September 3, 2009 
  


Dear Friends: 
 

It is 30 years since the PMC was founded in 1980. It is six years since I bought my first road bike in 2004, this is my fifth year as a PMC rider and it is four years since the discovery of the grapefruit sized tumor in my wife’s chest, the surgery that followed and our introduction to doctor’s, hospitals and petscans.   
  


What remains for us from that event, is a myriad of knowledge about things with which most people aren’t familiar, a deeper appreciation for life, family and friends, some tough memories and some good ones as well, and of course my wife’s fabulous scar. Fifteen inches long and nicely placed under her shoulder blade.   
  


At the time, we never thought of how it (the scar) would look or about the interest it would pique and conversations it would start.  Terri will tell you that I give her a hard time whenever the topic of the tumor comes up.  Admittedly, I do, but seldom it is that I am not masking the joy I feel that she is still in my life and the lives of our two beautiful children; or the feeling of how fortunate we were, in that we experienced was only what we now call “the pain of a near miss”.   
  


Our battle was a short one. Its disruption in our lives was real but relatively minor.  Today, Terri is as healthy and strong as she has ever been, the vibrant healthy mother of two.  So many others are not as fortunate, so many others are in the fight of their life, and so many others did not get the news we got.  So many others will follow. 
 

I struggled with committing to ride this year.  I can’t necessarily tell you why, I just felt beset by so many other things going on; work, family, travel, life in general.  I thought maybe next year when I had more time, I’ll commit. 
 

But things changed and this year I rode for the wife of one of my closest friends. What struck me was a conversation I had with this close friend of mine in mid January. I have known Deb since the spring of 1997. Mike and Deb were contemplating a move to Atlanta and were out looking at houses.  My boss, at the time, thought it would be good to start with mine.  That however is a different story for another time. 
  


While Mike and I have moved down different paths at work, Deb, Mike and their family remain good friends since that day in 1997. 
  


In our conversation that day, Mike told me that his wife’s Dr. had found a small lump in her breast.  They were going to check it out and see what was next.  At first the news was positive; it was small, they got it early, it would be simple.  When it comes to cancer it seldom is simple. The first surgery was followed by a second to ensure they got all they could, as it appeared more aggressive than first thought. 
  


Mike confirmed that the second surgery would be followed by chemo and radiation.  Could this be real?  This was Debbie.  She can’t have cancer.  It always happens to someone else. 
  


This point is important, because this is real, this is still Debbie and she did have cancer.   
  


What followed was a letter from Debbie to many concerned friends and family confirming this, telling what happened, but most importantly it was Debbie speaking to all of us.   
 

I can’t tell Debbie’s story and in fact her story is still being written, but I can let her tell it to you.  It speaks volumes to me about the people, we all know, that are fighting this disease. Here is Debbie’s letter 
 All-

First I want to tell you and/or your loved ones to go get your mammogram, schedule it, call your Dr., do it now, just make sure you get one annually.   Mine has saved my life!  

I borrowed the "This too shall pass" from a shirt I saw while Mitchell and I volunteered at the Race for the Cure last weekend.  It has become my new mantra.  As most of you know I had a lumpectomy in March.  Although the tumor was small (1cm) and had not spread to my lymph nodes, additional tests show that I am a strong candidate for chemotherapy as a preventive measure to rid my body of any potential "floater" cells and reduce (hopefully eliminate) the risk of recurrence.  So sometime over the next few weeks I will start 6 rounds of treatment in total - 3 weeks between each.  So, yes it will be a long summer, but I feel very healthy mentally and physically going into this and feel very positive that this is just another hill to pass.  I am told I will be able to drive myself to and from treatments which are right at Preston Ridge here in Alpharetta and I hope to keep our summer schedule the same as always.  I anticipate some nausea for a few days after each treatment and yes, I will lose my hair.  My biggest fear is that it'll all come back GRAY!  I, proudly am not gray yet - I'd like to keep it that way!  I'll probably get a really cute short haircut first - before I move on to wearing lots of hats.

Anyway, I just want you all to know that I value your friendship and prayers. and I just ask that you treat me just as you normally would.  Feel free to ask me whatever you want, and if I don't feel like talking I'll let you know.  I'd prefer to talk about what we would normally talk about...my kids, your kids, the neighbors (not really), TV, news, etc., etc., and I'm sure I'll be needing lots of laughter, sarcasm, gossip, as well as BEER, wine, and/or mojitos!

Oh and by the way, I've been doing weight-watchers, so when you see that I've lost weight, it's not because I'm sick or depressed, it's because I've been working hard at it - so a, "You look fabulous!" would be just fine.

Oh, one more thing that you can do for me....  I am the proud new owner of an ipod so I'm looking for some good upbeat happy songs to have on my playlist for when I do my treatments and/or when I take my runs.  I know you can come up with some good ones for me - so think about it and send them along.  You might even have a story to go with it - or not.  Just submit your 'happy' song and see if it makes the list....the winners might even get a special treat from me!  I'll let you know what I've compiled - you never know when you need some happy songs!  Thanks a bunch!
Love you all!  -Deb 
  


It is an unfortunate reality that far too often we let cancer define the person we know and love, they become defined by their disease, defined by cancer, I am guilty of it, we all are.  We no longer see the person first; we see the disease and its victim.  Debbie is not a victim. She is a wife, a mother, a daughter and she is my friend.  This year I rode for Deb Zahariades.   
  


As of the writing of this letter, not surprisingly, Debbie's spirits are good, her attitude is as always, upbeat and she is doing great.  Her last chemo treatment is this Tuesday, to be folllowed by six weeks of radiation.  I spoke to Mike today and they continue to take this head on and with a great positive outlook. 
  


While I did ride to fight cancer, to fight the disease and find a cure; first, I rode for my friend. 

The official PMC was a two-day 192-mile ride on August 1^st and 2^nd.  It is the goal of the PMC for each participant to raise $4,200 for this year’s ride.  I started writing this letter on PMC weekend as a reminder for each of you that we still need your help and you still have time to contribute. 
  


My challenge to you, give like never before.  I am asking for your support and am grateful for whatever you feel appropriate.  You should also know that if your company offers a matching gift program, this not only increases your contribution in support of the fight against cancer but also helps me attain my goal as well.   
  


My deadline for fund-raising is October 1^st. 
  


If you have received this via e-mail you can access my sponsorship page by clicking on this link or by entering it in your browser.  If you wish to mail a contribution to me, you can use the contribution slip and mail it back to me.  For John Hancock, I have included the Matching Gift Registration Form. 
  


To my friends and family, thank you for your donations so far and for those still to come.   
  


Sincerely, 
  
  


David's PMC Total

$0

Goal

$7,000

My Progress

My Online Supporters

My Rides