end of week update

Hello Everyone,

I haven't had the opportunity to blog since Wednesday. I've been so busy talking with everyone who came out to see us. The welcome into Canada was great! Thank you everyone, you did an awesome job in Sombra and also in Chatham. People are still talking about it. I did get a chance to see many of you but if you came out and we never touched base, I do apologize. Thank you none the less for all your support and for giving it the effort of trying to touch base.

We had a late start on Thursday out of Chatham since we needed to be at the radio station at 8:15. The interview went well and we were only 2 hours behind the main group of cyclists. A special thank you to my brother Tony for having coffee with us before we left and for Bill Visser who treated us to breakfast. It was much appreciated.
Once again we had numerous stops along the way. We met Jack and Crystal Koopman and then a little while later our children, Dave and Sharon VanDuynhoven along with their son Tyler met up with us. We were in no hurry to get anywhere so we just stopped by the side of the road and visited for a while. It was really nice. When we got to London my brother Ron and his 3 children, Sharon (again) and Paul's sister Betty came to visit and we all went out to supper together. It is good to get away from camp every once in a while.

Friday morning was very humid and smoggy. I woke up feeling quite poorly and having difficulty catching my breath. The ride was really hard. I was gulping for air. I knew there was a stop in Woodstock and I wanted to get that far but it was getting more and more difficult as the minutes and kilometers added up. When I got there, I could no longer speak. It takes too much air to project your voice and I just didn't have it. I looked for the nurse immediately and told her I needed to see a doctor. We went to the nearest hospital. I spent almost 4 hours there with her. I had chest X-rays, a nebulizer treatment and have received two additional medications to take. I now have to take 2 puffs of symbicort, 2 puffs of ventolin and 2 puffs of atroven (I think thats what it is called) and prednisone every 4 hours. I feel like a walking drugstore.

Our reception at Redeemer was once again a wonderful event. We were fed well and received well. Canada is doing a great job! I actually met up with Helen Vreugdenhil and Marsha Batterink (sorry I forgot your married name). Its so good to meet all the people you know when we are usually only meeting new people on a daily basis. Supper is ready so I gotta go. I, along with all the other cyclists, like to eat.

Next week is the last week. We are excited. It is our new goal. Dipping our tires in the Ocean and finally, ultimately heading back home to our families.

Teresa.

It is tough to leave Teresa with Betsy, our on the road nurse, and not find out until the end of the ride if she is OK. I am so glad that she is OK.
At Redeemer, I saw a familiar face as well and we spoke for a bit. It was Tim Wolfert, formerly of Chatham and now working at Redeemer. He asked me to say hi to Uncle Joe and Aunt Suzie.

Paul.

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