CAM challenge for this year is over...

As you may recall, I was hoping to do a Century a Month this year. But, that is not happening this year now. No Century in March. I'm OK with it as my priorities quickly shifted last weekend.

I received a call Sat afternoon... my mom fell down a flight of stairs and split her head open, had a concussion and has Central Cord Syndrome... a spinal cord injury. She is not paralyzed and will recover in time, thank God. She is staying at my house indefinitely... I have been off the bike 3 weeks between the weather and then this with mom... and somehow it just isn't that big a deal right now. Funny how that can change in a heartbeat huh?

Anyway, I am guessing I'll be back to riding in a couple more weeks as Mom regains strength and mobility. She can walk now with a walker, just isn't very steady. Overall, very, very lucky tho...

Frankly, I think I'm too tired to ride now anyway... but soon, I'll dust that baby off and head out. Hoping 25 miles will still be do-able after 5-6 weeks off... we'll see... the rest of the year, I'm just gonna ride for the sheer joy of riding. No goals, just me, the wind, the wheels and the birds...

Wow! Sorry about your mom! Glad to hear she'll be ok, though. She is definitely the priority right now. Your bike will always be there. Just reset your CAM calendar the first month you ride a Century again. Who says it has to start in January?

Nanci

So sorry to hear about your mom. Good luck with her recovery. Stay strong. You're doing a good thing by taking her in and helping her through this.

Great point Nanci - make it the bikerchick calendar year that starts in whatever month you choose.

Good luck :)

That's how the RUSA (Randonneuring USA) R-12 award works, for riding a 200k or longer in twelve consecutive months- start whenever you want!

Nanci

awwwwww... sorry to hear about your mom! big HUGS to you and littleK!

Hope your mum is feeling better soon. That sounds like a pretty scary fall.

Sending healing vibes her way.

so sorry to hear...healing wishes to your mom!!!

btw: i was off the bike for MONTHS!!! and thought it was gonna be a miserable return but believe it or not...i did 30 miles ON HILLS and felt GREAT!!!! ok a little sore but i won't say that too loud!
your body bounces back amazingly when you get back to the swing of things...i am glad you are there for your mom...

pedal on...no matter how many miles!!!

So scary to have an accident like your Mom did! She is lucky it was not worse. As are you, BC68. Moms are so special! Your priority is right where it should be......

Still, you can't help but miss the bike. Well, your biking muscles won't forget that quickly. You'll be back out there and riding strong again before too long. And you'll never regret you took the time off to be with your Mom when she needed you.

annie

Oh my goodness, Jennifer!!! I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your mom; and yes, you are absolutely right - priorities can shift in a nanosecond. I am so glad you are able to be there for her as I'm sure she is as well.

Take good care of yourself and your mom and I'm sure when the time is right you will be able to get back on the bike with a renewed sense of enjoyment.

Let me know if there is anything I can do, I'm not that far from you.

Tracy

thanks all... I appreciate the well wishes for Mom... :)

and bouncy... I appreciate hearing that you bounced right back! I have heard that you "lose quickly and gain quickly" with cycling... and I know I'll get right back at it when I can.

Since priorities HAVE shifted, I have decided to put some extra time and effort into my backyard this April. Mom can sit outside on the patio while I work... maybe finally get it presentable ya know? I love to garden so this will be a great way to get some stuff done in the bike downtime...

Tracy... thank you for the offer! I think we'll be OK... I have people staying with mom this week and am hoping by next week she'll be much more stable and able to be at my place alone... no stairs and no real trip hazards... but I'm not too proud to ask for help if I need it so I'll keep the offer in mind... that's sweet of you... :-) Jen

well, maybe I'll just show up and help ya dig holes then! :D OR, a personal spinach/artichoke pizza delivery... hee hee hee!

Trac'

ps. I can't PM a picture to you (I wanted to send a pic of the yard) but I'll get it to ya somehow (it looks so purdy in the picture!)

email it to me... I'll PT you my address... :)

Bikerchick,
Sorry to hear about your mom. What a good daughter you are - enjoy your time together as it is precious. Hugs and healing wishes.

I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I am also sorry I missed this thread and did not post earlier.

That sounded like some nasty fall and she is lucky that she will be ok. When you do get back on the bike, there is nothing wrong with riding for the sheer enjoyment of it. So when the time is right, go out and enjoy!!!!

~ JoAnn

thanks mtbdarby and Jo... I appreciate the kind words...

it was a nasty fall... but she is getting a little better every day... and every day she is better my stress level goes down too! :)

Hi BC68

I'm really sorry to hear about your mom and her nasty fall. And I hope you're holding up ok too. There's a lot of stress and worry when things like that happen.

In situations like that, you're right in that cycling should be about enjoying yourself and the freedom it brings. Does your mom need constant care? Are you able to do little rides like 5-10 miles or so? I think that would be really good for you, which will help you handle the increased responsibility of caring for your mom.

So take care, and don't forget, I'm seeing you in September!

eva

{{{BC and mum}}}

thanks allabout and tlkiwi...

eva... my mom has needed round the clock care but is doing better as of yesterday... more stable etc. I think by the weekend she may be OK to be on her own for a couple hours at a time at my place. It was incredibly stressful the first week and a half especially... the stress is less and less every day as she improves now tho.

I am still getting up with her thruout the nite to assist her to the restroom... we cannot risk another fall... the neurosurgeon warned her strongly about the consequences... she is using a walker right now for stability. She told me she suddenly feels her age having to use a walker... :o Anyway, she uses the bathroom every hour and a half to two hours. OMG am I tired! LOL... I'm one of those people who is truly ANNOYED if I have to wake up to pee during the night...:rolleyes: :D

the time change is Sat here so I am hoping within the next couple weeks to be able to start commuting to work again... and getting some more ride time in...

I am SO excited for Sept! Really cool that I'll get to meet you... :) Looking very forward to it!

Best wishes for a gentle, yet speedy recovery for your mom.

I know what you mean--what seemed the focal point of my life can change in the blink of an eye. A good thing to know, and one of the benefits of accumulating life experience. I'm grateful to have such things tucked away in my heart.

All the best, Lise