Cooler Than Yellow Wristbands
I’d like to kick today’s post off by saying that I am incredibly proud of Fat Cyclist readers. Together, we have — in under two months — raised $88,000 $89,000 $90,000 $91,000 $92,000 $94,000 $95,000 $97,000 $99,000 to help the Lance Armstrong Foundation fight cancer.
We’re going to be crossing into six-figure territory very, very soon now.
And I’d like to make it clear that the current big raffle — for a rare, high-end, not-for-sale-anywhere carbon fiber Gary Fisher Superfly Singlespeed mountain bike — is still underway. Click here for details on how, and then go here to donate for your raffle tickets. All proceeds go directly to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which I have can vouch for, firsthand.
The raffle for this bike ends this Saturday, so if you’re going to donate, you need to do it now.
How — And What — Susan’s Doing
I know perfectly well that a lot of you check in on my blog mostly to find out how Susan’s doing. (For those of you visiting for the first time, Susan has been fighting metastatic breast cancer for about two years. As of last October we’ve moved to hospice care.) And I haven’t said much about her in the past couple of weeks
The truth is, I haven’t talked about how Susan’s doing very often because it’s kind of a mixed bag, and because some days it’s a lot easier for me to write a jokey post than to go into details of our life.
Pain and Panic
A lot of the time, Susan does hurt. And while she doesn’t complain anywhere near as often as she ought to, she’s hurting worse, and in more places. And she’s weaker — I now do a lot more of the lifting than I used to when she moves from her bed to a chair.
What’s awful for me about this is the fact that I can’t do anything to fix the problem. The only thing I can do, really, is to offer Susan more pain medication. And so I do that.
Constantly.
If Susan took pain medication every time I offered it to her, she’d be comatose.
Sometimes — usually at night, after everyone else has gone to sleep and I have time to think — I start thinking about how much Susan’s going through, and how little I can do to help her, and I get this weird mix of panic and helplessness. I get terrified that there’s got to be something I could do for her, but I just don’t know what it is, and I’m failing her.
I’m not like that every night. Not even very often. And I’ve got Ambien for when I am.
You know, sometimes this blog isn’t very funny.
New Normal
What’s startling is how quickly the kids — especially the younger ones — adapt. A couple of weeks ago, for example, one of the twins came in, distraught. I asked her what was wrong. “One of my friends says she’s not allowed into our house because mom’s sick,” she said.
I started to explain that was probably because the friend’s mom wanted to keep things nice and quiet for Susan, that she didn’t know Susan prefers to have the house noisy and full of kids having fun.”
“I know that,” said my little girl. “But I didn’t know mom is sick!”
Which is to say, she no longer thinks of bedridden with an oxygen tube hooked up as anything but normal for her mom.
And the boys — well, at ages 15 and 13, they’ve learned some skills that are going to be handy when they go to college, or start families of their own. Which is to say, they now know how to cook a few meals for the family, know how to do the dishes, know how to do laundry, and even know how to take care of twins. I rely on them to pick up my slack, and they help out gladly. In fact, they volunteer.
Let me point out again: these are 15- and 13-year-old boys doing all this.
New Skill
And meanwhile I have picked up a lot of new skills. The one I think I am most pleased with, though, is my new ability to style the girls’ hair. Behold:
Yes, I cheated, by getting short haircuts for the girls that even I can fix to look nice.
So now I don’t have to send the girls to the neighbor to have their hair done every morning before school (although I will be forever grateful to the neighbor who volunteered to do just that).
It’s almost as if I’m becoming competent or something.
4000% More Awesome Than a Yellow Latex Wristband
The piece of good news we had a couple weeks ago — Susan’s neuropathy has backed off, so her hands work again — has held beautifully. I can’t really describe how glad I am to see Susan happy and busy, for hours at a time, making jewelry.
She enjoys it so much, in fact, that many times she forgets her pain until it gets pretty severe. Ask anyone who’s dealt with cancer in the bones how often they forget their pain and you’ll get a pretty good sense of how absorbed Susan gets in her jewelry.
Here are a few she’s made, incorporating bike chain links into her designs:
Want One?
What’s really cool is that Susan wants to use these bike chain bracelets to raise money for the fight against cancer. Kind of like you might wear one of those yellow bracelets, but a little more personal. And a lot more awesome.
