a good ride is just what the doctor ordered.
Riding the bike has always been soothing for me, and now the drone of the engine and the wind in my face helps calm the fear waiting in the wings for an unguarded moment to pounce. The roughly four hours I spend in transit on each trip gives me time to come to grips with what is happening. It’s an opportunity to build some perspective and start coming to grips with it emotionally.
Back on the Valkyrie headed for Texarkana, I have an almost two-hour ride to digest what I’ve just learned. I may have fudged the speed limit a time or two hitting 80 mph or better as I circled around Shreveport on I-220. The furnace hot blast from this 105 degree day washing over me somehow feels good. For the next two hours I am a biker again. The frailty I’d felt drops away with a twist of the wrist. The 1500cc flat 6 howls my defiance through the 6 into 6 cobra pipes, and it seems that surely not even the big C can catch me while mounted on my powerful phat lady. I know it’s only an illusion, but it is one I will come to cherish more with each subsequent trip.
I just found out I have bladder cancer. Bummer.
The news is not all bad. The type I have is very aggressive, but it is confined to the bladder. With the removal of my bladder, the cancer will be gone. But so will my bladder. I suspect that may be a bit of an inconvenience.
Reviewing my options with my surgeon I decided to go for a more complicated procedure where he will make a new bladder for me from part of my intestine. Things will never be exactly the same, but within a year, I should be able to ride again. My surgery is scheduled for Sept. 27.
It may be several weeks before I’m able to blog again, but I do plan to be back pontificating my fingers off as soon as possible. I want to thank you folks who routinely submit yourselves to my mental ramblings. Your thoughts and prayers are welcome. In the meantime, take a ride and enjoy the wind in your faces for me until I can be back and do it for myself.
Until I see you on the road again, keep the rubber side down.
－ Guy Wheatley
September 22nd, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I’ve enjoyed your posts. Gods speed for recovery.
September 22nd, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Guy you will be in my thoughts and prayers and just remember to stay positive and that you are cared about and loved by many people. Please let us know as soon as you can how you are doing.
Your home town friend,
Belinda
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Guy, your words and phrases above are quite honorable to me. We want you to know, that you’ll be in our prayers and our daily thoughts for sure beginning next Tuesday, Sept 27th.. I can only imagine how you feel emotionally, how concerned you are.
Your ‘blog” here, should make a person feel good. Make us all appreciate doing something we love to do, like riding, or fishing, playing golf, any activities that provide a mental relaxtion,etc, Riding is definately important to you.
You will pull through this, mainly because you are a positive Man. We wish you God speed through this ordeal.
your oldest friend, Willie T.
September 24th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
You will be in my prayers for your speedy recovery! Take care and God bless you!
September 30th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Get well soon. Docs know a lot more than they did a few yrs ago.
October 4th, 2011 at 2:56 am
Glad you came thru surgery ok..will be praying for you!
October 5th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Guy,
Just read this today (10/5). Here is hoping that the procedure went as planned. Get well soon and do all things your Drs. tell you to. Thinking of you and praying for you.