Jul 25, 2008

Biking across country, one breath at a time

Man who suffers from chronic lung disease goes on 600-mile tour

By Christine Morente / Bay Area News Group

Bicycling across the country was on Mark Junge's "bucket list" after finding out blood clots in his lungs required him to be on a portable oxygen system.

He eventually took that item off his list when he completed a 3,500-mile ride from San Francisco to New York four years ago, with his oxygen machine strapped to his bike.

While the 65-year-old has embarked on other ambitious bike trips, Junge - who has chronic lung disease - kicked off his "Mark's Breathe Easty Tour" on Thursday.

This time, he is on a 600-mile trip that will take him from San Francisco to Tijuana, Mexico. His first stop-over was at Seton Medical Center in Daly City.

"People can be mobile and live free lives on portable oxygen machines," said Junge, of Cheyenne, Wyo. "People feel better when they get out and when they're allowed to live their lives. I can sense it. These people have a lot to add to society."

More than 12.1 million American adults have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to the American Lung Association of California.

Also, close to 24 million have impaired lung functions.

Junge said he is representing that population of individuals.

His trip to the Mexican border will allow him to test the durability of an 18-pound portable oxygen system by SeQual technologies.

Meanwhile, Junge will check his oxygen level and heart rate from an oximeter that hangs from his neck.

On Thursday morning, Junge left Seton Medical Center with his wife Ardath. She will take the car and meet him at various checkpoints along the coast.

Ardath Junge - who calls herself a worry wart - is already used to his long-distance bike rides, and is no longer nervous about him biking alone.

"You just take those chances in life to do what you want to do," the 64-year-old said. "I feel like you could get hurt staying home, can get hit at a crosswalk. Mark has always been a serious chance taker."

Biking across country was supposed to celebrate his 60th birthday.

However, after two open heart surgeries and a hip replacement doctors found dark spots on his lungs.

Junge learned they were blood clots possibly caused by the invasive surgeries, or are genetic.

The diagnosis put Junge, then 59 years old, into a depression.

"I figured my life had changed," he said. "I was always physically active."

Junge eventually adjusted to the portable oxygen machine and started exercising and using a stationary bike at his YMCA.

In 2004, he got his wish to ride across country. He took the old Lincoln Highway from San Francisco to New York. It was a 3,500 mile trip, and it took four months.

Two years later, Junge rode 1,785 miles from New York to Newfoundland and marked 2007 with a 1,200 mile trip from San Francisco to Vancouver, B.C.

Junge is a role model for patients who are going through pulmonary rehabilitation at Seton, said Chris Garvey, manager of Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation.

"They can get started and get to their highest level (of fitness)," she said. "For Mark, he's committed to being an elite athlete."

Aida Diaz, of Daly City, is going through rehab, and watched Junge prepare for his ride outside Seton.

The 71-year-old also exercises twice a week and is independent.

"It's exciting to see because he's not staying at home waiting to die," Diaz said.

Virginia Tomaneng of Daly City said she tried SeQual's portable oxygen system, and loved the freedom it gave her.

The 73-year-old said exercising with portable oxygen has made her strong.

"I've never felt so good," Tomaneng said.