Every one of these is handmade (I do the grunt work of degreasing and disassembling the bike chains), and every one of them is different. You won’t know what pattern Susan chose for you until you get the bracelet. And I think that’s part of what makes this idea great.
If you would like a Susan Nelson original, here’s what you need to do:
- Go to my Philadelphia LiveStrong Challenge page: http://philly09.livestrong.org/fatty.
- Donate $100. If you donate in multiples of $100, I’ll assume you want multiple bracelets.
- If you have special instructions — like you want it shipped to a different address than the one you fill out in the form, or you have an extra-large or extra-small wrist, or if you want a men’s bracelet instead of a women’s (men’s bracelets will not have the beads), forward a copy of the donation receipt to me fatty@fatcyclist.com with your request. I’ll get back to you with any followup questions I have.
- Please be patient. The one thing I do not want to do is start making Susan think she needs to tire herself out doing this.
[UPDATE: More than 80 (!!!) of you have donated $100 to get a bracelet -- that's incredibly exciting, and remarkably generous. Susan has now asked me to say that she doesn't want to take any more on until she finishes making the ones already in place. That makes good sense to me. I'll let you know when Susan's ready to do more. I'm guessing that'll be at least a month away, though.]
Meanwhile, I would like to make an observation: Susan rules.
PS: Some of you may be curious as to whether a donation to get a bracelet doubles as a donation toward raffle tickets. The answer is: Yes. When you donate to get a bracelet, you automatically also get entered in the raffle to get the awesome Gary Fisher Superfly Singlespeed.
Comment by GenghisKhan | 01.28.2009 | 12:22 pm
Great update and great kids. If the Ambien every loses it’s ability to help, check out the Benzodiazepine class of meds. Keep fighting the good fight!
Comment by Chris | 01.28.2009 | 12:35 pm
Thanks for the life update. I’m sure it’s difficult to give certain things “a voice”, especially for a bunch of internet strangers.
Susan’s bracelets are great! Your sons sound amazing and those little girls are beautiful. I can’t even do my own hair that pretty. Jeesh! Good job Dad!
Thanks again – I so enjoy your blog.
Best, Chris (the other one)
of the Ross’
Comment by Mary | 01.28.2009 | 1:03 pm
One of your best posts ever. In my opinion.
love to susan.
Comment by Formerly Bent022 | 01.28.2009 | 1:05 pm
Thanks for the update. Those bracelets are fantastic.
Comment by MikeonHisBike | 01.28.2009 | 1:17 pm
Nice job on the girls hair. The only hairdo I’m capable of doing on my daughters is the Pat Riley Do (slicked back). Neither one of them like it so they resort to fixing their hair themselves. In other words I have no skills.
Mike
http://www.mikeonhisbike.blogspot.com
Comment by Dutch Girlie On a Bike | 01.28.2009 | 1:19 pm
Beautiful bracelets and girls! You are doing a great job, FC! :)
Comment by Cycling Cockney | 01.28.2009 | 1:27 pm
Keep it together Fattie. You’re doing an awesome job and the kids are a credit to you both LOL cycling cockney.
Comment by neca | 01.28.2009 | 1:32 pm
Thanks for the update on Susan. Teenage boys are really amazing – ours is funny and generous and not at all what the stereotype says he should be.
Hugs & prayers to you all.
Comment by Jenni | 01.28.2009 | 1:34 pm
I think you should put those on ebay- it’s likely you’ll get more than $100, no?
The girls look very very beautiful!
Comment by Jim | 01.28.2009 | 1:38 pm
Fatty – thanks for the update. Your strength and your family’s strength continue to inspire me. Now, I’m thinking that there is someone in my life who should receive one of Susan’s bracelets for Valentine’s Day. The bracelets are so much more than a yellow band and truly beautiful. I’m also going with the belief that all good deeds (and gift ideas) are properly rewarded……… so I’ll be in touch with you as to my preferred frame size and shipping info for the Superfly SS! WIN Susan!
Comment by James Greenwood | 01.28.2009 | 1:48 pm
Keep hanging in there big guy – we are all pulling for Susan, you and your family.
Comment by rich | 01.28.2009 | 1:52 pm
Keep up the good work Fatty.
