What I've been at
Submitted by Primal on Wed, 10/29/2008 - 00:38.Hi Guys,
Check presentation
Quick update here for you all. So the weekend before last we did the presentation of the cheque to the good people at Beaumont Hospital. This was really cool to do as of course it is what it is all about. A massive thanks to the 43 bikers who turned up to help us out with the presentation and made it a really special day. Oh and a big thanks to PJ Gallagher for helping us out also.
With a grand total in excess of €13,600 we are delighted with the final ammount. This equates to a grand total over the two events of in excess of €25,000 which just goes to show the incredible generousity that bikers show.
There are millions of photos to see on this one. Far too many to link to individually but you will find them in the same place as always.. http://www.irishbikerforum.com
Also one particular post really caught me. It's from Dick (Shinwacker) who took part in the run in August. It's a really heartfelt post and was really appreciated.
The content of the post is below. Though you can see it in it's original for here
Orginal Post from IrishBikerForum
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 Coleman K Bynre 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 Darragh 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 Darragh was going through. I can only imagine what it was like and it would not have been good. Darragh 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.
Brighton
I was over in Brighton last weekend on business which was exciting to say the least. It marks the start of a new business venture for myself and a long time friend. I won't bore you with the details of everything that is on the way but today we finished the website for our partner design company in Brighton. They are called Bullet Media and we are quite happy with the website. Feel free to check it out.
Our own company is callled Dropp Media but more on that in due course.
Biking
I have not been out on the bike as much as I normally might be but this is generally due to waiting for my new clutch to arrive from the UK. I am very much hoping to have it some time this week so fingers crossed. Also upgrading the brakes on the bike which is a long overdue modification that I have been meaning to make.
V-Twins Rally
Last rally I attended was the V-Twins, and what a night. Fair play to all involved. Excellent organisation and great fun. Great to hook up with the usual suspects. Sorry to the renegades crew for the delay on the logo. Sent Ken through the first re-draft after my hard disk failure so everything is back on track now.
Lovely spin back to Cavan afterwards with Stormy and 325Sport.
In Closing
That's it for this evening folks. Chat to you all soon and keep it real.
Free Spirits Rally last weekend.
Submitted by Primal on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 23:19.So a quicky here folks just a quick posting about the Free Spirits MCC Rally which took place in Roscrea. Fantastic night out. I met with Ozzy & 325sport in Trim about 3.15pm on Saturday to head down to Roscrea. Had a lovely sping down with the lads with the exception of a collosal tank slapper coming into Longwood. Rear tire hit some wet tar and took to going sideways. Got full lock on the bars twice but managed to keep her upright. "New balls please!"
Anyway got there safe and sound in the end and set the tent up nice and early. Straight away we met up with some of the usual suspects and set up camp beside Blondie who was very generous with the Bulmers.
Was nice to meet up with the lads again, big hello to Joe, GixxerMul, Finchiefin, RallyMan, Lumpy, Blondie, Panther, Ken, Karol, T, Ozzy, Alan, Chris and many more of the lads that I have no doubt forgot to mention.
The lads from Renegades were present again and had brought two of their more impressive bikes with them. Check these two machines out.
In other new I had the Yamaha XT660X collected after my big off. Here is a pic of the bike as it is now. Let's just say I certainly feel lucky.
|
|
|
From Bike Stuff |
That's about it for this blog, sorry it's so short but I will update again soon.
Taking a deep breath
Submitted by Primal on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 21:35.So in a slight change of direction for my blog I have decided that I am going to update it more often and with more than just the story of my experience with Leukaemia, but of my everyday goings on and the stuff that matters to me. I will be keeping the blog more current but from time to time I will jump back into my story.
So to begin...
B4L 08'
We just had another really successful Bikers4Life for 2008. Once again I've been blown away by the amazing support we recieved from accross the board and the wonderful volunteers who made it all happen.
First off from a personal perspective I would love the thank all of the marshall's who made the day run so smoothly, and despite out little run in with the law which I know was a sour point for us all, you guys truly made it happen and everything turned out for the best in the end.
