For what it's worth

[SpeierRacing]

I hear you loud and clear. I have around 125 stitches in my face/neck from Melanoma skin cancer. It's a rough go and the fact it just comes when life is good kind of sucks.

And Alan I have always wanted to tell you that I read you were at PRI the year Smokey introduced the SmokeTron. I remember clearly the people running! Then Smokey laughing. It was an amazing site for the time!

[Adger Smith]

Alan,
I know what you said comes from the heart. You and I have been frineds a long, long time. Racing and the internet tied us together.
I totally understand the feeling of dealing with illness.
I deal with it every day, but it is not cancer.
After my 1999 Crash the Dr.'s determined I have an incurable blood disease. (Genetic) No magic pills, Just a couple of treatments that take away the symptoms for a while. I could live to be 100 or I could die tonight.
I go to sleep every night and wake up every day wondering if the end is near.
It does change your outlook on life and I think I got a better handle on what is important. After my crash and death in it I came back knowing life wasn't as serious as I had been making it. Then the Blood disease hit home and wrecked my recovery.
We all have our deamons we have to live with. I chose to make my time left memorable & enjoiable for my family and friends and I'm not going to give in or let the illnes control the Joy and Happiness in my life. I hope you and all the others fighting illness can see some pleasure & meaning in the life they have remaning.
God Blees everyone and have a Outstanding 2025

[Alan Roehrich]

Fortunately, so far it seems, I'm winning this race. At least right now. I'm not letting it control me, or defeat me. I've been pretty blessed. I've mostly recovered physically from all the radiation, chemo, and surgery. The physical therapy is helping. Worst thing right now is getting some strength back, and getting my energy and endurance back, and I think we've figured something out. It's aged me at least ten years. It's taken two years out of my life, and set me back ten years. But I'm alive, and I've got the opportunity to recover and continue.


I'd like to think that maybe I'll race again one day. Maybe, maybe not. At least I am alive, I can hope and dream. So many of my friends do not have that opportunity any more, some were far younger than I. For that I am grateful. I still get to do some things I enjoy, that make me happy, and that help others. I am blessed.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by SpeierRacing

I hear you loud and clear. I have around 125 stitches in my face/neck from Melanoma skin cancer. It's a rough go and the fact it just comes when life is good kind of sucks.

And Alan I have always wanted to tell you that I read you were at PRI the year Smokey introduced the SmokeTron. I remember clearly the people running! Then Smokey laughing. It was an amazing site for the time!

I figure one thing cancer does is remind you how good you really have it in life. It's just a tough way to learn that lesson. Melanoma can be much worse than what I've fought, I hope you beat it.



It was pretty funny to see the first 2-3 rows knock their chairs over. Most people work around an air compressor, complain about the noise, and never realize that much of the noise from their engine doesn't come from the combustion process.

[Carguy49]

Alan, since your 1st post this thread has become much more than words.

Your 1st post is very thought provoking and very well stated, but now people have shared their Cancer/ health stories.

Let me share a brief highlight of my late wife's story.
It began in October of 2003. My wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at that time. We had many great times together with family and friends, and yes, we had many not so nice times during our journey. The BEST journey was in 2015 when we took 2 weeks to travel and saw some amazing sights. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands of South Dakota, Grand Coulee Dam and a very humbling memorial north of Butte, Montana. The memorial is dedicated to all the miners that lost their lives in the mines in that area. We had 14 1/2 years before my wife took her last breath on April 23, 2018.

Those years are forever engrained in my memory. Her faith in God (and mine) kept us going and made every moment we shared a blessing. We talked a lot and prayed often. So, I guess I know a little about what people endure that get that awful disease - -Cancer.

Whenever I hear of someone having Cancer, I pray for the best possible outcome for them. God Bless you and anyone who is dealing with this disease (there are so many forms) and may your journeys be as good as possible.

The treatments now available are so much better and the success rate is even more impressive now compared to even 2003 when my wife started treatments.

[Julie Jordan]

I had surgery 11/27 to remove a malignant tumor from my right lung, losing the middle lobe in the process. Recovery has sucked, upcoming scans are anxiety-filled. But, going through something like this sure puts things in perspective. We didn’t decorate for Christmas, no big deal, being with those I love mattered, not the glitter and sparkle. You find out real quick who your true friends are. This coming race season I could care less where we park, what the run schedule is, the payouts. I’m just thankful I’ll be there to enjoy it with my son. Cancer sucks. Prayers to those doing all they can to get through it.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Julie Jordan

I had surgery 11/27 to remove a malignant tumor from my right lung, losing the middle lobe in the process. Recovery has sucked, upcoming scans are anxiety-filled. But, going through something like this sure puts things in perspective. We didn?t decorate for Christmas, no big deal, being with those I love mattered, not the glitter and sparkle. You find out real quick who your true friends are. This coming race season I could care less where we park, what the run schedule is, the payouts. I?m just thankful I?ll be there to enjoy it with my son. Cancer sucks. Prayers to those doing all they can to get through it.

Yep, it does. May God bless you, and heal your body and mind.


Cancer is an emotional roller coaster for the entire family, and friends. It's not "over" when the treatments are finished, or even when the recovery period ends. Cancer stays with you in the back of your mind. I find that the trick is to show it no fear, to use the experience to make you far more aware of everything in life, and appreciate every second.

[GTX JOHN]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Yep, it does. May God bless you, and heal your body and mind.


Cancer is an emotional roller coaster for the entire family, and friends. It's not "over" when the treatments are finished, or even when the recovery period ends. Cancer stays with you in the back of your mind. I find that the trick is to show it no fear, to use the experience to make you far more aware of everything in life, and appreciate every second.

This is a very apt observation!

Every day when I get up, I thank God for the kindness of allowing me
the gift of another day of life. You learn the value of life after a dozen
Cancer surgeries including a Kidney Cancer surgery lasting 12+ hours
in which I died three times on the operating table.

God has been so very good to me!