…as long as I don’t get hit by a vehicle while out on the road, but I digress.
I have to say this year has been one of the most stressful years of my life, which most of you know. But for those who don’t here is the 50,000 foot explanation. March 20th of this year, the day before I started a new job doing some project management consulting work, my wife Caroline was diagnosed with breast cancer. I immediately found myself looking for ways to support her as she goes through the pain of cancer treatments, while at the same time learning the ins and outs of my new work situation. One of the things I decided to do to support Caroline was to participate in the LIVESTONG Challenge in Philly to raise money for cancer treatments & survivorship; basically because I couldn’t take Caroline’s place in her treatments and I couldn’t just stand around and watch. So I started riding my bike after work to train for the event.
Another thing that started to happen to me during this period is that I stopped taking photographs, not completely but MUCH less then I use to. Part of it was having less time but more than that I found the stress of what was going on in our lives was killing my creativity. My thoughts focused around 2 things; Caroline’s health and the normal trials of starting a new job, with one exception, when was I going to get to ride my bike next?
I started to notice that other than sleeping, cycling provided me an opportunity to escape the stress I was feeling. My normal cycling route is a 30 mile loop, which takes me about 2 hours to complete. That gave me 2 hours to clear my head, to be free of distractions of life, no radio, TV, cancer, job, everything. Just me and my thoughts (oh yea and NJ drivers but again I digress). Being alone without distractions for that long of time is something that is pretty much unheard of these days in our fast paced, electronic gadget, 30 seconds attention span filled lives. I also noticed I started to come up with ideas while out cycling, (2 hours alone leads to some interesting reflection) that is where I decided to give away my boat to help raise money for my LIVESTRONG ride. However I still wasn’t finding inspiration to photograph. So on one of my recent rides I decided I needed to carry a camera with me on the bike. Perhaps I’d find inspiration again in photographing the things I was experiencing while out on the bike. I knew I didn’t want to carry my Nikon D700 and my iPhone just didn’t give me the manual control I wanted. So I picked-up a Fujifilm X10 camera, it has the technical specs I was looking for plus it fits nicely in my cycling jersey pocket.
So that brings me to where we are today. Caroline is halfway through her chemo treatments and doing as well as can be expected and the prognosis is very good. I have learned the nuances of the job it is less stressful than it once was. I am out cycling 4-5 days a week training for my LIVESTRONG ride and trying to raise money for the cause. However now when I’m out on the bike, I always have my camera with me hoping that in the process I’ll find my muse…
Matea Michelangeli-I can’t agree more! While cycling I can think of anything a lost without interruption. I always regret not having the camera with me…haven’t tried the X10, but sounds like a good option….
Glad things are looking better for you…!!
July 16, 2012 - 6:10 pm
D. Travis North-Not a cycler myself, but I am a runner. Now. I came into running in 2008 when my brother was diagnosed with Cancer. He had already been a big supporter of LIVESTRONG at the time, and so I knew it would mean a lot to him if I took up my corner of the banner. So I started running to surprise him for the LIVESTRONG Challange in 2009. And I haven’t looked back. Thing is, I grew to like it. Alright, to be fair…I don’t like every moment. But in general, I’m living a healthier life than I was: More active and I eat better for the sake of the sport. It’s amusing to me that in 20/20 hindsight, running has set me in a better position to resist certain types of cancer. Joke’s on me, right? But mental health goes a long way too – I too think of my best ideas when running. It’s the alone time…left to my thoughts, and so on. I certainly feel that has done wonders for everything in my life. So I can relate.
Good luck for Caroline – we continue to wish her the best.
Well this past week I finally did what I’ve been talking about for the past few months, I gave away my boat, to anyone who donated $20 or more to my LIVESTRONG charity ride. It was nice to know that the winner was a family from Indian Lake, the community in which I live, so I’ll get to see it being enjoyed from time to time. I want to send a heartfelt “Thank You!” to everyone who donated. With just under 2 months until the event I am just shy of raising $5,000 for the cause.
I’m also thankful for all the well wishes Caroline & I have received over the past few months and inquiries on how she is doing. Let me take a minute to update you all. Since her diagnosis of breast cancer, she has had 2 surgeries to remove the tumor, which she has since recovered. Based on the pathology of the cancer, protocol dictates she will be undergoing 6 chemotherapy treatments followed by radiation and additional medications. Right now she has completed 2 of the 6 chemo treatments which I believe will be the worst part of it. Some days the effects of the treatment beat her up and others she feels fine. She is a trooper and never complains, just sucks it up. As for me, I do what I can to make her comfortable, train for my century ride and continue to raise awareness for LIVESTRONG programs and services that help people face the challenges of cancer, head on, and live life on their own terms. Learn more at LIVESTRONG.org/GetHelp.
Yes, you heard me correctly; I am giving away my 17’ center console, Campion boat with an Evinrude E-TEC 75 horsepower outboard motor to some lucky person who donates to my LIVESTRONG charity ride. You may ask; why am I doing this? Well I’ll tell you, First off, on March 20th of this year my wife Caroline was diagnosed with breast cancer and secondly, I rarely use the boat. Since I’d rather be cycling than boating, I don’t see me using it much in the future either. A boat that isn’t being used is just wrong. So while I was out cycling I came up with the idea of giving it away and raise money for a very good cause in the process.
So, here is how it will work. For every donation I receive on my LIVESTRONG event donation page, in increments of $20 will equal one chance to win the boat. For example, a $20 donation = 1 chance, a $60 donation = 3 chances and so on. I will assign a sequential number for each donation, as I receive them, and use a random number generator to pick the winner. All donations I receive up to noon EDT on June 15 will be eligible (including those who have already donated). When you make the donation please make sure you include your email address so I can contact you to thank you for being so generous and also to let you know if you won. On the evening of June 15 I will pick and announce the winner. The winner of the boat must be able to come to Northern NJ to pick it up (sorry I cannot deliver it), oh yes and it comes with a trailer too!
