SilverCobra is still alive and on the road to recovery

[SilverCobra]

Dear Cobra friends - woke up early Sunday morning with a pretty good mental state and somehow feeling the need to write you and share some feelings and clarify my current condition…my long-term future is still a very big mystery right now. Due to my level of cancer, it may be 60-90 days with a lot medical treatment and prayer to determine my future. My doctor support is very good and my willingness to fight this is strong – I still cherish my my friendship with you guys and be a part of TCC – all being said is totally in God’s hands. Thanks so much to John Russell for being such a friend and communicator of my status - you have really kept me cheered up.

Basically, I apparently had a growing – aggressive malignant brain tumor for a while – buy it never really affected my life. I guess it all really started when I flew to Denver on June 6th for a family wedding for my 24 yr old niece. Wonderful, relaxful family time and a great break from the hectic BoA workload. When I returned to work on Morning – my mind was just not working right – 90% of everything was ok, but little easy memory things were not there – could not remember enough to get by, Finally found the code somewhere. I figured just few wedding beers glasses were affecting the old man. The rest of the week was still a little frustrating, but ok. Next week – same deal. I really could not see having it really checked out as my wife of 30 years - Barbara had been diagnosed with needing left hip replacement surgery – my mental and memory situation was a little frustrating, but manageable and I thought improving.

On Sunday, June 26th, Barb and I went to church – visited her dad at the nursing home & ran a couple of shopping errands and got home around 4 tired and with a mild headache. I decided to take a nap and to my utter surprise – I woke up a 7 – a total shock to me and a mild headache. The next morning – felt pretty rotten with the progressing headache and called in sick and went back to sleep. Woke up around noon feeling a little better and remembered a staffing that Laura assigned to me on Friday – new it would take me 30 minutes at the office or 3 hours to explain the assignment to a couple of others – so I came on in and was able to operate until around 6:00. Even with my mild headache – the next 3 days were about 80 percent performance and mental capacity as apparently my existing/growing brain tumors were elevating pressure.

Everything feel apart on Friday – headache that morning finally got me to work about 9:30 and only able to focus on the easy stuff. Within 30 minutes, I was in the bathroom throwing up – returned to my office with temperature and cold sweats – unable to really read/comprehend my e-mails – one was on 5 words. My mind/body finally stabilized – turned off the system – told my boss that I was heading home. Probably stupid to drive the Jeep home in my condition, but I did not really know the seriousness. I immediately crashed at home – threw up again – plus two more times before bed time – no idea as to the seriousness of nest few days. Barb and I went to Medical City the next morning feeling pretty groggy and confused. After about 8 hours and necessary tests, the doctor was able to meet with Barb and my older son Matt and explain that I had a brain tumor that was causing all the issues. The heavy medicine/drugs were started to stabilize my brain tissues and prepare for surgery.

The shrinking drugs worked as best they could and surgery started on July 3rd in the late afternoon around 3. I know that several of you actually came to the hospital to pray and give support to my family and I am really appreciative for your prayers and support. By 7:30, I believe the surgery was finished and rolled to post surgery. My wife and two grown boys kissed me on the table as I was wheeled back to recovery. The tumor removal could only partial or cause other mental complications – so radiation and chemo are still part of my future.

I received some very special cards and encouragement from the club and I really wanted to thank you – you don’t know how much it meant to me. Russell has been a champ – Tom, Boudy and his little family, Matt, and others.

Other than some earl double vision in my left eye (now clear) – my post surgery physical condition was pretty amazing – watched all the 4th of July parades stuff and had good visits with my family. By Tuesday noon, it was concluded that I was ready to go home and recuperate until my radiation/chemo started in 3 weeks. Within 36 hours, extreme fever – some possible medication bad tolerance, I was back I in the hospital Wednesday night with complications and the need for more testing and drugs. Finally stabilized after another week and released again on the 19th and feeling better everyday.

The overall bad news is that my nature of my cancer is pretty aggressive and nasty and my long term recovery and success is a big unknown at this time. It may take 3-4 months of regular medical attention to really know my future. Unsure if my recovery is weeks or months or if I ever have the ability to return to the ranks of a racecar driver – my sons age getting better. They have really stepped up and the whole ordeal has been a growth for our family. I don’t know have people survived something like this without loving families. It means a great deal to me and my family – you are a very special group – caring group with knowledge that God is in control of our lives and although we do not understand the actions that affect our lives – God has a grand scheme that is wise and divine.

Once again – thanks for your care, prayers, cards and love. Thanks also to the Weavers for their kind card I received. Between John and I – we will try to keep you updated as to my status.

If I continue to progress in the short term with no complications – it is my intent to defend my car show victory at my church from last year – August 27th, - Northwest Bible Church. Free steak dinner from our church scout troop. Dinner for car owners My Unique was show winner and always looking to battle you guys for my superiority. Here is the web site if anyone is interested in challenging my car building ability – love to see some of you guys and have you view that the SilverCobra is car to beat.
http://www.nbctexas.org/men/Motor%20Show%202002.html

Love you guys and the support and prayers provided for me an my family. Could be an interestin rest of the year for the Flesher family.

