Kristina here... Firstly, I have not quit on racing nor did I have the thoughts on leaving the sport that started everything. Usually I keep my personal business and my health under wraps because well, it's definitely a private matter but my loyalty, ethics and reasoning as to why I left certain projects, divisions and such last November are still being questioned.
Last November my world turned upside down....suffered a loss that I can not ever get back and well that's something to stay with me forever but; in a routine check up with the doctor after this said loss led to some tests and no so great news... abnormal cells that warranted more tests and a biopsy.
Scary, I know and well those tests came back with even more bad news and the big ugly word uttered to me for the first of many times over the next year, CANCER. Yes, I have been dealing with cervical cancer for the last year and by my side were family members, close friends and my amazing boyfriend and his family. And then I got wind of the rumors and such of questioning my loyalty, whether or not Slicks and Sticks was a serious thing and so forth. That hurt .... ALOT. I gave many years of my time, my personal time, my money and such to this sport and it hurt seeing fans, drivers, teams, car owners and promoters trash my reasons behind taking a leave of absence.
So, no I never quit and I've never been a quitter. I had a bigger fight to fight and it was against cancer. Last winter led to sickness, procedure after procedure, blood work, visits to doctors and missing out on a lot of things, birthdays, holidays and so forth.
After the most painful procedure I have ever been through I was told that the cells were taken out, should be okay and would have another test ran in July...the procedure was in February. I had to sit and wait until July to know my fate..and well that test came back with the same bad news and that the cancer had returned. I could have gone through all the same old tests, poking needles, waiting, being in pain and much more but; I chose a different route to beat this ugly disease.
What other route? Could this be a losing battle?
I chose to speak with more doctors and was told that I could have a total hysterectomy that would remove all the cancerous cells and be a bigger benefit for myself in the long run. So I took the option of having surgery and riding myself of cancer. The surgery was this past October and had my first post-op that had great news and my surgeon told myself and Jim that I made the right decision after they did tests on my cervix and found more bad cells.
A sigh of relief for all involved. And the best news was when we found out that I am officially cancer free and feeling better with each day. Yes, I still have an uphill battle with my immune system and so forth but I felt the need to clear the air considering all the bashing and such for the last year.
I want to thank Jim, my family and Jim's family, and close friends whom helped me, stood by my side, prayed and hoped for the best. As for Slicks and Sticks, we aren't closing up or running away. We will be back!
Last November my world turned upside down....suffered a loss that I can not ever get back and well that's something to stay with me forever but; in a routine check up with the doctor after this said loss led to some tests and no so great news... abnormal cells that warranted more tests and a biopsy.
Scary, I know and well those tests came back with even more bad news and the big ugly word uttered to me for the first of many times over the next year, CANCER. Yes, I have been dealing with cervical cancer for the last year and by my side were family members, close friends and my amazing boyfriend and his family. And then I got wind of the rumors and such of questioning my loyalty, whether or not Slicks and Sticks was a serious thing and so forth. That hurt .... ALOT. I gave many years of my time, my personal time, my money and such to this sport and it hurt seeing fans, drivers, teams, car owners and promoters trash my reasons behind taking a leave of absence.
So, no I never quit and I've never been a quitter. I had a bigger fight to fight and it was against cancer. Last winter led to sickness, procedure after procedure, blood work, visits to doctors and missing out on a lot of things, birthdays, holidays and so forth.
After the most painful procedure I have ever been through I was told that the cells were taken out, should be okay and would have another test ran in July...the procedure was in February. I had to sit and wait until July to know my fate..and well that test came back with the same bad news and that the cancer had returned. I could have gone through all the same old tests, poking needles, waiting, being in pain and much more but; I chose a different route to beat this ugly disease.
What other route? Could this be a losing battle?
I chose to speak with more doctors and was told that I could have a total hysterectomy that would remove all the cancerous cells and be a bigger benefit for myself in the long run. So I took the option of having surgery and riding myself of cancer. The surgery was this past October and had my first post-op that had great news and my surgeon told myself and Jim that I made the right decision after they did tests on my cervix and found more bad cells.
A sigh of relief for all involved. And the best news was when we found out that I am officially cancer free and feeling better with each day. Yes, I still have an uphill battle with my immune system and so forth but I felt the need to clear the air considering all the bashing and such for the last year.
I want to thank Jim, my family and Jim's family, and close friends whom helped me, stood by my side, prayed and hoped for the best. As for Slicks and Sticks, we aren't closing up or running away. We will be back!