You have an amazing family and we’re all praying for you guys…
Comment by fatty | 01.28.2009 | 2:00 pm
jenni – we considered the auction route, but then ebay and paypal would each take a cut, plus the money would come to me and then I’d have to donate it, which causes tax issues i just don’t want to hassle with right now. the way we do things i never see a dime and so have no financial entanglements. besides, susan likes the idea of making a lot of these. $100 seems like a good balance between raising a lot of money for the LAF and still being reasonably affordable.
Comment by Clydesteve | 01.28.2009 | 2:02 pm
Umm, Fatty, I think there has been a mistake. You claim to have posted a picture of your daughters with their hair styled by you, but you posted a picture of a couple of Vougue youth models, with professionally styled hair!
Comment by Jaime O. | 01.28.2009 | 2:21 pm
oh Fatty, your girls are so pretty. Their hair is lovely and the cuts are cutting edge fashion and adorable. Good job, Dad. As for Susan and you…I hope the times you just hug each other are still the sweetest parts of your lives. We all love you.
Comment by rexinsea | 01.28.2009 | 2:27 pm
Great parenting = great kids! Kudos to Fatty and Susan. Your whole family rocks.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 01.28.2009 | 2:49 pm
Is there no end to your talents? That Coco Chanel short bob is a complete nightmare to get right.
You are an amazing bloke.
WIN SUSAN!!
Comment by M2 | 01.28.2009 | 2:59 pm
Thanks for the update, Fatty. Sending good thought to you and yours.
Comment by Charisa | 01.28.2009 | 3:09 pm
First off, I must say your ability to pick up any slack at all is amazing. Secondly, should you ever decide you do not like your current job, I think perhaps hair styling might work out for you. The twins look great! Hang in there!!!
Comment by redheadedstepchild | 01.28.2009 | 3:17 pm
Hey Fatty! Is this fund raiser doping? Or maybe fund raiser drafting? Should Susan have her own page for her kickass bracelets?
Comment by WheelDancer | 01.28.2009 | 3:25 pm
Until you have sobbed uncontrollably you don’t really know the joy of an hysterical belly laugh. Life is a messy experience and I prefer to have mine served raw and unsanitized.
I would have voted for your blog as “Most Likely to Inspire Tears” on the Bloggies if there were such a category. Two days this week your posts had me rolling on the floor in tears of laughter. Today I sobbed quietly as I read, in part for the terrible effects the disease is having on Susan but just as much for the awesome strength you and your family bring to the circumstances of your lives.
I’m sure there are lots of families out there fighting the good fight as you are, sometimes winning, sometimes losing but always fighting. We know about your story because you share it with us and I hope that sharing gives you strength. I say this for myself but suspect it’s true for others as well; your story gives me strength to keep fighting my battles which sometimes seem insurmountable.
I bid you peace.
Win Susan!
Comment by Erin | 01.28.2009 | 3:51 pm
The twins’ hair looks awesome!
I hope Susan knows teh interwebs adore her.
Comment by Kathleen | 01.28.2009 | 3:56 pm
Hey Fatty, way to go on the hair styling front…you should be so proud. Your girls are beautiful.
As are the bracelets that Susan is creating…she is a superstar. Give her a hug for all of us.
And treat your boys to some serious reward for being amazing kids.
Comment by gus | 01.28.2009 | 4:38 pm
Way to go, Fatty. WIN!!
Comment by MommyAmy | 01.28.2009 | 4:45 pm
I just found you via Pioneer Woman’s egg recipe.
Wow!
Thanks for fighting the good fight, I’ve lost several family members to cancer and it just sucks.
PS: I also have twin girls, and I think you’re doing an amazing job with their hair-dos! They look adorable with their short cuts. :)
Comment by aussie kev | 01.28.2009 | 4:56 pm
tears at work for me, awesome post, girls are beautifull
k
Comment by Mia | 01.28.2009 | 4:57 pm
My first visit. Wow. The only word I can think of is: Winner.
Comment by anonymous | 01.28.2009 | 5:17 pm
I know it sounds weird, but try asking for methadone for pain—it works great for pain management but doesn’t have the “high” or “sedating” side effects as some meds. Takes 3-5 days to get into your system and has a long half life, as it is stored in your fat cells and is slowly released. Also, depending on type of pain, prednisone works well for some people–and it also has other benefits like increased appetite, increased energy, and decreased shortness of breath for some people.
