So I have a brain tumor.....

Hi all, So it looks like I have a brain tumor and I'm going to need surgery sooner then later. In the mean time, they (rightfully) have suspended my driving. The soonest I will be back behind the wheel will be 4/10/11. My question to you is: what do I need to do to make sure my C4 is correctly/safely stored for 5+ months? The good news is my wife drives stick so she might (realistically) drive it once or twice, but that's it. Thanks for the help. And keep your fingers crossed that I come-out of this better. Bonus: a couple grams of weight reduction!! John

Wow John - good luck with the surgery.

Dang, no advice on either subject, but good luck.

Sorry to hear that. Good luck with the surgery.

Very sorry to hear this, good luck with the surgery. The best thing to do would be to have her drive the car occasionally if that's an option.

John, there's at least one winter storage thread going on right now--I'd follow along with that as best as you can. The good news is that nothing drastic needs to be done to these cars to store them for 5-6 months. Let us know if you have any specific questions. Oh, and get better soon!

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

Good luck Bro. I used to let my LT1 Corvette sit for months on end with no problems. Put a trickle charge on the battery. Every couple of weeks start her up and let her warm up real good. A few miles around the neighborhood should do it. I never had any problems. car sat like that for many years. Best luck with your medical issue

Good luck with your surgery. I hope it all goes well for you.

Here's hoping for a successful recovery. If your wife is not comfortable driving your car get a friend to swing by every couple weeks and take the Porsche out for a spin.

Best luck on the surgery John. If you look at the top of this forum on the right of the thin header there is a drop down to search the forum. I would search winter storage, wintering, etc... Pete

John, I opened this thread not knowing if it was a gag or real, so sorry about your news. Believe you will recover and you will, I'm living proof of it - cancer. Do a search on Google and get those pads that lay under each tire so you don't get flat spots on the tires from sitting for an extended period. If the car is not driven for 6 or so months, it not a big deal - install a trickle charger to the battery terminals, you can snake the connector out where the wipers are bolted in and close the front trunk. Before I moved to Arizona I lived in the mid-west and would not use my Harley for 4 to 5 months, I used to add fuel stabilizer to a full tank go for a ride to mix it in and get it into the fuel lines, injectors, etc. It cannot hurt and only help. Take care man!

I wouldn't worry about the car if your wife takes it out once and a while. Good Luck with the surgery

We're rooting for ya! The car will wait, too. Put some mouse traps around it... just in case!

Wowsers.........Gods Speed to you.

John, Here's a thought YOU cant drive....but can you RIDE in it? I would think a great motivator to recovery would be to have the wife or a trusted friend take you for a little spin once in awhile so you can enjoy the pcar a bit!? Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!

Good luck with the surgery! car will be fine

Good luck with the surgery. Can you just jack the car up and put it on stands in you garage? I rent a self storage unit. That I store my car in when I am not in Ca. Just jack it and put it on properly located stands Works fine for me. All the best hope you have a speedy recovery. Sean

Best of luck! I am sure you will have a speedy recovery. As far as your car goes, have a friend or your wife drive it once every 1-2 weeks for 20-30 minutes or so to get it properly warmed and help stop water collection in the oil.

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Good advice here, but rather than use a trickle charger (which always sends out a charge to your battery), consider a battery maintainer or battery tender (they read your battery's status and send out only the current necessary to keep it fully charged). A fuel stabilizer (like STABL) is also a very good idea since fuel tends to gum up the works over tiem. Good luck.

Fuel stabilizer with water absorbing stuff and a fresh batch of oil helps. Having the tires roll once in a while is good to reduce flat spotting but the fuel from a rare once in a while trip around the block isn't good enough to cycle new fuel into the car often enough. My neighbor here in Hawaii is a brain surgeon. He used to drive a 911 but went to a dark blue ferrari a few years ago. The surgeons and meds are pretty advanced now of days. Preventive messures I think are some of the most important. Some say EPA has gone too far with some stuff but there are chemicals that cause brain tumors and I hope the fuel stabilizer isn't one of them. Take care and enjoy the forced vacation as much as you can. Maybe try ham radio on the HF side not the 2 meter short range stuff. You can sit thee all day searching the bands for people around the world with out leaving the room and enjoy every minute of it. Good brain exercise learning all the stuff too. One of my ham radio friends just survived limfoma or how ever its spelled. Lots of good soft parts work being done out there. Take care and hopefully you surgeon drives a 911

Best wishes for a smooth operation and a speedy recovery.

