My Daughter
 

As much as I wanted to go to Immokaleee, my kids come first. My daughter is going under the knife yet again today (she's had 2 previous major operations). The procedure, although not life threatening, is rather long, and somewhat uncomfortable. This is when a parent would gladly take the place of their child :(. Please keep her in your prayers. I'll post more info as the day progresses.

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary,
We hope all goes well for your daughter. You take care also. Being there with a family face when people awaken from surgery is very good therapy for the patient.
Dick Butler

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary, been there done that also. Mine has only had one major surgery though. I will keep you and "Daddy's Little Girl" in my prayers. Hope all turns out well. Mike

Mike Galuk
JOE COOL RACING
S/GTG

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary, your daughter is in our prayers.

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Gary, you know my family and I have you and yours in our thoughts and prayers. Jim

Re: My Daughter
 

You will be in our thoughts and prayers Gary...hope all goes well and see the both of you at the track soon.

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary - I have been fortunate in avoiding any major medical difficulties with my kids. I am a single father of three, who live with me all the time, and worry constantly that some day it could happen. You and your little princess are in my prayers. Take care.

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary, our best to you and yours, good luck.

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Gary i know what its like. My son had a brain tumor removed when he was 15 months old. Good luck.
Lil Duane

Re: My Daughter
 

Hope all goes well with your daughter.

Ed

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Gary,

Hope all goes well with your daughter's surgery. Prayers with you and your daughter!

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She will be fine! Our prayer are with her, and your family.......John & Ginny Lang

Re: My Daughter
 

So far the news is good in that the OR nurse just met with my wife, informing her everything is going well and my daughter is doing great. In the meantime my wife decided it's best I go to work today. Besides my daughter didn't want me to be there while she was prepped. It shouldn't be more than a couple more hours before she hits the recovery room. I'll post an update later this evening.

For those who don't know, (I'll spare the details to honor her request and wishes) my daughter Amanda has endured several outpatient procedures since the age of 2, and 2 previous major operations, the last one being the most complex and critical. The first 2 were done at 4 and 5 years old. It was inevitable she would face further procedures when she reached her teens. Now that she's 13 reality has come to roost.

It absolutely breaks my heart to watch her go through what would traumatize a person 3 times her age. But I'm also proud of how mature she's become, dealing with each procedure keeping such a strong, positive attitude, and not letting any of this interfere with her school work and social life (you oughta hear Amanda sing...she can give Miley Cyrus a run for the money ;) ). I also must thank the Lord for my wife and her strength, knowledge, and ability to guide both our kids in a path of excellence and keeping Amanda's ordeal very transparent. I couldn't ask for a better family.

Thank you everyone for the kind words and prayers. It will mean the world to her.

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary, there is nothing so precious as life. The love a parent has for a child can not be described. As a father of 2 young ladies, both whom the sun rises and sets on. I still do not know what you are going through but it has to be very stressful. Put faith in the lord and the prayers that the community is sending to her, you and your family.

My thoughts and prayer are for Amanda today........

Re: My Daughter
 

My family and I will pray for your daughter. I too have two little ladies and hate when they have to go through anything at all much less surgery.
Marty Rinehart Jr

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary

With your dragrace family praying for your daughter, everything will be fine.


Hammer

Re: My Daughter
 

Gary, your family will be in our prayers. It's a tough nut to chew, but you would at any time. Good luck to you and your family.

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Gary;

We will keep your daughter, you and your family in our prayers. I hope all turns out well for you and your family, and God bless you all.

Re: My Daughter
 

Many prayers and thoughts for your family.

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Any procedure where you are put under is serious and I will pray for her. As a father I know what you are going through.

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Prayers also sent from the Waters family.I have a son and a daughter,along with a grandaughter and two grandsons. GOD BLESS !

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Our thoughts and prayers are with you, from all of us @ Chris3 Racing :) :)

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Just got home from the hospital. Amanda was under for almost 8 hours. Got to spend a few minutes with her while in recovery. I think daddy's heart hurt more than daughter was feeling when I saw her :( . Such a trooper. We are very fortunate to have such a great doctor. He was able to take care of a few critical issues & made some improvements. Probably a few days before she is released.

Again, I can't thank all you enough for the kind words and moral support. The drag racing community is second to none. See you all at the races soon!!!

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Thank God for a positive outcome.

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Great news, keep us posted.

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Will she have to go thou more operations ?
Hope she comes home soon !

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Most likely, but (hopefully) not before adulthood. BTW Tom, the world needs more role models like yourself. I shared your stories with my daughter which have provided some uplifting inspiration when she's down. She also keeps in mind there are others who have worse circumstances to contend with, and is thankful her condition is concealed.

My wife informed me they're working on managing her pain this morning. Once it's under control they might release her today.

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Gary, Even though we haven't met or know each other remember that in Gods eyes we're all one big family. So when one is in need of prayer we're all there, when one is happy we're all there. jIn the case with your daughter it's just another example of how strong prayer really is. Glad everything went well and know that we all are still praying for a strong recovery.

God Bless you and your family.

Re: My Daughter
 

I like what Wade Boggs said when he went into the baseball hall of fame;

"Life is about obstacles"
"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, BUT how we react to what happens"

I know she will keep her chin up and get thou this, as people she doesn't know are pulling for her.