For what it's worth

[Alan Roehrich]

Having cancer will give you an entirely different perspective on many things.........



If you're involved in sportsman drag racing, especially class racing, and you're NOT making life long friends, you're doing it wrong, and you're missing out. And no one wins enough to make it worth it. It's a family. I've got a few life long friends, and respect among my peers.



If you're not Warren Johnson, Bill Jenkins, Jere Stahl, or truly of their caliber, you're neither good enough, or smart enough for your advice to come with arrogance, rudeness, or the belief that you're omnipotent.


If you have to tell people how great you are, you aren't. At all. You're not even close.



You simply don't have to respond to everyone. You don't have to engage in conversations or arguments with people you have a mutual dislike and disrespect for. It's not worth it.


Never engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.


If you argue with an idiot, they might just drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience.


If you wrestle with a pig in the mud, you'll just get muddy, and sooner or later, you'll figure out, the pig likes it, it's his idea of a good time.


You cannot win an argument with a fool, or an idiot, who ignores facts, logic, data, or experience.


If you manage to convince someone they've been lied to or defrauded, they'll be more angry with you than they will with whoever deceived or defrauded them.


If you lack the control to ignore a clown who baits you, whose fault is that?


Censorship has never been a good solution. Nor has it actually won an argument.


The wise man listens, to learn. The fool hears, to argue.


If you allow a jerk to ruin a good time, or make you forsake a place you like, you've lost far more than he has.


People who make fools and arses of themselves come and go, we've had plenty of them here.


Y'all think about it.

[Carguy49]

Well put Alan. I haven't raced a competitive car in many years, and still have friends that say "Hi" whenever we see each other.

I have been a part of many drag racing ventures in my 75 years on this great earth. The friends I have made along the way are far more important than any other thing I have done. Many of these friends I have known since the early 80's and, at least one or two since the early 70's.

You mentioned Cancer, pray you are doing well. Yes, when Cancer enters your world everything changes, believe me.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

Well put Alan. I haven't raced a competitive car in many years, and still have friends that say "Hi" whenever we see each other.

I have been a part of many drag racing ventures in my 75 years on this great earth. The friends I have made along the way are far more important than any other thing I have done. Many of these friends I have known since the early 80's and, at least one or two since the early 70's.

You mentioned Cancer, pray you are doing well. Yes, when Cancer enters your world everything changes, believe me.

I appreciate the kind words.


It's been a little over a year since the last cancer was found and successfully removed. As of right now, it has not returned.The first three instances were all within a 14-16 month period, so the prognosis looks good. I've got a ways to go in physical therapy, some thing will never be as they once were. I'm still very blessed. And grateful.





As is often the case, those who needed the message, didn't get it.

[KennyAnderson]

Wiser words were never spoken Alan. I am humbled and pleased beyond belief at the friendships and fellowship our extended racing family brings to my family. May 2025 bring you continued health and prosperity!

For what it?s worth , Buffalo Springfield.
Pretty much fits..

Thanks AR.

[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.