RaleighDon have been in my thoughts, and will continue to be. I don't have the words to describe how much I admire Donald's strength and generosity.

POOOO...:(

My thoughts are with both of you (((Mimi & RD))))

Keep fighting RD & the crazy canadian chick that visited the funky seattle TE crew :D a few years ago, will be back to visit you next year :D

We have been wondering about you and Don for past few months.

If there is more money gathered later on, another different type of bike for each stage at the oncology dept..... recumbent, duet.

I wrote about it with photos in Momentum magazine. 2 health care facilities use this type of bike in Vancouver and Victoria, BC. So your hospital could get into touch with these facilities on such programs and how they manage it.

http://momentummag.com/articles/duet-bike-program
http://thirdwavecyclingblog.wordpres...n-a-duet-bike/

It's a type of bike all of us might wish both as a rider and then later as a passenger.

My thoughts and hugs for both of you, Mimi. Please thank Don for his pie he baked when Jack and I were graciously invited for dinner in Seattle after our ride from Vancouver

Mimi, you are one of my favorite people on TE. I will keep you and Don in my thoughts. There are no words, but please know that lots of people are with you in spirit.

The lady from the hospital wrote to me last night; we raised $2155 in just one day. That's actually close to the total needed. I don't know what exactly the total is though, I have been badgering her to get that information.
You guys are all incredibly awesome. All the nice things you are saying, and then making donations too. I am blown away. When I get to the other side of this, I hope to get back on my bike.
Shooting star, that companion bike looks like it would be really tough on hills!!

Big Hugs Mimi! I know I just posted on your FB wall but wanted to drop a message here also. Not much to say except you are in our thoughts here and we (I am speaking collectively for TE) are here if you ever need to talk. I recently went through this with both of my grandmothers(both within the last year) and all I know is spend every moment you can with him and enjoy his love for you.

Emily, that's the plan. he's coming home today so I am quite relieved.

Big hug to you both, Mimi. Live in the moments you have together now. I know you will.

Will get a donation in this week. What a great idea.