Terri Dermo

Day 16

Thank you to those who asked me - why haven’t you posted about your last day?!?  Not that I had forgotten to - but I needed to digest everything that has happened and really reflect.  Everything that past riders and volunteers have told me was completely true - it takes about a month to get back to normal.  I am suffering from post SNKCR depression.  I miss my bike, I miss my riding buddies and new found friends…I miss the commrodory and the bond that we all share.  Not to say I didn’t miss everything back home…I certainly did and I am happy to be home with my kids (and my own bed LOL :)).  This is a life changing experience in so many wonderful ways and I am so blessed to have had the experience.

Our last day in Halifax was a-m-a-z-i-n-g.  We had police escorts from Lower Sackville that morning.  Halifax is a beautiful place and the ride was so great.  The terrain was rolling, the scenery beautiful…and I knew my kids and my mom were going to be at the Sears in Dartmouth so I was beyond excited to get there.  We stopped at Peggy’s Cove which was breath taking.  After a few quick pictures the fog rolled in and we had to be on our way to stay on schedule.

Mark was keeping my daughter notified via BBM as to where we were and how long it would take before we arrived.  I knew we were close and started riding faster.  I started to hear the crowds and then looked up to see Leah and Noah smiling from ear to ear.  Pretty sure I screamed at that point and couldn’t get around the store fast enough to grab them both in my arms.  Laughing, crying - every emotion possible came out at that moment.  Kim Rogers - Group Ex Division Manager was there to greet us and took some pictures of Kathryn, myself and Christine to send to MO Hagan at GoodLife.  We weren’t there too long and then had to ride to the hospital to visit some children and their families, some presentations, and then the ride to the Atlantic.  When we arrived there we walked out bikes down a path way to bag pipers.  That was enough to send me over the edge, I bawled like a baby - so happy to have completed this ride, so proud of all of our accomplishments and what this ride stood for.  Rich (our crew chief) was there to give me a big hug - a tap on my shoulder and there is Steve Groves, fellow GoodLifer….I gave Steve a big hug then confused….”you came all the way here for me???”  Steve smiled - “well I had some business down here and thought I would come down and see you in”.  WOW.  Steve was one of the first on-line pledges I received and he gave me continuous words of encouragement throughout the training months - it was SO great to see him there!

After our wheel dip, some pictures, more hugs and tears - we headed back to the RV for our last ride to the hotel.  After a great celebration dinner and some entertainment we headed back to the hotel and slept - hard.  The next day was bitter sweet.  However Mark and I have made some pretty amazing friends and we look forward to seeing these great people often.

I can’t explain the feeling you get after participating in something such as this.  I do know that I/we made a difference in the lives of children living with and beyond cancer, and we will continue to fight for this until no parent ever has to hear that their child has cancer.  I know that I have sparked something in my children that has them already thinking of what they can do to make a difference.  That is what I wanted to accomplish!

I am in awe of my friends and family - for everything they did for me, the support, the love.  Especially my parents, Terry and Sheryll Dermo, who have taught me and teach my children to give selflessly.  Giving of yourself to help others is what makes our world a better place.  Thank you Brad and Nancy for all you did to help with my fundraiser event - I could not have done it without you.

Until next time (because there will be a next time :)) xoxoxo

Terri(Lynn) 

Day 15…almost there….

We drove into Fredericton at 11:00pm last night to a parking lot filled with police cars, firefighters (with sirens blaring and lights on) and Sears employees dressed in their PJ’s – and all cheering. We were tired, but when we saw this reception we were awake quickly. It was pretty awesome. They let us know that the Sears store would be open ALL night – YEAH!!! We have never been so happy to hear this…we are used to having to pee in the bushes of a parking lot if we wake up in the night, so having a bathroom to use was a luxury! They had pizza inside the store for us, and the store manager was very proud to show us framed pictures of previous riders at that store – they were so happy to have us there and we were equally happy to be there. We went to bed pretty soon after, as we had an early start to Day 15 – Rich woke us up at 5:15am, and we went into the store to find breakfast waiting for us – prepared by the staff. How great! We did our dedication in the parking lot before we rode out at 7am. Greg did the dedication for Maddie – she was diagnosed with cancer at a young age but cancer did not stop her from being a kid and enjoying life. She loved crafts, and would spend hours in the activities room at the hospital painting and making various things, always with her IV pole attached to her. Maddie was dying – but she didn’t even realize it. She passed away and her mother, Jennifer, wrote the dedication, and wanted to thank everyone who helped Maddie through the cancer and helped her be a kid while she was here. Hearing that a child’s life was taken by cancer is so sad – but it also gives us strength on these rides, especially when it gets tough.

