ascMcLaren Enthusiasts

Sandy · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:35 pm Post subject: Please Read

Wishing you all a peacefull and wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by friends and/or family, in good spirits & good health.

I, more than many of you, can now truly appreciate good health. I am holding my own, slowly improving and feel very good, (except for the 5 days after chemo, when I am DOG SICK. Today, I am felling pretty good.

May you all be safe, and give thanks for all that we have that is good.

Sandy + Karen Block & "the cars !

Blew Mac, Grey Mac, "Towniee" , Hi Ho Silver AND "Jeepers" Rolling Eyes

_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

capri50asc · Joined: 26 Dec 2009 Posts: 290 Location: Canton Michigan

Sandy

God Bless you and your family on this special day. We will keep up the
prayers, You are one very special person!

Chris

86 'vert #0082
86 Capri RS
73 Cougar Smile

Sandy · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:18 am Post subject:

Thanks !

_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

hanksgt · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 206 Location: Phoenix

Sandy

Belated Happy Thanksgiving. All the best to you and the family. Can you believe it's been 10 years since we chatted on the phone? I can't.

Sandy · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject:

Hank, Chemo has many, many side effects. One of them is "time-lapse imparement". A week is like a month, and a month is like a week, sometimes.
INSTANT recall can sometimes spot-on and 15 minutes later it's seemingly impossible. The mind is muddy one minute and sharp the next.
It's like having a short circuit in the brain. It is why I oft mis-spell many words, on here. It is AM, and right now, I am sharp, as I slept pretty good.
I get the "Juice" every other Monday, and I wear home a "Pump" in my pocket the size of a can of soda pop. It has a thin wire that goes under my shirt with a pin-sized needle that enters my Port, surgically implanted in me, 3 years ago.
It does NOT hurt. It takes 42 hours to all go into me. On Wednesday I return to hospital, for the disconect, (takes 5 minutes). 12 hours AFTER the disconect is when I (and all of "us") get SICK, so then, it's every OTHER Wednesday that I get ill. It lasts for around 5 days. Headache, DiZzY sleepless nights, forgetfulness, and stomach aches from hell. No, I do NOT vomit - as they intervenous feed me a drug called Emends, for that.

The really bad part ? There is NO end. It's not like the flu. There is NO end.
Women with breast cancer can (and do) beat it, because they can have their breast removed. Many beat it. My cancer is in my liver. One cannot live without a liver. So, we fight on and on and on. We fight to KEEP it in my liver so that it does not spread. So far, so good. I have now been fighting for 3 years, well 3 years this coming Feb.3rd (2011.
I finally got the balls to ask my (wonderful) Doctor "How much longer......"
He answer was akin to getting hit by a cement truck.
So......
he said, "The rest of your life" He continued....You WILL die, from Cancer.
"We are here, buying time" and your body is responding positivly so far, so good.
I am no longer a "virgin". I have witnessed people die. I have seen and heard death. It is vastly different than death from old age. It's akin to being murdered sounding. It is ettched into & onto my brain.
Sometimes I am so good, I actually forget that I have this cancer. Othertimes I get very depressed. I fight it. New Jersey is the #1 state & N.Y. is #2 for cancer. It's enviorenmantal cancer. You get it from breathing!!! Lowest in Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire. High also in Pennsy., and Ohio, but not as bad a s NJ & NY.
I am learning to keep positive outlook. They say it helps.
I am blessed with a wonderfull wife, that I did not know I had, until this crap hit me. My cars keep me happy and our son keeps my a proud papa.
All I can say 4-now. Just a little insight into "my world".
Funny thing is....everyone I know cannot stop telling me how great I look. You see, chemo makes one lose their hair, but in like 3 percent, it makes hair get thicker and grow. So, at age 63 I have a thick full head of dark brown hair. Chemo also can remove skin wrinkles, which I did not have, anyway.
It causes one to lose weight, also. So, I look really good.
You cannot look and tell who has cancer. It's inside, not outside.
IF YOU ARE AGE 46 OR OLDER, GET A COLONOSCOPY EVERY 3RD YEAR. that is what Sandy did not do !!! I was afraid of invasive procedures and I felt wonderful. DO IT.
you can bet I gave thanks, this Thanksgiving. I was at death's door step and endurred 7 surgeries to arrive here & now, today as well as 78 chemo infusions, each 3 hours, or nearly 275 hours of infusions. One miserable day from a colonoscopy VS the above.
You can bet your McLaren, that I gave thanks, these past 2 days! Onword & upword we go........ to the next day. Ever hopefull Smile

_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

85blackvert · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Smithfield, RI

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Sandy. Your strength through this ordeal is very inspiring.

