<< WIZARD ENJOYED ~ MAIN ~ TRAIL OF DEATH II >>
A VISIT TO THE INFIRMARY
Feeling poorly for some time. Saw a doctor a few weeks ago, who sent me to a specialist, who booked me into hospital for tests.
It’s cancer.
Major abdominal surgery next week. If all goes well, the remaining non-cancerous section of me will be home by early-mid February. No idea yet how long a full recovery might take beyond then. Medical advice is very positive, but that wouldn’t count for much in the absence of care and love from family and friends. I’ve been overwhelmed. I’m lucky.
Luckier than I ever knew.
Usual posting to continue shortly.
*WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE* Results of Monday’s CAT scan are in. There is no spread of the malignancy; zip, zero, zilch. It’s entirely localised. Medical science may disagree, but I think credit should go to readers and fellow bloggers. Your thoughts and prayers have eerie powers.
Massive thanks to all.
Well your familly is larger than you thought. We all wish you a speedy and thorough recovery of your ehalth.
Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 01 14 at 01:56 PM • permalink... and also, of course, a speedy and thorough recovery of your health
Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2008 01 14 at 01:57 PM • permalinkBest wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Posted by charles austin on 2008 01 14 at 01:59 PM • permalinkLooks like they got it early. Best wishes dude.
Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2008 01 14 at 02:07 PM • permalinkYou better get better, mister! That’s an order!
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2008 01 14 at 02:16 PM • permalinkI’m sorry to hear the news, Good luck to you, you will be in my prayers.
Posted by Old Tanker on 2008 01 14 at 02:21 PM • permalinkMy advice: speedy recovery. Just do it.
And as you could probably guess, you’ll be in our prayers.
Posted by lumberjack on 2008 01 14 at 02:29 PM • permalinkI hope and pray that you have the best outcome possible. I go for testing February 5.
Elizabeth
Imperial KeeperPosted by Elizabeth Imperial Keeper on 2008 01 14 at 02:31 PM • permalinkMate, the others have said it better than I ever could. Be good and be back soon.
Posted by AlphaMikeFoxtrot on 2008 01 14 at 02:35 PM • permalinkDo your usual Tim,
Stare it in the face, then run over it, shift into reverse and run over that fucker several more times.
Repeat as required.
Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2008 01 14 at 02:36 PM • permalinkGet well.
I’ll burn some carbon for you every day. My only regret is that I have but four cylinders to devote to the task.
Posted by Don't Bogart that Midget, Comrade! on 2008 01 14 at 02:38 PM • permalinkBest wishes, Tim. Get well soon.
And like Merlin said, kick its neoplasmic ass!
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2008 01 14 at 03:01 PM • permalinkjoe bagadonuts
Hit it on the head…
Stare it in the face, then run over it, shift into reverse and run over that fucker several more times.
Attitude. You must have a super positive one, Mr. Tim Blair.
Should you get down, count on US, to get the Adrenalin running, by pissing you off.
You will be in thoughts and prayers.
Keep strong, Tim, and don’t let some stupid bunch of errant cells push you around.
Posted by rick mcginnis on 2008 01 14 at 03:08 PM • permalinkTim, I wish so much this was just a cunning plan on your part to lure in all the lurkers. And then track them and make them pay fees. I’m in shock. And sad. But I know you’ll beat this.
May God look after you and bring you back to full health. You will be in my family’s prayers.
Posted by wronwright on 2008 01 14 at 03:09 PM • permalinkYou’ll knock that Bastard off, Tim.
God Bless.
Posted by cwxyzallen on 2008 01 14 at 03:18 PM • permalinkHoly shit, Tim. I don’t know what to say other than to echo the above. All the prayers and love that Bingley Manor can muster up are heading your way.
Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2008 01 14 at 03:20 PM • permalinkAwful news, Tim, but prayers are on their way to the bloke upstairs from us here in France. Get well soon.
Posted by Villeurbanne on 2008 01 14 at 03:22 PM • permalinkI’ll send up a prayer for every time you made me laugh. That ought to get the attention of the Guy Upstairs.
Best wishes.
Posted by Not My Problem on 2008 01 14 at 03:25 PM • permalinkIf you’re tough enough to get through life being a supporter of Collingwood, then you’re tough enough to get through anything. Godspeed.
Posted by mr creosote on 2008 01 14 at 03:32 PM • permalinkBest wishes, and may you enjoy the freedom to make all those bravely bad jokes related to your experience. No one dare stop you! (example: I had a quintuple coronary bypass about six years ago. A few weeks after the surgery, someone remarked that I was enjoying a particular movie which I had previously detested. “Let’s just say I’ve had a change of heart,” I said with twitch of evil at the corner of my mouth. Go thou and do likewise….)
