Wah! Poor me...

Dangerous Doug · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:16 PM

Been through the wringer lately and am finding it difficult to muster Cobra enthusiasm. My 5-year old is undergoing chemotherapy for Leukemia

, my job just changed

, and I just dodged a lay-off

.

So, here I am after two years of gathering parts for the car I'd been dreaming up for nearly eight years, got the roller, the motor, the transmission and all the associated stuff.

I should be excited, right?

Yet, I'm so shut down and numb I can hardly feel anything right now. We've got one more round of inductive chemotherapy to go, then it's all out-patient chemo and radiation therapy. New job is okay. The stress and strain of it all has put me into some kind of survival mode.

I think I need a Cobra fix...

Working on my Cobra has always been my escape, and it still is. I just can't seem to get into enjoying it.

Yeah, I know. Wah!

I'll get through it. Just needed to ***** and moan about it a bit.

dmorse · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:29 PM

Hang in there Doug. A five year old with leukemia would certainly make anything else seem trivial. Best of luck to you and your son.

Snakebit · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:32 PM

Our prayers are with you for your 5 year old's speedy recovery. The Cobra will always be there, right now you have to focus on the family.

xracerbob · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:45 PM

Doug-

I went through the cancer ordeal with my daughter who was 3 at the time. It is very difficult to focus on much outside your family and I don't think you want to divert your attention away from the things in life that are really important. The car will forgive you if it takes an extra year to get it on the road. Hang in there- it gets better.

Our prayers are with you and your family.

RedBarchetta · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:56 PM

I'm certain you would trade/give away all of those components (and then some) just to have your kids health back. I know I would, and I will say a long prayer for your child and your family. Keep the faith!

-Dean

Dangerous Doug · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks, guys. Definitely focused on my son. I do get little bits of time here and there to work on the Cobra (usually, after he's gone to bed for the night). Just seems like plug and chug to me, can hardly get into it, and I only have little pieces of time so it's hard to get into anything of any magnitude. Other projects around the house are piling up on me. Hard to stay on top of anything.

Little guy is handling his chemotherapy quite well. He IS in remission, but we have to stay on the protocol through May 2010.

Situation does bring quite a bit of perspective to life, though, you know what I mean?

DD

xracerbob · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:49 PM

Doug-

I keep this picture handy to keep things in perspective.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:59 PM

There's nothing more important than your child. The Cobra will be there when you can justify getting into it, but it's understandable as to where your mind is at this time.
My daughter just got the good news today that her recent Lymth node biopsy was negative, and that's the best news I've ever heard. She had Thyroid cancer surgery two and a half years ago and we hoped and prayed it hadn't returned. Keep the faith.

Dangerous Doug · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:13 PM

Congratulations on the biopsy results. Really tough watching your child go through any of this stuff.

xracerbob: Couldn't see the picture for some reason. In your gallery?

DD

Murphy · #10 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:14 PM

A child is the most precious thing in life. I hope and pray that all who read your message take a moment to contemplate the needs of you and your child and say a prayer for healing. God bless.

xracerbob · #11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:17 PM

Doug-

Yes in the Gallery. Don't know why it didn't post.

Maurice Johnson · #12 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:41 PM

DD,
Have been where you are right now. I beg you to not allow negative possibility thoughts to drag you down. Celebrate his every day victory with something positive. He wants you to be happy, and your being positive WILL lift his spirits. Tell him the love of thousands on this site is flowing to him right now.

Got the Bug · #13 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:46 PM

Doug,

My thoughts go out to you and your family. Really glad to hear that your son is in remission! The Cobra will be there waiting for you when you have the enthusiasm for it. If you need help with a job that requires an extra hand, please feel free to send me an email or IM.

I'm not going over to breakfast at Baji's or Livermore this week, but I'll call you next time I go to see if you want to go for a ride over the hill.

blykins · #14 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 04:50 PM

You deserve to "wah".....a lot......

The child with leukemia would probably put me over the top. I don't see how you're handling it this well. My thoughts are with your family.

RedCSX1 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 05:13 PM

I picked up my Shelby Cobra on a monday and my Mom passed away from cancer on the following saturday. I was completely numb. Did not work on the Cobra for more than a month after that. Then started out small. Maybe spending 30-60 minutes on it a few days a week. So I understand what you are feeling. My prayers are with you and your family.

Dangerous Doug · #16 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 06:10 PM

Thanks, gents.

One thing I have been able to do is order parts. My "Armando 289 Cobra replica road race oil pan" just came today. Apparently, my German Shepherd, in full regalia (barred teeth, flared hair), charged the DSL truck when he tried to come up the driveway. Very protective dog of my wife and son---we call him, "The DogFather".

Big stack of parts waiting for me... TKO-600, Quicktime bellhousing, new oil pan... Just waiting on the side pipes and drive shaft from ERA. I hope to fire it up by the end of September. Little pieces of time. We'll see.

DD

lineslinger · #17 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 07:32 PM

Doug, Its a lousy situation but keep the chin up hombre. My family came within a whisper of loosing our son a while back and now I just got done squawking at him to turn the damn music down. Its going to get better, go play with your parts when you need to, its important.

Best Always to You and Your Family.

hey,littlecobra · #18 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 08:44 PM

hey, DD.
best to you and your son. I call these life misfortunes being part of the '____club'....
the 'cancer club'.... tough one..... 'asthma club' not so bad..... there are lots of difficult clubs in life.
what i'm getting at is a person really doesn't know much about that particular illness, 'club' until they've been there; lived it. You are in a very serious, difficult club, with your little boy recovering from leukemia.
when you unhappily find yourself all of a sudden in one of these clubs you immediately hear from so many friends and family that have been in the same or a similar situation. Amazing sometimes..... Well as i said, my best to you and your little one, and like so many others have said, just keep your chin up, positive thoughts and lots of prayers, and keep busy when you can find the little snippets of time. You do need to take care of yourself as well, and if an hour of sanity comes in the garage at 11 at night, then well ok.
take care,
kristen

Double Venom · #19 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 03:12 AM

Doug,
Haven't had the honor of meeting you, but you are not alone. Being a normal religous guy, not a fanatic by any means, I can only think that all the prayers from CC and elsewhere helped Wendy, her mom and I. Short story, massive brain tumor with cancer. Had the operation and just weeks later the Dr's advised us they had to do the operation again to try and get more of the tumor. This was about 3 years ago. Wendy, being a "runner" always wanted to compete in the Boston Marathon. Never coming close to qualifying, this year she decided to run a 1/2 marathon in Columbus. Surprising us all, the girl didn't stop at the half way mark but kept going finishing the 26.? miles and did qualify for the Boston. I will go to my grave knowing without a doubt that this Cobra family had a lot to do with her medical miracle and her personnel accomplishments.

May your son even do better! I for one am also praying for him and may God Bless.

I'm back to building Cobras after a long layoff. Trust me when I say it is all good!
Thanking our Cobra family once again, but never enough.

DV

Madmiles442 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 07:20 AM

DD,
Sounds like you're in a low place and need a little self-care. Sure you give love, time and effort to your son and family but during these times it's important to give yourself some love too. Do something that makes YOU feel good. That's not being selfish, just taking care of the needs you have while you tend to others.
Try and pick out one thing you're going to do each day for the next week that's just for YOU. And relish that time, soak it in, don't feel guilty about it.
You're a great father, a good husband and your family will be strong through this time and live to enjoy lots of days in the finished ERA!