Oilpressure

Once again, we have reached the time of year to reflect on what we are most thankful for. First of all, I am thankful that I have been able to maintain this site over the past fourteen and a half years. It is still something I enjoy, mostly from the comments, e-mails and texts I receive from everyone that comes here three times a week. I’ve always said that this site may not have the most readers; but those that come here are among the most knowledgeable, most civilized and most loyal IndyCar fans out there. It’s rare that readers argue, get unruly or troll this site. I am very grateful for that.

Second of all, I’m happy to have a day job that I still enjoy in my ripe old age. I came here about six months after starting this site, and I enjoy coming to work every day. Not everyone can say that. I know, because I’ve had jobs when I couldn’t say that myself.

Most of all, I’m thankful that more than three and a half years since her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer – my wife Susan is still with us. Pancreatic cancer has an 8% survival rate. She was initially told in 2020 that she had 10-12 months to live. After six months of grueling chemo in 2020, then surgery and radiation in early 2021 – Susan has been scanning cancer-free ever since. Last April, she was moved from quarterly scans to six-month scans.

When her first six-month scan was due the last week in October, she was scared to death; having gone so long without a scan. I’m happy to report that scan was clear as well.

While you never get complacent after being diagnosed with such a deadly cancer, her apparent recovery is nothing short of a miracle. In fact, her oncologist here in Nashville refers to Susan as “my miracle patient”. She is receiving no treatment, and her prognosis currently looks very bright

She has gone back to work part-time and is feeling great. She looks and feels better right now than any time since her diagnosis. She will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner, but I’ll be helping – just because that’s the kind of husband I am. After her diagnosis, I wasn’t sure she would make it to Thanksgiving 2020. To have her not only here, but now thriving is something I am obviously very grateful for. We both feel like she has been given a second chance, and we are making the most of it.

With all that being said, I will push away from my keyboard for a few days. There will be no post here on Friday Nov 24, or Monday Nov 27. I will return here on Wednesday Nov 29.

Susan and I want to wish everyone a safe and very Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan and George Phillips

This entry was posted on November 22, 2023 at 4:03 am and is filed under IndyCar. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.