Too much of this going around here in Jersey. God be with you and everyone else with that vicious disease.
Posted by Gary from Jersey on 2008 01 14 at 03:44 PM • permalinkGod speed, Tim! Kick the ass of that cancer!!!
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2008 01 14 at 03:48 PM • permalinkGod bless, Tim, and may your recovery be complete.
Posted by localharbor on 2008 01 14 at 03:51 PM • permalinkYou stay strong Tim, and whip this like Andrea whips Wronwright.
Posted by Some0Seppo on 2008 01 14 at 03:54 PM • permalinkTim, I’m sorry to hear this news. I’ve been coming here since 2002, I’ve met you during one of your trips to the US, and I can thank you for so much, including things I see and enjoy every day, like Achewood. You’re still one of the best and funniest bloggers, period.
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
Posted by Matt in Denver on 2008 01 14 at 03:56 PM • permalinkJeez, Tim, that’s awful news. I hope your surgery is 100% successful. You’ve brought me some of the wittiest and insightful blogging there is. I’d have a hundredth of the appreciation for Australian affairs that I do if it were not for you.
Get well soon, mate.
Posted by David Gillies on 2008 01 14 at 03:58 PM • permalinkI never do sappy stuff Tim. I’m from Texas and we frown upon crying in anything except guitar solos, but here is my single exception: Christ, you are sir Tim of Blair, the reason for the American political establishment on the Right knows anything about Australia at all. You have little notion of your own importance for your country. You’re an institution, for Pete’s sake.
I don’t even consider you a blogger I read, you’re so just the background thoughts for so much of my political life. And, it’s obvious, for a large portion of the political establishment on the Right over here in the english speaking world.
Don’t go. It would leave a hole.
Posted by mencken_cynic on 2008 01 14 at 04:00 PM • permalinkGive it hell and let us all know if we can help in any way.
Posted by spongeworthy on 2008 01 14 at 04:01 PM • permalinkFamily, friends and positive outlook make all the difference with something like this. From the other side of the world, my family’s best wishes for a fast and vigorous recovery.
xoxo
Posted by WonderWoman on 2008 01 14 at 04:05 PM • permalinkTerrible news, man. Best of luck with the surgery and hopes for a speedy recovery. Prayers are going up for you from Casa Renegade.
Get well soon!
Posted by Renegade Lawyer on 2008 01 14 at 04:17 PM • permalinkWishing you good humor throughout this episode. It will ease the pain, give you strength, and help you heal.
Posted by Tai Chi Wawa on 2008 01 14 at 04:17 PM • permalinkNevermind your paltry abdominal ailments, what matters here is frequent updates on this site for ME to read. Got it, mister? What matters here is my need for your postings so nevermind this sick act of yours and keep generating the content with a stiff uppercase!
Just kidding, glad the prognosis is positive. Positive outlook is important here. look down at your rebelling belly and say “I will beat this”. Failing that, i am sure paco has a miracle cure brewing in one of his many biotech startups or roadside enchilada stands.
Best of luck, Tim. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers.
Posted by Aussie Dave on 2008 01 14 at 04:21 PM • permalinkI have nothing to add to what’s been said, except my thoughts and prayers.
Kick ass Tim!
Posted by Marin Republican on 2008 01 14 at 04:26 PM • permalinkAll the best Tim . . . . . focus on your health - the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy can look after itself for a few weeks.
Posted by Young and Free on 2008 01 14 at 04:33 PM • permalinkTreat this rotten cancer as you do any lefty and you will have it beaten in no time.
Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
Posted by curious george on 2008 01 14 at 04:41 PM • permalinkHmmmmm.
Cancer? That’s tough news. But modern medicine can do a lot of great things.
The only advice I can give you is to not give up and don’t waste your time bewailing your fate. I don’t have cancer but I do have kidney failure.
The treatments will be hard and there might be times when it all seems easier to give in and let it all go.
Don’t.
Posted by memomachine on 2008 01 14 at 04:42 PM • permalinkDear Tim,
I’m distressed at any prospect of your discomfort. But will this amount to anything more than re-wardrobing your bikini holidays? I see your hospitalization as more of an infiltration, with the resulting reports leading to a health care administration crisis.
All of humanity is pulling for your speedy recovery. Minus, of course, the Moonbats, BDS victims, collectivist lunatics, climate changlings, illiterati, and the auto-lobotomized battalions of journalists and politicians. And the Archbishop of Canterbury. And Margo.