[Vinny]

Hi Dick,
I am new to this group only a few days (I do not own a cobra yet) but I would like to send my best wishes for a steady recovery and back to good times with friends and family.

I believe it best to have a positive outlook with Cancer becuase I believe that being positive relaxes your body and help your body fight the disease. Also have faith in Modern medicine, they really can do wonders these days. I beleive recently (last month) there was an issue in TIME magazine stating the country best Hospitals depending on which illness you have. Have someone pick that issue up for you and your family or I can send you mine. If you feel that you might be better served at another Health care location it helps to have information on which place to go (much like finding a good mechanic).

Please keep us in touch and STAYING STRONG is a MUST!!! Don't let it beat you!!!

I am not good with words but I hope I conveyed my sentiment well enough

With Gods Speed, get better!
Sincerley
Vinny

[ERA600hp]

Great to hear fro you!! I hope that you can keep us updated when you can, there has been an extreme intrest in you health, the guys in the club have ALL been asking abou you. I know that there are several who want to come and see you, so when you feel up to some company you let us know. I'm sure that you'll be overwhelmed by the Love that or members have shown and want to show.
Dick know this everyone in the Club is praying for you, they constantly as about you, wanting to know when the can come and visit. I sure that rest is important to you so we won't bother you at this point.
As far as the Car show, I'll be more to help you defend you title,I can help the boys get it cleaned up for you, don't try to do it yourself.
Thanks for the Praise report.
Tom

[CowtownCobra]

See, all those prayers didn't go to waste!

Get well soon (and we won't quit praying).

[Boudy]

Dick: It's great to hear from you. You're in our hearts and our prayers and we're fighting the good fight with you.

I've got to go now. A little someone wants me to create her own account so she can say hello...

Boudy

[jwoodard]

what a tremendous treat to have you post on the board. We have all been praying for your recovery and quick return to the Cobra crowd. Hang in there good buddy and keep a positive attitude. The good Lord will work his wonders and look over you.

God Bless!

[kountzecobra]

Its great to see you post on the forum Dick. Still keeping you and yours in out thoughts.

[joe garland]

Dick, Great to here from you!! I think about you every day, and you are a top priority in my prayers.


"Uncle Joe"

[CSX 4039]

Keep it up, Dick.
With you being the way you are, I bet you have some great kids...

[ChipsClassic]

Dick,

I can't tell you how excited I was to see your post. We have been praying for your complete and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers continue. Can't wait to see soon.

Chip, Christie, and Mitchell

[jrussell]

Dick,
I just got back on my computer and saw this post, and my heart lifted in joy! It is really great to hear from you again here, and we all can see the good results our prayers have been a small part of. I sent you an e-mail this morning (early- about 5:00 am as is my custom), and have been playing father catch-up around the house most of the day.
Let us know when you are up to some company as there is a LARGE GROUP of people just chomping at the bit to come knock on your door.
Stay well, my friend, and keep concentrating on your needs. We will help take care of the rest.
As always, God's Speed.
John Russell

[James Baldwin]

Dick,

It was great to talk to you this morning!! Jeannie and I are thrilled you sounded so good on the phone! We are certainly looking forward to your speedy recovery!

Can you believe that there was not ONE silver Cobra at the Speedway on Friday... We are falling behind! Get well soon so you can get back out there and stick up for us Silver guys!!

Best wishes!!

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

Dick,

So glad to read your post. You are still in out thoughts and prayers. So save your energy for the battles ahead.

God bless my friend.

Gregg H

[mbishop]

Dick,
Glad to see you're back at the console atleast. Hopefully soon you will be behind the wheel. Keep us posted on your progress and we will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Mark and Sherri

[hardiman]

Hi Dick It was great to read your post on your progress. The family and I just got back from Disney World and let me tell you Mickey knows how to get into your back pocket and makes you feel good about it. We will keep praying for your recovery and keep your sprits high. If there is stength in numbers, the members of our Cobra Club will be here for you. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you and or your family. Tell Scott that I said hello!
Best wishes!
Dan Hardiman

[Ed Csoltko]

Dick; Glad to see you back on the forum. Hope you are feeling better. Kathy and I will keep you in our prayers. God bless.

[mustangmendez]

Dick
Good to see that you are on the computer and abought .
Good sprirts and lots of Prayers are the best combo .
Have fun on your good days and rest on the tuff ones .
May God Bless you .
Big T

[snakeeyes]

Dick, I've been checking the TCC section every so often looking for updates...it is such a pleasure to see you posting! Treat this obstacle like you've approached everything else--with a "can do" attitude--and you'll be celebrating many more car show wins down the line. My mom was diagnosed with a pretty advanced stage of cancer a while back. We were all pretty grim except for mom, who buckled down and kicked it's butt. She celebrated her fifth cancer-free anniversary last year.

Hang tough, and know that we're all thinking about you--

Bob

[GeorgiaSnake]

Dick,

What a pleasant surprise to see your post. Like many on this site I am thrilled with the short term progress and will keep you in my thoughts for the long term.

Randy

[Dennis Mosley]

GREAT to hear from you Dick!

You know you are on my mind and in my prayers!