Good luck, man. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Good luck on the surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery! /m BTW, I have a co-worker with the same name, John Gillis.

So sorry to hear! We will all be praying for you. Look on the bright side - you will be one step closer to a race car driver! Keep the tank FULL if possible. Add Sta-bil (use the one for Ethanol if you have high ethanol in your gas up there already). A full tank will allow the least amount of HUMID air into the tank...reduces the amount of condensation and water in the gas. If you are not going to drive it all...i would disconnect the battery, otherwise get the P-car recommended trickle charger. But if you can - have the wife drive it or run it occasionally. (Just keep the tank full)

Hi Everyone, Wow - I am really touched by all the kind words! I am hopeful that I will come out better than ever. The positive energy is greatly appreciated. As is the advice about the P-car. I'll keep you informed as things progress. Thanks, John

Best wishes for a full recovery with this whole thing. You have our support man.

Concentrate on getting better. The car will be fine!

John, I am wishing for a full recovery for you. The storage tips have already been covered so I won't repeat them. Don't worry about the car. You get better and she (the car) will be ready when you are!

best of everything. have an easy surgery and recovery. Roy 2002 c4S

Good luck for surgery and prompt recovery. May you drive the P-car again soon. FM

Best of luck John. Stay positive and good things can happen. My wife was diagnosed with brain cancer seven years ago. She's alive, and cancer free. It CAN be done! Mike

John: Sharing your situation reminds us all of the priorities that we too often lose sight of. These are just cars. Your courage is apparent & I join the collective belief that it will see you through. Car storage thoughts: I have a home and cars on both sides of the Atlantic and have used virtually all of the strategies mentioned in this thread...all good. I finally resolved the battery issue by simply disconnecting it. (Store it out of the car and use it to open the trunk if you latch it completely). Some folks hyper-inflate tires during storage to reduce flat spotting, but never did myself. As others have pointed out, running your car for very short intervals may be of limited benefit, but operating temperature runs will keeps seals in shape, etc.. Probably most benefit to be realized is by keeping it in a controlled environment. Gas stabilizer can't hurt, but some years ago I heard that latest fuel formulations reduce that need, so I stopped & have noticed no problems. You'll obviously miss driving your car; you can do that vicariously through the antics of posters here. When you're up to it, tinker with those little things you've been putting off. It will keep you in touch with your ride and make it super ready for your return to behind the wheel - which we all trust will be in the best of health and spirits.

Bro, my and my family's prayers are with you!!

I am really sorry to read about this. The hibernating Porsche will only be one more motivation to feel better

Best Luck to you John. My Aunt was in the exact same position earlier this year. She had a tumor the size of a Baseball taken out of her. It's even amazing she survived and is coherent. You can see a baseball size crater on the side of her head though. She started out strong after surgery but unfortunately is recently having seizures. She's in Oak Park. It sounds like yours won't be as serious but we're all pulling for ya.

John, Best of luck with the surgery. You're in my prayers.

my thoughts and prayers are with you as well. about a year ago one of my friends was diagnosed with a brain tumor as well. i think it was within that next week that he wrote, recorded, and produced the songs below. he has now gone through surgery and radiation with 100% success. i actually just got home from watching him perform at a local concert. http://www.myspace.com/music/kellee-...to-me-66088910 http://www.myspace.com/music/20476300/songs/65963003 http://www.myspace.com/music/kellee-...of-me-66086512

Best of luck to you for a speedy recovery!! My thoughts and prayers include your successful surgery and recovery!!

