by Frank James
Conservative newspaper columnist Robert Novak has been diagnosed with a brain tumor less than a week after he was driving a car that hit a pedestrian in Washington, D.C..
According to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times:
Novak said he was diagnosed on Sunday with a brain tumor and will soon begin treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He issued the following statement:
"On Sunday, July 27, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have been admitted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where doctors will soon begin appropriate treatment.
"I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period.
Novak is alert and talking -- he wrote the statement announcing his illness -- but in intensive care, where the hospital does not allow phone calls or flowers, according to his assistant, Kathleen Connolly
"He's talking,'' she said. "He seemed fine."
The diagnosis was sudden, she said. He became ill Sunday during a family outing near Cape Cod, Mass. A family member called 911, and he was brought by ambulance to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where the diagnosis was made.
It is too early to know whether the tumor is malignant or benign, his assistant said.
"They haven't even done the biopsy yet,'' Connolly said. That's to be done some time in the coming days, she said.
The announcement of the tumor will obviously have people wondering if Novak's medical condition played a role in last week's rush-hour accident in which Novak, behind the wheel of his 2004 Corvette, struck an 86-year old pedestrian. Novak, who was stopped by a witness a block away from the accident, said he didn't see the pedestrian who a witness described as being "splayed" on Novak's windshield at one point. The pedestrian was hospitalized with a dislocated shoulder.
(Photo credit: AP/Lauren Shay, FILE)
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Comments
Obama has hip problems. Why isn't that covered instead!??!?!?!?
Posted by: Nick | July 28, 2008 1:06 PM
Obama's hip problems were in the Tribune this morning. Clearly if he has an eyelash in his eye we need full media direction on him.
Posted by: nick | July 28, 2008 1:14 PM
Yes, it did leave me wondering immediately whether this caused Novak to genuinely not see something in his peripheral vision that he "should" have been able to see. He is the Prince of Darkness, but I wish him well nonetheless. This is tough news.
Posted by: lemonfair | July 28, 2008 1:27 PM
Get well soon, Bob. I sure hope we don't get treated to more liberal posters being allowed to call a man just diagnosed with cancer "the prince of darkness," either. There's a time and a place and this isn't it.
Posted by: Jeff | July 28, 2008 1:36 PM
Bad things happen to all sorts of people. It's still a bad thing. May he have a speedy recovery.
Posted by: strut2k | July 28, 2008 1:40 PM
Maybe we know now why he didn't know he hit the pedestrian.
Posted by: Todd M | July 28, 2008 1:49 PM
"The Prince of Darkness" is the title of Novak's own memoir, which I'm reading
these days.
So instead of knee-jerk response, perhaps Jeff may have taken five seconds on The Google to get a better idea of why it was appropriate for lemonfair to use that label.
Best wishes to the Prince of Darkness, a product of Joliet and U of Illinois who stands on his principles, no matter how misguided. Get well.
Posted by: a blinkin | July 28, 2008 2:06 PM
I know it's the name of his (tongue-in-cheek) memoir and I still don't think it's appropriate for a story about how the man was diagnosed with brain cancer. But I guess you and I are just different, A Blinkin.
Posted by: Jeff | July 28, 2008 2:28 PM
I wish him a speedy recovery.
Posted by: johnf | July 28, 2008 2:31 PM
As usual, the Swamp allows mean-spirited posts about conservatives, just as it did with Tony Snow a couple weeks back. Funny, how there were no mean spirited posts about Ted Kennedy nor Tim Russert that I could recall seeing. But then those on the Right are far more classy and decent than those on the Left.
Posted by: John D | July 28, 2008 3:38 PM
Also perhaps Jeff should read ther story. Mr Novak has not been diagnosed with cancer, as there has not been a biopsy and they don't know if it is malignant.
