It's been a while...

BLUPORT

BLUPORT

Carpe Diem Cras
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Messages
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Location
Eastern NC
So, after selling the old Newport a few years ago, I admittedly stopped coming by the forums as often but still liked checking in to read things here and there.
Then it got even more rare that I came by, because life just got busy. Then in 2021 I started feeling pretty tough, my Doc didn't have much to say other than "take vitamins and lose a few pounds."
February 2022 came around and I could hardly make it through a day without getting nauseous and passing out mid-day to avoid throwing up, and one evening I started pissing blood. That's when the pain set in, and it occurred to me I had some pretty bad kidney stones. Called in a virtual visit to schedule the ultrasound to see how bad they were... that turned into an MRI which showed an 11cm mass on my kidney.
Stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma at 41 years old. Mind blown.
Here we are today, 5 months post-op, one less kidney and feeling better than I have in a decade!
I also found a car that fit exactly what I was looking for... Classic, V8, 2 door, and easy to find replacement parts.

At least it's still blue though, right?
I got it home last Wednesday, tags will be here tomorrow. (It even still has AC)
1978-pontiac-firebird-trans-am (4).jpg
 
Nice to hear you're feeling better and are making a solid recovery! That is a nice looking car...Congrats! How is it optioned out?
 
thrashingcows said:
Nice to hear you're feeling better and are making a solid recovery! That is a nice looking car...Congrats! How is it optioned out?
Click to expand...
W72 6.6/400ci with a Borg Warner Super T-10 4-speed manual, factory Fisher T-Tops, AC, AM Radio, WS6 Package, and of course the iconic snowflake wheels.
 
detmatt said:
Wow that’s sharp, congrats!
I have been thinking about you whenever I look at the kool octopus you made me. I too am glad you’re on the mend. Stick around here please.
Click to expand...
I sadly had to give up 3D printing as well, maybe if I can find a way to retire, I'll pick it up again.
 
Nice ride, even matches the Newports color scheme with the silver wheels! Glad you're feeling better.
 
That is one sharp looking Trans Am! Super color combination too! Glad to hear your health is good these days too!
 
BLUPORT said:
So, after selling the old Newport a few years ago, I admittedly stopped coming by the forums as often but still liked checking in to read things here and there.
Then it got even more rare that I came by, because life just got busy. Then in 2021 I started feeling pretty tough, my Doc didn't have much to say other than "take vitamins and lose a few pounds."
February 2022 came around and I could hardly make it through a day without getting nauseous and passing out mid-day to avoid throwing up, and one evening I started pissing blood. That's when the pain set in, and it occurred to me I had some pretty bad kidney stones. Called in a virtual visit to schedule the ultrasound to see how bad they were... that turned into an MRI which showed an 11cm mass on my kidney.
Stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma at 41 years old. Mind blown.
Here we are today, 5 months post-op, one less kidney and feeling better than I have in a decade!
I also found a car that fit exactly what I was looking for... Classic, V8, 2 door, and easy to find replacement parts.

At least it's still blue though, right?
I got it home last Wednesday, tags will be here tomorrow. (It even still has AC)
View attachment 550380
Click to expand...
Glad to know you survived the first doctor’s (lack of) diagnostic, got proper care in the nick of time, and are now in remission. Thank you for posting here -- not a Mopar, but I really don’t care since it makes you happy. That’s all that matters.

The car looks hot — super color combo, great looking wheels. I would love to hear/see more about it, your search, and your upcoming adventures with it. Enjoy it in good health!

@amazinblue82 @commando1
 
I try to check in when I can, and was pretty excited to be in a state of "on the mend," but that was pretty short-lived. I've spent the last 5 months in a mental and physical blender. While there has been no sign of cancer returning, something managed to nuke my liver. Not a drinker, not a smoker, and didn't do chemo, but I'm apparently an 18 on the MELD scale. Still spending more time getting tests, scans, and blood labs than I spend relaxing these days. Employer has been kinda "meh" about the whole health thing, which is adding to stress.
To add insult to injury, the consignment shop I got the car from lied to me about the T/A. Like, a LOT. Already another $4k into the car for repairs, (Dizzy, tune up parts, fuel pump, M/C, booster, calipers, lines, carb, wheel bearings, and more) and it's STILL not road-ready. The entire harness from the firewall to the headlights will have to be redone, and I don't have the time, energy, ability, or fluid funds to do it... So, under a car cover it sits.
The good news is, I've learned the exact spot where to tell nurses to start poking with a needle, and I don't leave the doc's office looking like a heroin addict anymore.
 
BLUPORT said:
I try to check in when I can, and was pretty excited to be in a state of "on the mend," but that was pretty short-lived. I've spent the last 5 months in a mental and physical blender. While there has been no sign of cancer returning, something managed to nuke my liver. Not a drinker, not a smoker, and didn't do chemo, but I'm apparently an 18 on the MELD scale. Still spending more time getting tests, scans, and blood labs than I spend relaxing these days. Employer has been kinda "meh" about the whole health thing, which is adding to stress.
To add insult to injury, the consignment shop I got the car from lied to me about the T/A. Like, a LOT. Already another $4k into the car for repairs, (Dizzy, tune up parts, fuel pump, M/C, booster, calipers, lines, carb, wheel bearings, and more) and it's STILL not road-ready. The entire harness from the firewall to the headlights will have to be redone, and I don't have the time, energy, ability, or fluid funds to do it... So, under a car cover it sits.
The good news is, I've learned the exact spot where to tell nurses to start poking with a needle, and I don't leave the doc's office looking like a heroin addict anymore.
Click to expand...
I was thinking about you the other day so I’m glad you’re checking in but sorry to hear about the continuing troubles with your health etc.. stay positive and stick around pal!
 
Random update again...

I finally was feeling around 90%, got back into 3D Printing, and finally got to get out and charge the battery on the Trans Am in May of this year so I could take it on it's first drive after dumping. Decided to pay off a huge chunk of medical debt, so I borrowed against the title on the T/A to do that.
Then I got laid off with 24 hours notice.

I spent the next 3 months unemployed, grinding away looking for any job I could do, and in August I finally got hired. I'm not making enough to cover the basics for the family, wife went back to work as well. Had to sell most everything I owned, including letting them repo the Pontiac. Swallowed my pride and started a GoFundMe just to keep my house. I'm treading water, and some weeks are breaking even, bot mostly still in the red every month. Still grinding away looking for a better job and I know I'll find it eventually.
 
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