Posted on 06/04/2013 11:03:06 AM PDT by rickmichaels
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with a type of cancer in his upper jaw. He is scheduled to have surgery June 7th. Kelly says that his prognosis is "very good" and the cancer has not spread to other parts of his body.
The announcement comes on the same day as Kelly's annual Celebrity Golf Classic. The Hall of Fame quarterback spoke to the media Monday, he was upbeat but knows he has a tough battle ahead of him.
Kelly says that a few weeks ago his jaw started to hurt, thinking it was an infection he first went to the dentist and was then referred to an oral surgeon. That's when Kelly learned he had a cyst.
The news shocked Jim, his friends and his family, many of whom are at his golf tournament Monday. Kelly says he got second and third opinions, but the good news is that doctors do believe his cancer was caught in time and is isolated to his jaw.
The Bills legend will have surgery this Friday at ECMC. A cyst has already been removed from his jaw and Friday a portion of his jawbone will be removed and the bone will be grafted. The Hall of Famer is no stranger to surgeries, though he admits this one is a bit different he is confident he will get through it.
Kelly said, "Now that I've been assured that it's pretty much located in one area of my jaw, but just like with anything once you get in and they start cutting away and cutting the cancer out, they will figure out what they need to take."
"I've been through it all. I mean with all the things, not only in my professional career but with my son, and all the things we went through there, you've got to stay strong. That's the Kelly way. That's how I was brought up by my father, that's how he raised his six sons, that things are going to happen in your life and you have to meet it head on, meet the challenge, and win and we've done that."
In terms of more surgeries or chemotherapy and radiation, Kelly says it depends on what happens in his first surgery. Kelly said Monday that he is confident he will beat it.
The Buffalo Bills released the following statement from Kelly:
“This past couple of weeks has been difficult for me and because of the nature of social media I thought it would be best to share with everyone what has been going on with my health. I was recently diagnosed with Squamous-cell carcinoma (cancer) of the upper jaw bone. I have undergone tests which have shown that the cancer is isolated to my upper jaw and has not spread to other parts of my body. Surgery is scheduled for June 7th and doctors have told me that the prognosis for my recovery is very good.
With the excellent medical care that I will be receiving and the loving care of my wife Jill and my daughters Erin and Camryn and the support of my entire family and friends, I am extremely confident in my road to recovery. I plan to tackle this challenge head on, as we Kelly’s always do, with toughness, perseverance and faith.
I want to thank everyone who has offered their prayers and would appreciate any prayers said for me and my family moving forward. May God continue to bless you and our family.”
Kathern Zeta Jones involved?
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Thanks for the Ping. Heard his statement this morning. He’s very upbeat but this is located in in his upper jaw. Lots of nerves and soft tissue. He’s hangin’ braver than me!
Thoughts and Prayers Mr. Kelly!
He’s one of the good people that played. I wish him the very best.
I’m thinking MoDo was the stanky one.
As if going south on MoDowd wouldn’t be sufficient punishment in and of itself.
Prayers for Jim Kelly. He’s my favorite Hurricane.
Prayers for his health and healing.
Jim always seemed like a good guy. Hope he pulls thru.
Bummer. Jim Kelly has always been a good guy.
How sad. When I was a bit younger, I thought that the Bills losing 4 consecutive Super Bowls made them a joke of a team. Now that I have matured, I realize what a tremondous accomplish that those teams were able to do.
Thank you Jim Kelly for entertaining us fans with enthusiasm.
Explain.
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Michael Douglas recently disclosed that he got throat cancer from performing cunnilingus. Zeta Jones is his wife.
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