[Jerry Spencer]

This month's issue is as good as ever, Dave Argabright does an article on a friend of a lot of people on this site, George Wilkins is Dave's focus this month. Great job to everyone involved. :respect:

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

[nonwing]

Originally Posted by Jerry Spencer This month's issue is as good as ever, Dave Argabright does an article on a friend of a lot of people on this site, George Wilkins is Dave's focus this month. Great job to everyone involved. :respect: Jerry #66j www.joshspencer.com

Jerry, thanks for bringing this up. I just want the article to make a difference and while the article was about me, if we can get 5 to 10 people out there, who might be at risk for colon cancer, to get a colonoscopy then the article is a success.

We spend so much money and time focused on our racing, that we forget, if we don't stay healthy we can't enjoy what we love to do. Colon cancer can be prevented if you catch it early, but is still the second leading cause of death when it comes to cancer. Lung cancer is number one.

Let me say this, I have been fighting this for 6 years and it has been the most painful and scary experience. I don't want anyone else to have to endure what I'm going through, so I want to help in any way I can.

If any of you have any questions about getting a colonoscopy or believe you might have symptoms, but afraid to go to the doctor, send me a PM and I'll be happy to talk with you. And I will keep that conversation just between us.

George Wilkins

[LEADERS EDGE]

I don't know Georgie, it all just seems like a hell of a route to take just to get in Sprint and Midget. I think there where probably some easier ways.

Thanks,Now you've practically guilted me to go get one when I turn 40 next June.
(What I am afraid of is I'll get hooked on 'em and have a colonoscopy habit)

All kidding aside; George Wilkins in my opinion is what the true spirit of what a "Racer" is. To me, it's an attitude that you apply to all of life and the true definition of a "Racer"(To me) is someone who just never gives up and you push through the bad days to enjoy the benefits of the good days. Tough days come and go and it is how YOU deal with them that determines the way you are going to be affected by them.

I've known George for 22 years and I have always been impressed by the way he has handles himself. He has always been a person who at once is someone who is funny,kind and giving, but also has always stood up for himself and what he believes in. No one that I know of has ever pushed him around without him pushing back. I have nothing but respect and admiration for George and I can honestly say that there have been days that when I haven't been handling something well, I have thought about George and just looked at myself and thought "You're being an idiot, get over it and move on".

I've even been thinking of making some bracelets with "WWGWD".

Take care buddy.

[Jerry Spencer]

George I thought if I pointed them to the article you could take it from there. I had some problems at forty and lucky for me it was caught in time, reading your story reminded me that I have put the follow ups on the back burner for one reason or another. I know there is nothing to the exam and will get in to get my checkup done. You are an inspiration to a lot of people. :respect: You know if you need anything all you have to do is let us know.

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

[IndyBound]

George, Dwight Clock told me you were fighting a tough battle two years ago and although we have never met, you have remained in my prayers ever since. The topic of cancer came up while Dwight and I were talking about our families, that is when he told me there were several IOW members also battling cancer.

My Dad's cancer orginally was in his throat, then four years later he had cancer of the colon, bladder, and postrate. The following summer he was given a clean bill of health for the throat cancer, that was in July; in November they were removing his voice box the cancer had returned and a year later he lost his battle with cancer.

I appluad you for getting the message out that a colonoscopy can save lives. Actually, I scheduled an appointment for one yesterday. For those of you dreading this procedure, you normally only have to have one every 5-10 years with a clean bill of health. For me this will be my third one since my Dad died in 1999, I am on what seems to be an every three year schedule.

George, my thoughts and prayers are with you and I join you in stressing the importance of not only a colonoscopy but also a yearly physical.

Patti

[nonwing]

Originally Posted by IndyBound George, Dwight Clock told me you were fighting a tough battle two years ago and although we have never met, you have remained in my prayers ever since. The topic of cancer came up while Dwight and I were talking about our families, that is when he told me there were several IOW members also battling cancer. My Dad's cancer orginally was in his throat, then four years later he had cancer of the colon, bladder, and postrate. The following summer he was given a clean bill of health for the throat cancer, that was in July; in November they were removing his voice box the cancer had returned and a year later he lost his battle with cancer. I appluad you for getting the message out that a colonoscopy can save lives. Actually, I scheduled an appointment for one yesterday. For those of you dreading this procedure, you normally only have to have one every 5-10 years with a clean bill of health. For me this will be my third one since my Dad died in 1999, I am on what seems to be an every three year schedule. George, my thoughts and prayers are with you and I join you in stressing the importance of not only a colonoscopy but also a yearly physical. Patti

Patti,

I'm so happy you are continuing your due dilgence in getting a colonoscopy every three years. As you know, the procedure is actually painless. The cleaning out your system the night before has always been the worst part for me. But, I do know many people who think even that part of the process is not all that bad either.