Last week I was accepted on to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute Marathon Challenge Team. I'm running the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2011 in memory of many family members and friends that have been afflicted by this terrible disease. You will certainly be in my thoughts while training for and running the marathon.

All the best - Sean
_________________
'85 McLaren Convertible #58
'02 Dodge Ram 5.9L

hanksgt · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 206 Location: Phoenix

Sandy

I have read all the posts as you have gone through this. I agree with you, outlook has ALOT to do with health. You have a great outlook and it has definitely helped you through this.

I worked with a local business owner a few years ago. 15 years before his mom had been diagnosed with cancer and was given 2 weeks to live. He found the HITT Institute in San Diego. She changed her life and with no chemo or operations she has been cancer free all these years. A few years after that, his uncle was diagnosed (both here in AZ). Same path, same outcome. He is alive and well. May not work for everyone, but this is a man that has been thorough it with his own family.

I heard one of the super models (Carol Alt?) beat cancer with the help of her doctor.

We're with you and everyone that is fighting for their life. Keep it up, we need you around here!

Sandy · Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject:

Yes, many persons do beat it. However, I think if you had a chance to dig deeper, there is a very good chance that none of them were "Stage 4" as was I. Stage 5 is at the morgue. My best informed guess is that the persons mentioned above were Stage 1, 2 or 3.
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

86ASCCoupe20 · Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 225 Location: New hampshire

Hope you all a great Thanksgiving. Sandy you are inspiration to us all. I only hope I can be as strong if I ever come down with something horrible.
Keep telling us how things are for you. Thank you and God bless.
_________________
Stan
1986 ASC Mclaren coupe #20 of 114.
Black with gray interior and stripes.
65,227 miles. Pop up sunroof car.
302 5 speed.

Sandy · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 10:38 pm Post subject: I will reply

I feel normal, fantastic, well, and upbeat. I have zero pain, zero discomfort and am usually upbeat. I am in no pain and all parts of my body function normally.

AND that there *IS* the reason I got to the worst, (STAGE 4) without a clue.
When I saw bright red blood spots on my poop, I WAS HARDLY ALARMED!
Wife thought perhaps hemiroids !! She was Not alarmed, at all, and neither was I.
I went to my regular doctor and he sent me to the hospital for testing. Within 2 hours I was told that :-
1.) I have cancer
2.) I have Stage 4 Colon Cancer
3.) I need immediate 3 hour surgery, to save my life.
4) I came outta surgery, okay
5.) I was told that I had "about 9 months to a year, to live.

It's now 3 years later. I still am having Chemo infusions, 2 X @ month.
The Cancer has not spread. I STILL feel terrific !!
After a Chemo treatment, I am mixed up, mentally ! My motor skills are perfect. I drive the cars, cook, whatever, but my recent recall is comprised, and I can forget things that I make an effort to remember.
This passes once the Chemo leaves my body, which is USUALLY about 5 to 6 days, AFTER I leave the hospital....SOOooooo, I am either IN the hospital -OR- HOME FEELING SICK / mixed Up for 15 days a month and perfect 15 days a month.
I do not think about the future, as I have NO control over that.

How did I get this ??? I got it because I was scared-tulips of any invasive surgery, and therefore, I refused to get a Colonoscopy in the Hospital and I was paranoid of being "put Under" Which, at age 61 I had never had done to me. Therefore, they had no way of catching it at Stage 1, 2 or 3. Only at Stage 4 does a human get signs. (and) then it cannot be cured.
So, 'ya, as long as I live, I will have Cancer. I absolutely will die, of cancer.
We are doing wonderfull, as my body is happy to accept the nasty chemo 2 X a month and that puts the Cancer "to sleep". As long as we can keep it sleeping, I am fabulous. I do not like to think avbout it, 'cause, you can imagine, it scares the crap outta me.

What good has it done for me ?