All the best on your surgery John. I'm sure the tumor will buff right off...

Good luck with the surgery John.

John, I wish you all the best. I believe you will recover faster than most people, because driving a Porsche is great therapy. Thank you for reminding us all that every moment in life is a wonderful gift.

All the best, and here's to getting back behind the wheel asap!

My daughter has been dealing with something similar. There is no way you're as calm as you seem, so all props for keeping your sense of humour and thinking positively. We live in an age of miracles. I know there's one with your name on it. Will keep a good thought for you here. While you wait, I know everybody's different in how they deal with this stuff, but here's what I'd probably be doing: If I had a warm garage for it, I wouldn't put it away per se. I'd spend the winter fixing every little thing that needed it, detailing the living crap out of it, and maybe getting around to a few little upgrades. It's a nice meditation and a pleasant escape, and a great way to keep you focused on the spring ahead. Just a thought.

Put Stabil in your gas tank...you can get it at Pep Boys and some Home Depot. Wish u speedy recovery.

Thanks again! As long as I am physically able I think I will take everyone's advice and do the little things I've been putting off: Hard-wire V1 Install Proclip for iPhone Install Becker iPhone cable Spend more time on Rennlist Oh, and fill the tank and add some Stabil...... I feel good knowing there are caring people out there. None of you have ever met me, yet your kindness is really genuine. I wish you all the best!! John

You're in my prayers, John. God Bless.

Keep the spirits up. Think about your Porsche and spring weather!

I just returned from a wedding in Avalon, NJ., and the father of the groom who is in his early 70s, has a brain tumor and is currently undergoing chemo and radiation, and his prognosis looks good, but his attitude is similar to yours, very positive. As mentioned, today's medical approaches appear to be cutting edge, couple that with your positive attitude and you will hopefully be able to beat it and continue with a normal life. Don't worry about your Porsche, although the advice that I've read on this thread sounds very constuctive. Looking forward to your healthy return and many more happy miles in your Porsche.

John. Thinking of you and wishing the very best outcome possible. I am in the Chicago area so if you are in need of company or help with the car just send me a PM. I can always stop by and talk Porsche's to keep you entertained. Bset of luck! Doug

John, I'll be praying for you. Best of luck for a full and speedy recovery. It's great that you'll be able to drive again just in time for the arrival of Spring. You'll be carving up some twisty roads in your P-car in no time. Sincerely, Eric

As part of the RL family, I also want to wish you a the best of luck with the surgery. Today medical advances are top-notch so I am sure you are in good hands, stay positive and you will come out a winner. BTW, keep yourself busy with your 996 (i.e Mods) even though you cannot drive. Cheers,

best wishes to you, prayer for a quick recovery coming your way...... take care.

Good luck with the surgery...it's amazing what the doctors can do....with a prayer from your Pcar friends....

Good luck with the surgery man.

Anybody know how John is doing? Anybody know how to help John Gillis through the feeble times of laying around? Take a while to recover a guy from a stroke so I'm figuring it would help to talk to the man and give interaction and motivation like a 911 reminder. My Dad worked an old friend back into shape so that he could walk after a stroke. Takes some working the guy in a pool so that motor activity's can be reconnected and strebgth regained.

Yep, thinking of you John. All the best.

John, I hope all went well, and that you post here soon.

Just read this thread. Good luck John. I'm confident you'll come out fine .

thoughts and prayers with you brother

For once in my passionate-love-for-cars-life I am going to say this; why is the thought of a silly car a thought of yours right now? Good luck and I wish you the best!!!!! You will always have this board to turn to.

