
I just heard from my good friend, Katie Bryant, this morning. She was diagnosed a year ago with MS. She is only a year older than me, so she is way too young to have such a debilitating disease if you ask me. But sickness shows no boundaries; young, old, big, small, it doesn't matter.
Anyway, Katie shared with me some terrific news. The MRI last week showed that the new meds she has been on have actually made her lesions shrink! This is wonderful! She is feeling so much better and so upbeat! I am so happy to hear this. Although this is not a cure, it is one step closer and she is now able to get back to living her life!
As some of you may know, last June I participated in the MS 150 Bike Ride in honor of Katie. It goes from Duluth to the Twin Cities over 2 days. Let me just tell you it was by far the most challenging physical activity I have ever done (and ever want to do again!) I felt great after it was done knowing all I had done to try to help fight MS (and knowing I was done!), and between Wade and I we raised over $2,000 to go towards finding the cure for MS. It was a great accomplishment. I am trying to build myself up to do it again this coming June. I told myself last year that I would not let myself forget how hard it was for me and I would not let anyone talk me into doing that crazy ride again. Not only am I not in good shape, but the first day we had head winds between 20-30 mph! Let me tell you, I was in rough shape. Then the 2nd day, the winds subsided a bit, but the heat was intense. It soared to over 90 degrees, which in the first week of June in Minnesota is out of the ordinary to say the least. And the heat kicked my ass. So we had 2 horrible riding days. I've been told that last year's ride was by far the most challenging and that this next year can only be better. Well, I sure the hell would hope so. I almost died on that damn ride. At one point I was wishing I would crash and burn and get picked up by the sag wagon to cross the finish line. But that would be a let down to my sponsors and I wanted to feel good that I did this to help Katie. (Damn self pride!) Since I am helpless to assist her in any other way (being 200 miles away from her and not being a doctor) at least I could do this to show her my support and let her know I'm there for her. Time will tell if I will participate in this ride again. If only I could fit in one of those cart things for kids and Wade could attach me behind his bike and pull me along. Now that I could handle! Do I feel like having my ass burn for two weeks after? Hmmm.... Let me get back to you on that.