I enjoy every day, more. I make the most of each day.
I got (a little) more religious. My wife prays for me, so, I decided
I'd better pray for myself, at least along with her. Seems to be working !!
Lets see, what else?
I dunno. I think I covered it all. Not to be a blow-hard concieded yo yo
I have zero facial lines, wrinkles, a full head of all dark brown hair (mt own) and have lost weight (on the chemo-plan) and am not longer "chubby" at 212 pounds and 5 foot 10 inches. So, that is all I can say. I still love food!
Cars! and my RC Cola! and my enormous gigantic collection of car sales brochures from 1965 to present AND my even bigger Disco Record Collection!
I was a disco spinner at the clubs back in the 1980s. About 700 disco discs reside here, too.

Tonight is the FIRST night of Chanukkah (or Hanukkah) your choice, and we be Jewish, so I be gonna illuminate (by setting fire) to the candles, and possibly my finger. I & My Karen will recite the prayer (I will probably 4-get it... somwhat, and then drink some Kosher wine and then do the dishes !! Crying or Very sad

Our son, Matt, (26) is away in NYC in Law School. He goes nights & works days, to pay for it. (He is paying his own way) - we paid for College.
He is a CPA allready & wants to add a LLB to it, to become a Tax Attorney. He is straight A student.
So, a very happy Chanukkah, (to whom it applies) and a Joyous Christmas season for whom that applies, and remember to keep CHRIST in Christmas as HE is the REASON for the SEASON, as is so rightly stated.

Sholom Laughing

God Bless US ALL, AND AMERICA. Wink

mazOL tOV, off to illuminated the Hanukkah candles with my wife of 28 years!
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

capri50asc · Joined: 26 Dec 2009 Posts: 290 Location: Canton Michigan

Sandy God Bless you for passing this information to the group!

I completed my Colonoscopy when I turned 50. I was Scared!
You bet I was, but I had the guts to do it for my self wife and my children.
when it hits stage 4 , it gets tougher! I lost a good friend in the spring after just a 9 month battle. He was 55 years old. The prep is no big deal, its not.
When they wheel you in the morning for the test. They knock you out and its done in just a half hour. The drugs they give last most of the day, you will
not remember a thing for most of the day. The drug will relax you like you
have never felt! Plus I got a clean bill of health

Everybody LOOK at your family tonight and see why you need to do this.

Chris

Sandy · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:40 am Post subject:

anybody age 47 or older, and get it done every 3 yearsI am due in again
March, 2011
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

86ASCCoupe20 · Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 225 Location: New hampshire

God Bless, Sandy. You have so much to be proud of.
_________________
Stan
1986 ASC Mclaren coupe #20 of 114.
Black with gray interior and stripes.
65,227 miles. Pop up sunroof car.
302 5 speed.

Sandy · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:55 am Post subject:

IF I lived where you are, there is a VERY good chance that I would have never gotten this crap. I have 2 friends up there. "Car-People", too.
_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/

Sandy · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject:

I will be off, this morning. It's my time for a CAT SCAN, at the hospital. Does not hurt. Takes 30 minutes. Nothing touches me. It's with "contrast" -- lets Dr. "See" imside me. I get one every 90 days. I was calling it a DOG SCAN. just to be funny. Oppisite of CAT Scan.....Then, I got tired of calling it a Cat Scan or a Dog Scan....so now I just call it a Pussy Scan.
I drink this crap, 2 bottles of it, here, at home. Then I wait 2 hours, here at home & then drive the 18 minutes to the hospital and go to radiologoly and I lay down on my back on aboard that then goes backwards and into a thing that looks like the biggest front loader washing machine you've ever seen. Nothing touches me. It takes pictures. I do not even have to get undressed! Just mno metal objects in pockets (keys, pens, etc.) Sometimes the wait is long. One of those "Hurry up & WAIT" deals.
Time to go drink this crap. I picked it up, yesterday, and I can't eat ANYTHING
until I get home (around 11 AM). So I gotta go and 2 man down

_________________
Sandy passed away in 2012. He will be forever missed.

1990 Final Car prior to the 12 Silver Anny Editions
1990 Silver Pearl Anny Edition
1986 Coupe Full Pkg #109 of 114.

http://public.fotki.com/ascmclaren/ascmclaren_capris/sandys_mclarens/