Comment by Don | 01.28.2009 | 5:35 pm
Those look awesome, Susan! Beautiful job…
Hey Fatty, where are you getting chains, I’m sure we could pitch in by trying to snag old chains from LBS’s if you need some.
How long are you gonna sell these? I need to wait on some commissions…
eBay… Ehhhh, eBay is in the toilet lately… It doesn’t seem like anyone is bidding on anything.
Comment by inadvertentfarmer | 01.28.2009 | 5:36 pm
I have been sitting here with tears rolling down my cheeks staring at the comment box not knowing what to say. What can you say, there are no words to cover what you are going through. My life has been closely touched also by cancer and my heart breaks for you and your family…yet I hear strength and hope in your post that makes me know that you will get through this and will be a closer family for it…a different family, but a family still. God bless you all, Kim
Comment by michelle | 01.28.2009 | 5:42 pm
Thank you for sharing this very personal part of your life. The bracelets are beautiful and if I had the money to spare I’d support this cause!
Best wishes to you and your family. You’ll be in our family prayers.
Comment by James | 01.28.2009 | 6:00 pm
Good, another bracelet post! I get to tell my story.
The first bracelet-blog-prize came way back in August 2005. And it wasn’t just some lucky winner that came away with it; it was /me/. The fully story is still buried in the MSN Spaces archives: http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!B26536EE8298D087!707.entry. As I recall, that was the first Fat Cyclist blog giveaway.
Anyway, that led directly to me feeding Elden the idea for his prescient Lance Armstrong Comes Out of Retirement post: http://fatcyclist.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!B26536EE8298D087!783.entry. Little known fact: though I’ve never met Elden, and in fact have only traded a few emails with him, I’m responsible for most of his ideas. Well…maybe just the good ones.
Fast-forward to June 2006: As part of my first Pan-Mass Challenge ride, I challenged Elden and Fat Cyclist readers to help me raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. You did, we did, he did, to the tune of more than $1500. As part of that challenge, I created the first-ever Fat Cyclist jersey, which is probably somebody’s chain rag by now (and deservedly so, it was triple-coyote-and-a-rattlesnake ugly).
And now here I sit in my brand new Fat Cyclist wool jersey. The label says merino, but you and I know that it’s made of 100% WIN.
Awesome.
Comment by justrun | 01.28.2009 | 6:00 pm
I am so motivated by your family. You guys are awesome!
Comment by Erine | 01.28.2009 | 6:11 pm
Fatty, Susan and Family-
Words don’t do you all justice- you are all simply amazing and completely inspiring, in every way possible. God bless you all- you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Amy | 01.28.2009 | 6:15 pm
First time here… The Pioneer Woman brought me here :) I come to see what all the hooplah was about! haha LOVE your Grandma’s egg recipe! Blessings and Prayers for your family and especially for Susan’s healing.
Comment by Hamish A | 01.28.2009 | 6:48 pm
You have the remarkable ability to always find a way to make me cry – Twice this week from laughter and today because I wish there was something I could do to give Susan (and you, obviously) some break from the pain.
Two people in my immediate Neighbourhood sadly lost their fight in the past 14 days but witnessing their bravery and hearing that Susan is enjoying making her fantastic bracelets is a wonderful contrast and I can’t tell you how pleased I am for this.
My love, thoughts and continued prayers to you all.
WIN!!!
Comment by Mike | 01.28.2009 | 7:06 pm
Keep up the strength, humour, style, hairdressing talent.
Love your work.
As a father of four small people, I still can’t come close to imagining how strong you must be.
Win Susan!
Comment by Paula Kirsch | 01.28.2009 | 7:13 pm
Thanks for the update on Susan, Fatty. It’s like a life lesson for all of us, a life lesson on how to deal with the unthinkable. You guys are the best teachers I can think of. God bless you all, and thanks again for the willingness to share this with the world. We are a much better place for having known you. IMO your impact will be far reaching, an should be widely appreciated.
Paula
Comment by Amy Girl | 01.28.2009 | 7:24 pm
I came here by way of Pioneer Woman. I’m drying the tears as I type this. I only read this post, but I
am moved to leave a comment.
Wow! You have an amazing family. Teenage boys doing all those domestic things. Beautiful twin daughters. (I have 4 year old twin girls- my husband admits to not even having a clue as to how to do their hair) Your girls are and their hair is beautiful. You should be proud.
