Rocket Man's 2008 Bagged CC Silverado Build AKA "THE MACHINE"

[Rocket Man]

Looks great! What kind of work is involved with that kit?

The kit has some oxidation removal towelettes first, then a quick wet sand with 2000 and then 3000 using a little round holder and then wipe the clear sealer on. Easy peasy.

 

[Rocket Man]

Today I buffed out the damage down the whole passenger side of the hoe and managed to get the rear bumper to snap back into the fender. It looks so much better. I will remove the whole bumper at some point and try the hot water trick to try and get the dent out. I also ordered a used OEM right tail light because it’s broken, as well as brackets for the running board so it’s not pushed in. I might try to find a replacement RB later. I just finished my last round of chemo yesterday so I’m taking it easy. I got a bunch of other stuff dialed in on it. I don’t care for all the memory stuff and finally figured out why the passenger mirror was getting all whacked out every time I put it in reverse or forward and the seat would go crazy. The PO had it set up real weird, like they never figured it out so they must have adjusted everything every time, there was no way it was usable like it was set. Also found out the stereo has Sirius XM so that’s a bonus. It was a good day. Before pics.

 

[Rocket Man]

After buffing and bumper reset.

 

[Rocket Man]

The Tahoe has some rattles going over bumps. I know the rear auto level system is shot; the air bags have huge holes in them and I’m sure the compressor is shot but that will have to wait. I remember the front end links are a bad design on the GMT900 so I took a look and of course they’re shot and the plastic parts have been hammered so there’s play and every time over a bump they’re banging. I ordered some Delphi that have metal sleeves that won’t wear out. I’ll get them on in a few days when it quits raining. I’d be willing to bet my rattles will be gone.

 

[Rocket Man]

All done with 4 rounds of hard core chemo ( it will still be coursing it’s way through me for 3 weeks; infusions are over) I have had zero side effects other than mild tinnitus which goes away every night. The doctors wanted to remove my bladder due to the fact I have 2 forms of bladder cancer, one of which is small cell and extremely rare, to the tune of less than 1% of bladder cancer diagnoses. It’s also super aggressive. I said wait a minute, let me explore my options and I made a plan in coordination with my oncology team. Of course, they would have rather done it the safest and easiest way and started removing parts. No thanks. Today I met with the next part of my team, these are the radiation experts which I asked for. They informed me that my cancer is a great candidate for radiation treatment and there is no reason to believe that we can’t put this into remission with what we are doing. They stated that what I am doing has just as good a chance at succeeding as completely removing my bladder. I feel my plan is coming together. I will find out if there are any sign of tumors in a couple weeks when they put a camera inside me again but I’m sure those were 100% removed when they did my TURBT operation back when we first found out. It seems imaging isn’t completely accurate when looking for cancer in the bladder so a look see is the only accurate way. They’re waiting for the chemo to finish it’’s last 21- day cycle. It will be several weeks of radiation along with light chemo in order to assist. I don’t have a problem sharing this here. If it helps another person who is afraid to go through this, it’s worth it in my opinion. So much of cancer is hidden from everybody that it becomes some big scary mystery. There are options; don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and don’t be afraid to share. I look at the doctors as tools and my body has the final say and is what will do the healing. The doctors are there to help but they are only part of it. I am taking the best care of my body as I can by making sure everything I put into it is good and nutritious and am walking 4 miles a day now. I have never felt better and I just went through something that takes 90-95% of the people to a weakened state. I am not weak and I will not allow myself to be weak. I feel stronger than at any point in the last 10 years. I have a few weeks off before I get started on radiation and will be working on the Tahoe a bit in the meantime. I have a 100% positive attitude and 100% of my energy still even after what I’ve already been through. Wish me the best folks, I am going to win this battle just like I’ve won every other battle.

 

[Fless]

We do wish you the best, Mark, and I'll continue to keep you in my prayers and thoughts. I would like to think that I would be able to handle a situation like this similarly, keeping a super-positive attitude like you do. And thanks for sharing; this is a caring community -- not just about our rides, but about the people we've met and had the pleasure of getting to know.

So keep on keepiin' on! It will be good to spend time on your Tahoe; something like that can give you purpose (and we're always curious about your projects...)

