[Shinwacker]

Bikers4Life, Making a difference.

Well on Sunday the 19th of October a bunch of us went for a spin on our Bikes. We ended up at a presentation of a cheque for over €13,600 that was given to the Children Cancer ward in Beaumont Hospital. We did make a difference and to be quite honest I was inspired by the actions of Stormbringer, Carol and Primal, they had put a massive amount of time effort and their energies into this project. When I said it to Stormbringer on the night out after the big run his only comment was “it was you lads that did it all”. Sorry Stormbringer but your far to modest.

So how did we make a difference? I have been long term in hospital and I know what it’s like. I spent a long time in hospital with heart decease, I reckon about 60 days in total. I was afraid, well I mean terrified of my imminent decline. When your hooked up to the heart monitor and you can watch you bodies functions and you get the idea that you life could end in the next heartbeat. Couple this with the pain in your chest, a sharp pain like you just had a hot poker stuck in your chest, your fighting for breath and when you buzz the bell the staff come running at you with all sorts of needles and medical equipment it is enough to frighten the life back into you.

So what has this to do with Biker4Life? I tell you what; in the hospital on Sunday we where given a most comfortable chair to sit in. you might think that this isn’t a big deal. Well it is a huge deal. I remember waiting for the Bypass operation. I remember sitting waiting and thinking that I am putting my life in the hands of these men and women. What if something goes wrong and I don’t make through this operation? What if I’m allergic to the drugs. Who is going to mind my other deceases while I’m out. What are the family going to do if I snuff it on the table. These my friends are real fears. In my life I’ve been in some tricky situations. Being shot at while being stopped at an army check point up at home when I was a young man. This however is quite different. It’s on one to one, it you against your decease. Being comfortable before the operation or any follow on treatment is important. I know Bikers4Life money went on medical stuff, but you don’t really appreciate that stuff when you are really sick. To be honest one machine looks pretty much like another.

I was then in intensive care for four days and four long nights. This is when you get to see the effort that the nurses put into their work. Intensive care is one on one nursing. I was hooked up to all these machines, heart monitor and then there were the drips. I counted four but my wife tells me it was eight or nine drips. The drips are to administer the drugs that I needed to keep me alive.

I awoke from the operation and I had a tube in my mouth. I remember being very hot. My wife tells me ten minutes earlier they where trying to warm me up. My chest felt like it was on fire, or it was like someone had put a red hot grate from the fire on my chest. I couldn’t move my left leg. My left leg was opened from groin to ankle to “Harvest a vein to bypass the arteries” I spent four long days in intensive care, I got a chest infection, my lungs filled with fluid and this caused a major problem for the medical team. One person beside me died, well I think they did. His or her family where in praying and lots of crying. I was pretty out of it on the medication though. I remember a Priest came in and I asked him to pray with me. He gave me the Last Rites; the second time that week, the first time was before the operation.

Towards the end of my stay in intensive I really did think my number was being called. I asked my wife to “get the boys in” I just didn’t have the strength to carry on, I couldn’t fight any more. I hadn’t slept, I have Sleep Apnoea, so I sleep every night with a mask on and it blows wind down my neck to keep the airways open. Between the tiredness, the pain and the terror I felt, I was at low ebb. Rainman and my Sister in law came to see me. Poor Rainman was at first speechless. I moaned about my situation and planed my funeral with my Sister in law. This woman is a no nonsense type of person and she told me not to be so stupid. Rainman and I then talked about, guess what? Being out on our Harley’s when I got better. This cheered me up no end.

The whole time I was sick my thoughts where always of my family and then my Harley or it could have been the other way around. I dreamt of being out in the sunshine on my Harley. Always about my bike. The night before the operation I got a text from my brother Boss Hog and it said quite simply. “Dick don’t worry about tomorrow, think of the trip”. The trip was a tour of the south on our bikes we had planned before I got sick. Six weeks after I got out of hospital I was once again sitting on my beloved Harley with the wind in my face. There where times during the period of the operation that I did think I would never again be on my bike. The though of being on my bike helped to get me through this difficult time in my life. That and my families support helped me get through this time.

