CSJohnson
Active Member
After many years of dreaming, turning a garage into an airplane factory, I started my RV-8 build on March 31, 2015. Within two weeks I started experiencing abdominal cramps, being unconcerned until one day they were stronger than previous and persistent throughout the day.
X-rays at an urgent care center suggested a bowel blockage and trip to the ER. More x-rays and a CT scan but the ER doctors couldn't pinpoint the issue. I was admitted for further evaluation. Three days later a GI doctor called my room from his home at 11:30PM saying, "Something is definitely wrong." A colonoscopy was performed and a cancerous tumor discovered.
Surgery to remove the tumor, a section of the colon, an appendectomy, remove lymph nodes, and liver biopsy was performed. Several infections developed and I remained in the hospital for four weeks with chest tubes and another fluid drain (OUCH!), followed by three weeks of home infusion with three self-administered antibiotic IVs each day (via a PICC line; I'm hooked up as I type.) Pathology results confirmed colon cancer having spread to all nearby lymph nodes and a small liver lesion. Having metastasized to distant organs I was diagnosed as Stage IV.
Internet searches suggested a 39% 2-year survival rate, and only 7% 5-years after diagnosis. My first two thoughts: 1. Family - We've planned, but should visit an estate lawyer to verify. 2. Will I have time to finish and fly my RV-8?
My oncologist said to ignore statistics; I'm relatively young, in otherwise good health, should respond well to chemotherapy, and numerous options exist to rid my perfectly functioning liver of cancer. He has patients whose cancer was much more advanced than mine living normal lives 8+ years after diagnosis. The American Cancer Society says some Stage IV patients can be cured, and I meet much of the criteria. Youth, health, available treatments, and the discipline to follow strict diet and exercise regimens are in my favor.
A forthcoming PET-CT scan will provide tremendous insight into the extent of the cancer. Colorectal chemotherapy treatment is relatively mild and I'm told to continue to work and live normally. Diet, exercise, and a lot of spring water will enhance the impact of the treatment. I have an appointment to receive a 2nd opinion from a premier GI oncologist at the world renowned Moffitt Cancer Center which is a mere 15 minute drive. Despite the unfortunate diagnosis, optimism exists. I'll go forward with the attitude that I will at least beat this back to a NED (No Evidence of Disease), though hope to be fortunate and diagnosed as cured. If there is a mere 1% chance of cure, that’s my goal.
Only 2.5 weeks into the build, the experience has been fantastic. I continued to learn new techniques, use the tools, workspace organization, and more. Time flies when I’m building. I become intensely focused on each task, making sure I’m doing it right, and with quality. When I thought I’d spent 1-2 hours building, it was 4-5! It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed something so much that time would fly that fast. The build must go on! It should be therapeutic as I need to remain active.
While lying in a hospital bed discussing what should become of the RV-8, everyone agreed that the build should continue as planned. A friend confirmed that if in remission and otherwise healthy, I can receive a 3rd Class Medical. If not, the RV-8 has two seats, so I can still fly it. I’m sure I could find someone ito assist with Phase I operations, and they and others may also be interested in flying with me so I can experience the results of my efforts even if I cannot act as PIC. Of course I hope I can act as PIC and fly solo as well as take family and friends up, but it’s not a reason to halt the build not knowing whether that will happen. The goal is that it will.
My father and I recently attended our first EAA Chapter 175 meeting here in Tampa, and I’ve been a part of the VAF community and seen them band together. Worst case, I’m not able to finish the build, I bet some EAA and/or VAF members could assist and at least get my family up in the air to finish the dream, and then decide what to do with the plane.
While the build should continue, but should it “continue as planned?” Upon returning home I have spent a little time in the workshop on small tasks, even with the IV connected! I long for when I have the energy to endure hours at a time, and I hope and expect that to happen soon once the antibiotics treatments are complete. But when that happens, how to proceed?
I believe I can get through the empennage and wings before I have to make any serious decisions, but aside from the cancer I have learned from “Dr.” Dan Horton that I am likely afflicted with “opinionitis,” not wanting to miss out on any “optional improvements” rather than what is known to be reliable and serviceable.
I love Dave Stephens’ RV-8 with the Showplanes fastback and cowl. I also love Bastien’s cockpit. So, given my affliction with “opinionitis,” my dream is a:
RV-8 Slow Build IFR with:
Get everything to work and I’m sure she’d be an awesome bird to fly! But, so many non-standard modifications. How much extra time to get into the air? How much extra money? How much added frustration? But employing Dr. Dan’s prescription, and given my situation, might it be more prudent to go with:
RV-8 Slow Build (really want to bang every rivet but could change with cancer prognosis) VFR:
Sticking with Van’s plans I’ll likely get into the air faster with less work and frustration and money. Might not be as slick or fast, but still a much better performer than anything that I have flown to date.
Sometimes life can throw something at you that you’re entirely unprepared for, but one must adjust accordingly. I’ve got a heck of a fight ahead of me and a lot of unknowns, but in one form or another, the RV-8 build is going to continue.
Chris
X-rays at an urgent care center suggested a bowel blockage and trip to the ER. More x-rays and a CT scan but the ER doctors couldn't pinpoint the issue. I was admitted for further evaluation. Three days later a GI doctor called my room from his home at 11:30PM saying, "Something is definitely wrong." A colonoscopy was performed and a cancerous tumor discovered.
