TheSamba.com :: View topic - Where's Vince

Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:11 am

People come and go on Internet Forums but others can be relied upon to always be there, to lend a helping hand with their specialised experience and quickly become an essential part of the surroundings. Vince Bellino is one such Ghia Forum member having been “on call” for the last 10 years. His practical Karmann Ghia experience, being a professional VW man, is second to none on this forum, as many here will tell you.

So where has he gone! Certainly he has been conspicuous by his absence so I thought I’d PM him a couple of weeks ago. I know he’d moved from Florida to South Carolina around the turn of the year…maybe setting up his new home was taking a lot of time.

Vince got back to me and to cut a long story short, a few months back Vince took sick and was hurriedly hospitalised with what was later to be diagnosed as congestive heart failure. Vince underwent treatment for about a week in hospital and was discharged in late March.

Thankfully Vince, now with a whole new change in lifestyle is on course for a full recovery. It will take time but along with dietary restrictions Vince needs to kick the tobacco habit. If you’ve benefited from Vince’s advice (and who hasn’t) and you’d like to voice your good wishes for his recovery, advice and encouragement on kicking the habit please do so here.

Get well soon Vince…you’re missed.

Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:39 am

Hey Vince,

I noticed your absence. Please get well soon. I hope the doctors don't drain you of funds.

We do miss your expertise

Nicholas

Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:34 am

John, thank you for your post about Vince. I emailed him three days ago and haven't heard from him.

Vince, get well soon. I hope you recover quickly and the days ahead are bright. I'll be praying for you.

All the best,
Ray

Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:37 am

Vince, hope you're getting a bit better. Keep at it, lifestyle changes are never easy. Kicking the habit is probably the hardest thing to do - but, even at the wrath of some people, you might want to check out personal vaporizers (or e-cigarettes, even though I dislike the moniker). Quitting cold turkey is not for everyone, and sometimes that hand-to-mouth action drives our habit. I think using these is the only way I was going to quit. Check it out over at:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/index.php

You can find me on that forum with the same handle.

Here's to a good support group, anywhere you go.

cheers,
mechanus

Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:11 am

Vince.

I just registered and wanted to thank you for posting about the top replacement on a 1970 vert. I just picked one up (she's in very bad shape with rust, dents and patches everywhere) and I know that when the time comes I will relying on that post for help.

Thanks again and get well soon,
Dave (newbie)

Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:14 am

Vince has been a fixture here in the FL Ghia scene, and has given me plenty of free, friendly advice. I was concerned when I didn't hear back from him the last PM I sent. Get well soon Vince, and good luck with quitting, too!

Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:46 am

Vince,
I'm sorry to hear about your health problems - but very pleased to hear that you are on the mend.
Please do your best to follow any dietary and lifestyle changes the doctors may recommend, and please keep in mind that you do not have to change your entire lifestyle overnight - just take it one day at a time. You can and will find a lifestyle and healthy eating and living habits that you will enjoy, if not actually embrace. There are a lot of great books and resources on health out there – one Dietitian that comes to mind is Dean Ornish– he has some great books on healthy living. Taking fish oil daily can work wonders, as well.

I realize that you and I have corresponded very little, but I have always found your posts very helpful and informative – I always look forward to reading them – and I do read them all. Quitting smoking was probably the most challenging, but rewarding life changes I have ever made. It is SO worth not smoking - I quit in 1988 - I had a 2 1/2 pack a day habit! If I can do it, so can you. Please contact me if I can be of any help or moral support. All the best to you and your family.
John

Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:00 pm

I rarely venture around these parts any more on thesamba.
But Vince has always been the nicest and kindest person Ive known in some time. Him and Al have always been great people and just standup guys in general. Glad to hear you are getting better.

I just quit smoking for the 13.535883th time cold turkey, its been about a month and a half. Gets easier every day.

Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:33 pm

Hey Vince get well ... My own Vince story is when I was having trouble with my convertible top Vince took the time to go step by step with me over the phone even though I am way out here in southren ca...So get well Vince....!

Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:41 pm

Get Well Soon Vince.

Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:16 pm

We miss you, Vince. Get well soon, you have a lot more miles left in you!

All the best,

Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:00 pm

Quiting smoking is hard to do. I have done it twice. The first time lasted 6 years, I had vowed to myself if I ever had a child I would quit smoking. The marriage didn't work out, so I started smoking again to get through the stress of divorce. Long after the divorce I was still smoking and amazed at how addicted I was so quick. I did manage to quit again 4 years later. I am now almost 8 years not smoking. I think when you get to that place in your head when you realize that smoking is just something you don't do anymore it helps. There is no denying the benefits from not smoking, just feeling better, having more money, not offending other family members or friends, the list goes on.....but really it does just comes down to not doing it. I wish you well Vince. One day at a time.

Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:16 am

Hey Vince.
My english or american speaking is to bad to write like the others here. BUT: i wish you all good things you can have, health and stop-smoking. i stopped smoking 5 years ago. after that i bought no cigarettes for me, i bought parts for my lowligt, books and a lot of other nice things about volkswagen.

i fell better and i hope that you can throw away the tabak for ever.

kindley regards from germany, udo dreisörner

Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:47 am

Vince, we're hoping for a full recovery for you!

Paul

Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:00 pm

I beleive that Vince's top tutorial is one of the best.
Good luck on your recovery.

Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:06 pm

Get well soon, Vince! We miss you!

Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:38 pm

I join with the others in wishing you a speedy return to health, Vince. Your always-helpful posts are sorely missed...hope you can jump back in real soon.

Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:24 pm

Vince,

Thanks again for all the help in getting a top onto my crooked car.

Here's hoping that your restoration will go as well as your ghia restos and that you will return with all systems in working and looking better than ever. :D

Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:27 pm

Vince, here's to your speedy recovery. Get Well and take care of yourself.

Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:25 pm

The ghiaddiction is probably a bit more healthy the the nicoaddiction. Thanks for all your contributions. Stay healthy 8)