Cycling | Living with MCL

What I think about Lance Armstrong

Jan 192013

No doubt a number of people will disagree with me here, but I don’t care. After having watched the entire Lance Armstrong interview with Oprah Winfrey, I don’t care that he doped, and I don’t care that he perpetrated that lie for so long.

What I am, is disappointed. As a fellow cancer survivor, I find it difficult to believe, having gone through what he did in fighting testicular cancer, that anyone, let alone Lance Armstrong, would ever do something as stupid as dope. I never would have. At least I don’t think I would, but having never been in the position of an elite athlete, I can only assume I would have been smarter than that.

But as a cyclist, I’m also a little biased, and despite the doping, I can’t help but marvel at what he was able to accomplish. 7 Tour d’France wins! I know how grueling the sport of cycling can be at times, even at my level, and I know how cruel life can be as well, so I can relate to some extent. Maybe even be a little sympathetic.

Maybe it’s naive of me to accept Lance’s coming clean as something noble, but I do. I also believe he was treated unfairly, and hounded far beyond what other athletes had to endure under similar situations. Some might say it was because he had reached a level greater than that of other athletes, but that doesn’t excuse anything. He still has to pay the price. I just happen to believe he is sincere when he says he is remorseful.

My only regrets are the damage he’s inflicted on the sport of cycling, and a few individuals, but mostly it’s that all the good he was able to accomplish in promoting cancer awareness, and aiding those fighting it, has now been tainted.

He was an inspiration to many of us, and now that is gone.

Medicine, definitely not an exact science!

Bypass Surgery (CAD), Cycling, My MCL 4 Responses »

Oct 182012

If you ask two metallurgists the same question, you’re very likely to get two different answers. I know that because I am [was] a metallurgist. I know that also, because metallurgy, like medicine is not an exact science. So you’d think I would have been better prepared for the response I got from the cardiac surgeon when I met with him today.

First off he couldn’t believe I’m still walking around, and even able to exercise. Normally he said, he would have admitted me immediately to perform bypass surgery, but there’s the problem again with my lymphoma. It’s not that he thinks I’m going to die from my lymphoma, and not worth the effort, but he is concerned about what effect my high lymphocyte count may have on the success of the surgery. So before he would proceed, he needs to consult with the hematologists in LA.

He even went as far as suggesting I be admitted tonight, so the hematologist could evaluate me first thing in the morning, and also to keep an eye on me, and start me on blood thinners and any other prep that needed to be done. But after much deliberation, it was decided I would go home tonight, and come back to be admitted first thing in the morning (hopefully I’ll make it to the morning), with surgery scheduled possibly for Tuesday, assuming the hematologist gives his blessing, and they can reschedule the other patient already scheduled that day. Otherwise the surgery would be scheduled for Thursday.

Should the hematologist think it too risky, there is the possibility they could still stent the artery, which would certainly be preferable [I think] but that would depend on how far back the blockage was in the ostial circumflex artery, and they need to discuss that with the interventional cardiologist.

You know I never realized there were so many different types of cardiologists. But that’s another thing I should have realized as well, since there are so many different types of metallurgists, each with their own set of skills and knowledge.

I just hope they have internet access in the hospital!

Vacations, what are they good for?

Cycling, Food & Wine, Life, Philosophy, Vacations Comments Off

Oct 172011

There used to be a time when I enjoyed going on vacation, but now not so much.

I don’t know if it’s simply because of all the little things I hate about traveling, i.e. packing and unpacking, checking into and out of hotels, airport hassles etc. or simply the fact I don’t need to travel anywhere.

I already live in an area which has everything most people dream of in a vacation. I sure don’t need to drive very far, or fly to all corners of the world, to get away (my justification for our latest trip to Solvang/Santa Inez). I can go to Disneyland for that, and still sleep in my own bed at the end of the day.

Sure it’s enlightening to experience new places, but I’ve seen most of the US, and I’ve been to France, Italy and England. I lived in Okinawa for 18 months, and vacationed in the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Fiji (twice), Tahiti, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. I’ve even been to New Zealand. I don’t need any more enlightening.

