Pmarsh
09-24-2011, 02:51 PM
... Now to get this damn disease into remission.
Last fall when I was in ICU and was diagnosed with WG I made a goal to ride in a Gran Fondo bike ride event (large group ride). The ride I chose went from Vancouver to Whistler (Canada) and covered 125km of very hilly terrain. I knew going from being unable to get out of bed to riding this distance in less than a year was going to be a challenge, but I made it my "recovery" goal anyway.
Well, I'm happy to say that a couple weeks ago I managed to accomplish this goal. It was not under the circumstances I hoped, but nonetheless... Many of you would probably call me crazy or even stupid. In late August I was getting ready to switch to Cellcept after 10 months of Cyclo. I did bloodwork and a CT scan of my lungs to make sure everything looked fine, but unfortunately the nodules or lesions in my lungs were only getting worse (since flaring up in April/May). So, instead I was told I would switch to Rituxan to get this under control. And of course the Rituxan dose would be the day before the ride. I decided I would aim to start the ride (if I felt up to it) and only do as much as I felt I could without pushing too hard. I forgot that I am not one to give up on something once I start. I stubbornly pushed to the finish, but still rode slowly and steadily. It was tough, but I'm glad I did it. I showed myself I could still get out there and do what I love even when this disease is not fully in check.
So to celebrate I hopped on a plane less than 24 hours later and went to the UK for a 2 week holiday. That was the real challenge. I made it home just in time for dose two of Rituxan. I would say it's time for some rest now...
Last fall when I was in ICU and was diagnosed with WG I made a goal to ride in a Gran Fondo bike ride event (large group ride). The ride I chose went from Vancouver to Whistler (Canada) and covered 125km of very hilly terrain. I knew going from being unable to get out of bed to riding this distance in less than a year was going to be a challenge, but I made it my "recovery" goal anyway.
Well, I'm happy to say that a couple weeks ago I managed to accomplish this goal. It was not under the circumstances I hoped, but nonetheless... Many of you would probably call me crazy or even stupid. In late August I was getting ready to switch to Cellcept after 10 months of Cyclo. I did bloodwork and a CT scan of my lungs to make sure everything looked fine, but unfortunately the nodules or lesions in my lungs were only getting worse (since flaring up in April/May). So, instead I was told I would switch to Rituxan to get this under control. And of course the Rituxan dose would be the day before the ride. I decided I would aim to start the ride (if I felt up to it) and only do as much as I felt I could without pushing too hard. I forgot that I am not one to give up on something once I start. I stubbornly pushed to the finish, but still rode slowly and steadily. It was tough, but I'm glad I did it. I showed myself I could still get out there and do what I love even when this disease is not fully in check.
So to celebrate I hopped on a plane less than 24 hours later and went to the UK for a 2 week holiday. That was the real challenge. I made it home just in time for dose two of Rituxan. I would say it's time for some rest now...