This is not good news for Dick, or us!

jrussell · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 08:45 AM

I spoke with Barbara this morning, and learned what I had been afraid of. The cancer that could not be reached had been agressively growing since Dick's surgery. This has been the cause of Dick's short term memory loss and problems in his speech patterns. Because of this, they have started him on agressive chemotherapy in hopes of stopping the growth, but in truth, the prognosis is bad. Barbara told me this morning that the Doctor told Dick last night that he needed to make sure he has "things" in order. She also told me he desperately wants to go home, and had dressed and was calling a cab yesterday.
I will go up to see him this afternoon as soon as I can leave my office, and I urge those of you that know Dick and can go see him to please do so as soon as you can. As you must be aware if you are reading this and have read the the post by Tom, all of the support and faith we have needs to be directed to Dick Flesher and his family- NOW!!
Though things at this point do not seem to be going the way we all want them, we must remember that there is another plan at work here that we are not/cannot be aware of so we have to take what comfort we can from that.
I urge you all to do what you can, when you can, and that it appears now that time is short.
I am sorry to write this, but it needs to be done.
John Russell

PatBuckley · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 09:41 AM

I will be thinking positive thoughts - hoping for a full recovery.

Does Barbara have a strong support group in place - family etc.?

Pat Buckley

James Baldwin · #3 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 09:48 AM

Thank you for keeping us posted, John. I have tried to stay away as not to disturb him during his recovery, but I will make it a priority to see him as soon as possible. Did he actually go home or is he still in the hospital?

My cousin went through radiation treatment for brain tumors and it is the best way to combat these things, quickly. Our thoughts are with you everyday, Dick!

mrmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 10:14 AM

John,

The thoughts and prayers of all of Club Cobra is with him..................

Bill S.

stuck · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 10:17 AM

Man, I can't believe this....this happens all to often. You can bet that he is in our prayers... I wish I was up that way...

jrussell · #6 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 02:07 PM

I will answer as I can.
James, I am sorry I did not make myself clear earlier, but Dick is still in Medical City in room 706, and will most likely be there for a while, so go visit now.
Pat, the family has a good support group at their church, and both sons are in town now. Quite a few other church groups are aware of this, and both Dick amd Barbara have a large circle of friends from work and their social side to call on. Our Texas Cobra Club is really tight, and the Dallas area has shown tremendous support for our good friend as well.
Thank you for asking, and I will close now and head up to see my friend.
John Russell

snakeeyes · #7 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 02:11 PM

Dick is such a good guy. I'm praying for you, pal.

Bob

jrussell · #8 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 05:18 PM

I just left the hospital, and it appears that they are going to release Dick tomorrow, barring any further complications. I got there about 5:00pm, about 5 minutes after Matt Tice arrrives, and the room was busy. Dick's Oncologist was there explaining what the Chemotherapy they were going to start tonight was expected to do. If they can regulate the medicines so he can keep them down they "may" send him home tomorrow afternoon. It seems the insurance wants to try and limit the costs... what a surprise! I thought he looked pretty good and just the thought that he was going to be able to get out of there and finally get home had his spirits up! His family had a search mission going to try and find enough pills to get him through the next four days. John Ross came by about 6:30pm and stayed for a chat.
I do hope the can get him into more familiar surroundings, and we can all pray that the Chemo will have the desired effect.
I will update everyone tomorrow, but things are certainly on a bit of a roller coaster now.
John Russell

pgermond · #9 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 05:55 PM

I'm so sorry to read this. I was hoping that no news was good news! I'm root'in for you Dick - hang in there buddy.

Hope to be tallking to you again, soon!!!!!!!!!

kountzecobra · #10 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 06:06 PM

Our thoughts are with Dick, Barbara, and family. Y'all hang in there.

gsharapa · #11 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 07:55 PM

John,

If you can give us an update tomorrow, if he went home or not.

God Speed Dick and we all are praying for you and your family!

Chaplin · #12 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 08:32 PM

My heart breaks as I read this. I never met Dick or even talked to him for that matter, but he was always kind enough to take the time to answer my questions, even when I was just a "newbie" around here. Why does it seem that these things always seem to happen to the best people?

Dick and family, you are in my prayers and thoughts, may you have a full and speedy recovery.

David Kirkham · #13 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 08:36 PM

Dick,

We are all thinking about you. I wish you the best. Best wishes to you and the family.

David

jwoodard · #14 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 09:15 PM

right about another plan here, I just wish we all could understand what the plan is and it would be easier to accept. As it stands, we are all grieving for Dick and his family and praying for his speedy recovery. God speed Dick, we love you and want you back in the fold as soon as possible. Get well my friend!

Jim and Marge

JBAIRD · #15 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 04:42 AM

John, Thank you for keeping us informed. Dick and Barbara, you are in our prayers daily. We ask the Lord to heal Dick as this is what we would all like to see. But i'm praying that the Lord's willto be done and I don't always get what that is exactly. Drew and Michele Baird.

4RE KLR · #16 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 09:57 AM

Dick

We have not forgotten about you!

You and your family are still in our thoughts and prayers.

Steve Carrie Shelby & Chris Parks

mustangmendez · #17 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 01:52 PM

Dick
Every chance thru out the day, I pray for you .......
May God bless you and your familie we are with you in our prayers.Its real tuff to here what you are going thru .
Tony Mendez

CSX 4039 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 02:03 PM

Silver Cobra- The intensity of the emotion shown on this thread is loud testimony as to the character and integrity of your life.
We are all keeping our fingers crossed for you and your family as you travel through these rough times.
Best wishes from all of us.

jrussell · #19 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 03:46 PM

Dick is finally home. They released him today, and he got home about 3:30 this afternoon. He has been able to handle the Chemo so far, but it makes him tired and saps his strength. I spoke with Matt, their oldest son, about 4:45 this afternoon, and James Baldwin had stopped by for a short visit. Barbara was finally able to get some much-needed sleep, and things were beginning to settle down for a bit. I am planning to keep in touch tomorrow by phone, at least for a while. This is another hurdle that Dick must cross, and he truly needs all the strength he has.
Please feel free to call or e-mail them, and I will post information as I can.
Thank you all your support my friends.
John Russell

James Baldwin · #20 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 04:04 PM

I went to his "corner suite" at Medical City and it was vacant (he went home around noon). Then I called his house and spoke to Matt to ask if I could drop off a little get well care package. Once I got there, Matt said Dick wanted to say "hi" and invited me in (I felt bad, not wanting to interrupt his rest, but went in to say hi).

Dick looked really good, just a little tired though. Hopefully being at home and out of the hospital will help speed his recovery... no pushy nurses coming in every 30 minutes