As we traveled westward on our drive to Colorado, worries about progress on our home remodel, work, family matters, and bike trip logistics started to drift into the background. For the first time in weeks, I was able to reflect on my journey. I had become so caught up in trip logistics; I lost sight of why I ventured on it to begin with.
Over the past six months I have realized that to fully heal from my breast cancer, the need for a union of my body, mind and spirit. Although my body was healed through surgery, my body and spirit hadn’t fully recovered. I’ve discovered that my connections with family and friends have been integral in helping me to heal to my mind and spirit. Over the past month, I became so consumed and stressed finalizing details about the bike trip that Todd and Bryce celebrated our departure as my stress manifested as nagging, and needless to say there was minimal healing in mind and spirit happening…
As I frantically rushed around a few days before our departure, it was intermingled with affirmations of love and support which I’ll carry in my heart. My strength training instructor and her husband have a second business building custom bikes. Through their generosity, they built for me a custom bike I’ve named Ngangu, which means strength and courage in Sango. A friend brought a charm with a fairy on a bicycle which I tied onto Nagangu with a pink ribbon. Other friends dropped off food to take on our trip. People in my church community, (some who I know have very fixed incomes), made donations to my bike trip or to “The Prouty.” At my church, our minister gathered the children in front of the sanctuary to give me a departing ceremony. On the eve before our departure,I was running around in circles trying to get ready,when people from my church community showed up for a surprise, farewell pot-luck supper. It was the last thing I thought I had time for, but it jolted me out of my self absorbed stress, to deep gratitude to have family and friends who care about me. I have a lot to be thankful for to be blanketed in support and love.
J
About Me
- Jill
- Vermont, United States
- Last September during a routine mammogram screening, an abnormality was picked up. Following a number of tests, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer and treated with a lumpectomy. Instead of letting fear of cancer engulf me, I have decided to embrace my cancer by trying to live life to the fullest. As part of my healing process, I have decided to reach out and reconnect with my friends and family, get back into shape, and heighten breast cancer awareness. In 1979, I rode across the country on my bicycle with my friend, Carol Glaser. The hospitality we received on our trip filled my soul. I have decided to do a bike trip again this summer from Westcliffe, Colorado, which I once called home, to my current home in Hartland, Vermont. I would love to have family and friends join me on segments of the trip and look forward to making new friends along the way.
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