ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: texsooner on April 14, 2009, 12:38:19 pm
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Hi Folks. I wasn't planning to post anything about this, but since I read some encouraging comments and well wishes from many of you(after LA David's latest weekly announcement of events)I thought it would be okay. I thought also this may help some fellow and/or future AN'ers realize that you can still strive to do many things that you did before discovering you were a part of this special group.
I apologize up front if any of my fellow forum friends feel it's not appropriate to promote/support a non-AN fundraising event here. A couple of you asked if they could sponsor my efforts on this ride to benefit people with MS, so if interested you can click on the link below that will take you to a website and you can click on "Donate to Pat"(yes, I really go by Pat, but use Patrick on this forum so you wouldn't think I was a woman....you'd be surprised how much mail I get addressed to Ms. Pat!).
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=5154996&pg=personal&fr_id=10222&et=UbVIZsJKM7RuiGZNZy5RKw..&s_tafId=115099 (http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=5154996&pg=personal&fr_id=10222&et=UbVIZsJKM7RuiGZNZy5RKw..&s_tafId=115099)
Also, below here is a link to an article you may find interesting being published today in our little weekly suburban newspaper(The Cypress Sun)talking about my training partner and my efforts for the MS150. My friend mentioned my AN experience to the reporter, so there's some in the article about that as the reporter asked a lot of questions. If you read it, I just want all of you to know that I did not say there was a tumor in my brain....the reporter just inferred that. I said it was pressing against the brain stem. I also noticed a few grammatical errors, but hey I guess this ain't the NY Times.
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/04/14/cypress_sun/news/041509_ms_150_cypress_cyp.txt (http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/04/14/cypress_sun/news/041509_ms_150_cypress_cyp.txt)
Thanks again to all of you for your encouragement and support.
Patrick
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MR. Pat,
I think it's great that you let us know about all the adventures you've been involved in since your AN surgery. I think it proves that there is life after AN. Perhaps it doesn't involve riding a bike for 150 miles for all of us, but it's nice to see that there's no reason we can't do whatever we set our minds to.
I, personally, do not look at is as you promoting a non AN event, but more of a way to encourage lots of AN'ers. And heck, if the MS forum wants to promote something for AN's, I'm all for it! ;D
Good luck to you! I know you'll finish with flying colors!
Lori
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It is in AN Community. Almost anything goes. :)
Good luck on the ride, and more power to you. It is a great example for all of us of what we should be doing.
Steve
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Really nice article Pat, even if the reporter got the part about your AN a little goofed up.
I found it very ironic that your training partner/long-time friend had his own brain "issue". What are the odds?
Good luck to both of you on the ride.
Post a picture or two for us on the forum, please.
Jan
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What a great article!
Since my mom has MS, THANK YOU!
I'm so glad you shared the article. I think it inspires other ANers who are nervous about post op difficulties and getting back to normal (esp when it involves physical activity).
Have a great race.
Keri
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Finished the bike ride with no mishaps. Long story, but the 1st day was canceled because of torrential rains. However, we completed the 2nd leg on Sunday(La Grange to Austin), which was approx 80 miles. The weather was nice(except for the headwinds). Here are a few photos from the ride:
This is from the start in La Grange(11,000 bike riders still partipated). I'm in the pic(towards the left, #194) showing my best side.
(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo9/birdsong71/2009%20MS150/LaGrangeStart.jpg)
This one is about 20 miles east of Austin(our destination) with me and my biking buddy following. I try not to let too many people pass me, but my buddy screams at me when there are bikers/cars coming up on my left side(since that's my SSD side)
(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo9/birdsong71/2009%20MS150/TracyPat-EastofAustin.jpg)
And the final one is about a block from the finish line(at the state capitol in Austin).
(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo9/birdsong71/2009%20MS150/Austinfinish.jpg)
My friend and I plan on doing the first leg(Houston to La Grange-85 miles) ourselves either Sat or Sun this weekend(that is if I can convince my wife or son to come get us in La Grange)...don't think I could do the roundtrip 170 miles on the bike in 1 day. Thanks for the support
Patrick
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Patrick~
Awesome - thanks for sharing!! You ROCK - so proud of you!!
K
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Hey Patrick -- Very cool! And great shots. What an incredible feat -- for anyone -- but especially so soon after surgery.
David
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Patrick!
Very cool shots and a very big Texas thank you from an MS person. It is because of people like you that someday they will find a cure for MS.
Brenda
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Hey, Patrick.
My brother's a cyclist in Austin. He's in some kind of league where they compete with venom for the most miles logged. Lives near Lake Travis where he sails competitively as well. Downright competitive guy! Did you see those bats? He's a photographer as well and sends photos of local events.
Nancy
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Awesome accomplishment! You look a little tired in that last picture :).
Ernie
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Patrick:
Thanks for the race update and the photos. You look quite fit for a guy who's had brain surgery! :) Good job!
Jim
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Great photos! I wish you well on completing the 'other half' of the race, however you get up there. Hope the weather's not monsooning.
Thanks for doing this and thanks for sharing it with us!
Keri
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Nancy~
When we lived in Austin, we used to love to take out ot towners to go see the bats downtown. Little did we know that right down the street, in Round Rock (where we actually lived, but it was a suburb), that they were in an overpass there!! Good memories(except that is where we lived when I had the whole AN saga)...we LOVED living in Austin so much - miss it!!
K
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Congrats on the ride. I've ridden that many times many moons ago. I think the first time was 1987 for me and the last was in 1995. You give me inspiration to know that we can still do it even after AN. I was afraid they were going to cancel the whole event b/c of the rain. Great photos. In that first one at La Grange, there a co worker of my on Team Spectra Energy, but I can't make out who it was. Good Job on the ride.
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Waypoint~
I was just thinking about you yesterday since we hadn't heard from you in a while! How are you and things?
K
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Great job on the ride! Looks like the second day turned out beautiful! I'm glad they cancelled the first day - I rode in a 25 mile race in torrential rain once - and let me tell you - that hurts! Felt like I was getting shot with bb's!. Didn't sweat much that day though! ;D
Good luck and I'll hope for good weather for your ride this weekend.
Congratulations! There's just no stopping you!
Lori
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Congratualtions on your ride ...I gave my bike away becasue I got tired of loking at it when I couldn't ride it ...I over pedal
or something and fall over >:( ...someday I may get a new one ...
MR. Pat,
I think it's great that you let us know about all the adventures you've been involved in since your AN surgery. I think it proves that there is life after AN. Perhaps it doesn't involve riding a bike for 150 miles for all of us, but it's nice to see that there's no reason we can't do whatever we set our minds to.
Lori
sometimes it may involve climbing on the roof of a chicken house or helping cut tornado damaged trees away from your hosue :)...