Off Topic - Cancer

[Thriller 1,231]

I know that, except for recently, I have been away from the forums. One of the more recent challenges in our lives is that my wife Suzanne was diagnosed with rectal cancer in November. She had an ileostomy (which is normally pretty routine, but she had some challenges surrounding it), followed by radiation and chemotherapy late January through March 1. Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 7) is her big surgery to remove the tumour...other areas were impacted by the tumour as well as radiation.

We've had great support from family, colleagues, and friends. I consider many of you here to be friends. If you are people of faith, prayers are welcomed and appreciated.

I don't know whether I'll get a chance to update tomorrow or not, but will as soon as I can, assuming the moderators don't kill it off.

For those who don't know us as well, she's part of the reason the Buick fleet has grown as large as it has. I got the Wildcat around the same time as I met her...she enjoyed the people in the hobby in Saskatoon, so stated that I could keep the hobby, but the next car had to be a convertible...twist my arm, why don't you. The Roadmaster is considered hers in many respects. I presented a photo of the Reatta to her at Christmas. The most recent addition was fun...when I showed her the photos, it was "damn, it's affordable", followed shortly by "it's beautiful". How could I not close the deal then? At the most recent National we attended in Danvers, she judged for the first time (usually she has stayed with our car dusting and presenting it while the children and I were off judging).

She's a real Buick trooper. She won't make the National this year in part because she will likely be on chemotherapy again after the surgery and we don't know exactly what form that will take. However, plans are for her to remain involved.

Take care and God bless!

[wildcat1562 43]

prayers for you

i am a 3x cancer survivor

and trust that God put the right people with you to help him cure your wife

God Bless

Greg

[Bill Stoneberg 874]

Prayers are with you and Suzanne. I was looking forward to having her and your daughter on my team judging again.

[jscheib 271]

My prayers also. Stay strong for, and with, the children.

John

[buick5563 839]

Good luck to Suzanne, Derek.

My thoughts will be with you today.

Mike

[Dandy Dave 436]

Us Buick Rascals are pulling for you and yours Buick Brother and Sister. No buddy better mess with this thread or us Buick Rascals will be on their tail mighty hard. You both have done so much for the BCA, Written articals for the Bugle, and support for the hobby that you have a right to post here. Let us know how things go and know that you are all loved by us. Dandy Dave!

[buick840 14]

Derek.

Please pass on our our best wishes to Suzanne from here in Australia.

Our thoughts will be with you all and keep positive.

Brian & Dianne Flynn

[Ben Bruce aka First Born 2,871]

Derek, all of you are much loved. Praying for Suzanne. Hang tough.

Ben

[NCReatta 198]

Many prayers from NC!! I pray the doctors have wisdom in the procedure, and that everything goes smoothly.

Please keep us posted!

[g-g-g0 369]

Derek:

You, your children and especially Suzanne are in our prayers. We pray that the surgery went well and that she will have a complete recovery. God Bless.

Gary

[DShip 297]

The Minuteman Chapter members pray that Suzanne's surgery went well and that she will be on the path of full recovery. Derek, we know you'll hang tough for the sake of your children...keep them close.

[Booreatta 158]

Derek thoughts and prayers are with you today while you await the outcome. Blessings to you and your whole family, may each day get better and better.

Chuck and Kathy

[JohnD1956 5,027]

Adding my thoughts and prayers for Suzanne, and all the Thrill family... Wishing for a successful operation and recovery!

[wildcat465 1]

Been praying for Suzanne for a while, you and the kids too...

[bhclark 182]

Best wishes on the surgery and hoping for a quick recovery from all of us here in Cincinnati. Suzanne deserves the very best care.

Please keep us updated.

[stealthbob 18]

Stay strong my friend...and remember, Cancer can be beaten!

Through strength, resolve and dignity we have a chance to beat this awful thing back all together as a community of friends and support.

Hope to see you soon at SB.

[rivgs 93]

Derek,

Suzanne is one tough cookie and I am sure she will pull through, My prayers are with her, the kids and you.

[4 bufords 11]

hang in there suzanne,lots of people are pulling and praying for you and the family,4 bufords from ct

[Thriller 1,231]

Thanks for all the support gang. The surgery went off well, more or less as planned. Recovery took some time to get pain under control, but she is now in a ward.

Through all of this, she has been treated very well...I think it may in part be professional courtesy.

At any rate, it is on to the next phase of recovery. Of course, major abdominal surgery means no lifting, so I'll have to do most of the work involved in getting the garden in myself....

[MrEarl 7,160]

Thanks for the update Derek, glad to hear it went well.

[Jim65Riv 15]

Derek;

Thanks for the update on Suzanne. My thoughts and prayers are with you. As an eight-year cancer survivor, I know that she can beat it. The Spring Extravaganza wasn't the same without you. All of your friends in the Gopher State Chapter missed you and are pulling for Suzanne. We hope that y'all be able to visit us soon.

[Thriller 1,231]

I'll pass through on the way to and from South Bend, at the very least Jim. Paul and Donna are planning to spend time at the regional, so we'll probably stay at Fred's. Perhaps a Famous Dave's run could be made (the first one opened outside the USA is here in Winnipeg). After that, I can't say when the next trip may be...I always want to get to the Spring Extravaganza...this year, aside from the current situation, I wasn't sure the snow was going to leave in time.

It's gone (the snow that is) now...I went and got the Reatta from the shop on Monday. I'll be bringing the pace car into the city soon.

[Gene Brink 53]

Derek,

Suzanne and the entire family will be in my prayers. My wife had an ileostomy four years ago (Crohn's disease) and while it has its ups and downs has been manageable but was a real stressor initially. Surprisingly doctors and healthcare personnel had little experience and the most help we got was from an ostomy support group and would encourage both of you to find one sooner (rather than later) if you need help. PM me if you think I can offer anything at all (my wife is more than willing to chip in as well).

God bless.

[jackofalltrades70 1,131]

Derek,

I'm praying for Suzanne, you and the rest of your family. Glad that the surgery went as planned. Please keep us posted on her recovery. God Bless. Matt

[DAVES89 742]

Good luck Thriller. I will be praying for your wife [and you] as well.

I too am a "survivor" 4 years clear on colon cancer. I was one of the "lucky" ones. I was stage 2. No illeostomy bags or chemo. Walked out of the hospital after 4 days, driving in less then two weeks. Back to work in 4 weeks.

A word of wisdom to all of you out there. Blood in your stool is not hemmoroids. Get it checked out.