So with the Bikers4life I was able to help someone else sitting in fear in a hospital, this is a very real problem for people and one that isn’t really discussed very much. When your sore and I mean when every movement causes a great deal of pain, indescribable pain then a comfy chair is about the best thing you can have, besides the painkillers.
Also what struck me about the whole Bikers4Life presentation on Sunday was the staff in the hospital. They really did appreciate my efforts in raising this money. They did make it feel personal; they made me feel that my efforts weren’t wasted. I noticed the women there had what I would call a knowing smile. They knew exactly what they needed for the unit and that was going towards this and that whatever they bought would make a difference, it would help the people who are suffering and who have to face their own mortality on a daily bases.

So many, many thanks to Ray, Carol and Daryl and your family for giving me the chance to pay something back into the Medical service of Ireland. Thanks also to the Men and Woman of the Irish Biker Forum, Biker.ie who came and did what you do. It delights me that in my Pursuit of Happiness I can give a bit of help and happiness to some one who does need it.
Ray, Carol you really are an inspiration to us all. You where at the other side of what Daryl was going through. I can only imagine what it was like and it would not have been good. Daryl keep up the good fight, I know it can wear you out, good days and bad days. The good days are great, but as my old Aunt says the bad days are still days.

The idea that when you got your son back what did you guys do? Organise the Bikers4Life. Hats off to all involved, I’ll be there next year and every other year with Bikers4Life.

[Playtime]

Very moving write up Dick
speaks volumes about life surviving illness and how easy tis to take life for granted
I reiterate your sentiments about good people loike the nursing staff who at the end of the day are dedicated and make a big difference. Hats off also to Ray Carol and Darragh who went through a very tough time with Darragh and I know they are not being modest buy genuine in their appreciation of Beaumont hospital and staff for making a difference and prolonging their sons life and are only giving something back to help the staff help others and bring health and happiness to others lives.I too will support Bikers4life for life and a few other charities/causes that I have come into contact with through biking/bikers because at the end of the day its so easy to make a difference just by doing what you enjoy in life.
BTW Dick to hear about your scares but glad you came through it all and back enjoying life

[renegades]

Great piece Shinwhacker,very personal to yourself and Thanks for sharing it with ourselves,for someone who has never done an overnight in a hospital(Thank God) its very hard to even comprehend what its like,its a great credit to Ray,Carol and Darragh for their efforts in doing something so noble with Bikers4life and letting us participate in it with them,,for ourselves we have never gotten involved with any charity events and dont know why we havent up to this,having got to know Darragh through B4L and attending our rally im glad we supported the cause and will continue to support it as he,s 1 very brave individual,the stories he has shared with myself which are very personal leaves any of my own worries very much in the shade,its also good to know that theres a great bunch of people on here and on Biker ie that go outa their way to support such a good cause,and on saying that i had the chance last nite of going to see the legendry Pj Gallagher doing a gig here in Portlaoise,,Brilliant nite,the man is a nutter,and fair play to him for giving up his time last sunday for the presentation,,im still laughing me nuts off here

[Darkcloud]

Great piece Dick..really shows the traumas associated with any illnesses/hospital stays..been there meself years ago and spent a lot of time in Hospital so know exactly where you're coming from

Totally agree with a big FAIR PLAY to all involved at bikers4life..Ray Carol Darragh and all who took part .. it was a great day out. Sorry to have missed the presentation run..

Looking forward to many more bikers4life runs



@Dick...........hope you're off those bloody smokes ?

DC

[TinyTurnip]

Darkcloud, on Oct 26 2008, 12:05 PM, said:

Great piece Dick..really shows the traumas associated with any illnesses/hospital stays..been there meself years ago and spent a lot of time in Hospital so know exactly where you're coming from

Totally agree with a big FAIR PLAY to all involved at bikers4life..Ray Carol Darragh and all who took part .. it was a great day out. Sorry to have missed the presentation run..

