Lance Armstrong is a stud

My friend Torre recommended that I read Lance Armstrong's first book "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life," which is the story of Lance's upbringing, his cancer diagnosis and treatment, and his first 2 wins at the Tour de France.  Torre thought it would be inspirational (and shouldn't freak me out, when I asked him).  It was a good read and showed Lance's strength and courage.  Lance also had surgery to remove 2 brain tumors, and that part did freak me out a smidge, as he describes his surgery.  But don't worry, Torre, the read was still worth it.  :)

A picture of the book on my Kindle just doesn't have the same pizzazz

There were a few quotes from the book that I wanted to share.  I know, it's a little cheesy, but life gets crazy and it helps to hear from and read about people that have gone through similar situations.

"People die.  That truth is so disheartening that at times I can't bear to articulate it.  Why should we go on, you might ask?  Why don't we all just stop and lie down where we are?  But there is another truth, too.  People live.  It's an equal and opposing truth.  People live, and in the most remarkable ways."

"To believe, when all along we humans know that nothing can cure the briefness of this life, that there is no remedy for our basic mortality, that is a form of bravery.  To continue believing in yourself, believing in the doctors, believing in the treatment, believing in whatever I chose to believe in, that was the most important thing.  I decided.  It had to be."

In reference to learning about his brain tumors: "But believe it or not, there was a certain relief in hearing the worst news yet -- because I felt like that was the end of it all.  No doctor could tell me anything more; now I knew every terrible thing in the world."  Sara's note: I felt a level of relief once I was told I had a tumor and surgery would be a "strong option."  There was no more waiting, no more wondering, and we finally knew what we were tackling and had a plan.  Granted, that relief has subsided at times, and I won't know until a week after surgery what my tumor is and if I'll need further treatment, but a big part of me is happy to know that (hopefully!!!) the worst part of this will be over.  SOON.

"There was a disquieting intimacy to the idea that something uninvited was living in my head.  When something climbs straight into your mind, that's way personal.  I decided to get personal right back, and I began to talk to [them], engaging in an inner conversation with [my tumors].  I tried to be firm in my discussions.  "You picked the wrong guy," I told [them].  "When you looked around for a body to try to live in, you made a big mistake when you chose mine.""

Inspired to kick some tumor ass with me?!  ;)