Jul 03, 2010 12:08 PM
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(Updated Jul 03, 2010 12:59 PM)
“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”
Lance Armstrong, It’s not about the bike. It’s about his life, his struggle, his fight against cancer and coming out as a clear winner.
Lance is an energetic guy, with a good sense of humour and interesting narrative style.
His Autobiography :
He didn’t have a very smooth childhood. But he learnt from his mother, that you never quit. These words changed his whole life. He realized his potential as a cyclist at a very early stage, and with his mother’s support, scaled new heights in a short span of time. His ultimate aim was Tour De France. He was overlooking all the pains and aches, as a sacrifice or the endurance power needed for writing his success stories. He finally surrendered when his body completely revolted, he slept endlessly, felt giddy and finally threw blood in sink while coughing.
He got testicular cancer upon diagnosis, which had spread all the way through his blood to lungs and brain. The stage three, or the last stage.
To add to his miseries, there was health insurance policy lapse and withdrawal of support from some sponsors.
He fights with cancer, undergoes surgeries, goes for chemotherapies and after a few months is back on track.
Finally he meets his partner, wins Tour De France five times, which is 2200 miles race covered in 3 weeks, on very dangerous tracks. Also won a bronze medal in Olympics, and now is living a successful and content man.
The highs of this book are the way he fought with cancer and gets himself back on track. The way he narrates his vulnerability and misery at many points, and then reminding him that he is not a loser, he will not quit, is remarkable.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. This quote reflects his mind at those times. The painful chemotherapies, the bond he shared with the nurse who was all the way with him, assisted him for the chemotherapies. The lethal nature of drugs, the sensations and pain he experienced as the drugs flowed in his veins and arteries
How cancer changed him, from an aggressive brat to a matured patient individual.
The lot of professional details on cycling was a little turn off for me as I am not exactly a sports person, but at the same time, a lot of addition to my knowledge about the cycling. How risky and tough this it is, the hard work, and sacrifices involved and recognition and awards.
He started Ride for roses, a non profit foundation which provides support to cancer patients.
After reading this book, I salute him, for his never say die attitude, who fought with cancer at such advanced stage, not only that he fulfilled the dreams and aims he always had with him. Won the most prestigious Tour De France 5 times and a bronze medal at Olympics, and now living a happy and content life with his family. A satisfied man, who has achieved everything he wished for, turned his destiny upside down by his strong will.
It is a salute to life, never say die attitude.
