Healing through restoration

From the introduction: This is a story about two “war babies” – a 1946 GMC pickup and myself. We are both in bad shape. The truck has sat outside for over 25 years and is rusting to pieces. A prostate biopsy confirms that I have an aggressive form of prostate cancer. I am told I may die within three years. Over my wife’s objections, I buy the truck and decide to take it on as a restoration project. As I have always loved the process of bringing old vehicles back to life, I believe that being happy by doing this once again might be a key to my survival, or at least will enhance any medical intervention. My story focuses on concurrent efforts to heal myself as I am “healing” the pickup.

Neither the process of truck restoration nor healing has been easy for me. However, I learned a lot and wrote this book because I wanted to share my insights, particularly with you other old geezers with prostate cancer (3 million strong!) who also happen to like vintage trucks. You will learn about the treacherous prostate, the inevitable aging process and how hard it was for me to restore the old wreck.

When a man is losing his virility, memory and strength, and he can’t figure out why his damn truck won’t start, it’s a bad day. You gals who happen to be reading this book may gain insight into some of the challenges we ancient males struggle against with our bodies, minds, and vehicles.

We enjoy old cars and trucks because they link us strongly to our youth and the past. On the other hand, cancer ties us relentlessly to a worrisome present and uncertain future. From my strategies, I hope you may learn about fighting this disease so that you will also become a survivor.

Ask the author: Click here for a conversation with Harold Van Doren, author of Survivors.