Posted by: Chuck Revel | July 28, 2008 3:52 PM
Green Trees,
Could you please direct us to the mean-spirited posts. Let's recap:
Posts 1 & 2 are not about the topic at all but actually take a swipe at Barack Obama. Post #3 explains that the tumor may have effected his vision in his recent accident and wishes him well. It refers to him as "The Prince Of Darkness" to which Novak has openly referred to himself. Post #4 is resident crybaby Jeff whining about a non-issue. Post #5 also wishes him well. Post #6 also mentions that this might explain last weeks accident. Post #7 explains reality to the crybaby and also wishes him well. Post #8 is more whining about nothing. Post #9 also wishes him well. Post #10 is you crying foul about "mean-spirited posts" of which, none actually exist. You also take the opportunity to take a swipe at the left based on a dream-world premise that doesn't exist, thereby demonstrating that your "class" argument is perfectly backwards. Post #11 is more explanation to the crybaby.
So tell us resident editor and genius, where are these "mean spirited posts"?
Posted by: Bubba | July 28, 2008 5:16 PM
I work as an Eye Dr.'s Assistant and I can tell you if the tumor is in the central brain near the optic chiasm then the visual field loss on the periphery is SIGNIFICANT.
As much as 30-40% of the visual field can be lost on both sides with the person not noticing. I see many folks coming in with this type of tumor and ther vision they have is akin to looking down a pair of toilet paper tubes. If he truely does have a optic chiasm/pituitary tumor he did not see the pedestrian. A visual field test would prove this and you can't argue with a brain scan.
IF he was admitted to the hospital the tumor has probably advanced to press on the motor nerves of the eye causing one eye to loose the abitlity to move beyond its center point. This causes EXTREME vertigo.
Posted by: Eye Poker | July 28, 2008 5:56 PM
Jeff, who slammed Edwards on the announcement of his wife's cancer, crying foul--now that's rich. The same Jeff who insulted the grieving mother and gold star mom who opposed the war. And John Green D. Trees who calls for the blowing up of Coit Tower and has said the most hateful things imaginable of Ted Kennedy, isn't "mean spirited". What a bunch of phonies.
Oh, and then there's those compassionate "righties", like Pastor Hagee who claims that God struck N.O. because of a homosexual rally. Yeah, you guys just warm my heart with your concern for your fellow man.
Posted by: dt | July 28, 2008 6:09 PM
Well Bubba there are two instances in your post when you call a man defending a cancer patient a "cryababy." That's pretty low, even by your standards. What is it that makes you people think that just because Novak once (jokingly!) referred to himself as the "prince of darkness" makes it okay to call him that in a story about his cancer diagnosis? Would you want me to call you "bubba" and other silly names you once used while you were on a hospital bed in the same shape? People like lemonfair are OBVIOUSLY making a swipe at Novak and how he did, indeed, hit a pedestrian last weekend. Listen to what the professional just said about how that actually probably played a big role in what happened. I will never be able to understand people like you, Bubba, who say the most offensive things and then try to say you did nothing wrong after the fact. It's the same as Paul Wellstone's funeral. You guys really need to get a clue... ya crybaby.
Posted by: Jeff | July 28, 2008 6:37 PM
Has Valerie Plame commented on this yet?
I hope the "Prince of Darkness" takes the time he has left to ask for forgiveness like Lee Atwater did.
Posted by: John E | July 28, 2008 9:27 PM
I wouldn't be citing John Edwards as someone who is compassionate towards Elizabeth right now if I were you, dt. There's a reason his name isn't being considered for VP anymore. Can I get one of your gold stars? Do you just hand them out?
Posted by: Jeff | July 28, 2008 9:37 PM
As usual, the Swamp allows mean-spirited posts about conservatives, just as it did with Tony Snow a couple weeks back. Funny, how there were no mean spirited posts about Ted Kennedy nor Tim Russert that I could recall seeing. But then those on the Right are far more classy and decent than those on the Left.