Hi everyone, Well it's been over a month since my last update ( Sorry about that!!) and a lot has happened - all good news. First, through some connections I was able to get a second opinion with a doctor in Milwaukee who specializes in cases like mine (tumors near functional areas of the brain). He is one of only a handful of neurosurgeons in the world who specialize in this field - and he's in Milwaukee!! After meeting with him twice and going through a few more tests we determined that surgery to remove the bulk of the tumor is a real option. So after weighing all my options (chemo, radiation, surgery, nothing), doing all the research and speaking with all the experts, I'm going to opt for surgery. And as a result, I canceled my biopsy - no point going in there twice! Since it's not an emergency I wanted to get through the holidays. So I'm scheduled for surgery on Thursday January 6. I will be in the hospital for at least four days, then home for at least 4 weeks. I plan on returning to work on March 1st - so that means I will be driving my wife crazy for almost 7 weeks!! Everyone has been very supportive and I know I'll be fine. Thank you all for your continued support, positive thoughts, and kind words. JG

If you had a functional area of the brain, you wouldn't be in this forum. Glad to see you in good spirits. A positive attitude will serve you well. Happy Holidays to you and yours, and my condolences to the wife for the next 7 weeks. Come back strong!

Awesome news! Best wishes for the holidays, and good luck with your IMS retro... sorry... surgery. If I was going to be lying around the house for a few weeks, I might do a little online shopping. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...sche&x=10&y=18

John: Thanks for the update, all the best to you and your family in 2011.

John, The fact that the tumor is operable is good news! I certainly hope the surgery is a 100% success!

Great News! Have a fast recovery!

Yes, And enjoy the holidays.

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I know what you mean, but it is often these "silly" things that keep us living. I know several people who have gone through tough times medically, and their hobbies kept them occupied. My father is in his 80s and literally lives for his hobby - toy trains (er... "Model Railroading" per his vernacular). I am afflicted with a similar obession (Porsches) and we often joke about our child-like hobbies... Best of luck JG - and give this thing hell! We want to see you on this web board often moving forward... -Blake

Fantastic News!!

All the best to you and your family.

Best of luck, looking forward to seeing your post count rise dramatically!

Best of luck! Happy Holidays

Happy holidays. Great to hear you get to be freshened up up stairs.

Best wishes!!! Enjoy the holidays!!! All the best with the surgery!

Fantastic news, JG! Sending you good wishes and prayers, have a wonderful holidays, and good luck on the 6th! Keep us updated!

oh, good luck man. unoccupied property insurance Unoccupied House Insurance Unoccupied Buildings Insurance

good luck with the surgery. keeping a positive attitude is key. so, keep on line and keep active. I had a more minor surgery, hip replacement, and keeping active mentally was key. you will be in our prayers. JB

JG: I'm from Milwaukee, living in Chicago. Good doctors can be found nearly anywhere, if you take the time to look. Glad that you found someone nearby. I wish you and the family all the best. You are in my prayers, and I hope that both you and the wife survive the 7 weeks of togetherness. Surveys say that when a man retires from his job, the wife takes on a job just to get out of the house!!! Here's to a good new year, and all of 2011. larry

Update!! Hi everyone - I'm back. The surgery last week went well. I was in the hospital for only 4 days! I'm home now, relaxing and resting. I'm feel okay - but I tell ya' - I've got one hell of a headache (ha ha!). The doctors seem pretty pleased with my recovery. Should get my staples out this week. I can't do a whole lot, but my wife is doing everything. She's a saint. In the meantime, just waiting to feel better. Thanks for all your kind words and support. I'll be behind the wheel soon and I'm already thinking about working on the Porsche. Thanks again! JG

Glad to hear! Rest up!

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That's a perfect attitude! Glad everything worked out and everything will be back to normal in no time! Thank god for women!!

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Awesome news John! Nice to see you back!

Best wishes for a speeedy recovery!

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+1

Great news, John. You'll be back behind the wheel before you know it.

Fantastic... Best wishes in the recovery!

Awesome news, John!!! If your recovery goes well, I'll let you take my Honda for a spin..... oh wait.... that might send you into a relapse!! OK let's try that again.... If your recovery goes well, you don't have to take my Honda for a spin! There, that should help the recovery!!! Just a little humor to make you smile!

thats great new John!..... great attitude! Helps to have a saint for a wife as well.

Great to hear. Wish you a prompt recovery. FM

Great news...glad to have you back. Have a great and speedy recovery.

