WTF

[imploded]

My best friend, and future brother in law, is a rabid mountain biker. He rode 2x the mileage I did last year (he works nights), picked up a new Epic and after a week went downhilling at Attitash with it. (He's nuts).

Brett and I are really great friends, it's something really awesome. We hit up Blackstone Heritage frequently, and he inevitably drops the hammer and puts me into painville. He is exceptional with the bike (ask BadDNA, he just hucks his Epic around like it isn't there). He's just a great rider and a great friend. He was discussing getting a road rig this winter so we could road ride together.

I was thinking about this, after he screwed up his knee plowing. They had found a growth behind his knee, and it was a 50/50 shot it was cancer. I went out for a 20 miler and stopped by his house - my sister was home, bawling. Brett was diagnosed with bone cancer last week. He's not a moron, doesn't behave like one (generally ;D), doesn't smoke, so on, so forth. He's 21. Chemo starts in a week, and it is going to be a long row to hoe for him. I'm the fatass, the one who smokes cigars, eats like dirt, drinks like a buffon, and generally does all the wrong things. WTF? It's pretty bad, but has not metastatized (sp?), and he has some of the best care in the world. If it wasn't for family connections, and friends, he would just be seeing an orthopedist now, rather than already with a team of oncologists who have been working his case for the past 2 weeks.

I bought some Livestrong bands for us and for him, to wear and to remember. I'm going to take lots of photos on every ride I do, just to share with him.

Some people go to their faith and draw strength from that. I cannot bear not to shake my fists and say "Why?" It's pointless, because it's reality. It's time to be strong, live strong (sorry of the cliche).

Here's Brett, after "climbing" up "300 meter hill" in Domaine Saint-Bernard, near St-Jovite, QC. One of the best rides of my life, we had a blast and yukked it up and had a great time.

http://imploded.smugmug.com/photos/45488377-M.jpg

Get well soon man.

Rant off.

Cheers,

-Andrew

[gnurider1080]

oh man that sucks. send my best wishes to him and his family.

[Quo Fan]

Cancer in anybody is bad, but he's only 21? WTF! Just goes to prove that life isn't fair.

Hope he gets well soon.

[jaime]

Cancer is equal opportunity. My college roomate passed 4 years ago last Thanksgiving. Same guy as me: same age, married, beautiful kids, etc. Coulda been me, but wasn't.

PMC registration for first-timers opens on the 17th. My suggestion for you: ride in his honor, take lots of pics, & drink a couple of beers for him.

I'll ride along with you.

[heckler]

He sounds like a fighter. That's what it takes. Jut ask that Lance guy. Keep the positive thoughts flowing! Tell him all of ours are with him.

[ArmOnFire]

That is unfortunate, I wish him well in his fight.
Get him a copy of Lance's book's, I have one I can give him if he needs it.

-dan

[ktmsx]

best of luck to your friend,he is young so that will help him fight it...he will be back on a bike before you know it....good luck...

[bdee]

God, that blows man. All I can think to say is good luck, and try to help keep his spirits up. Hopefully he'll be back riding like an animal again before he knows it.

[huknpuff]

Cancer is not a death sentence. My wife had breast cancer 3 years ago and is doing great. She has done 2 PMC rides and is kicking ass. The PMC is a great ride we rode for a little while with a lady in chemo treament. Lances "not about the bike" book is a must if a copy is needed let me know.

[Jisch]

Good luck to your buddy. Good vibes coming from the MTB community!

John

[imploded]

All,

Thanks for the well wishes, I'll pass them on to Brett. FWIW, he is a full and supporting member of NEMBA, he had his Singletracks with him at the hospital this week.

Cheers,

-Andrew

[huff'npuff]

My thoughts and prayers go to him. I"m not very religious,but still.... Best wishes.

[MissJean]

Such terrible news to get. Best wishes to him and his loved ones.

[Slider]

Only 21. That is very sad. He sounds strong and determined, and those are his best allies. Best wishes to your riding bud.

Slider

[unissamog]

Well, I wish him the best, I have a good friend who is currently battling with Pancreatic Cancer. ( http://www.shanesfight.com/ )

But above all else it just brings to the forefront that you and those around him should enjoy every minute you have with him, and with everyone. My best friend and best riding buddy passed away almost 3 years ago. He was 23, and in WAY better shape than I have been in in many years, he worked (HARD) all day in construction, and one day at lunch he just kind of slumped over, and died of heart problems ( an arythmia (?sp)).

[S2RT]

May I also add my thoughts and prayers for Brett, for a complete recovery.

It's these times, when you feel your faith (whatever brand) is shaken......are the times when everyone's faith is stirring together, for a friend.


Stuart

[SloMoJo]

That's cruel.