Looking forward to many more bikers4life runs


DC

+1

[Stormbringer]

Only reading this now folks, and to be honest I am a bit embarrassed by your kind words.

We will respond later though

[queen medhbh]

Dick thank you for sharing your story with us. Working within a hospital system for the last 9 years, with many clients who are in acute illness or at the end stages of life, I can relate to what you have said. Every day I see firsthand exactly what it means for people to have even a little practical comfort as well as medical care and emotional support during their hospital stay. I for one am proud to have taken part in the Bikers4life run this year alongside so many other individuals who are prepared to give up their time, and use their love of biking to generate finances for such a worthy cause. I look forward to the next one and want to support you in your thanks and praise for Ray, Carol and Darragh. Keep up the good fight folks....

[Shinwacker]

Many apoligies to Darragh for spelling your name wrong. Both Microsoft and I are cr*p at spelling. Ha eight years in night school and I still can't spell
Dick

[Primal]

Hi Dick,

I've only seen this now as I was over in the UK for the weekend. What can I say, I'm blown away by your story and the general good will you have shown to Bikers4Life. With you permission I would like to use your post as a reference on my own Blog. http://www.bikers4life.org/blog/1

I would like to again extend our thanks to absolutely everybody who has taken part in any of the Bikers4Life events over the past 2 years. It truly is you who makes the difference.

Brilliant read Dick, thanks for posting it

[Shinwacker]

No Problems there Primal work away. Ha me spelling is just so bad.
Dick

[The Greek]

Good write up Dick and a nice tribute to Bikers4life and all who took part or contributed.

To be honest contributing to these is a real bonus for me. You get to go on a spin with a heap of other bikers and giving the money to a worthy cause makes you feel good about yourself. Win win situation

And dont forget everyone the Toy runs will be coming up in about 7 weeks.

[Tenmill]

Jaysus...!

[Darkcloud]

Tenmill, on Oct 28 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

Jaysus...!

Care to expand on that Mr Tenmill ??

[Brian De Tazzzie]

The Greek, on Oct 27 2008, 05:35 PM, said:

And dont forget everyone the Toy runs will be coming up in about 7 weeks.

Tenmill, on Oct 28 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

Jaysus...!

Darkcloud, on Oct 28 2008, 11:09 AM, said:

Care to expand on that Mr Tenmill ??

Guess the toy runs:)
and Jaysus is right !

[nutmeg]

should have replied earlier to this having meet u more than once

we as bikers are closer to reality than some others who dont drive bikes

after looking after my mother for a number of years with the help of my wife

i fully understand where u are comeing from

we have lived true the healt care system and survived
the dedication of the nurses and doctors is beond belief
under the conditions they work under

i hope they keep up the good work under the adverse conditions they have to put up with

any help i can afford has always been given to help the old vounerable or less fortunite

u are just confirming my conviction and making me stronger as a person thanks
nutmeg

[Shinwacker]

Hi All, Thanks Nutmeg. I was just trying to explain how I felt sitting in the hospital waiting for things to happen and how it feels to have a big bunch of hairy arsed bikers on your side as it were.
See ye's on the toy run
Dick

[nutmeg]

Shinwacker, on Nov 2 2008, 07:00 AM, said:

Hi All, Thanks Nutmeg. I was just trying to explain how I felt sitting in the hospital waiting for things to happen and how it feels to have a big bunch of hairy arsed bikers on your side as it were.
See ye's on the toy run
Dick

i was trying to give credit where it was due

bad attempt i suppose sure most of us are always there even when we say nothing

some of us just work quietly in the background doing what we can when we can


i was on the other side of your toughts many times sitting helplessy waiting for something to happen

just being there was all i could do slightly off your subject sorry if it came out as a rant

ill try to make the toy run as well sounds like fun im off on another run now takl later