From: Dell [wfields@starstream.net]
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:08 AM
To: wfields@starstream.net
Subject: Dell Fields Update: July 27, 2003

Hello all,

This is a different sort of update in as much as I want to share a recent experience with you and not write directly about my cancer. It is a little long but I hope you enjoy it.

Background:

Active chemotherapy patients all seem to experience side effects that include nausea, diarrhea, sensitivity to light and heat and more. I am no exception. Because of this many patients want to remain home to attend to their side effects.

History:

I rode my first motorcycle when I was fifteen years old. I have owned an assortment of bikes, both street and dirt. Some of my happiest moments were riding down highway 1 with my cousin Nick on our bikes. Last November I visited the BMW factory in Munich and was completely in awe of the BMW K1200LT. I knew I had to own one. At the time I thought I had “beat” cancer and I was going to celebrate with the purchase of this machine. I picked up my new bike at A&S BMW Motorcycles in Roseville. During the last 8 months I have put 8,000 miles on the odometer. Not bad considering for two months I could not ride due to the surgery and recovery. http://www.dellfields.com/BMW.html

And now the story:

I have had three cycles of chemo and was getting a little down about how I felt. Finally I made up my mind I would do something “regular” people do. So, my plan was to ride my motorcycle from my house in Rocklin to visit my friends Carolyn and Harvey in Medford, OR. Yes I know “regular” people probably don’t ride a motorcycle that far but they do if they own a touring bike such as mine.

Reactions to my plan were mixed and mostly negative. Joan reluctantly allowed the trip. My brother, Les, worried that I didn’t have “backup” in case something went wrong. When I told my friends, Mark and Gerry, at dinner the other night they went uncharacteristically quiet and did not discuss my plan. Friends like Simi smiled and gave me support but I could tell she (they) seemed worried.

I researched the route and more importantly the weather. No rain was in the forecast but I would encounter perhaps the hottest ride I could ever imagine. The route was simple; highway 5 all the way to Medford. It was darned simple.

I left at 7:30am on Friday. I forgot to factor in the fact that all the trucks are driving on Friday and they create considerable problems for motorcycle riders. The wind they created tossed me around from time to time. My biggest fear came to pass when I smelled the strong odor of rubber as I passed an 18 wheeler only to see a recapped tire explode off the wheel. Fortunately I observed this from my rear view mirror.

I fueled up in Redding, CA. As I was fueling two guys in full-dress Harley Davidsons pull up behind me. One guy said to me, “How much f***kin’ mileage does that f***kin’ bike get?” To which I replied, “About 45 miles per gallon.” To which he replied, “It must have a f***kin’ fuel injector. Our f***kin’ bikes are only getting’ about 30 f***kin’ miles per gallon.” My take-away from this conversation was Harley riders have a very colorful, albeit limited vocabulary.

Another guy came up to me and asked how many miles a person can ride comfortably on my bike per day. Funny question since all riders have different limits. I replied, “How many miles can a person cover from sunrise to sunset?”

The weather got hot but not unbearable. The scenery from Shasta Lake northward was lovely. When I got to Medford I realized my GPS was set for the wrong address. It seems there are two Gardener Ways in Medford and Carolyn and Harvey live on the one not in my GPS. I called for directions and got them. However, I missed a turn and ended up on a steeply inclined road that was covered with oil and gravel, the two most feared road elements to any rider. The gravel was at least two inches deep and I struggling to keep the 840 pound motorcycle upright. I finally said enough is enough and turned around and headed back to where the gravel and oil began. It was a steep down-hill ride and I felt an enormous sigh of relief when I crossed over to firm pavement again. I also felt a sense of pride that I had conquered the road. Enough of that, I was still lost.

Soon I found Carolyn and Harvey’s house. I did not tell them I would be arriving on a motorcycle so when I pulled into their driveway wearing my full-face helmet, Harvey looked at me as if to say, “Who is this *#!%^*# driving that motorcycle on my property?” When I stopped the bike and removed my helmet it was so funny to see the look on his face when he realized it was me. He looked like a kid who had just seen the inside of a candy shop for the first time. Carolyn was all smiles and bubbly as usual.

I had made it! The trip lasted 7 hours and was 375 miles including breaks and detours for sight seeing and getting lost. But as they say, the trip up is optional but the trip back is mandatory. I was to depart for home on perhaps the hottest day of the year.

Saturday I visited with Rita. Her husband, Jim, worked with me when I was an instrumental music teacher for the Burlingame School District. Jim died last year of cancer. It was so sad as he was a vibrant person who was so full of life. I paid my respects to Rita who told me Jim had recorded a video tape during his last months of life for his family to view. I was touched that he would do this. Rita has not had the courage yet to view the tape but I hope she does soon. Jim may say something that will give her comfort.

Later Carolyn and I talked about other friends who had fallen to cancer. We talked of Mr. O, Narcissa, Sharon and others. We toasted to the continuing fight against cancer by Bob and me and to our successful outcomes. We played piano duets and generally gossiped like a couple of old women at a knitting club.

This morning (Sunday) I started the K1200LT and began my return trip south. I was a little surprised when the guy at the gas station insisted on pouring the gas for me. It turns out there is no self-service in Oregon. The trip was great. The weather was fairly cool and I enjoyed every curve on the way. Most of the trucks were gone and that was nice. Unfortunately, nausea set in around 10am and stopped to take a pill. One brand of medication works well but causes drowsiness and blurred vision. The other brand “may” cause drowsiness but it doesn’t work as well. It was a no-brainer; I took Compazine as it would have less of an effect on my driving. It worked well.

When I reached Red Bluff things turned bad. The temperature was now 104 degrees Fahrenheit. I soaked a cloth in water and wrapped my head in it then put my helmet over the cloth. It helped cool me a little. Remember what I said about the side effects of chemo, heat and sun are not my friends. But, before I knew it I was pulling up to my own driveway. I had successfully made the round trip. It was over 700 miles and a total of 13 hours.

They say young riders pick a destination while older riders pick a direction. It’s normally about the ride and not the destination. Today and Friday I enjoyed both.

I challenge you all to do something you want to do for yourself. Don’t delay, do it soon.

As always, I write this with love and, today, just a little pride.

Dell