Granted people don't like to talk about colonoscopies and even the thought of getting one the first time is uncomfortable, but it's really not that bad.

I will mention that even though the medical and insurance profession say that you should get checked when you reach 50 years of age, this is becoming a bad way of deciding when to have one. When I was at the Mayo Clinic in 2006 they told me that they have seen more and more young people getting this disease in the colon. So, if you have family history or symptoms, get checked out. I sure wish I had. In fact, every time I did research on my symptoms, I saw that 50 year old marker, so I blew it off because I was only 40.

I wish I could put into words the amount of pain and stress that I have gone through so that more people would get checked. Not to mention the stress my family has gone through. I'm going to attempt a 5th surgery that might work, but the odds are very much against me. But if I don't endure another one, then I would have always wondered, what if.

And as for you Scott Baue... You and your family has always been very good to me over the years. Your Dad kept my engines going, your brother donated many hours in building my sprint pavement car and your Mom Pat is just the best. I wish you and Leaders Edge all the best. You guys always treated me right and that goes a long way when selling and building parts for racers. So what goes around comes around my friend. I've always tried to treat people right and pay my bills. And, when I didn't have the cash I stayed home.

George Wilkins

[Pat O'Connor Fan]

I've known George a long time. It has been one of at-the-track deals, where we always spoke, sometimes stopped to rattle off a racing story or two, and so on. I think Alan Brown introduced us, maybe at a midget race at the Speedrome. Funny that I think I recall that but yet I have trouble remembering why I left the computer and wandered into the kitchen sometimes...........
I've met some truly nice folks (and maybe even a real jerk or two) in the 50+ years I've been going to races. George ranks right up there in the good guys!

[IndyBound]

George, my prayers are with you and your family for your upcoming surgery.

Like you, I consider a colonoscopy painless; I also consider it the best tool the medical profession has at this time to test for colon cancer. Thank you again for spreading the word.

God Bless You!

Patti

[Flatrightrear]

George,
I continue to pray for you in fighting the disease. You are a very brave man.
All you folks out there that are leary of getting a colonoscopy-----DON'T BE!! The nurse shoots you some juice before you go in and the next thing you know you are talking to the doctor afterwards while still having a very nice buzz. My wife said I was trying to talk all the nurses into going to a Robin Trower concert with me. Sure, you mix some powder into some Powerade or similiar beverage and have to drink what seems like 10 gallons of it the night before but just pretend it is free beer and you'll get it down, no problem. Thinking about getting an exam is 100 times worse than getting the actual exam as it is painless and you really do feel quite giddy for a few hours after. Plus, you get the results right after the exam so you aren't wondering about anything for the usual week or two. Hey, just do it. You'll be glad you did.
"Dr. Tom"

[nonwing]

Thanks "Dr. Tom" for letting everyone know about your experience. The more people out who can explain their experience, would help see that it is a valuable procedure that is very easy to get done.

BTW, the article in Sprint and Midget never mentioned a person who, without his help, I would have never been able to race and that is my "Big Brother" Blake Hollingsworth. He spent the winter in 1985 building a midget from a chalk line he drew on the floor in his little garage. That year, I worked with him on his car almost every night and got a free meal from his wife Ann, who makes the best fired potatoes! We then spent every Thursday night at the Speedrome, where he won a few features in his own creation. I've known Blake since I was 4 years old and I consider his family an extension of mine. He has always been there for me, no matter the need. He kept my cars going when I tore them up and one year he built a midget for me that was fast right out of the shop. I'm embarrassed that his name was not mentioned, when it definitely should have. This BTW was not Dave Argabright's fault, buy mine, for not mentioning it during my interview with Dave.

My apologies to Blake and his family.

George Wilkins