May God bless your wife and you. I cannot even comprehend her struggle or even yours, but I thank you for sharing. It makes me a better more loving, kind, patient wife and mother.
Comment by Jewel | 01.28.2009 | 7:27 pm
Love the haircuts, you beautiful little girls
Comment by Catlin Humes | 01.28.2009 | 7:28 pm
You have more strength than you know.
Comment by Jodi | 01.28.2009 | 7:56 pm
Really those girls look great. But that’s kind of cheating because they look great even with their morning mashed-up faces and hairs sticking every each way. Nice work on the bracelets, Susan. I love them. So glad the hands are steady, and you have this chance to do what you love again.
Great entry Elden. Love to everyone from their favorite sister/sister-in-law/aunt. Yeh that’s right I said it. Fav-o-rite.
Comment by John | 01.28.2009 | 8:08 pm
I stumbled on to your blog looking for a review of the Inside Ride rollers. I spent several hours Friday night going through your posts and was incredibly moved by your ability to share what is going on with your family. I am on the board of a breast cancer foundation founded in memory of a close friend who did incredible work to help breast cancer patients with challenges not met by insurance or social programs. We try at our events to tell sponsors and donors about the patients we are helping and how we are impacting their lives, but there is nothing we can tell that truly captures what a family goes through. You are blessed to have a wonderful family and they are equally blessed to have you. I am a fat cyclist at war on cancer and I feel very fortunate to have found your blog.
WIN SUSAN
Comment by Alli | 01.28.2009 | 8:42 pm
This is my first visit to your website, I just clicked over from Pioneer Woman, and I am adding you to my favorites list so that I can check back often. You should give yourself a pat on the back for doing your girls hair, it looks fantastic, and they look beautiful. In fact, I’ve been looking for a new stylist….
I’m sending all my good thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Comment by Joi Gem | 01.28.2009 | 9:03 pm
The bracelets Susan has made are wonderful! So creative. Win Susan!1
And a nod to you for the cute style of the girl’s hair.
Thoughts are prayers are with you.
Comment by Nancy | 01.28.2009 | 9:05 pm
Okay, first I want to say those girls are gorgeous. Secondly, Susan’s bracelets are gorgeous. And thirdly, not enough has been said about those fabulous sons of yours. I hope in ten years when my son is 16 that he turns out to be half as wonderful as your two young men. Their future wives will thank you over and over and over again for teaching them to be so helpful and caring and good to their sisters. Blessings to you and Susan, and I’ll keep praying for miracles.
Comment by Jeff | 01.28.2009 | 9:37 pm
AMAZING FATTY! Go Fatty Family! :) WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 01.28.2009 | 9:43 pm
Great post Fatty!
you are all doing amazing.
WIN Susan
Comment by Peter | 01.28.2009 | 10:14 pm
My wife gave up on my ability to even put a pony tail in my daughter’s hair. If she’s with me all day, her hair looks just like mine: frizzy. Or I just feed her something sticky and that’ll end up doubling as hair gel. HA!
So fabulous that Susan’s hands are letting her do what she loves. I hope to put my order in soon.
WIN!
Pingback by Returning to the Fray at Rant Your Head Off | 01.28.2009 | 10:34 pm
[...] speaking of getting the message out, read the latest post at Fat Cyclist. If you’ve got a few extra dollars, consider making a donation, too. You might win a cool [...]
Comment by Hilslug | 01.28.2009 | 10:44 pm
A thought about the bracelets, not to thwart creative juices, however: A “Susan Bead” on each one. A particular bead that says in its way “Made by Susan”, whether it is the bead’s color (orange, pink or yellow?), shape, or size. Kind of like a label or common thread on each bracelet she makes.
Continuing to pray for all of you.
Comment by emetski | 01.28.2009 | 11:10 pm
Fatty, Thanks for all the laughter and tears this week. Your family inspires us all.
Win Susan!
Comment by rachel | 01.28.2009 | 11:12 pm
I was diagnosed with stage II Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma last February and I have been in complete remission since June. Whenever people tell me how brave I am, I think of your wife, and of some of the people I met at chemo…people who knew the seriousness of their illness and yet continued to fight every day…and I tell them I’m not brave. I had an “easy” kind of cancer, and I’m young. I’m planning to go back to school because I want to become an oncology nurse…I want to help people through chemo because I know what it’s like. Your wife is brave. You’re brave. Keep fighting.
