Rick Stivers, driver of the Brad Anderson-tuned Trane 2006 Stratus, was unable to attend the NHRA Gatornationals last weekend due to complications arising from routine medical screening he underwent a week before the first Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event in Gainesville, Fla.  He said he wanted to thank concerned drivers and fans for their encouragement and support since his operation.
 
While undergoing a routine annual colonoscopy, the Kentucky native was found to have cancerous polyps that required an emergency surgery. What was then scheduled to be a laparoscopic procedure turned into an operation called a "right hemicolectomy," requiring a 12-inch incision from sternum to pelvis and ultimately led to the removal of more than a foot of both his intestine and colon. After five days of hospital treatment and care, he was released to go home to recuperate.

Rick Stivers, driver of the Brad Anderson-tuned Trane 2006 Stratus, was unable to attend the NHRA Gatornationals last weekend due to complications arising from routine medical screening he underwent a week before the first Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event in Gainesville, Fla.  He said he wanted to thank concerned drivers and fans for their encouragement and support since his operation.
 
While undergoing a routine annual colonoscopy, the Kentucky native was found to have cancerous polyps that required an emergency surgery. What was then scheduled to be a laparoscopic procedure turned into an operation called a "right hemicolectomy," requiring a 12-inch incision from sternum to pelvis and ultimately led to the removal of more than a foot of both his intestine and colon. After five days of hospital treatment and care, he was released to go home to recuperate.
 
"It's really shocking to go in for a normal test and come out looking like I was in a major war battle," Stivers said.
 
"I don't know which hurt more, though - the pain from the incisions and surgery, or having to miss driving in the first official NHRA Pro Mod race," he said with a chuckle. "Seriously, though, this has been an incredibly painful deal, and it took my family by total surprise. Imagine going in for test and finding out you had cancer that had to be removed immediately. Quite a shock.
 
"The good news is that the doctors are extremely optimistic about the outcome and that they got everything before it spread. If I hadn't been doing the regular screenings like they recommend, I wouldn't have known there was a problem until it was much too late to have such a good outcome.
 
"My advice - if you're a male, over 50, get it done. It's a literal pain in the butt, but the test could save your life like it did mine," Stivers admonished. "Once the healing is complete, I'll be good to go - better than I was before, and I'll have a pretty awesome scar, too!"
 
Stivers said he is thankful there is almost a month until the Houston NHRA event when the Pro Mods will contest their second race. He's been told that he'll be cleared to race barring any unforeseen complications.
 
"The good news is that the hard part is over, and I don't have to do any chemo or radiation. I'll be good to go by Houston. I'm on track to be right there in the hunt - and judging form my teammate Jay Payne's results from Gainesville, I'll have a car to beat. I'm definitely in it to win a championship.
 
"You might slow me down, but it's hard to stop a Trane," Sivers said.