We rode a 193km ride today - our longest and most fullfilling.  We rocked that ride!  Beautiful day - great riding.  New Brunswick - you were awesome! 

Tomorrow we ride out of Lower Sackville and will be dipping our front wheel in the Atlantic ocean by 2pm.  What an emotional roller coaster ride this is - and my kids and mom will be there to see me in.  I will be a ball of mush but cannot wait to hold them in my arms!

Thanks to everyone for their notes of encouragement - I love you all so much and appreciate the support.

I know tomorrow we will be happy and sad - happy for the work we’ve done out here on the rode as ambassador’s for the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation - and sad because we won’t be riding together after tomorrow.  The friendships that we have developed are beyond words.  We are a big family!

Will post more tomorrow, excited, anxious, very emotional, I am experiencing it all!

Love to all,

xo Terri (Lynn)

Day 13 and 14

Day 13

Linda read the dedication today - and fitting because she know’s Jamie from the hospital - Linda is a nurse at Sick Kids.

Today’s dedication was for Jamie who at 6 years old was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour - which is cancer of the kidney.  She had her right kidney removed and went through 3 years of treatment and is now cancer free. Jamie is postiive every day and will always say she’s an “11” - always better than a 10!  Jamie is cancer free and now she plays net ball, she’s a dancer and went to dance camp at disney world in the summer and got to be part of the parade at disney world - because as Jamie says, kids should have fun!

WWee started the day with a shuttle to Truis Riviere.  It was a beautiful day - sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky.  We didn’t have our leg warmers on which was a nice change.  We had a few bumps in the road (pardon the pun) when we got redirected but we eventually got on track.  Day 13 was an exciting day because we were going to meet Louis Garneau at the store in Quebec city.  We were given a gift bag with a tshirt and water bottle and then given some time to shop in the store :D.  Then we were told that Louis Garneau was going to lead the pack on the last 15 km ride - WOW!  It was a lovely scenic 15km ride with lots of challenging hills to finish off the day.  After our ride, New York Fries provided us with a fantastic dinner and then we were off to showers and the Sears parking lot in Levi for the night.  We were sad to say goodbye to 5 relay riders but we welcomed 5 more - Drew, Brad, Len, Nicole and Todd.

Day 14

We woke up to the sound of rain on the truck bed - uh oh….we can’t really complain as we’ve had some pretty great weather.  We had breakfast in the Sears store this morning in Levi then suited up in all our rain gear.  Everyone was lending everyone gloves/pants/hats - Dan was putting shower caps on all of our helmet’s (GREAT thing to do when it is raining folks) and we were off.  We had a 144km ride planned for the day.  The first leg was 52 km.  Cherie and I rode behind the tandem for the ride and when we stopped we all looked at Cherie and started laughing - she was COVERED in mud.  The tandem kicks up alot at the back :o)  Of course everyone took pictures of us with our muddy faces and clothing, we grabbed some hot chocolate to warm up and we were off again for another 58 km to our lunch stop.  We ended up riding further than 58 km and some of us were getting a little grouchy - hungry and cold and wet = grouchy riders.  Once we got to our lunch stop and got off our bikes the shivers started.  NYF provided us with another fantastic lunch - I likely ate way too much but knew the next leg was shorter.  Linda gave some of us heat packs that were a godsend and I shoved one in my front and one in my back.  I swear that got me through the ride!  The last leg was super fast.  We averaged 31 kph which is very impressive given the conditions. 

Today’s ride was a tad miserable - but then we think about WHY we are riding.  Our worst day out here is a GREAT day for a child with cancer.  So we are uncomfortable - so we are cold - so we are hungry.  There are children out there dealing with this terrible disease and enduring the lasting effects of chemotherapy.  We have nothing to complain about.