Comment by day | 01.28.2009 | 11:30 pm
Stumbled upon your site via The Pioneer Woman.com
Love your site. I used to ride. My 25yr old son still rides. My 7 yr old is learning to ride (safely).
My Mom survived colon cancer back in the 60’s. She had a hard time keeping food down. She tried this and it worked and helped keep her weight on. Peanut butter on a banana. Protein and potassium, tastes good too.
Forgive me if this is common knowledge by now. In the 60’s it was radical food.
Peace and Blessings
Comment by Chris | 01.28.2009 | 11:30 pm
Fatty, I rode with you a few times (The Zoo) back in Sammamish a few years ago. I have to say I distinctly remember a post you wrote in that time frame about taking the twins for a ride in their trailer after work. You were feeling so good you rode off the plateau and then back up… Inglewood Hill Road I think. It was a long slow haul to which the girls were razzing you and berating you to go faster. It is hard to imagine the two beautiful young girls in that picture as the two toddlers in the trailer. And the boys? Don’t kid yourself, you are doing a great job raising a family in amazingly difficult situation.
Chris
Comment by LCA | 01.28.2009 | 11:46 pm
I discovered your blog via Pioneer Woman’s Cheezy Egg recipe–which I can’t wait to try tomorrow after the (dieting) husband goes to work!
I am truly touched by your sheer strength, emotionally. I know how hard it must be for you to watch your partner endure so much pain. My mom’s twin sister (also an avid cyclist) is at the end stage of metastatic breast cancer that moved to her liver and now her brain. She will be entering hospice soon and I wish I had discovered your blog earlier. She would have loved it.
Keep on keepin’ on!
L in New Hampshire
Comment by Nicole Cherry | 01.29.2009 | 12:00 am
I just came across your website. I am sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. You take me back to the place I was five years ago when my mother in law was very sick with cervical cancer. It was a hard, hard time. But please know, adults remember it much more vividly than children do. It’s easier for them to remember the good times. All the best.
Comment by cyclegoddess | 01.29.2009 | 12:24 am
Has susan tried IVC? I get intravenous vitamin C every two weeks( I have immune system disorder). The rest of the people are cancer survivors ans they are doing very well on this. One guy, who rides, rides a 75 km ride every week.
I couldnt walk very far before this, and now I ride almost 28 km every week.( Ive only been riding for a year and stand all day, so its not much yet).
Its a alternative therapy. Also, a company I get vitamins from, USANA, has the only pharma grade ones in the world and people who talk them with chemo, say they are less ill. ( they are network marketing ones, as the man who invented them to help prevent cancers occurrence, wanted people to be able to afford them.)
They work well for me.
It may tale some time to find a place that does this. Old studies say massive vit C is bad for kidneys but this is wrong, New studys( and I am living proof) show that this was wrong!
Hope this can help.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 01.29.2009 | 6:30 am
I want to get a bracelet, but I don’t want to over work Susan. Let me know if it is an issue. Also, I have my own page to worry about….but more on that later on down the road.
WIN
Comment by Dave Larson | 01.29.2009 | 6:59 am
I echo Mike Roadie’s sentiments: I was about to pull the trigger on a donation to get a bracelet then saw the list of folks ahead of me. (Congrats on that, BTW!) If you say she’s not overloaded with the demand, I’ll pony up.
Dave
Comment by Bob | 01.29.2009 | 7:20 am
Susan does rule. Actually the whole family rules.
WIN
Comment by cheapie | 01.29.2009 | 7:51 am
woohoo! T6 sale. =)
Comment by Nina in Ohio | 01.29.2009 | 8:06 am
Fatty,
I donated to my own page (participating in Austin) and I’d like you & Susan to raffle off my bracelet. You have some great kids and a beautiful family – you and Susan should be so proud. My 14 year old son is like yours and he pitches in when needed as well.
And you may not be able to perform a miracle for Susan or cure her of all her pain, but you are holding your family together, showing her the love you have for her in your heart, and both of you are looking outside of your situation and doing something for all those who have cancer. That’s a lot Elden – that’s something to be proud of.
Comment by Jenny | 01.29.2009 | 8:28 am
Inspiring, thank you for sharing your life.
Comment by Lizzy | 01.29.2009 | 8:47 am
Way to go, teenage boys for helping out and doing it willingly.
