22 replies to this topic

[davew]

We are all a bunch of middle aged (some are still punk kids) guys (with a few ladies) playing with toy cars. We take this way too seriously. This is supposed to be fun.

 

2 weeks before we left, my wife, Ann, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Fortunately for us, we found one of the best neuro-surgeons in the world is at University of Wisconsin, in Madison. Only an hour from home. While all of you were focused on the big race, I was focused on a life or death race. Yes, I watched the race on my phone from the surgery waiting room at the hospital.

 

Through out the first week of the Runoffs, I walked around with a blue event t-shirt and had all our friends at the track sign it for her "Get Well Card". And yes, it made her cry. It is now 3 days after surgery, she is following voice commands for simple tasks like wiggle your toes and has brief minutes of conscieceness. 

 

For this reason my comments on this forum will be rare and brief. Many will be from my phone and may sound rough. I just hate typing on my phone.

 

The shop is still open for business. I have a great crew including Ben, Bob and Tim. They took care of everything for the races.

 

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and prayers. All are appreciated and needed. Especially Chris Haldeman, Tom Fowler, Kyle Webb and Jim Drago. We may be fierce competitors on the track, but they are all respected friends.

 

Dave

[Ron Alan]

Godspeed to Ann Dave...thoughts and prayers are with her and your family

[Preston Pardus]

Thoughts and prayers are with her and your family Dave!

[FTodaro]

Sad to hear this Dave, My best to Ann, you, and your family. Our health is by far way more important than anything we have to say about cars.

[1.6 Montana]

Thanks for your words Dave--- we will continue to pray.

Andy

[Bench Racer]

Prayers for Ann, Dave and family.

 

David

[Tom Sager]

Very sorry to get this news but happy to hear you found a great doctor and that she's now on the mend.

 

Ann is a great lady and hopefully she's back among you and the guys as soon as possible.

[Tom Hampton]

Very sorry to hear this.  Best wishes to Ann, you and the rest of your family. 

[Mike Collins]

Send Ann our best....!!!!

[Richard Astacio]

It puts everything into perspective..life is short...enjoy it and live life to the fullest...forgive and move on...I pray for a speedy recovery and peace for your family during these tough times. 

[powerss]

I am very glad the surgery went well and Ann is showing positive progress.

Wish her the best the Powers family. I always look forward to seeing her when we trek up to Road America.

[sentercut]

Thanks for the post Dave, will be continuing to pray for yall. 

[Cnj]

I met Ann for the first time at COTA. I had ordered a set of decals for my car and picked them up from her at the track with the intent of applying them myself. I quickly realized I was clueless and went back to ask for advice. Without hesitating, she led me back to my car, sat down and applied them to my car with a smile while telling me stories - and refused any payment. Totally made me a fan for life!

My prayers are with her, Dave and family.

CNJ

[EPrill]

Dave-

You guys are in our continued thoughts for good progress. The health of our loved ones puts everything into perspective.

 

Eric

[Alberto]

Very saddened to hear about this.  Ann is awesome.

[chris haldeman]

Dave sent me an update yesterday. Ann is improving!!! Here is a cut and paste from Dave

Saturday update. Very positive. Eating soft real food. Can keep a conversation. Eyes still bad but getting better. Hope to move closer to home next week for rehab

[Craig Berry]

Dave, please let Ann know she is in our thoughts and prayers! Stay strong!!

[davew]

A big Thank You for all the well wishes, kind thoughts, prayers, texts, emails and phone calls. Ann is doing much better. We moved her from the hospital in Madison to a rehab facility in Rockford. We expect 7-10 days there and then she can come home. Radiation and/or Chemo will start in a few weeks as she gets strong enough.

 

This type of brain cancer is very rare in adults, more common in pre-pubescent kids. She may be the first patient to survive a surgical removal of the tumor. Prognosis is unknown. As she is basicly a test case. We hope for the best.

 

We all sit here and babel on about bushings or short turn radiuses. But in the end, our fiercest competitors are our closest friends. I want to give a special mention to a few people who showed their true charecter to me the last couple weeks. Big hugs to Chris Haldeman, Jim Drago, , John Doonan (Mazda), Tom Fowler and Kyle Webb. It is people like this that make SM what it is.

 

Thanks again, as we know more, I will let everyone know.

Dave

[Jim Drago]

Best wishes Dave!

Ann is a fighter, she will pull through this!

Jim

[Tom Hampton]

Thanks for taking the time to provide an update.  Not sure I'd even bother to log on. 

 

I've never met Ann, but we've spoken many times on the phone about one order or another.  She's always known me by name (again, even though we've never met), and is always cheerful and extremely accommodating. 

 

We will continue to keep Ann in our prayers, and hope that she becomes the poster child for how to survive this type of cancer.