Here is a little about the boat (keep in mind, it is a used boat). It is a 17’ Campion Explorer that I paid over $16,000 for it new and it is in good condition, with only some cosmetic scratches stains on the hull. The cosmetic issues are from being docked in a lake for 2 seasons and do not detract from the performance of the boat at all. The engine has just over 35 hours of use; I can show you the Engine history Report if you’d like. I also replaced the bilge pump at the end of last season, so it is brand new. The boat has a bait-well for those who would like to use it for fishing. On the lake I’ve used it mostly for pulling my son and our friends around on a tube, which I’m also giving away to the winner (the tube, not my son & friends). What am I going to do with a tube and no boat??
So why not take a chance and help me to raise money to support LIVESTRONG‘s programs and services that help people face the challenges of cancer, head on, and live life on their own terms. Learn more at LIVESTRONG.org/GetHelp.
Maryann Mahnken -My son, Sal Bongiorno, is very involved with Livestrong and cycles in the 100 mile ride in PA. Going to pass this on to him and maybe you two can hook up for the ride. Sal grew up here and Indian Lake is the best!!
April 19, 2012 - 1:58 am
Sandee -To my former Nabisco co-worker and now Indian Lake neighbor – wishing you and your wife health and happiness!
April 20, 2012 - 10:14 pm
CJ Kern -Maryann, Your son & I have been in touch via Twitter & Sandee, welcome to the neighborhood!
May 2, 2012 - 5:18 pm
Diane Macchiarola -This is really awesome of you! Sorry to hear of your wife’s diagnosis. Bless you both in the challenges you face and may life be kinder to you. Good Luck!
Mike Criswell-Nice CJ, I hope I win, you can sell the boat and keep the $$, I like that shot of you on the thing, I didn’t know you shot weddings, I might have to pick your brain a bit when you have some time…if you don’t mind
June 13, 2012 - 9:37 pm
CJ Kern -Thanks Mike. Sure feel free to pick my brain anytime you wish…
When I answered the phone and hearing my wife’s doctor tell me that it was important that I have her contact him right away, I knew she had cancer. I quickly called her office and sent her a text when I received no answer telling her to call him; we had both been waiting for his call. What started out with what we thought was a simple cyst was now something that could change our lives forever. For about a minute my thoughts went to a very dark place however I pulled myself out of there and found myself saying out loud, “She is going to beat this!”
45 minutes later we were both sitting in her doctor’s office listening to the results of her biopsy and formulating a plan for her next steps; more test, surgery & then treatments. Knowing we are going to fight this together yet with me not being able to go through the medical process for her, even though I’d be with her the whole time, I felt that I had to do more; I had to join the fight against cancer. So, on August 18 & 19 I will be participating in the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly by running a 5K on Saturday & cycling 100 miles on Sunday. I’m doing this to raise awareness & money to support LIVESTRONG‘s programs and services that help people face the challenges of cancer, head on, and live life on their own terms.
I would be extremely grateful if you could support me in reaching my goal by making a donation of any amount on my LIVESTRONG page. However, if a financial donation is something you are not able to do I am also accepting donations of good thoughts, karma and prayers.
Next week we will be meeting with Caroline’s surgeon to discuss the results of all of her test and to schedule surgery. From there we will continue to fight this along with the other 28 million cancer survivors worldwide…
Syd Weedon-Our prayers will be with you and your wife, CJ. Medicine is doing much better with cancer these days.
Syd
April 7, 2012 - 11:13 pm
CJ Kern -Thanks Syd, we’ll take all the good karma we can get. Right now we are hopeful that we found it early. Will know more over the next few weeks and Thank You for your support.
April 19, 2012 - 8:11 pm
Brandt Steinhauser-Hi CJ. I’ve been out of the loop with my blogs and have just been catching today. I am so sorry to hear this announcement. I wish you and you’re wife good luck as you fight this disease. My prayers will be with you.
I Love the pop that the Orange Neon strings have against the guitar...
Yesterday I got to spend the day with my friends down at DR Strings photographing the 25th anniversary edition of the Ibanez S series guitar which is being released in neon and fitted with DR Strings neon strings. I love the pop that the orange neon strings have against the guitar.
It was great to see everyone and we need to get together again but next time we’ll make it a BBQ at my house.
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by CJ Kern
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Matea Michelangeli - I can’t agree more! While cycling I can think of anything a lost without interruption. I always regret not having the camera with me…haven’t tried the X10, but sounds like a good option….
Glad things are looking better for you…!!
D. Travis North - Not a cycler myself, but I am a runner. Now. I came into running in 2008 when my brother was diagnosed with Cancer. He had already been a big supporter of LIVESTRONG at the time, and so I knew it would mean a lot to him if I took up my corner of the banner. So I started running to surprise him for the LIVESTRONG Challange in 2009. And I haven’t looked back. Thing is, I grew to like it. Alright, to be fair…I don’t like every moment. But in general, I’m living a healthier life than I was: More active and I eat better for the sake of the sport. It’s amusing to me that in 20/20 hindsight, running has set me in a better position to resist certain types of cancer. Joke’s on me, right? But mental health goes a long way too – I too think of my best ideas when running. It’s the alone time…left to my thoughts, and so on. I certainly feel that has done wonders for everything in my life. So I can relate.
Good luck for Caroline – we continue to wish her the best.