Way to go, girls for being great and having cute hair to boot.
Way to go, Elden for loving and appreciating your family and for joining the parents who love short hair on girls.
Way to go, Susan for being creative and brave and wonderful.
Win Susan.
Comment by JoDee | 01.29.2009 | 9:34 am
Elden, I am one of those readers who doesn’t give a hoot about bikes. Sorry, I just haven’t cared about bike riding since I was 10. I discovered your blog through the Pioneer Woman. I continue to read your blog to check in on Susan and because I admire you for being a great husband and father for what clearly must be a very difficult time in your life. I wish you all the strength, love, compassion and happiness to continue to be the rock for your family and to love and care for your beautiful wife. By the way, I have learned more about bikes than I ever have wanted to know!!
Comment by kiwi | 01.29.2009 | 10:08 am
Girls look so cute….You are doing an amazing job fatty!
WIN SUSAN
Kiwi
Comment by brett | 01.29.2009 | 10:41 am
beautiful work susan!
elden, i was just wondering about monday’s post:
“how to get power abs”? is that like having a “luxury body”?
Comment by Laura | 01.29.2009 | 11:19 am
Just took a look at your website for the first time. It’s very touching. But it also made me laugh… The irony of the ‘eDiet’ ad and the pictures of sausage just below cracked me up!
Comment by JK | 01.29.2009 | 11:28 am
My first visit and I’m humbled. You have an undeniable wit and I both laughed and got choked up. Blessings to Susan and you and your family. The bracelet is beautiful. I’m looking at my finances as soon as I’m done with this post…see if I can purchase one. The girls are gorgeous and their hair is beautiful! I will be keeping you all in my prayers. I’m happy to have found you and I will be back to visit.
Comment by Tinker | 01.29.2009 | 11:42 am
Scale. You help me scale things, just to realize how good/bad things are. Yes, I ~am~ going through a rough time, by my own standards, but by yours its rather insignificant, and by Susan’s it totally fails to rate.
I’d contribute a bucketload of money, but that’s one of those theings that have changed, for me recently. Social Security Disability payments are not so much that I have a lot of excess, andI was feeling kind of sorry for myself, that I ahd to get by on “so little”, when I am/was at the peak of my earning ability. But its enough, and if I have to make changes to my life to deal with that, then I have it pretty good.
I am still working on my 1971-ish Raleigh, I expect it will give me some exercise with out the pounding that running/jogging/walking does. I expect the brake parts to be here today, and the air pump, and I have the rear tire/tube to put on the rim, as well the Sturmey-Archer pully to replace, so I can shift once again. (All Steel Bicycle, Indeed! I’d settle for all metal.)
Comment by Flombe | 01.29.2009 | 1:08 pm
Fatty, thank you for the update. Courage, grace and strength abound. Godspeed!
Bracelet order placed. I forgot to add details (missed where to include them). Woman’s bracelet, small wrist, color as Susan sees fit. And, I am hoping for a Superfly!
WIN!
Comment by regina | 01.29.2009 | 1:11 pm
Beautiful girls,
Beautiful hair,
Beautiful bracelets, I must have one.
beautiful job fatty. Susan I am so inspired by you and the beautiful artwork of your bracelets.
WIN
Comment by Claudia | 01.29.2009 | 1:26 pm
What an inspiring blog– you have a new fan! I lost one of my dearest friend years ago to Hodgkins and watched as her brave unbelievable husband took care of her, the children and home — all while working. Men are far more amazing than many of us give you credit for.
Susan and your family are in my prayers. Thank you for your brilliance.
Comment by sk8ermom3 | 01.29.2009 | 2:33 pm
YAY, The cheesy egg recipe is over at thepioneerwoman.com! Two of my most favorite blogs!
Go FATTY, WIN SUSAN, EAT CHEEZY EGGS!!!
Comment by Don Burnett | 01.29.2009 | 2:38 pm
PW Sent me. I voted for you.
Your wife’s courage touched me deeply. I have stage 4 breast cancer myself and hope I can handle it as well. Just lost a friend whose cancer metastasized to her liver. She finally could not bear the chemo any longer.
I’m 77 and I really feel for young people bearing these burdens. I can still ride.