 

[Tonyrodz]

All done with 4 rounds of hard core chemo ( it will still be coursing it’s way through me for 3 weeks; infusions are over) I have had zero side effects other than mild tinnitus which goes away every night. The doctors wanted to remove my bladder due to the fact I have 2 forms of bladder cancer, one of which is small cell and extremely rare, to the tune of less than 1% of bladder cancer diagnoses. It’s also super aggressive. I said wait a minute, let me explore my options and I made a plan in coordination with my oncology team. Of course, they would have rather done it the safest and easiest way and started removing parts. No thanks. Today I met with the next part of my team, these are the radiation experts which I asked for. They informed me that my cancer is a great candidate for radiation treatment and there is no reason to believe that we can’t put this into remission with what we are doing. They stated that what I am doing has just as good a chance at succeeding as completely removing my bladder. I feel my plan is coming together. I will find out if there are any sign of tumors in a couple weeks when they put a camera inside me again but I’m sure those were 100% removed when they did my TURBT operation back when we first found out. It seems imaging isn’t completely accurate when looking for cancer in the bladder so a look see is the only accurate way. They’re waiting for the chemo to finish it’’s last 21- day cycle. It will be several weeks of radiation along with light chemo in order to assist. I don’t have a problem sharing this here. If it helps another person who is afraid to go through this, it’s worth it in my opinion. So much of cancer is hidden from everybody that it becomes some big scary mystery. There are options; don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and don’t be afraid to share. I look at the doctors as tools and my body has the final say and is what will do the healing. The doctors are there to help but they are only part of it. I am taking the best care of my body as I can by making sure everything I put into it is good and nutritious and am walking 4 miles a day now. I have never felt better and I just went through something that takes 90-95% of the people to a weakened state. I am not weak and I will not allow myself to be weak. I feel stronger than at any point in the last 10 years. I have a few weeks off before I get started on radiation and will be working on the Tahoe a bit in the meantime. I have a 100% positive attitude and 100% of my energy still even after what I’ve already been through. Wish me the best folks, I am going to win this battle just like I’ve won every other battle.

Excellent advice and sounds like an excellent outcome. Glad you came out on the good side of that prognosis. I'm so glad to hear you're doing well Mark. Hope you'll continue doing well. Keep up the good work buddy!

 

[Geotrash]

All done with 4 rounds of hard core chemo ( it will still be coursing it’s way through me for 3 weeks; infusions are over) I have had zero side effects other than mild tinnitus which goes away every night. The doctors wanted to remove my bladder due to the fact I have 2 forms of bladder cancer, one of which is small cell and extremely rare, to the tune of less than 1% of bladder cancer diagnoses. It’s also super aggressive. I said wait a minute, let me explore my options and I made a plan in coordination with my oncology team. Of course, they would have rather done it the safest and easiest way and started removing parts. No thanks. Today I met with the next part of my team, these are the radiation experts which I asked for. They informed me that my cancer is a great candidate for radiation treatment and there is no reason to believe that we can’t put this into remission with what we are doing. They stated that what I am doing has just as good a chance at succeeding as completely removing my bladder. I feel my plan is coming together. I will find out if there are any sign of tumors in a couple weeks when they put a camera inside me again but I’m sure those were 100% removed when they did my TURBT operation back when we first found out. It seems imaging isn’t completely accurate when looking for cancer in the bladder so a look see is the only accurate way. They’re waiting for the chemo to finish it’’s last 21- day cycle. It will be several weeks of radiation along with light chemo in order to assist. I don’t have a problem sharing this here. If it helps another person who is afraid to go through this, it’s worth it in my opinion. So much of cancer is hidden from everybody that it becomes some big scary mystery. There are options; don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and don’t be afraid to share. I look at the doctors as tools and my body has the final say and is what will do the healing. The doctors are there to help but they are only part of it. I am taking the best care of my body as I can by making sure everything I put into it is good and nutritious and am walking 4 miles a day now. I have never felt better and I just went through something that takes 90-95% of the people to a weakened state. I am not weak and I will not allow myself to be weak. I feel stronger than at any point in the last 10 years. I have a few weeks off before I get started on radiation and will be working on the Tahoe a bit in the meantime. I have a 100% positive attitude and 100% of my energy still even after what I’ve already been through. Wish me the best folks, I am going to win this battle just like I’ve won every other battle.

This is the way. So happy to read this post.