It Is Just A Word Not A Sentence
Parramatta road in Sydney was an exciting place to hang out in the 60’s and early 70’s.
The “Big Chief” drive in restaurant was THE place to hang out and show of your car – and impress the locals.
Hooning around in “hotted up” cars, cruising the streets and generally having a great time, enjoying the pleasures of youth and partying was certainly a great lifestyle.
They were the years when the Baby Boomer generation were coming of age, and this lot was going to live forever.
Bill had an HR Holden, a local GM model, that had been originally designed to be powered by a six cylinder motor.
Bill rebuilt it from the ground up and shoehorned a Chevy 327 V8 into it. Apart from sitting slightly lower, and having mag wheels, it looked pretty much standard!
The car was featured in hot rod and custom car magazines, and had the local constabulary on full alert when it was on the road.
Barry had a car the same model, but had retained the six cylinder motor, giving it an almighty boost from the rebuild he’d done.
It literally went like the “powers”, and was very popular on the local scene too.
I remember that he’d always had trouble with the transmission, and was forever changing gearboxes or clutches.
Once when I was helping him, he picked up a gearbox and threw it from one side his parents back yard to the other.
He was built like a bear, and had the strength of one too.
I sat and talked with him today, and spent time with his wife.
She’d called me on Wednesday to say that he wanted to see me.
The shock that I got when I saw him has shaken me to the core.
His muscles have wasted, and his skin hangs off him like clothes that are a couple of sizes too big.
Barry is battling bone cancer, and it has spread to other organs as well.
Obviously, no one lives forever, but when I look at the effects of this cruel disease, and the destruction that it wreaks on individuals and their families, I can’t help but try and think of a way to help.
Barry is still fighting, using his remaining strength to stay positive, and fight the disease.
Of course, I can’t wave a magic wand, as much as I’d like too.
I’ve watched a few people fight a losing battle against cancer over the past decade.
I’ve seen some win too, which really encourages me.
It takes money to see others win the fight!
So while I can’t wave a magic wand, I can write about it, and direct people to sites where they can donate money to research.
This website is in Australia, and it’s completely understandable that you may wish to donate money to research in your own country.
My purpose here is to simply raise awareness of the problem.
After all, we have been told that cancer is a word, not a sentence.
More money for research can help make that a reality for many more people!
I like your approach Allan… cancer is a word and not a sentence… too many times, people hear that word and immediately think that it’s the end. It doesn’t have to be with all the help there is out there and then, so many people beat cancer too!
Sorry to hear that it’s someone so close to you which obviously has hit you hard, especially seeing him as you did. Why is not the question, but to be there when you can will make all the difference… to Barry and to you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ange Recchia’s last blog post..Blogger Idol Contest Now Open at Flowers
G’day Ange,
One thing that really struck me in the hospital was the demeanor of a little old lady who was suffering the same illness.
Smiling, laughing, and making every minute count, even though she was obviously in pain.
Attitude and positive thinking might not solve all our problems, but it sure beats the heck out of sitting around feeling miserable.
I appreciate your prayers and thoughts, especially for Barry.
Cheers
Your words really touched my heart.
Disease and aging are an emotionally rich and very challenging part of life.
My dad has Alzheimer’s and although it isn’t cancer watching a brilliant man’s mind wither away has been quite a journey.
My thoughts and my prayers are with you and Barry.
Thanks for the comment Susan.
It’s never easy being involved in situations like this, but if we allow it, we can become more compassionate through the process.
All the best to you and your family,
Allan