A Community of Recovery
Three months ago, March 5 to be exact, I had my last weekly IV treatment for a rare infection that was attacking the mitochondria in my muscles and had left me a complete shell (fyi, they literally make the energy that powers you). That was the major infection, but I had at least three other co-infections raving hard without an immune system to keep them at bay.
For seven months I couldn't ride, I couldn't go to the gym, I often couldn't leave my house or go to work for days because of the treatments and ensuing painful, nauseating die off. My doctors said that I needed to change my life because my body was not healing, and if left unabated it could enter my central nervous system and I would seriously be....fucked.
So being hooked up weekly to a giant IV bag with that fear and without improvement was finally the brick that fell on my head. So I sold my house in Seattle, I quit my 17-year job, said goodbye to dear friends, and I moved back to Pittsburgh and a community that wraps itself around you, family and all. My body instantly responded to this new environment and I slowly healed and gradually started riding again. I was fortunate to have a built-in cycling community that was patient and non-judgemental, they're just happy to have you no matter what speed or distance you go.
Today we rode to a park I used to go to as a Girl Scout many years ago. It was a perfect summer day, not too hot, and everything has turned lush and green. By the end I had done 60 miles and 4200ft climbing, completely unthinkable three months ago when I returned, beaten but ultimately not finished. I am so grateful to this community, you've helped me heal in many ways.
PS - my mom is taking all the credit, as she should!
