OT: Wilko Johnson (British Guitarrist) in not dead yet shock

[pog451]

At the end of 2012, Wilco Johnson, the British blues guitarist best known for his work with the seminal Dr. Feelgood, was diagnosed with terminal inoperable pancreatic cancer. Faced with a prognosis of 10 months, a couple more with chemo, he rejected treatment and exploded into a whirlwind of activity including a massive farewell tour, a new Album with Roger Daltrey (The Who) and ecstatic responses from his fans.

Now, finding himself unexpectedly still alive in May 2014, he might have a chance of cure after all:

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/comment/ar ... -interview

If nothing else, his response to his supposed death penalty is nothing short of inspiring.

[Laurettas]

What a beautiful, inspiring story! Thanks so much for sharing, Pog.

[skypup]

If nothing else, his response to his supposed death penalty is nothing short of inspiring.

Indeed! Thanks for posting...

[lohidoc]

I like the guy and wish him well. But really?? It took them this long to decide that his pancreatic cancer was of the neuroendocrine type (same as Steve Jobs). And meanwhile the tumour has grown from walnut to football size? That is disgraceful.

It seems to me that at the time of the initial diagnosis they just shrugged their shoulders and said: "You have pancreatic cancer, you will be dead soon." And then when, surprise, he did not die soon enough they took another look and did the biopsy they should have done in the first place. And now he is faced with a far more difficult surgery than would have been the case had the correct diagnosis been made sooner.

This type of therapeutic nihilism is so common, more so I think in Europe. You have cancer, you will die. End of story. This is why there is no sense of urgency in the cancer industry, why, at some fundamental level they just don't care enough.

Yet another reason why, as patients, we need to be in control, informed, and push for what needs to be done. Nobody cares about us as much as we do ourselves.

I wish the guy well. This an appalling story.

PS And you know what? I bet no one told him.

[pog451]

Interesting alternative take on this story, Doc.

It's difficult to read between the lines on the exact situation, because as a media person the story will have been edited. Bu I'm guessing the nihilism was on his side. At the time he said a lot about how he had lost his wife, he's had recurring health, drink and drugs issues and I dont think he really appreciated how much he was loved until he tried to say goodbye. On the interviews at the time there was a definite "I think I'm done here" flavour.

Of course you're right - Why couldn't they have done the surgery a year ago when the tumour was smaller, but of course the surgery must hav a significant mortality and morbidity, so perhaps he, again, though it wasn't worth the risk until he got into "extra time".

I hope he makes it.

[lohidoc]

Maybe Pog, maybe. But he didn't exactly crawl into a hole to die after his diagnosis did he? In fact, his bursts of activity since his diagnosis suggest a strong will to live and have an impact before he dies.