Because no two cancer experiences are the same, I am asking fellow cancer warriors and survivors following Pink Gravel to please speak up and respond to the following questions.  If you know someone that may be interested in sharing as well, please share this post with them.  I hope to collect several  and post to this Pink Gravel Blog page and Facebook page in the next few weeks.  First names will only be used if used at all.

Pink Gravel is giving you an opportunity to share a little bit about your cancer story on our platform.  These stories will also provide a resource for those looking for ideas on how to help themselves or help support someone they know going through treatments.

1. What type of cancer?
2. Summary of your treatment?
3. what were notable side effects or changes?
4. Name three to five must have items that you kept in your arsenal for comfort.
5. Favorite item or gift purchased or received as gift?
6. Anything you want to add? Tips, tricks, or favorite motivational sayings?

 
Send a direct message to the Pink Gravel Facebook page, comment to this blog or if you prefer, send an email to [email protected]  with your answers.
 
If you need a little help, here are my answers:

1. Breast Cancer
2. Lumpectomy plus nodes, Chemotherapy, Radiation & pill.
3. Mouth sores, hair loss, hip and back pain, fatigue, rashes, thinning fingernails and hot flashes, lots of hot flashes.
4. Medicated mouthwash & lozenges, hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera and plastic water bottle.
5. This is tough as I received a few cool things, but the one that sticks out is a black & purple swirl head buff that came in a box of other goodies.  It had a cool soft feel, and I wore it on my bald head at night.
6. I will skip this question but please add to your story 

  So if you saw the nice write up that my husband sent to The Mid South folks about how disappointed I was to miss the 2020 race due to chemo treatments a few days back; you will understand why I felt my bubble bust yet again.  (BTW, The Mid South was formerly the Land Run 100 and it is a gravel race that has been held annually for several years out of Stillwater, OK.  It is one of the premier gravel events of the season.  I attended my first 2 years ago and have been hankering to go back ever since).

Below is my comment to Bobby Wintle's follow up video explaining the announcement further about how The Mid South was for 2021 becoming "The Incredibly Socially Distanced Mid South"  For the safety of riders and the community, they decided to change up the event and ask those registered to ride their miles from home or a route that one of 8 area bike shops create.  I totally understand why and probably the best move, but doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.  

Anyway, here is my comment to their video post:
I will not lie, the email I received this morning dropped on me like bomb. (just ask my husband; I think I scared him ha!) If you had seen me, you would have thought I found out I have cancer. . . again. Yes, I was that distraught over this silly little event. It has taken some tears and time to fully digest and come to grips with this development.  For personal reasons, like others as I am sure I am not the only one, attending THIS YEARS The Mid South event marked a mile stone for me. This was THE gravel event, I was MOST excited for since being told not to attend last years.  I was so relieved when the deferrals were given for 2021. This morning, I was sad to see it semi-disappear.  It took about 5.5 hours from first reading the news and an order of Dairy Queen cheese curds but I think I am ok now. I will survive - we all will survive - again as Covid KO's beloved event. 

At this moment, I don't know where I will ride out of but I WILL RIDE my 50 miles somewhere that weekend. I encourage others to do the same and not turn to a complete sour grape as I almost did. And just so you are aware The Mid South - whether I am fortunate enough to catch Randy Randomizer eye(s) or not next year, I am getting a dang hug in 2022.    

​PS. . . I appreciate the video follow up. worth the effort as it helped ease the pain. #positivevibing #pinkgravel #pinklemonade

The Mid South replies:
Hey Amy, I know how much you wanted this.  Needed it.  That's what made this such a hard decisions.  I want to commend you for your outlook.  It shows how strong you really are.  Out of all the people who could be cross about this decision, I know you'd be justified.  Good on you for processing it and sharing it out.  Please, please stay committed to your ride.  Share it with us, but do it for you!  I know this isn't our first choice, but I can say it's going to make cheering you into the finish line in 2022 that much more meaningful!  Pack the cheese curds!

I share this because sometimes things don't go exactly how we plan or expect them too.  No one plans to get cancer, but it happens and you have to just find a way to get

The following was posted by The Mid South team to their Instagram and Facebook accounts on January 5, 2021. 
Very sweet of my husband write and very cool of The Mid South to publish.  Gives me the feels every time I read it.

The Mid South writes:
This story was shared by Jon from Manhattan KS.
2020 has been a challenge is an amazing understatement!  What a year it has been.  Ours actually started Halloween 2019 when my wife, Amy  was handed a real challenge.  That is when she received her cancer diagnosis.  After a little crying and hugging, I swear to God, the first words out of her mouth were "I'm not going to get my Bobby hug". 

COVID-19 hit just as she was beginning chemotherapy and we were advised to stay home. This was a tough decision as we had so many friends competing and wanted to be there to support them. 

As you can imagine the chemo and radiation were brutal, but she never lost her spirit or sense of humor, at least in public, even letting our girls paint her head like Easter eggs.  Her energy was zapped and simple walks were as tough as a 50 mile ride in a Kansas wind storm.

The pictures attached are from the Virtual Solstice Quarantine Ride 100k in Beatrice Ne., her first ride just a few months after chemo and days after radiation.  It was hot and extremely windy.  We took it in 10 mile chunks and just kept pushing. SHE NEVER WALKED A SINGLE HILL!

While recovering, she realized there just wasn't a support group for active people recovering from cancer and wanting to get back into competition.  Thus Pink Gravel was born.  She created a foundation to support, sponsor and encourage those recovering and trying to get back up and running, riding, whatever.  She finished 2020 off by providing SAG support at several events and even hosting her own, Just A Chill Ride with chili, cinnamon rolls and Lazy Horse Brewery beer for all who attended.

We deferred last year's Mid South entry, so we will be there with all of our Black Squirrel Cycling League friends representing the Pony Express Gravel Dash and Pink Gravel and ready to roll.  And this year will be even more special when she rolls over that line. 

Even if Bobby has to put on a hazmat suit, that girl deserves a hug!!!"