Still that leaves millions of us revving our chainsaws, and toasting your good health by the light of enormous bonfires. Right here, right now, I pledge to generate an extra ton of carbon dioxide every month until you are well. The thermostat is going up 2 clicks right now.
Love from Vermont
Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit !!!!!
On a more positive note, you will follow Miss Andrea’s instructions to the letter, if you know what’s good for you!
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2008 01 14 at 04:46 PM • permalinkShocked to hear of your situation, Tim. You have the thoughts and prayers of Nora and I. Good luck.
—Nick and Nora Charles
Posted by The Thin Man Returns on 2008 01 14 at 04:46 PM • permalinkDamn it, Tim. I wish you the very best and you’ll be given the leading role in my prayers. God bless you.
Posted by bugscuffle on 2008 01 14 at 04:55 PM • permalinkBingley calls with the news and I about wreck the car. So here’s what you’re gonna do to make up for it ~ get in, get out, get BETTER IMMEDIATELY. Being blonde, I can’t make a single decision about the upcoming
frivolitieselection without your searing commentary and pithy analysis, so it’s thoughtful you’ve scheduled this sick stuff now. Plus, major dad, Ebola, the labradork and scottie’s all expect you on the doorstep one of these days, so you’re just too booked to play fainting violet anyway.Oh… And let the surgeon know he’d better play your insides like a Stradivarius, or it will go badly for him, indeed.
Posted by tree hugging sister on 2008 01 14 at 04:56 PM • permalinkI write this from a kitchen in America where Tim Blair actually blogged a few years ago. We put up a plaque to commemorate the event. We forgot to get his handprints in cement out back, though, and he promised to do that next trip.
Five years, ten, twenty – take your time, Tim. We’ll be happy to see you again.
Here’s to your brisk recovery, and on behalf of the family and all the guys you drank under the table that night at Nye’s Polonnaise Room, best wishes.
I was stunned when I read the news.
Wikipedia says your only 42.
Your too young to go, so beat this thing.
Also, condolences to your family. It must be a heart breaker for them.
Posted by Go Canucks on 2008 01 14 at 05:05 PM • permalinkDreadful news!
Get well and be well, Tim.
The Binx family will add you to their prayer list.Posted by Daddy Binx on 2008 01 14 at 05:09 PM • permalinkGet well soon Tim.
The world needs you now more than ever.
Nil bastardo carborundum.
Posted by Jay Santos on 2008 01 14 at 05:09 PM • permalinkTim, I am sorry to welcome you to our club. El Cid is correct about the importance of a positive attitude. The docs told me I had about 6 months and I am still here… that was in ‘93. I am sending lots of positive thoughts in your direction. You will have to change your eating habits, but you will get used to it eventually… probably… well, maybe.
Tim—I’m so sorry to hear your news. Sending you lots of prayers and hoping, nope, make that KNOWING, that you’ll make a rapid recovery. Best of luck to you.
Posted by Polish Frizzle on 2008 01 14 at 05:11 PM • permalinkI am very sorry to hear this news. I pray that you get better soon. Read some Norman Cousins for inspiration.
Posted by The Best Infidel on 2008 01 14 at 05:13 PM • permalinkTim,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Be strong!
Thoughts and prayers with you from Texas!Posted by shockcorridor on 2008 01 14 at 05:18 PM • permalinkWhat they said, Tim. Kill it and tell the tale.
Posted by ooh honey honey on 2008 01 14 at 05:23 PM • permalinkShit, this makes three now. You’re too young to have cancer. My prayers and best wishes are with you and yours.
Posted by rightwingprof on 2008 01 14 at 05:25 PM • permalinkThis ain’t right. There’s far too much wine to be drunk, far too many leftists to be mocked, far too much good food to be eaten, far too much gasoline to burn in far too many hot cars, far too much cricket and football to be watched, far too many fine women to be kissed, for us to do it without you. So you just have to get better: and you will!
Warmest regards from fly-over country: and our prayers are you day and night.
Posted by Urbs in Horto on 2008 01 14 at 05:25 PM • permalinkTim B., have you asked Phil Adams who is trying to assassinate you? He claims to be in the know about these things.
(sorry I never know the right thing to say)
Posted by Col. Milquetoast on 2008 01 14 at 05:26 PM • permalinkMy thoughts and prayers, Tim. Get well soon!
Posted by RogerBournival on 2008 01 14 at 05:28 PM • permalinkWhat type?
Treatable?
Operable?
Prognosis?Hard questions but to decide whether to fall in a heap or not depends on the answers.
That’s what I wrote when I first read of this in a previous thread.
