Look! I've got hair! I’ve been obsessed with researching electric bicycles. My head is swimming with data. I really want to be out cycling but when I do I often have to be rescued. On at least three occasions, I’ve had to have someone drive me home because I was too exhausted to even lift the bicycle onto the bus. But these limitations are driving me crazy. David very kindly took me to lunch today to get dragon noodles at the Red and Black Café on Division at 21st, a round trip of about eight miles. We ended up driving because there was no way I could ride that distance. It was difficult for me to be in the car because it would have been a perfect bicycle trip, one that I was easily able to do in the past. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming, and it was slightly cool, perfect bicycling weather. I hate being relegated to being carted around in a carbon emitting vehicle. The electric bicycle is definitely a way to get out of a car again and back on two wheels where I belong.
Ah, but what model? Should I get a retrofit motor for my old Trek bicycle (the cheapest alternative, only $500 to $650, depending on the model)? How about an electric folding bicycle (Ezee Quando)? Or how about retrofitting my beloved folding Bike Friday? (Nope, I love it just the way it is.) Or should I get a new light hybrid model with a 24V motor (Izip or Giant Lite) or something more substantial (and very expensive) with a 36V motor (Ezee Forte)? Or how about a bicycle that could haul anything I wanted and could replace a car (Strokemonkey electric motor with a hitchless trailer, definitely an expensive option but the most intriguing)? And should I be talking about spending any money at all since I’m now unemployed? The longer I wallow in this indecisive state, the longer I will have to be relegated to a car.
Speaking of employment, another interesting job came open at a place where I did my MSW internship. I loved working there, I would have a great time, but it’s 40 hours per week and I shouldn’t be thinking about that yet. Also, the health insurance is through Kaiser. It would mean starting over with a new health care system. So I’m trying hard not to apply for it. I definitely need to regain my strength before I can think about full time work. I probably should start with part-time work, perhaps on-call work, and not until I'm feeling better. I promised myself I wouldn't look for work until the end of the summer and summer hasn't even begun.
I continue to feel wiped out. I’m told that this is not so unusual for someone so fresh from chemo. It has been only 12 weeks since the last treatment. Jo Brody at Project Quest said it took her over a year to fully get her energy back after chemo. But I’m backsliding a bit in terms of my energy level. I felt better a couple of weeks ago. I had some blood drawn last week to rule out anemia and thyroid problems and should get the results soon. I don’t expect to find anything. It may be the hormone therapy (Arimidex) that I’m taking. Tiredness and nausea are a couple of the side effects listed on the handout that the pharmacy gave me. And, well, I feel tired a lot of the time and I get nauseated in the morning after taking it.
I’m now reconsidering surgery. Although my surgeon says I’m okay to have surgery, I think I need to find out what’s going on with this exhaustion. If it’s the Arimidex, I can try something else. Or if it’s anemia or a thyroid problem, that can be dealt with. But if it’s just that I need more recovery time from chemo, then I will have to respect that and put surgery off until I feel much better than now.
Ah, but what model? Should I get a retrofit motor for my old Trek bicycle (the cheapest alternative, only $500 to $650, depending on the model)? How about an electric folding bicycle (Ezee Quando)? Or how about retrofitting my beloved folding Bike Friday? (Nope, I love it just the way it is.) Or should I get a new light hybrid model with a 24V motor (Izip or Giant Lite) or something more substantial (and very expensive) with a 36V motor (Ezee Forte)? Or how about a bicycle that could haul anything I wanted and could replace a car (Strokemonkey electric motor with a hitchless trailer, definitely an expensive option but the most intriguing)? And should I be talking about spending any money at all since I’m now unemployed? The longer I wallow in this indecisive state, the longer I will have to be relegated to a car.
Speaking of employment, another interesting job came open at a place where I did my MSW internship. I loved working there, I would have a great time, but it’s 40 hours per week and I shouldn’t be thinking about that yet. Also, the health insurance is through Kaiser. It would mean starting over with a new health care system. So I’m trying hard not to apply for it. I definitely need to regain my strength before I can think about full time work. I probably should start with part-time work, perhaps on-call work, and not until I'm feeling better. I promised myself I wouldn't look for work until the end of the summer and summer hasn't even begun.
I continue to feel wiped out. I’m told that this is not so unusual for someone so fresh from chemo. It has been only 12 weeks since the last treatment. Jo Brody at Project Quest said it took her over a year to fully get her energy back after chemo. But I’m backsliding a bit in terms of my energy level. I felt better a couple of weeks ago. I had some blood drawn last week to rule out anemia and thyroid problems and should get the results soon. I don’t expect to find anything. It may be the hormone therapy (Arimidex) that I’m taking. Tiredness and nausea are a couple of the side effects listed on the handout that the pharmacy gave me. And, well, I feel tired a lot of the time and I get nauseated in the morning after taking it.
I’m now reconsidering surgery. Although my surgeon says I’m okay to have surgery, I think I need to find out what’s going on with this exhaustion. If it’s the Arimidex, I can try something else. Or if it’s anemia or a thyroid problem, that can be dealt with. But if it’s just that I need more recovery time from chemo, then I will have to respect that and put surgery off until I feel much better than now.
1 comment:
Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters
Elmo The Electric Bike and Electric Scooter Guy
This is an excellent blog for electric bicycles. There are not too many around like this. Thanks for making this such an interesting subject. Oh, by the way, Wired Magazine has a great article on hybrid cars this month. (Jan 2008 issue).
God Bless,
Elmo
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