Plus, I’m not into culture. I’d just as soon watch a travelogue, or look at photos someone else has taken of the places I’ve never been. My real reason for going anywhere is to experience the food and wine of a region, but I can get all that right here in beautiful southern California, and in spades!

So why go through all the hassles of leaving home, worrying about how Morris and Chloe (our cats) are doing, or feeling down because I’m not out riding my bike?

The truth of the matter is I don’t. I just need to accept that realization.

I know hearing all that won’t please the travel industry very much, but why do I need to please them? [I never really considered them an industry anyways.] It should, however, keep the local restaurant’s happy, as I’ll be able to frequent them more often, as well as the wine industry, by keeping my wine cellar well stocked with lots of high quality wines.

No vitamin D today

Cycling, Life Comments Off

Sep 052011

I awoke this morning to a bright flash of light. At first I thought I was imagining it, or maybe I tore a retina, but then I heard a long rumble which I determined to be thunder. I was relieved to say the least, but also a little surprised. I wasn’t expecting any rain. I can’t even remember the last time it rained here, it’s been that long.

At least now I have an excuse for not going on a bike ride today. Monday is usually a day off, but since today is a holiday, I was considering it. I’ll just go with my normal routine, and go to the gym instead.

The only problem is, it’s going to be difficult getting my allotment of vitamin D today. While the threat of rain is supposed to dissipate by early morning, the forecast is for partly cloudy conditions throughout the day, which could make it a little more problematic receiving enough UVB rays necessary for Vitamin D production.

Oh well, such is life. Everyday can’t be perfect, and yesterday was a beautiful day.

Hopefully I have enough vitamin D stored up from past exposures to get me by!

And now for the let down

Cycling Comments Off

Jul 242011

Sometimes I amaze myself at the things I am able to accomplish when I want [need] to, but that pales in comparison to what Cadel Evans was able to do in this years Tour de France.

Twice I thought the Tour had slipped out of his reach, but twice Evans managed to crawl his way back.

The first time was on stage 18, when Andy Schleck attacked 60 km from the finish, and built up a 4 minute lead over Evans. Undaunted, after exhausting his entire team, and without the help of any of the other teams, Evans still managed to fight his way back, and cut the lead to just 2 minutes and 15 seconds, keeping himself within a reachable 1:12 (57 seconds from Andy Schleck) out of the Yellow Jersey.

Then, on Stage 19, Alberto Contador attacked only 16 km into the stage. Evans was able to go with him (along with Andy Schleck and Thomas Voekler) initially, but within a very short time encountered bike problems, and was forced to change bikes, putting him behind Contador and Schleck by over a minute and a half.

At that point I thought he had lost the tour for sure, but in the same manner as the day before, he again managed to fight his way back. The difference this time was he was able to catch Contador and Schleck before the start of the famed climb of Alpe d’Huez, and wipe out essentially all his losses.

The rest is history, but even if Cadel Evans hadn’t beaten Andy Schleck by 2 minutes 38 seconds in the final time trial yesterday, and ultimately winning the Tour de France, the effort put forth by Cadel Evans on the 2 prior stages is definitely worthy of note.

My helmet off to Cadel Evans and Frank and Andy Schleck [and Mark Cavendish] for making this one of the most exciting Tour de France races in recent memory. My only regret is it had to end!

Say it ain’t so Lance

Cycling, Life, Politics Comments Off

May 232011

Well, if you’re like me, you watched the 60 Minutes interview with Tyler Hamilton Sunday night, and like me, you’re probably even more confused now than ever.

Did he, or didn’t he? That is the question.

Tyler’s accusations of doping are certainly compelling, but just because he admitted to doping, doesn’t mean Lance did as well. Nor should we automatically accept what Tyler is saying as fact. After all, remember what I said before, everyone has an agenda. Plus Tyler is receiving limited immunity for his testimony.

As for me, I choose to believe Lance. Not only because I find it difficult to believe anyone who has survived cancer would take illicit drugs, but because with all the scrutiny he has endured, there has never been any evidence of a failed test.

But whether the accusations are true or not, what bothers me more than anything is our governments collosal waste of time and resources investigating these accusations.

With all the problems facing this country, why do some people feel it is necessary to waste so much valuable time and resources on something that can only result in pain and sorrow, when we should be focusing our attention on more beneficial endeavors?

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