Tim best wishes for a speedy recovery, hope not too many bits need to be taken out. (Well, nothing that you really need, anyway!)
Know that many, many people do care very much that you are compleatly with us. There’ll be prayers and many thoughts for you, and your loved ones.
Dear Tim
so very sorry to read this news-may I add my own good wishes to those already posted.
Like many others this is my first ‘port of call’ each day and will miss you while you are in hospital.As a former oncology RN I can assure you the outlook is very positive with this type on tumour.
With all our collective hearts and minds focusing each day on positive and loving thought of you, you can do nothing other than recover your good health.
Just remember each morning and night the loyal army of people who will be thinking of you.
God bless and keep you - your work is far from doneBest of luck, Tim. Don’t be afraid to lean on your loved ones on the road to recovery.
Posted by joeschmo1of3 on 2008 01 14 at 05:37 PM • permalinkGet well, Tim. We’re all pulling for you.
Posted by Rob Crawford on 2008 01 14 at 05:38 PM • permalinkThat sucks. All the best, Tim. I understand that very good red wine helps in the recovery process.
Posted by ErnestBludger on 2008 01 14 at 05:38 PM • permalinkTim, prayers are being said for you in a little Anglican church in Dallas, Texas.
And, undoubtedly, in many other places.
Posted by Rittenhouse on 2008 01 14 at 05:38 PM • permalinkTim, let’s put it this way: you are positively admonished to stick around until I become an expert on cricket - which, based on my current pace of research and level of interest, has not advanced beyond the stage of being aware of the amazing resemblance between the uniforms of cricket players and the uniforms of male nurses in some of the friskier asylums.
Just heard. All the best for the surgery, Tim, and watch what they put in your medicine glass. Look what happened to this good friend of yours [joke]:
“A few weeks after the surgery, someone remarked that I was enjoying a particular movie which I had previously detested. “Let’s just say I’ve had a change of heart,” I said with twitch of evil at the corner of my mouth. Go thou and do likewise….” [#69]
Think of this cancer as the Glorebal Warmening conspiracy, and you’ll kick its butt [or ‘Bash its bottom’, as Mr Faulty would say].
There is only one Tim, and the world needs you for a long time still.
Tim. That’s not good news at all. I’m a little bit in shock.
Stay objective and make sure you put yourself in the best hands for medical care.
My family and I wish you all the best for a full recovery.Posted by Hank Reardon on 2008 01 14 at 05:45 PM • permalinkTim, best wishes for recovery. I am a 16-year survivor, and I hope the same for you.
I had a really bad attitude, found nothing positive whatsoever about group therapy, and was quite grumpy mostly. I still hate cancer, I still drink, and I still eat at McDonald’s.
So carry on, and give ‘em hell, just like you always do, and come back soon. We love you.
Crap.
I’m sure everyone’s wishing you luck but I’m not sure you need it. You’ve never struck me as the type to depend on luck for anything. You do seem the type who will have no problem doing whatever you have to do to beat the Cancer into submission. Then doing a victory dance.
So along with everyone wishing you the best of luck I’ll add in a wish for you to have a resounding victory and a quick recovery.
Keep your strength up and you will beat this incidious thing.
Get better mate.
Posted by deadparrot on 2008 01 14 at 06:00 PM • permalinkGood luck and best wishes, Tim. The Internet won’t be the same while you’re away. Keep us up to date on your progress.
Posted by Bruce Rheinstein on 2008 01 14 at 06:01 PM • permalinkMedical advice is very positive, but that wouldn’t count for much in the absence of care and love from family and friends. I’ve been overwhelmed. I’m lucky.
Luckier than I ever knew.
Usual posting to continue shortly.
I’m so glad to hear they have found out what has been making you feel sucky and it is treatable. It does sound like a long stint in hospital, so be very nice to the nurses!
It is also nice for you to receive such warm support from your family, friends, and almost complete strangers via this blog. It’s wonderful to see.
But the best thing is your appreciation of your circumstances, and finding a positive already in this difficult time. This will stand you in good stead throughout the tough days ahead.
Ditto to all of the above, and know you’ll be in our thoughts and prayers. Beat this thing!
The Daily Telegraph
2 Holt Street
Surry Hills, NSW, 2010.Address above for any cards etc.
Here in the north woods of Minnesota, USA, within spittin’ distance of Canada (not just a folksy trope anymore - Go, Steyn!), we have to range far and wide on the ‘nets to find sources of - not just information - information combined with wit and context and insight.
We had our own local sources once. They froze solid a few years back. Now, there’s just us, and the moose.
So, following the logic I’ve laid out here, you realize that you’ll absolutely be getting over this, right?
