Posted on 06/30/2010 5:08:13 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
OS ANGELES (Reuters) – British-born author Christopher Hitchens on Wednesday cut short a book tour to undergo chemotherapy, which several media outlets reported was because the heavy smoker has been diagnosed with cancer.
"I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice," Hitchens, 61, said in a statement released through his publishers Twelve.
A representative for the publisher offered no details beyond the statement.
Hitchens, known to be a heavy smoker, launched a book tour last month to promote his memoir "Hitch 22" which tackles subjects ranging from the Middle East and Zimbabwe to his friendships with prominent writers including Salman Rushdie and Martin Amis.
As a journalist, critic and war correspondent, Hitchens has carved out a reputation for barbed repartee, scathing critiques of public figures and a fierce intelligence.
In his 2008 book "God Is Not Great", Hitchens put himself on a collision course with major religions with his trenchant atheist views.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Prayers for Christopher, an excellent writer and an honest man.
Moms, don’t let your sons grow up to be smokers.
Hitch supported the war in Iraq.
He supported and defended Salman Rushdie when the Iranian Islamic thugs ordered his death? Many other weasels failed to stand up....the Archbishop of Canterbury being one of them.
He’s denounced the appeasement of North Korea.
He’s sounded alarms about a nuclear Iran.
He’s wrote about Christian rights being denied by Muslims including denying them the use of the word Allah, a word that is Arabic for God.
He’s so impressed with America that he became an American.
BUT he doesn’t believe in God and he’s vocal about his beliefs so he’s a bad guy.
I hope he’s with us for many more years.
He actually lives in D.C., and despite his strong socialist streak I think he’ll avoid medical care in the UK. At least I hope so; I wish him well, he’s one of the only intellectually honest lefties on the planet. We need someone intelligent to fight w/ or it’s no fun.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Oh, I had ovarian cancer and radiation was not even offered, just chemo.
By the way, even if you suddenly believe in Him now, no, He didn't do this to you.
Five-year cancer survival rates bear this out. For leukemia, the American survival rate is almost 50 percent; the European rate is just 35 percent. Esophageal carcinoma: 12 percent in the United States, 6 percent in Europe. The survival rate for prostate cancer is 81.2 percent here, yet 61.7 percent in France and down to 44.3 percent in England - a striking variation.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/correction-please/626-bad-economics-a-medicine
EVERY cancer is different! Ovarian cancer is NOT esophageal cancer. The appropriateness of radiation or chemo or surgery is different for every malignancy.
He has my sincerest best wishes for his total and speedy recovery.
He came to one of our FreeRepublic events years ago. I think he enjoyed his visit with us and I know we enjoyed having him with us. He’s very nice in person. He doesn’t share all of our beliefs, but he recognized the dishonesty in President Clinton and gave a very patriotic speech in Lafayette Park.
Leave it to reformed Leftist Christopher Hitchens to rile up a crowd of New York Leftists: “The catcalls started almost from the moment the prickly Brit began defending the Iraq adventure during Wednesday night’s squabble at the Ethical Culture Society. “Make zoo noises!” Hitchens taunted. “Bear in mind, if you had been listened to, Bosnia would part of greater Serbia, Afghanistan would be run by the Taliban, and Saddam Hussein would still be in charge of Iraq.” For good measure, he added: “British intelligence was quite right to say that Saddam Hussein was seeking uranium in Niger. That you can look up.” To which a peacenik screamed: “F- you!” “Shut up,” Hitchens retorted. “You’re rude and silly. And ugly.” Afterward, a deeply satisfied Hitchens smoked a cigarette. “I know how to hurt their feelings because I know what they’re going through. ... I have a real relish for inflicting pain on them.”
I was under the impression that dual citizenship was not possible under British law. that has been the argument about Bo and his father being British.
Hmmm....My first thought was liver cancer.
Well said. I believe that Hitch is one of those sceptics who eventually finds God, given enough time. Here’s hoping.
May God heal him and draw him close, even to saving grace.
As one preacher said, you don’t need Jesus just because you might die tomorrow, you need Him because it’s almost certain you’ll live through tomorrow...and the next day, and the next day...
He’s lucky they’re doing chemo. I’ve heard of cases of esophageal cancer where they do radiation and the radiation kills all the tastebuds temporarily. One patient I saw described said all his food tasted like bile for the entire rad course and months after.
I’ve always liked ol’ Hitch, regardless. Many prayers his way. Get better, dude!
Hear, hear.
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