On Cancer.....

No, this isn't my audition to be one of Santa's next reindeer....

I heard today that syndicated columnist/pundit Robert Novak has a brain tumor and has been hospitalized for treatment. This adds another name to the list of a growing number of celebrities and other adults who have been diagnosed with brain tumors, notably among them Senator Edward Kennedy.

I'm not one to talk about it much unless asked, but I am celebrating 34 years this year in remission from brain cancer myself, and 23 years since I was declared "cured". In 1974 I was diagnosed with a grade 2 Astrocytoma. I didn't really know what it meant. I just know that I spent the better part of my childhood going from doctor to doctor and getting poked and prodded and stuck with needles and all the other (not so) fun stuff that goes with a cancer diagnosis.

I can't honestly draw conclusions about Novak's tumor because little has been said about it as of yet. As you probably know, Mr. Novak hit a pedestrian with his Corvette last week in DC. I don't condone his callous disregard (or outright contempt) for pedestrians(of which I am one)...on any other given day I'd be inclined to drag him out of his Corvette and beat him. But not now. I can't say that his tumor had anything to do with his hitting that pedestrian last week, as much as his contempt for pedestrians disgusts me and that he's made that point in the past. The only thing I can hope for him is a speedy recovery.

Here's to a speedy recovery, Mr. Novak.

MM