L is For Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong, an amazing long distance cyclist and athlete. An average man with an average life, then it began. It all started with a little bit of differences in his body, then the pain came. Doctors and Specialists had only one diagnosis…… Cancer. On Wednesday October 2nd Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was not long after that it also spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. Being a healthy 25 year old man, he had no idea what his chances of getting cancer were. He had won the Tour de France 7 times in a row and trained every day of his life since he was 12. He never knew what his life had in store for him.

Lance was born in Oakcliff near Dallas Texas to 17 year old Linda Armstrong. He had no real father his whole life, so Lance and Linda struggled as they grew up together. Lance started sports when he was seven, mainly biking, running and swimming. In his teens he was introduced to triathlons. Lance won many awards and was best in his age group throughout the years. He got better and better at doing what he did, so he got invited to France, Austin Texas and even Germany to train with the pros. Lance recalls Linda being the most supportive person in his life. She always drove Lance to all his triathlon events and swimming meets regarding all her other plans and things to do. As I was saying, Lance really didn’t know how his life would turn out

I’ve got what!? Lance asks the Doctors again in amazement. But he didn’t hear them wrong, he did have cancer. He could barely tell his family and friends about the shocking news. They had to prepare him for his rounds of chemo therapy and his 3 major surgeries, in his lungs, abdomen and brain. The cancerous virus was spreading rapidly all over his body, so they had to move quickly. Doctors told him he had about less than 40% chance of living but Lance wanted to think otherwise.

Two weeks later, he was ready for his first 2 intense operations on his abdomen and lungs. Once that was over he layed restlessly in the hospital bed wanting desperately to get back on his bike. Weeks went by, then it was time for his third surgery, this time on his brain. The surgery went well and all the cancer was gone, for now. Three weeks later he started his first round of chemo. For 10 hours the harsh chemical dripped into his fragile body. Then all they could do was wait. Friends and family came to visit him and help on his long journey back to life. Those few months for Lance with chemo, were torture. Lance finished all his chemo therapy on December 13 1996.

Lance went home to recover from his illness, trying to get through a whole year without signs of cancer. It was a long year. Lance tried really hard to get back on his bike, but he thought it was hopeless. He tried harder and harder and he slowly regained his physical strength. As the 1 year mark came around, he made it. Still to this day Lance Armstrong bikes competitively and will always be remembered as a hero.

Life Lession: Don't let one bad thing ruin what you love.

I commented on Erika's blog on The Beginning