kelloggs5TLfan
Team Owner
http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/16248610.htm
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
NASCAR television analyst Benny Parsons has lost the use of his left lung as a result of his battle with cancer earlier this year.
Parsons’ right lung is healthy, however, and doctors believe his body will eventually adjust to having just one healthy lung. Until then, the former Cup champion is usong oxygen to assist his breathing.
"I had some scans done on Tuesday and there was good news and bad news," Parsons said. "There is still no sign of cancer, but the radiation we used to treat it has burned the lung up."
Parsons had chemotherapy and radiation on a tumor in that lung that forced him to miss several races for TNT and NBC this season. He also was not able to attend the postseason awards activities earlier this month.
Parsons said doctors tell him he may not regain any use of the damaged lung.
"They say it won't ever be 100 percent or 50 percent," he said. "But if we could get 20 percent back, it would be something. We're going to treat it like that until the doctor says we're done."
Parsons remains upbeat.
"When they first told me I had cancer, if they said I could beat it but I was going to lose the lung, I would have taken that deal," he said. "It will work out."
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
NASCAR television analyst Benny Parsons has lost the use of his left lung as a result of his battle with cancer earlier this year.
Parsons’ right lung is healthy, however, and doctors believe his body will eventually adjust to having just one healthy lung. Until then, the former Cup champion is usong oxygen to assist his breathing.
"I had some scans done on Tuesday and there was good news and bad news," Parsons said. "There is still no sign of cancer, but the radiation we used to treat it has burned the lung up."
Parsons had chemotherapy and radiation on a tumor in that lung that forced him to miss several races for TNT and NBC this season. He also was not able to attend the postseason awards activities earlier this month.
Parsons said doctors tell him he may not regain any use of the damaged lung.
"They say it won't ever be 100 percent or 50 percent," he said. "But if we could get 20 percent back, it would be something. We're going to treat it like that until the doctor says we're done."
Parsons remains upbeat.
"When they first told me I had cancer, if they said I could beat it but I was going to lose the lung, I would have taken that deal," he said. "It will work out."