I would not normally point out any one individual but in this instance I feel it is necessary becuase just like last year a guy called Aidan (known as Aidan*34 to many) did so much to help make the Bikers4Life gig happen. This year unfortunately though after all his hard work, Aidan could not make the day himself falling ill only a day before the event. I just want it noted that none of Aidan's hard work went unnoticed. Thanks mate!
Renegades MCC / IBF Party
Just last weekend I attended a party with the fine folks on IBF and the Renegades MCC. The party was to celebrate the engagement of Renegedes member Jonny, who on top of been a stunning dancer, was an all out sound bloke for having us at his party.
The venue for the party was surreal, based on ranch with a saloon bar and the works! We all had an great night and the entertainment provided by VOODOO & EMERALD was top class as always. Other forms of entertainment included Jonny's dancing, Joe Soap's Dancing :) and Hormowen blowing the rear tyre on his Aprillia. Also top of the bill was sitting up until Silly O'Clock talkin shite with SuzukiJon and Ken. Fair play lads.
With a very sore head, I headed off for the Biker.ie Burger run but missed it by about half an hour. To be honest it was probably for the best with the state I was in. Before I knew it Monday had rolled around I was just about starting to feel human again.
More Rallies
We are quickly approaching the end of Rally season in Ireland :(
Well not to worry the are 2 coming up in the next 2 weeks.
DAL RIADA MCC
PLAN OF ATTACK RALLY
23 AUGUST 2008 (THIS WEEKEND)
YOUNGS PUB
LATTERAGH
7 MILES OUTSIDE NENAGH ON THURLES ROAD.
FREE SPIRIT MCC HILLBILLY BASH
Roscrea on Saturday the 30th of August.
Oh and I've been told about a Clondalkin rally too which would probably be worth attending.
Photos
I'm trying to round up as many photos as I can for a proper photo gallery on Bikers4Life. I may even build one that users can submit their own photos but we'll see how that goes.
Ciao for now.
That's it, over and out for today. As mentioned at the start this will be getting a lot more updates as things become more current. As usual you can catch me here, or on IrishBikerForum or on Biker.ie, or Bebo.
Over the hump
Submitted by Primal on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 14:13.Right folks, I'm back from my break from telling this story and hopefully over the coming days I will be able to bring things right up to current day and we will continue from there. First things first though, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read the blog over the past few months.
Okay so to continue from where I left off.
I had come out of surgery and been put in plaster and could not really move my legs. Next step was another one of the dreaded Bone Marrow samples. At this stage my medical team had also undergone a change as per the rotation policy of the Hospital. At first I was apprehensive about having a new team looking after me as my trust in the previous team was so high. My fears proved to me compltetely unfounded as the new team were jusst as amazing as the first.
Toughest of times
Submitted by Primal on Fri, 07/13/2007 - 17:26.Okay I have finally got it together to at least start this section of the story, I am just going to keep telling it and see where we get to, this part of the story is very long and parts of it are very fuzzy in my mind so I may need to talk to people who were around at the time for more details. I slept a whole lot of the time at this stage as my body was simply drained.
And on with the treatment
Submitted by Primal on Sat, 06/23/2007 - 17:19.So with the treatment having started I was already starting to feel the effects and it was not long before I was put into isolation to prevent me from getting infections. At the time I was quite happy about this because I was tired all the time and a private room would be quieter. I also didn't like the idea of getting an infection. Despite all the best efforts it appeared I already had a chest infection however. I was subject to a daily chest X-Ray to keep an eye on this.
A bit of a shock, but lets roll with this
Submitted by Primal on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 18:33.So now that I had been diagnosed and the got the initial shock of the fact that I had Leukemia I was more or less ready to start fighting it. I was keen to get started with the treatment and get on with things. To be honest if I knew what the next few weeks and months were going to be like I wouldn't have been so enthusiastic.
The Doctors explained to me that I was going to be treated with Chemotherapy and an relatively new drug called Atra which had a fantastic success rate in treating my type of Leukemia.
How it all started
Submitted by Primal on Wed, 06/20/2007 - 18:52.Well guys and gals I'd firstly like to introduce myself. My name is Darragh Verschoyle, I am 22 years old at the moment. I have many hobbies which I will get into with you all over time but mostly I enjoy Music, Basketball, Technology, Web Design, Motorcycles and Gaming. I am involved in the running of my family business which is Internet Café's.