Fantastic news, Glad to here you are doing well.

John, As your recovery progresses and you get to a point where you think you're ready to get behind the wheel, may I suggest this: A friend of mine suffered a traumatic head injury that resulted in a subdural hematoma. Following the surgery and rehabilitation, the doctors recommended that he get a driving assessment. This was predicated on the possibility that his skills may have been impaired by the subdural hematoma and that for his own sake (and the sake of other drivers on the road), he should be evaluated. He submitted to a 2 1/2 hour process at a rehabilitation facility, having sessions with a neuropsychologist and an occupational therapist. This did not include a behind-the-wheel test, but could have if the neuropsychologist and occupational therapist felt it advisable. He passed the assessment with flying colors, and resumed driving shortly thereafter. He endorses the idea for anyone who, as a result of a head injury or other impairment that may result in brain dysfunction, may not be able to clearly and objectively assess his own abilities (or lack thereof). It sounds like a good idea to me, and so I offer it to you as a suggestion. Good luck with your recuperation and recovery, John.

What great news! I would think that just sitting in a Porsche would be good therapy.

great news!!!! best of luck in your recovery. see you on the road! surfer161

Awesome news, all the best.

Excellent to hear some good news! Take your time with the recovery, don't try to rush things.......all you need to do is relax and let the healing process do its thing......before you know it, you'll be out in the garage, smiling, feeling much, much better.......

WOOOHOOO! That is the best news! Chin up Buckeroo....you will be in saddle in good time!

Great news, John! Glad to hear. Kurt

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Enjoy the rest time. Many happy days to you John. Planning taking the wife to dinners and a trip is the only hard task I'd try.

Welcome back! Best wishes for a speedy recovery and hopefully soon you'll be really speeding in your car. Nothing like RPM therapy.

So glad to hear that you had the surgery ASAP. That stuff should be done as soon as you find a problem! Don't even concern yourself with the car. It's going to be off the road as long as a deep snowfall--so don't concern yourself with it. Neurosurgery today is quite perfected. There is never any exploring going on in there--they know what they are doing and will go right to the site and do what has to be done. You have benefitted from the myriad of other patients who went before you. Congrats! Relax.

My best wishes....

John, great news get well son and God Bless!!!!

Speedy recovery M8.

best wishes, speedy recovery, john!

John, best wishes on a speedy recovery. I hope you are enjoying your time with your wife and you are driving your Porsche again soon.

sǝnssı ƃuıɹǝƃuıl ou sı ǝɹǝɥʇ ʎllnɟ ǝdoH �ɹǝʇʇǝq ƃuılǝǝɟ ǝɹ,noʎ pɐlפ Sorry! Just had to make you think for a second! Never hurts to have a little humor right?

Any good news?

Hi all - and thanks David for prompting me I'm doing well. After my surgery, I had six weeks of an aggressive treatment: chemo and radiation. That ended about 5 weeks ago. I had a follow-up MRI two weeks ago where the doctors determined that they couldn't determine too much The scan was a bit blurry BUT they did say there was no change! so that's good news. now I take 5 days of chemo every month for maintenance. we'll keep doing scans every two months and keep hope alive. in the meantime, i feel great. my wife and went to vegas for a vacation. we rented a gallardo! now we're planning on moving to a more peaceful neighborhood with a real garage! thanks for checking in. perhaps when we move we could host a chicago porsche 996 owners BBQ? john

Glad u are doing better

John: SO glad that things are looking up. You know, I didn't realize that you were from Chicago. I certainly would be up for a 996 BBQ this summer. Time to get together with others that share the love of the water pumper crowd. Most of my current Porsche Buddies are air-cooled, and just don't get it. Keep getting better. larry

Glad to hear that you are getting better. You have a fantastic attitude! How was the Gallardo?

Thanks everyone! The Gallardo was okay. Audi interior parts made it feel kinda cheap. But when you get the engine above 5000 rpms, then it really come into its own. Until then, it's a total attention-getter. We had people asking to take pics with the car, sit in the car, etc. It mean seems elementary but if you want attention, get a bright green lambo! I think I'm a Porsche guy Here's a photo of my wife and the car.