‘Cuz, you ain’t leaving us to the gentle ministrations of the moose.
I’ve often considered how it would have been to live in some past age, where life was “slow” and “uncomplicated”, and all those other romanticized ideas some folks have of the world a long time ago.
But, ya know what? Not that many years ago, a cancer diagnoses was a death penalty for the unlucky soul that received it! What an improvement we’ve made(well, the researchers have made, bless’em)! So, I feel confident you and the Docs will handle this the same way you handle all the looney lefties everyday.
With class and good humor! Get well soon.
Ah, Hell. I guess this means your side job as an underwear model is over, eh? Not to worry. I got to enjoy (what I assume was) the same operation about four years ago. All it left me with was a nasty scar amidships and about 12 inches less colon. Fortunately there was plenty more where that came from. Two weeks after surgery I was chasing one of my damn dogs down the street to prevent him getting run over. You’ll surely bounce back just as well.
It’s bad news, but not as awful as some make it sound. Ignore the connotations, projections, apprehensions, etc. In practice it just means lots of prodding and poking and machinery and boredom and a sore gut and hospital food for a while. In a couple of months you’ll be free of it all and Tim again, with all the finest parts intact.
You are the sharpest and funniest blogger of them all, a daily treat for thousands. If each of us prays for you each time we’d normally visit your site, heaven will be hit with quite a hailstorm, about 578,000 prayers a day if I figure it right. God Himself will be worrying about climate change.
Only answer: increase cancer remissions and put Tim back on his feet ASAP.
Meanwhile, I’m with HelenW at 125. One extra ton a month.
Posted by arrowhead ripper on 2008 01 14 at 06:44 PM • permalinkGet better Tim! Love ya (but not in THAT way, NTTAWWT (Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That) :).
Posted by Dave in Chicago on 2008 01 14 at 06:53 PM • permalinkVery sorry to hear the news.
Good luck and God Bless. We hope for a speedy recovery.
Kind regards,
StevePosted by fankytomato on 2008 01 14 at 06:55 PM • permalinkSorry to hear the news, Tim. Hope you make a speedy recovery!
Posted by lewisinnyc on 2008 01 14 at 06:55 PM • permalinkTim:
Be strong. Be good.Okay, that second one is impossible for you to meet.
I and my family will take some time to think and pray for you and your loved ones. Count on it.
Steve
Posted by SMGalbraith on 2008 01 14 at 06:58 PM • permalinkTim
That’s tough. Here’s wishing for a speedy recovery. Keep up the fight.
Posted by pommygranate on 2008 01 14 at 07:01 PM • permalinkThis is awful. I too blame Bush.
Now to fire up the Precision Atomic Cancer Obliterator and watch those rogue cells melt away like a globally-warmened ice floe under a cuddly, adorable polar bear cub!
Posted by Paul Zrimsek on 2008 01 14 at 07:04 PM • permalinkJust remember, we’re all pullin’ for ya. Stay positive!
Posted by Old Grouch on 2008 01 14 at 07:05 PM • permalinkTim, let’s put it this way: you are positively admonished to stick around until I become an expert on cricket
Never you fear. Tim’s gonna knock this thing for six.
Posted by Paul Zrimsek on 2008 01 14 at 07:07 PM • permalinkI echo 1-214 above.
I’m only an occasional poster, but an avid reader. Your blog is a daily tonic, an antidote to the oceans of idiocy that might otherwise drown us.
Get well soon.
s.r.intulom
Posted by s.r.intulom on 2008 01 14 at 07:11 PM • permalinkAnglican prayers going up for the quick return of your health, amigo. Several continents are depending on you.
Posted by Jeffersonian on 2008 01 14 at 07:11 PM • permalinkIf there’s such a thing as karma, considering the number of chuckles and suppressed workplace sniggers you’ve added to the cosmos you’ll be out in no time.
I hope your doctor is a Liberal (paraphrasing Ronald Reagan). Best of luck, Tim, I know you’ll knock the bastard off! (Apologies if that’s been said.)
Posted by Tommy Shanks on 2008 01 14 at 07:33 PM • permalinkYou are now Adam Gilchrist. Cancer is a juicy half volley outside off stump. You know what to do.
All the best for a speedy recovery, mate. I’m not much for praying, but for you I’ll make an exception. You’re the reason for broadband, hell you’re the reason I have internet connection.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2008 01 14 at 07:37 PM • permalink
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I’ve never met you personally, but having read your blog so long I kinda feel I’ve gotten to know you quite a bit, and I am shocked to hear the news. Hope all goes well and you managed to beat this. Take care and all the best.