Well mate .. you remind us all that life is precious.
Bad chit can happen to anyone.

Best wishes to your friend. He'll have quite a story when he's on the other side of this challenge.

[nhiker]

Let me add my thoughts and prayers also.
Harry

[rigidhack]

My cousin was diagnosed with cancer after he took a spill on a snowboard and had a hard time moving is legs. Big tumor growing right around his spine. He was 17 at the time. He's still hanging in there.

Best wishes!

[Nickster2407]

So true... cancer can hit anyone, anytime. I know. My very best wishes for a complete recovery. I too will be doing the PMC this year. NEMBA team anyone?

Live Strong!

[auntesther1]

man...awful to hear. best wishes for a strong and full recovery

[radair]

Some things in life are just incomprehensible.

Here's to his complete recovery.

[jerseygirl]

Hopefully youth and strength are on his side. I will keep him in my thoughts.

[imploded]

It's been a while since I updated...

Brett has finished his first two rounds of chemo (2 6 week cycles, methatrexate and doxorubin), and heads into surgery Monday. They are replacing the top half of his tibia with donor (cadaver) bone, grafting it in place. However, his surgeon told him some bad news Friday - he can never ride a mountain bike again, as the risk for injury is too high. Repeated abuse (shock) to his leg, in his Dr's. opinion, could lead to a fracture at the graft site, which could cause Brett to lose his leg from the knee down. He sold his Epic and is looking towards the road.

Brett is already shopping road bikes, refusing to stop cycling, but you can tell his ego is a bit damaged.

On the upside, however, he has responded really well to the chemo and the tumor has shrunk significantly. He is in, overall, great spirits and people from all over are rooting for him. Heck, 30 2nd graders from the Clough School in Mendon (where he works) sent him get well cards!

Keep my bro in your thoughts all, it's gonna be a long week next week.

Cheers,

-Andrew

[S2RT]

It's great to hear that Brett has responded well to treatment - even better - that he is determined to keep on riding.

I'll be looking forward to your next post that surgery went well and that Brett is on his way to a total recovery!


Stuart

[Quo Fan]

Glad to hear he is doing well.

As long as he is on 2 wheels, it doesn't matter what kind of bike it is.

[Body2Big]

Cancer S*cks my Father in law just passed from colon cancer. He however had given up on the Chemo. and just let it destroy him. I hope he is doing well. Also have him check out the Narragansett bay wheelman. I am also a member there and ride the Sunday group rides when I can.

Good wishes to both of you

Shawn

[Ozzy]

I wish him the best of luck. Hopefully his young age will work in his favor. As silly as it may sound, a friend of mine had 'testicular cancer' about ten years ago. He was only 18!!! Blew my mind, but the good thing is ten years later, after the chemo and what not he's been very healty all these years. Its good that they caught this early My wished for successful treatement and a speedy recovery go out to him, you, and his family.

[imploded]

Another update...

Brett successfully had the top 1/4 of his right tibia removed two weeks ago tomorrow. He's home recouping, but I got some shots of his cast (it's massive) and him reading the latest SingleTracks. He's in great spirits and already focused on riding again, getting his rehab going and focusing on late fall, when he may get clipped in again.

Here are some pics from the hospital (two weeks old, just hadn't had time to get them off the camera).

Cheers,

-Andrew

A good old "F Cancer" **** eating grin

http://imploded.smugmug.com/photos/63526854-M.jpg

The cast - it is a bivalve cast (split in two), with memory foam, sheepskin, and fiberglass. This thing is friggin huge. The incision on his leg is over 16" long!

http://imploded.smugmug.com/photos/63527063-M.jpg

[imploded]

It was only a matter of time. 3 full months post-op, 6 months post diagnosis, this morning in Stoneman 7, the solarium in the BMT/Onc ward, Brett Bergeron rode for the first time since Thanksgiving, 2005. That's right - 8 full months since his last time on two wheels. He spun the PT trainer they had for just 10 minutes, until his chemo pump freaked out, because a bag needed to be changed.

He called me with a smile you could hear over the phone. He's going to borrow my CycleOps trainer and spin my sister's MTB (he sold his Epic) when he gets home. I think we may even spin together on Sunday. Brett was positively THRILLED that he can ride again...

It was pretty cool to hear how happy he was. His next goal is joining me for a bit of mileage at the PMC - the PMC goes *right* past his house, so he'll hopefully be waiting there for us and come out for a quick spin!!!

Cheers,

-Andrew

[huff'npuff]

That's GREAT news ! ( lump in throat )
I'm so glad for him and all of you. My best wishes to you all,and may I someday be fortunate enough to meet you on a trail.

[S2RT]

WICKED EXCELLENT NEWS MAN!!! That is great to hear....and spinning the cranks already - Awesome!

S