Surgery to remove the tumor, a section of the colon, an appendectomy, remove lymph nodes, and liver biopsy was performed. Several infections developed and I remained in the hospital for four weeks with chest tubes and another fluid drain (OUCH!), followed by three weeks of home infusion with three self-administered antibiotic IVs each day (via a PICC line; I'm hooked up as I type.) Pathology results confirmed colon cancer having spread to all nearby lymph nodes and a small liver lesion. Having metastasized to distant organs I was diagnosed as Stage IV.
Internet searches suggested a 39% 2-year survival rate, and only 7% 5-years after diagnosis. My first two thoughts: 1. Family - We've planned, but should visit an estate lawyer to verify. 2. Will I have time to finish and fly my RV-8?
My oncologist said to ignore statistics; I'm relatively young, in otherwise good health, should respond well to chemotherapy, and numerous options exist to rid my perfectly functioning liver of cancer. He has patients whose cancer was much more advanced than mine living normal lives 8+ years after diagnosis. The American Cancer Society says some Stage IV patients can be cured, and I meet much of the criteria. Youth, health, available treatments, and the discipline to follow strict diet and exercise regimens are in my favor.
A forthcoming PET-CT scan will provide tremendous insight into the extent of the cancer. Colorectal chemotherapy treatment is relatively mild and I'm told to continue to work and live normally. Diet, exercise, and a lot of spring water will enhance the impact of the treatment. I have an appointment to receive a 2nd opinion from a premier GI oncologist at the world renowned Moffitt Cancer Center which is a mere 15 minute drive. Despite the unfortunate diagnosis, optimism exists. I'll go forward with the attitude that I will at least beat this back to a NED (No Evidence of Disease), though hope to be fortunate and diagnosed as cured. If there is a mere 1% chance of cure, that’s my goal.
Only 2.5 weeks into the build, the experience has been fantastic. I continued to learn new techniques, use the tools, workspace organization, and more. Time flies when I’m building. I become intensely focused on each task, making sure I’m doing it right, and with quality. When I thought I’d spent 1-2 hours building, it was 4-5! It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed something so much that time would fly that fast. The build must go on! It should be therapeutic as I need to remain active.
While lying in a hospital bed discussing what should become of the RV-8, everyone agreed that the build should continue as planned. A friend confirmed that if in remission and otherwise healthy, I can receive a 3rd Class Medical. If not, the RV-8 has two seats, so I can still fly it. I’m sure I could find someone ito assist with Phase I operations, and they and others may also be interested in flying with me so I can experience the results of my efforts even if I cannot act as PIC. Of course I hope I can act as PIC and fly solo as well as take family and friends up, but it’s not a reason to halt the build not knowing whether that will happen. The goal is that it will.
My father and I recently attended our first EAA Chapter 175 meeting here in Tampa, and I’ve been a part of the VAF community and seen them band together. Worst case, I’m not able to finish the build, I bet some EAA and/or VAF members could assist and at least get my family up in the air to finish the dream, and then decide what to do with the plane.
While the build should continue, but should it “continue as planned?” Upon returning home I have spent a little time in the workshop on small tasks, even with the IV connected! I long for when I have the energy to endure hours at a time, and I hope and expect that to happen soon once the antibiotics treatments are complete. But when that happens, how to proceed?
I believe I can get through the empennage and wings before I have to make any serious decisions, but aside from the cancer I have learned from “Dr.” Dan Horton that I am likely afflicted with “opinionitis,” not wanting to miss out on any “optional improvements” rather than what is known to be reliable and serviceable.
I love Dave Stephens’ RV-8 with the Showplanes fastback and cowl. I also love Bastien’s cockpit. So, given my affliction with “opinionitis,” my dream is a:
RV-8 Slow Build IFR with:
- Showplane’s Fastback kit
- Showplane’s cowl
- Sam James or similar plenum
- Titan R-360 200hp engine
- Whirlwind 74RV or 200RV propeller
- Grove airfoil gear and wheels & brakes
- JDAir Tailwheel
- Dynon Skyview avionics
- AircraftWraps vinyl wrap based on Vietnam Ace Richard Stephen’s F-4D Phantom II paint scheme
Get everything to work and I’m sure she’d be an awesome bird to fly! But, so many non-standard modifications. How much extra time to get into the air? How much extra money? How much added frustration? But employing Dr. Dan’s prescription, and given my situation, might it be more prudent to go with:
RV-8 Slow Build (really want to bang every rivet but could change with cancer prognosis) VFR:
- Stock Van’s RV-8 kit
- Lycoming XIO-360-M1B 180HP (from Van’s)
- Hartzell Composite or Blended propeller (from Van’s) – Might even consider a fixed pitch to further reduce complexity.
- Probably stay with above choices for avionics and vinyl wrap but with more simplified installations
Sticking with Van’s plans I’ll likely get into the air faster with less work and frustration and money. Might not be as slick or fast, but still a much better performer than anything that I have flown to date.
Sometimes life can throw something at you that you’re entirely unprepared for, but one must adjust accordingly. I’ve got a heck of a fight ahead of me and a lot of unknowns, but in one form or another, the RV-8 build is going to continue.
Chris
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