Posted by: John D | July 28, 2008 3:38 PM
JohnnyTantrum- Perhaps you need some new specs. Here are some classy and decent remarks from your soulmates at Free Republic.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:23:57 PM by Blennos:
“I hope he never again is in a decision making capacity. This man has done so much damage to our country.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:24:19 PM by Bloody Sam Roberts:
“He’ll get the best care money can buy…The best care OUR money can buy.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:29:21 PM by Gay State Conservative:
“I won’t reveal my complete thoughts on the matter.But if I did they would feature the frequent use of the word “hell.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:33:25 PM by xzins:
“The bible says that we should not gloat when our enemy falls.
God says in Ezekiel, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.””
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:34:27 PM by cherry:
“I hope he does okay…but…he’s an older man, he’s had riches that he never earned and power that he never deserved..he’s lived a full life, although he has accounted for nothing….I don’t wish him ill but I put it in perspective…..how many strapping young men and promising young women have died for this country?….how many in wheelchairs?…how many young or middle aged people do we all know that have horrible diseases or have died from cancer?….plenty….life is not fair…not even close….but life has been good to Ted…..”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:36:37 PM by Free ThinkerNY:
“Liberalism is a form of brain cancer. Most Liberals live with it for years and never improve.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:38:43 PM:
“Kennedy has done irreversible damage to this country with his Marxist policies and damaging statements about our military. That being said, I hope he lives the rest of his days in peace.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:38:30 PM by angcat:
“I am a sinner and by no means perfect but this sorry sack of garbage was given the opportunity to repent before he meets his Creator. He should be thankful. You don’t have to put yourself down to feel that way. I’m sure you are not a murder. I have no prayers or best wishes to offer either so I’m staying away from the threads.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:42:41 PM by ConservaTexan:
“Although I am not jumping for joy, I do find myself having a hard time being upset.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:48:04 PM by Larebil:
“The really frightening part is this will make John F’n Cary the senior senator from the Bay Gay state. Think positive, we will have one less murderous traitor to worry about.”
Posted by: chimpymcflightsuit'snavigator | July 28, 2008 9:39 PM
Bubba, er DT, once again, I am not Green Trees, nor is Green Trees me. I know the Loons on the Left love to posts as all sorts of different people, but us sane folks on the right, don't need to play those games.
And, Bubba, the wording and tone from the Loons speaks volumes regarding the mean-spiritedness of some posts.
Anyway, the Internet is full of this type of left wing garbage, whether it pertains to Novak, Snow, McCain, whomever.
Posted by: John D | July 28, 2008 10:25 PM
Actually, I called you crybaby three times. If I'm on my death bed, you can call me anything you wish. Just don't call me a hypocrite. I'm not above the fray with name calling for affect but I suggest you reread lemonfair's post and tell me that there is anything hateful to it. I was responding to the knee-jerk reaction that both you and Green Trees had without actually reading the comments above. The majority of them wish Bob well and are very sincere. A couple of them are offering simple explanations for last week's events and you interpret them as partisan words.
For the record, I apologized to you years ago for a slang word I used to address resident dunce Paulo. That was back when you posted as "Bill". It was obviously offensive and I haven't used it since.
As for cancer, my family stories would warp your brain for the rest of your life.
Posted by: Bubba | July 28, 2008 11:27 PM
That's a real shame. Hope he'll be okay.
I wonder if this had something to do with Pelosi backing away from going after Rove?
Posted by: Teresa | July 29, 2008 5:04 AM
No matter what you think of the man and his politics, he is still someone's loved one and we should wish him a speedy recovery and that his family has strength to help him through his ordeal. Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | July 29, 2008 7:19 AM
Chimpy, er John E., while a few of those posts you cut and paste are pretty low, I do not see the same nonsense you and your ilk posted about Tony Snow. There are no gleeful posts, there are no "good riddances," there are no rot in hells. there are no "gee, I wonder what kind of conversation he and Jesse Helms will have with Satan," there are no references to him being a murderer, though that argument can be made with Kennedy (May Jo Copechne, anyone?). Nice try, but as usual you failed.
Posted by: John D | July 29, 2008 10:07 AM