Will try to post pictures once I find where my husband put them!

Counting the days until I see my beautiful kids - Leah and Noah and of course my awesome mom.  Thanks Mom for all you do and watching over my babies while I am gone. xoxoxox

Terri(Lynn)

Day 12

We woke up bright and early yesterday (as always :)) and headed into the Sears store for breakfast and a team meeting. 

The morning dedication was for a little girl - the name escapes me and no one in the RV seems to remember….yesterday seems like a million years ago….but she had brain cancer and is now in remission. 

We were to ride 109 km’s, and the last leg we were to pick up some ride along riders (last 22 km).  We had a sunny day to start and the temperature was to get to 22 degrees - yahooo!!!  For the first time in days I didn’t put on my leg warmers to start the day.  The weather was beautiful, scenery was beautiful, road - not so beautiful.  On the 2nd leg we came to a spot by the highway and the RV ahead of us stopped, the chase vehicle stopped, and Mark came out to say the GPS just ended there.  We didn’t know where to go from there.  A couple of the riders were relay riders from Montreal and said they knew where to go from there - so we followed and found our way eventually - but we were now an hour behind schedule.  Along our detour route, one of the our relay riders had a crash, she was looking at the lake and her arm hit one of the barriers that separates the bike path from the road, and she came crashing down.  She got a nice scrape on her elbow and knee, and fortunatley no one else crashed behind her.  She was a trooper and hopped back on her bike until we could meet up again with Linda, our medic.

  We were to meet the ride along riders at 2:30pm, we got there at 3:30pm, then had 15 mins to refuel ourselves and get going again for the last 22 km.  It was a beautiful ride along the river that was a comfortable 22 kph, many of the ride along riders were riding mountain bikes.   Our 109 km day turned into about a 130 km.  We got to the Sears store in Terrebonne where there was a warm reception and dinner waiting. 

After getting back to our sleep spot, we went to the IGA and picked up some snacks and enjoyed them in the RV’s, reflecting on the day. 

We were told at the beginning of the day that we would not be able to ride in New Brunswick as the government had passed laws not allowing cycling groups on the roads and we were going to have to detour to PEI instead.  Mike Smith was on the phone all day and by days end they gave us permission but many rules in place.  RCMP will be in full force but that is good because maybe gives us more protection out there. 

It is the morning of Day 13 as we shuttle to our start, it will be a 140 km day, ending at the Louis Garneau store in Quebec. 

As we get closer to the end, excitement is rising, momentum is rising, and I can’t wait to see my kids!!!!

let’s keep making a difference!  www.terridermo.snkcr.com to donate.

Thank you for your support!

XO Terri(Lynn)

Day 11 

Day 11 started with a dedication to Madeline.  Madeline was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006 when she was 6 years old.  She underwent several surgeries and chemo, and she is a happy, active, cancer free little girl today.  We love to hear the stories of survivors - however there are still children with cancer who do not survive. This is the reality, and this is why we ride.  I haven’t checked where we are as a group but I know we are close!

We have many new relay riders today and it has been great getting to know everyone.  We rode 160 km’s today under cloudy weather, but no rain!  The first 1/2 of our ride had some challenging climbs.  Today on one of our rest stops, a man and his 2 little boys asked us where we were riding from.  After hearing about what we were doing, he donated on the spot as he has friends who have children with cancer. 

It was great to see a fellow GoodLife’er - Shelley Taylor in Cobourg, who came with her daughter Payton, and Payton’s 2 friends, as well as their adorable puppy - Summer.  It is always nice to see people along the way that you know!  If you live close to any of the rest stops, please come on by! 

I thought alot about my kids today - missing them like crazy right now.  It is tough to be away from them - but will be so wonderful to see them in Halifax, and we need to continue our journey of awareness across Canada.  I am so blessed to be a part of this foundation - people did tell me it would change my life, and it has.  The friendships that are formed, and the bond that we all share in inexplainable.  We are a team in every sense of the word and we are working together to put an end to childhood cancer. 

Tomorrow we will shuttle first thing, and we’ll have a shorter ride tomorrow, 110km.  We’ll be in Montreal by days end.

