Someone said to me once that, in life, you can get used to any­thing. I am not sure that I agree with that state­ment. I would rather think that you can try to get used to most things.

When my body started falling apart due to multiple myeloma, I did try to adapt, but it was a struggle. I don’t think I am used to the new cir­cum­stances, even now four years post diag­nosis, but I certainly feel that I have tried to adapt and make the best of the life I have now.

In the earlier stages of the dis­ease, I tried to concentrate on the things I still could do. At one point, this list seemed to be rather short, but in time my bones reformed after treat­ment, and the myeloma has stayed quiet since. I feel very fortunate to have had this sort of re­cov­ery.

As soon as I could, I started trying to get fit again. It was a rather slow process, but I found, rather to my amazement, that I could be­come active again. Swimming came first. At the time, I was lucky enough to be living in Singapore, so returning to the water was a lovely warm outdoor ex­peri­ence, some­thing that would never ever have been possible here in Scotland!

Swimming felt great, which cemented my resolution to return to exercise and mobility. Then I slowly started to go for proper walks again, meaning that I put on my exercise clothes and walked several times a week, build­ing up to an hour a day six days a week over a two-year period. That also felt good, and I was so delighted that I was able to return to feeling fit. It wasn’t easy, but it was real progress. Now, two years later, I usually walk for at least two hours a day, often more. Taking exercise and being fit has always been central to me since it makes me feel good. (I sus­pect I’m probably an endorphins addict!)

From time to time, I wondered if I would ever be able to do some of the other sporty things I love, such as skiing and cycling. Skiing seemed a step too far, but every so often I wondered about cycling. I thought I better just leave it, as the risk of falling seemed too great. I hadn’t got rid of my bike, though, so every time I saw it in the garage, the thought of trying returned.

In addi­tion, I often read the amazing “biking with myeloma ^[1]“ thread in the Beacon forum and I am in awe. The unbelievable feats of this group are truly fantastic and inspirational. I think I more or less had gotten used to not cycling, but the more I read, the more I wondered if I could return to the saddle.

So, this summer I decided to dust down my bike and have a go. The first thing I did was alter my bike. I removed my racing handlebars and pedal covers, plus I changed the saddle to a larger, more padded style.

I created a rather dif­fer­en­t model of bike that I thought would be easier on my body. Then I decided on the routes. We are fortunate to live beside a beautiful lake (or "loch" as we say around here) that has a cycle track all around it. This means no roads and no hills. That seemed like a good place to start!

So off I set one fine summer day. I must say that I was nervous and slightly terrified that I would fall off my bike and hurt myself. However, everything went smoothly. During the ride, I tried to concentrate on the track and not get too distracted by the scenery and the wild­life. I thoroughly enjoyed myself even though my muscles were a bit sore the next day. I definitely could not, in any way, compare myself with the people in the aforementioned "biking with myeloma" forum thread, but scooting about in the fresh air was such a treat.

Some of my biking friends have been pleased at my return to the fold, and last week I had a fantastic day cycling all the way around our loch with friends. The progress was rather sedate, and there were lots of stops for coffee, cakes (of course), and ice cream, but it once again was such a pleasant ex­peri­ence.

So, I have started my return to cycling, although I still feel much like a wobbly beginner. I am not sure what is coming next, although it certainly won't be the Tour de France or even a tour of Scotland!

Perhaps I will be able to converse with my co-riders in the “biking with myeloma” thread, and hopefully I will con­tinue to have fun cycling around in the great outdoors.