Homoludens Posted July 27, 2003 Share Posted July 27, 2003 jaf, my point is that Armstrong is not only a champion, he is also a survivor: The man who had been featured in attention grabbing headlines such as "Du Pont Dominator" and "The Golden Boy of American Cycling," was literally forced off his bike in excruciating pain in October of 1996. Tests revealed advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his brain. A press conference held on October 9th announced the stunning news to the world. This athletic and vibrant young man would be operated on twice in the ensuing weeks - once to remove the malignant testicle, and then dramatic brain surgery to remove the cancer that had spread upward. Chances for his recovery were far less than 50/50 as a frightened-but-determined Lance began an aggressive form of chemotherapy. At the time still in its proving stages, this "cocktail" of chemicals (called "VIP" - Ifosfamide, Etoposide, and Platinol) gave him the chance for a full recovery with far less danger of losing lung capacity as a side effect. While it weakened him well beyond anything he had ever experienced, he had a deep well of reserves and the unconditional support of family and friends. Remarkably, the chemotherapy began to work and Lance gradually allowed his thoughts to return to racing. He began riding and training only five months after his diagnosis, still uncertain of his future in the sport, but a profoundly grateful and resolute man. Cancer left him scarred physically and emotionally, but he now maintains it was an unexpected gift; a viewpoint that is shared by many cancer survivors. Getting cancer was "...the best thing that ever happened to me," Lance said, in relation to the maturity and life focus the disease forced him to face. Lance Armstrong: A Biography I don't really give a damn if you're gonna treat this as some sort of nationalistic pissing match. I don't give a damn if he's an American, a Spaniard, a Japanese, or whatever. My admiration transcends race and nationality. Lance Armstrong is one of my personal heroes not because he represented my country, but because he is a magnificent human being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt Posted July 27, 2003 Share Posted July 27, 2003 Originally posted by Homoludens I don't really give a damn if you're gonna treat this as some sort of nationalistic pissing match. If it was a nationalistic pissing match I've no doubt my fellow Brits would win. Oh, I see what you mean. (I have no idea what the hell that smiley means, it just seemed appropriate somehow). No doubt about it, Lance Armstrong must be some kind of superman to overcome what he has. Congrats to him. JRThomas - second place is no discrage in this tournament. Just finishing the race is a huge achievement - I'm sure as hell I couldn't do it (not even a short stage). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homoludens Posted July 27, 2003 Author Share Posted July 27, 2003 Well, Curt, if you must 'piss'.... I'm extremely proud of all the participants in the race, particularly the finalists. I can't ever even imagine myself doing that, the longest I ever cycle these days is five blocks to the commuter train station. But when I used to live in the city I regularly rode my mountain bike up and down the lakefront during summer, a total of about 3-4 miles everyday. I look forward to moving back into town and doing that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt Posted July 27, 2003 Share Posted July 27, 2003 Originally posted by Homoludens Well, Curt, if you must 'piss'.... I think I must, sorry. I doubt there is one among us who musn't. Apologies for going off topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homoludens Posted July 27, 2003 Author Share Posted July 27, 2003 I think jaf is in the next stall, Curt. I didn't hear his toilet flush yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt Posted July 27, 2003 Share Posted July 27, 2003 Originally posted by Homoludens I think jaf is in the next stall, Curt. I didn't hear his toilet flush yet. ROFL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaf Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 I don't even know what I'm doing in a sports thread... yuck! :r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchy in milk Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 Pfft cancer, the guy who came 4th completed most of the tour with a broken collar bone. Can you imagine riding up and down mountains through that? An Aussie won the green! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homoludens Posted July 28, 2003 Author Share Posted July 28, 2003 Originally posted by jaf I don't even know what I'm doing in a sports thread... yuck! :r Not playing a tennis game, that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twifkak Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Originally posted by Homoludens he is a magnificent human being. Agreed. It boggles the mind. Not enough for me to actually read the article, but whatever. No one ever said *I* had to be a magnificent human being. And I should add Kraftwerk to my amazon wishlist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popadopolis Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Originally posted by JRThomas I'm not exactly happy that he won. After all I'm from Germany and because of that a rather big fan of Jan Ulrich. And he almost beat Armstong this time. Ah well, he'll beat him next year for sure. euh, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.