Will hopefully be able to blog tomorrow!

Night all,

xoTerri(Lynn)

Day 10 and 11

This is a quick one, as we are just pulling into Ottawa in the evening of Day 11.  This is where we will sleep tonight.

Yesterday was a crazy day that was non-stop.  We started from Barrie and rode to Sherway Gardens.  We had several ride along riders along with more relay riders. It was great to see Linda Kay there and many other Alumni riders.   We took off at a high pace and didn’t stop til we reached Sherway Gardens.  The hills were tough!  We had 20 mins at Sherway Gardens.  I saw Laurie walking toward me and gave her a big hug - and of course cried.  Laurie said “I know” - because she has been there and done that as a 2009 rider.  So she knows the amazing experience we are having but also the emotional rollercoaster ride this is.  Thanks for the support Laurie!

We then picked up some ride along riders and had a police escort to Dundas Square where there was a big crowd and an Inside Ride.  We participated in the Inside Ride, danced in our sock feet and had a great time.  Showers and then to HTO where there was a BBQ and the CN tower was lit up in Gold for Kids Cancer month.  GREAT day.

will have to blog about Day 11 tomorrow, we are pulling into the Sears parking lot and I’m on Kathryn’s computer - and her family is here waiting for her so she needs to see them! 

Will try to catch up tomorrow.  Thanks for reading!

xo

Day 9

This morning’s dedication was to Christiana.  Christiana initially had cancer in her pelvis and tumours were removed.  The cancer returned this time to several other areas including wrapping around her aorta.  Christiana continued chemo and surgeries to remove the tumours.  She was finally in remission but the cancer returned to her pelvis.  After 10 years of Christiana battling cancer, she passed away. 

What an emotional roller coaster this is for not only the child but the family.  It breaks my heart to hear this and I can’t imagine being the parent of a child with cancer.  This reinforces to me that we must keep funding the research until a parent never ever has to bury their child. 

This morning we were up at 5:30am, as we had to get breakfast and be gone by 6am to Spanish.  From there we cycled to a little town called Espanola where we had lunch (pizza!) and a break from the cold/rain.  Our schedule was a bit incorrect, which meant we needed to shuttle so that we could make it on time to the Sears store in Sudbury where we had a group waiting for us.  We shuttled for about 30 km and then got out and rode for another 50 km.  None of want to be shuttled on the ride, however when we have scheduled stops we have to ensure we are there on time. 

When we arrived to the Sears store in Sudbury we had a cheering section that cheered us in to the parking lot!  The Sears staff were there and had tables / chairs set up and a great spread of pasta, salad, buns etc.  So great!  We enjoyed a plate of food and then shuttled to the GoodLife for showers (beautiful club) and now we are en route to Barrie.

I’m excited for tomorrow as its a ride along and there should be 60+ riders.  We will head to Toronto where we’ll head to Dundas Square where we’ll participate in an Inside Ride, dinner at the harbour front, and the CN tower will be lit up in GOLD to recognize September as Childhood Cancer month.  It will be a long day, but a rewarding day (as they all are).

I can’t explain in words what we are feeling/seeing every day, and sometimes a bit tired when I write these blogs so I hope I am making sense :)  I can’t wait to share more stories with you all when I get home.

Fundraising update - we are at 69% of our $1,000,000 goal.  We will get there!  Please continue to pass on the link to anyone you know - every single donation helps and again, 100% of ALL donations go directly to the cause.  A reminder that all riders had to raise $25,000.00 and pay a $3000.00 registration fee to cover all costs.  We are seeing the difference this fundraising makes as we travel across the country.  We speak to the doctors that tell us exactly what the money is used for and the fact that we are saving children’s lives who have cancer. 

Let’s keep making a difference.  www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com or www.terridermo.snkcr.com

Night all,

xoTerri(Lynn)

Day 8

Day 8 –

Today we ride for Sarah.  In 2006, Sarah was having severe headaches.  Her parents took her to the hospital where it was discovered she had a brain tumour that was 11 cm’s wide.  The tumour was removed, however there were many complications.  In 2010, Sarah passed away.