I’m lucky.
donbiker
Comment by Erin | 01.29.2009 | 3:53 pm
This is my first time to your site…I am a Pioneer Woman addict :) and she talks about you like its goin’ out of style! :) I just wanted to say that you are truly an inspiration and I will be having my family lift yours up in prayer.
Comment by Shiny Flu | 01.29.2009 | 4:07 pm
Really glad about how the bracelets have worked out and thanks for the update.
Also got my Twin Six Fatty tee a few weeks ago- looks great. Every time I wear it I think about those that I’ve known/know that have had to deal with cancer; especially Susan. In fact if I look to my right sleeve..
WIN!
Comment by Bluenoser | 01.29.2009 | 4:32 pm
Hey Fatty, my T6 long sleeved wooly Fatty cycling jersey (in XL) arrived today. I put it on and was instantly transported back to racing in the early 70’s. Now I proudly carry WIN on my sleeve.
Wicked.
-B
Comment by Don | 01.29.2009 | 7:03 pm
Woo hoo! The Gary Fisher drawing is nearing! How excited you must be to totally hook someone up!
Comment by Shawna | 01.29.2009 | 8:29 pm
Hi! I came over from Pioneer Woman a couple times. My DH walked behind me and saw the picture of your girls. Without reading the post he says “What cute girls!” I LOVE their hair.” This is sooo funny b/c he NEVER does our girls hair and doesn’t notice this type of thing.
So WTG!!
Comment by Christina | 01.29.2009 | 8:33 pm
Another Pioneer Woman transfer-she raved so about your site…I think it’s such a strange thing that we can get on a computer and be so intimate with people we do not know; you share so much of your life, probably in many facets (this is the only post I read) and there are numerous people thinking/praying for/rooting for your family. Your girls are lovely. Your daughter’s comment made tears come to my eyes. Sorry to go on, but sometimes I think how hard things are (just my own little life, and challenges therein, not to mention the “whole world is devastated by the effects of sin-sorry, I’m a Christian) and then I read about difficulties in a family like yours, and how you manage, and struggle, and love. And keep on living. It is inspiring. Thank you for sharing. And that jewelry really is amazing. C
Comment by Mary | 01.29.2009 | 9:23 pm
Your girls are even cuter with short hair. But, you probably already knew that.
Comment by jenjen | 01.29.2009 | 11:53 pm
Thanks for the update on Susan. The twins hair looks great!
((hugs))
Jen
Comment by Jenn | 01.30.2009 | 10:48 am
I am continually bowled over by how fabulous your family is and what an incresibe person you are, Eldon. And your twins are so cute! I wish I could have hair that good! Thrilled to hear that Susan is enjoying making those bracelets – they’re beautiful.
Comment by Jenn | 01.30.2009 | 10:54 am
AARGH – no coffee yet this morning and I can’t delete my above comment.
Let me say that my typing should have commuicated that you are an INCREDIBLE person and that you spell your name ELDEN. My point is still the same though – gorgeous post, amazing family, thanks for the update. You continue to amaze me with your compassion, coping strategy, and endless good cheer.
Comment by mamajenny | 02.1.2009 | 11:52 am
I admit that I check this site to see how Susan and your family are doing. I am so touched by how well you are taking care of your family.
Your daughters are beautiful. I love their hair cuts. The fact that your sons have been helping out so much is touching as well. You are raising honorable men.
I didn’t realize that Susan was taking orders for her bracelets. That’s awesome! I make jewlery, and I know how good it feels to create something.
Comment by Jody | 02.3.2009 | 9:50 am
I found your blog through “Tatertots and Jello”. The name of your blog peaked my interest but when I read that your wife was fighting breast cancer I had to read about her bracelets. I wanted to comment about how your sons have been so great at helping. It’s amazing what our kids can do when they are faced with the challenge. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2.5 years ago at the age of 40, with 12 and 16 year old kids. My kids were such a blessing during treatment, picking up the slack whenever and wherever needed. May your family be blessed beyond measure as you fight alongside Susan.
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Fighting LIKE Susan | 07.8.2009 | 7:59 am
[...] on the other hand, just wishes she could make jewelry again. Or get back to work on writing her novel (she’s working on the final chapter). Or [...]
Comment by Niels Wristbands | 09.12.2009 | 9:56 am
New in blogger and just take a look. Just got my own blog
Comment by Linda | 03.16.2011 | 9:40 pm
Using bike chain to make bracelets. Very creative!