Long term goals

[H.Frank Beshear]

While riding TOMRV this weekend and enjoying conversation and beverages after, I realized I had met one of my long term goals. When I was 23 and scared to death (literally) from being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma my goal was to live longer after being diagnosed than before I was diagnosed. Sounded easy at the time. After 3 recurrences, 3 separate rounds of chemo, 2 rounds of radiation therapy, and an autologous stem cell transplant (1989 beta test group :cool: ) later, I did it. I'm 47 years old, 24 years ago I was diagnosed with Hogkins Lymphoma. That's awfully darned cool :beer: and I wanted to share with my friends. Enjoy the day, Frank

[Steve D]

Congratulations. And one of the best posts I've read in a long time. Made me smile.

[rwsaunders]

A positive attitude helps too, doesn't it. Congrats.

[DarrenCT]

another reason to have a beer!

congrats!

[David Kirk]

YOU ARE THE *****.

Dave

[C5 Snowboarder]

While riding TOMRV this weekend and enjoying conversation and beverages after, I realized I had met one of my long term goals. When I was 23 and scared to death (literally) from being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma my goal was to live longer after being diagnosed than before I was diagnosed. Sounded easy at the time. After 3 recurrences, 3 separate rounds of chemo, 2 rounds of radiation therapy, and an autologous stem cell transplant (1989 beta test group :cool: ) later, I did it. I'm 47 years old, 24 years ago I was diagnosed with Hogkins Lymphoma. That's awfully darned cool :beer: and I wanted to share with my friends. Enjoy the day, Frank

This is one of the reason we should all be riding Serottas and driving Corvettes. Ya just never know. :beer:

[Steve Hampsten]

Rawk Star!!!

Good on ya, Frank - you have a great lottery ticket...

my long term goal is to keep breathing as long as feasible. riding will be in there for us both, yes?

On a bike related note, Mr Kirk, I had a lovely ride today with our own Big Shanty. He has me awaiting his new build - yours. I pushed for the 63mm polished Paul brakes and the Terraplane, y'hear?

(Juia has just posited that the word "Yaris" (automotive) is a contraction of "Yanni at the Acropolis"...)

[Louis]

Hey Frank, you may have reached one goal, but there are plenty more miles in those legs! Enjoy. :banana:

Louis

[thwart]

Thanks for that post, Frank. Motivational! :banana:

I hope for 47 more for you. And riding right up until...

[dave thompson]

Frank:

You, like me, are going to live to be the world's oldest teenager; 113! Give'm hell!

[Kirk007]

Wow Frank. Thanks for sharing this. It puts some of the everyday aggravations into perspective. Congrats!!

[SoCalSteve]

Frank,

As you know (we have talked about this) I am/was involved with LLS & TNT (first as a participant and then as a cycling coach) for many years and this is a topic that is very close to my heart as my father passed away from cancer of this nature when I was only 20 years old (he was 59)...

Always great to hear from you. You are truly an inspiration for us all!!!

Steve

[grey poupon]

h frank rules imho

[gasman]

Congratulations Frank- you have gone through h#ll and made it.
From the title I thought you were going to say you wanted to do P-B-P. This is WAYYYYYY better to hear than about a forthcoming ride. You made my day and put life's problems in perspective.

[Ginger]

Frank, Congratulations!

Speaking of this weekend, it was great to hang out with you and your family! Thanks for the memories! Here's to many more years of riding TOMRV!

Ginger

[d_douglas]

Agreed - nice work Frank! Aside from the momentous technical, medical and psychological hurdles that you have passed, I love your combined spiritual and mathematical approach to your lifespan. It is a great way to analyse life, if true analysis is truly possible.

Congratulations!

My personal goal is to be like the old guy who rode past my house in Vancouver every freaking day, no matter how miserable and wet the weather was. I think he was an British Olympic team cyclist in the 40's or 50's, but more importantly, he is still cycling (slowly) at more than 80 years old.

I want to be that person, even if I am doing 5km per hour!!

[R2D2]

Go Frank!
My goal is simple.
Ride everyday for the the joy of it.
Don't push it or rush it.
Just ride and let the speed and distance fall into place.

[soulspinner]

Here I was feeling lousy about my day before I read your post, Frank. Not anymore. You changed that. Thank you.

[stevep]

thats great frank.
best for another 47.

[Tom]

You are a reminder to the rest of us to let the small stuff slide and appreciate all the good things we have going.

100 years, man.

[GoJavs]

That is fantastic, Frank. You definitely deserve another 47! :banana:

[darylb]

Congratulations sir.

[tv_vt]

Bravo, Frank. That is an achievement worth sharing. Thank you and congratulations. You should be proud.

Here's to a new goal: doubling the number of years after your diagnosis.

All the best,

Thom

[William]

:beer:
:beer:
:beer:
And one more just because! :beer:

[jthurow]

Thanks for the post, Frank. Ya' made me smile.

Sorry I missed TOMRV... That's a nice ride, even with the killer hills at the end. How was the weather? The day the pics were taken looks nice but that second day doesn't always cooperate.

jimi

[Erik.Lazdins]

One of the most inspirational posts I've read! Thanks, Erik

I also your pictorial posts such as the honjos going on the Kirk!

[rpm]

Congratulations Frank! I know how how great it feels to be blessed with the chance to live and to keep on biking after you've been struck down with life threatening illness. My goals after my liver transplant 12 years ago were to first get my kids through college, and then to see them get established in life. Both not only graduated but got PhD's, and I got to see my daughter get married and deliver a beautiful little girl, and I'll see my son get married this summer.

I hope you have many more years and miles on the bike, because you understand how much they are a blessing.

[Serotta PETE]

Frank, you and your can do attitude are a lesson in how to live life to the fullest.

Miss seeing you anr riding with you and Mr Brynes.. (as well as having your beer and his wine :beer: :bike: :bike: )

Your friend PETE (ps tell Debbie hi......)

[old_school]

Cheers, Frank
Here's to many more great years to come!

[Sparky58]

Well done. Thank you for the inspiration.

Your attitude is wonderful and contagious. The day just got brighter!

[72gmc]

Thank you, Frank. A story worth retelling 23 years from now.

[djg]

And that's just the coolest accomplishment of all. Time to keep on living. Glad to have you around.

[mflaherty37]

That's really cool! I'd better get a Corvette. :banana:

[Bud_E]

Beautiful, great. Fantastic post.

[Firenze]

Excellent. Now make it at least twice as long!
Thanks for the inspiration. We can all adjust our goals upward based on your accomplishment.
Arch

[Karin Kirk]

Thanks for the inspiration Frank! (great photos too, thanks Ginger)

It's a perfect sunny day here - one of those days where it just feels great to be alive. Your post adds yet another level of appreciation for life and is a personal reminder to not take any day for granted.

Thank you Frank, for sharing your personal accomplishment with the rest of us.

[H.Frank Beshear]

Thank you all for the kind words. In 2008 I'll talk about a silly long ride that I'd like to do in 2009. But that's just a dream for the time being. These things sneak up on us, just like life does. Someday I'd like to meet my grandchildren, hmm girls are 12, another 23 years, then they can date. Yeah that'd be about right ;) . Enjoy the day, Frank

[shoe]

ahhhh life------