Man. Those Gallardos really stick to the pavement. LOL! Sounds like things are looking up. Hope they keep doing so.

Really glad you are doing well John! now... about that photo.... something is a liitle... off

Great to hear John! Continued good wishes

gotta love Lambo green with a redhead, simply eye catching! good to hear from you John.

Geeez that's strange, it keeps getting flipped every time I upload. I even tried to upload an upside-down photo! If a moderator can help with the funky photo I would be grateful

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all fixed sir.

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You the man! Can you do that to my brain?

Glad to hear things are going well.

Great news! I think Chicago is growing in the 996 crowd based on a lot of posts I've been seeing lately.

Best of luck John for a speedy recovery and full and long lasting remission.

Just came back across this thread. Anyone know how John is doing?

hope all is well with john.

Looking at his CP, there are no post after 7-11?

John may have focused his attention otherwise, as he may have had post op treatments to endure. I hope all is well with him. I was diagnosed in 2013 with Melanoma Stage IIC cancer, underwent a couple surgeries and a year of infusions and 3x weekly injections. The medicine was not nice, I felt like my whole life was on hold- it was. I completed treatment and just last month I received my 90 day clear pass of "no evidence of disease", so the treatments and surgeries worked as designed. I hope John has experienced similar successes.

Godspeed Gulliver

Hey Gulliver - I'm 11 years out from my malignant melanoma treatment - I lost most of my right ear and a nice fillet of lymph from the right side of my head and neck. Congrats on the 90-day mark! Even after the 90-day, 6-month, 1-year, 5-year, and even 10-year anniversaries rolled around, my annual visits with the surgeon and full-body scans scare the hell out of me - so don't think you're crazy if you still get a little freaked out. I am not really afraid of anything on Earth - but I fight off a full-blown panic attack any time I wind up on the same floor of the hospital building where I had that surgery. Congrats on finding the melanoma and getting it treated. We're the lucky ones!

Thanks guys. And, I hear ya 5CHN3LL about being back up there, it's not pleasant for me either. Unfortunately, I have ongoing pancreatitus issues as well, so I'm just about a regular at Vanderbilt. I will say this though- to anybody that thinks they're having a bad day due to a blown engine or other catastrophes, there is a cure for "life perspective" if you're feeling bad for any reason. During one of my routine visits, they were really busy and sent me across to the Children's Hospital wing to get my blood labs drawn. Not much gets to me either, but I could feel my knees buckle when I got over there and saw all these little kids suffering, and knew what they were going through. Devastating, and a life changer for sure. After I got back outside, I had to sit down for 20 minutes and compose myself before I could function again. Then I get home and see folks griping on the internet about a 1" scratch on their car that they think they got at the tint shop. Pfffffft. So, just take a minute one day to pop into your local Children's Hospital for 5 minutes. Just ride the elevator up 2 or 3 floors, go back down and then leave. I guarantee you will leave there a different person.

I guess you would have to be tough and a survivor to own a 996. Glad things got better for anyone fighting cancer.

I went through surgery on the same schedule as another melanoma patient, so our followups were booked for the same dates for quite some time. At my one-year follow-up, I was waiting in the room next to this guy, and overheard my surgeon, who would soon be coming in to give me the all-clear and a slap on the back, telling him that if he could just get some weight on, he could probably live long enough for the chemo to beat the cancer into remission. One missed lymph node and it could have been me in that chair instead of him. I was 33 when I got the diagnosis and the "don't plan anything out past 6 months...and if you've been waiting for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, take it now" lecture from the surgeon. Once you've heard that, deciding on a retrofit bearing or what oil to choose matters a whole lot f-ing less. My goal is to live long enough to be old and to keep my wife happy - the details can take care of themselves.

I agree. Your health is everything and this could happen to anyone. This forum would be crap without all the debate/opinion threads from strong willed people like you. for beating it.

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I needed that little dose of reality.