Thompson's Health (Hugh Hewitt's Obsession With This...)

The most comprehensive report on Fred Thompson's cancer I have seen is here. (HT: Politico.) Key graphs:

``The nature of the disease is that it tends to relapse,'' said David Fisher, a lymphoma specialist and assistant professor of medicine at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. ``How long one can live with the disease varies considerably.'' ...

Thompson's cancer is an uncommon form called nodal marginal zone lymphoma, which accounts for 2 percent to 4 percent of all cases, according to Owen O'Connor, chief of the lymphoma service at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York and author of about 100 research papers on the disease....

``Because this is so rare -- there are about 1,500 cases per year in the U.S. -- it's hard to prognosticate,'' O'Connor said in an interview. ``Most of the statistics you see on the National Cancer Institute Web site are old data. It's very hard to reach broad generalizations.''
Thompson's doctor, Bruce Cheson, head of hematology and oncology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, told CNN in April that his patient had no evidence of the disease after being treated and that many such patients ``can live a normal life span.''
``The indolent, or slow-growing lymphomas are very treatable, but rarely if ever curable,'' Cheson said in the April interview. ``Therefore, his likelihood of recurring is high, but this may not happen for a number of years.''
Cheson couldn't comment further because Thompson hasn't given permission for him to do so, Georgetown Medical School spokeswoman Marianne Worley said in a Sept. 4 interview. Thompson's campaign representatives didn't return phone calls seeking comment. ....

The textbook average life expectancy for all forms of non- Hodgkin's lymphoma is six to 12 years after diagnosis. Among patients diagnosed with Stage 1, or cancer that hasn't spread, the average 10-year survival rate is about 70 percent, Fisher said. For those diagnosed with extensive cancers, the 10-year survival rate is 36 percent. It is not known at what stage Thompson's cancer was diagnosed.

Hewitt and many of the staff at NRO are in the tank for Romney.

Hannity and many of those at FOX are in it for either Rudy or Hillary. Hannity’s not pulling for Rudy...but some of his bosses are.

I just ignore these types. I don’t ignore critics, just ignore gushing fanatics beyond all reason as Hewitt is here.

Thompson is only going to win if those in the base rally around him like they did Bush. Up to this point everyone and their mother has tried to make the base rally around the three RINO’s. It hasn’t worked. I suspect attempts to discourage or encourage choosing Thompson will be unsuccessful as well. in the end regardless of pressure conservatives are either going to agree on someone, or sit this race out. And our “Leaders” on blogs, radio, cable and D.C. aren’t going to affect that outcome.

If someone supports Thompson, and I’ve decided to, the best strategy is simply to make sure he is heard by as many as possible without filters. Conservatives will respond or they won’t to the message. Hewitt’s pearls will hardly affect any change.

I used to be a big fan and still enjoy his show. I especially like his insights on judges and judicial nominees. He’s real good on that stuff.

But I’ve noticed something about him that bugs me more and more.

Hewitt has apparently convinced himself that HE and he alone is the gatekeeper of who is an acceptable conservative and who is “off the deep end.” It’s ok to be be conservative.....right up to the point where old Hugh is. One step beyond that, though, and you’re a loon.

Without this, I could forgive his shilling for Romney - which is also very annoying.

Hank

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