We were up by 5:30am this morning as we had an early start to the Terry Fox Memorial.  It was 0 degrees!! Everyone put as much clothing on as they could and took off.  We had a police escort there.  We made our way up to the water and through the trees we could see it.  It was surreal.  Everyone was quiet as we walked up, many cried.   Terry Fox was the pioneer for what we are doing - we are carrying on his legacy. 

We left from there on our 120 km trek.  It was snowing - yes, snowing.  We had snow, sleet, hail, and wind.  Everything that totally sucks riding in!  The hills were challenging but welcoming as they were heating us up. 

We stopped in Nipigon for a pasta dinner that our awesome volunteers put together and then headed to a community centre where we met Naomi, a cancer survivor, along with some kids.  We explained what we are doing, and how volunteer is so beneficial to them, and to their community.  Naomi is involved heavily in the Canadian Cancer Society, and wanted the kids to understand the power of volunteering.  It was very cool.

We then headed back into the RV and shuttled to Wawa where we are now.  We’ll be up bright and early with another shuttle and then a 140 km ride.  Hopefully the weather is not as cold…..however our worse day out here is a child with cancer’s best day.  We have to keep this in mind.

night all.

Day 7

“Team 1, Day 7, we ride for all the little souls in heaven”

We woke up this morning in Anikokan, 2 degrees outside but we all had a fantastic warm sleep.  Some wonderful people of Anikokan provided us with a wonderful breakfast.

Our dedication this morning was for Alexandra, who was born in 1993.  She was diagnosed with Femer hystocytoma in 2006.  She started chemo and had major surgeries with pins in her leg.  She is currently on the council of Children’s sick kids. 

We were then shuttled 100 kms to Kashbowie where we began our 110km ride to Thunderbay.  Rolling hills, super fast, it was a great day of riding!  We are 2 hours ahead of schedule so we took advantage of the Starbucks and are currently enjoying some warm beverages.  The day was mostly sunny but the air is a bit cool.  Beautiful day for riding. 

We’ll ride down for a presentation at 5:30pm and then no more shuttling tonight.  Lots tomorrow and the climbs will be much tougher so we will all get a good night sleep!

Mark will download pictures soon and I’ll share them, he has taken some great shots so far.

We have had random people approach us and hear about what we are doing and donating…it has been amazing.  Please donate if you haven’t - I see more than ever now how this money raised is helping these kids living with and beyond cancer.  The dollars raised for research is making a difference and we are saving children’s lives.  You don’t have to donate to me - you can do it directly through the website (www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com) or go to my blog and donate from there as well www.terridermo.snkcr.com

Thank you for your comments and support - love you all!

XOXO

Day 6

Day 6 – “Team 1 Day 6, we welcome the relay riders into the mix!”

We welcomed 4 new relay riders today.  Marty, Terry, Brian and Craig.  Terry ended up joining Team 2 as they are short riders.

Kathryn read the dedication today.  It was for Stephen, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2006.  It was an aggressive type of brain cancer.  He underwent lots chemo and surgeries, and as a result of all the treatment, the only comfort he had was when he was lying down.  The good news it, Stephen is cancer free and playing his guitar J

After a great breakfast at the Sears store, we were off.  Weather changed today – we broke our 6 day sunshine trend.  The sky was cloudy and the winds were high.  We left Winnipeg with a police escort which was amazing!  We had a tail wind and were averaging 40 kph.  There was a little rain but nothing bad at all.   We were told that at 45 km we would have a rest.  After quite some time we realized we missed our rest stop.  We decided to continue on to our lunch stop, which we reached this at 120 km.  The temperature had dropped again so we took the opportunity to put on our leg warmers and more layers to keep warm.  Roger lent me his merino wool shirt – I am in love with it and I hope he forgets he lent it to me J

We rode another 35 km to our shower stop and welcomed a warm shower, then hopped in our RV and will be riding into Anikokan within the next couple of hours.  Now the fun begins.  Rolling hills and hard climbs tomorrow.  Bring it on!  We feel very strong and work well together. 

 The picture is from yesterday - the Winnipeg police escorted us through town to the Sears store.

There may not be any blogs from me for the next couple of days - depending on reception!