Posted on 09/05/2008 8:11:15 AM PDT by IrishMike
The main reason I am writing this column is that many people have asked me how I first realized I was suffering from a brain tumor and what I have done about it. But I also want to relate the reaction to my disease, mostly compassionate, that belies Washington's reputation.
The first sign that I was in trouble came on Wednesday, July 23, when my 2004 black Corvette struck a pedestrian on 18th Street in downtown Washington while I was on my way to my office.
I did not realize I had hit anyone until a shirt-sleeved young man on a bicycle, whom I incorrectly thought to be a bicycle messenger, jumped in front of my car to block the way. In fact, he was David A. Bono, a partner in the high-end law firm Harkins Cunningham. The bicyclist was shouting at me that I could not just hit people and then drive away. That was the first I knew about the accident. Mr. Bono called the police, and a patrolman soon arrived.
After I said I had no idea I had hit anyone until they flagged me down and informed me, Mr. Bono told The Washington Post, "I would not believe that." Fortunately, the investigating officer, P. Garcia, was a policeman who listened and apparently believed me. While Mr. Bono and other bystanders were taking on aspects of a mob, shouting "hit-and-run," Officer Garcia issued a right-of-way infraction against me, costing me $50, instead of a hit-and-run violation that would have been a felony. Following Officer Garcia's instructions, I promptly paid the $50 fine at Third District Police Headquarters in Northwest Washington, in cash and in person.
Officer Garcia's justification in believing me was soon confirmed by the diagnosis of my brain cancer, in which I have lost not only left peripheral vision but nearly all my left vision, probably permanently. Several people have asked me whether the person I hit was crossing in front of me on my left. I answer, "I never saw him."
Thanks for posting, interesting.
‘Strewth! That’s frightening. I wish Mr Novak well. Anyone know if he has a prognosis?
Wow, an unfriendly lawyer and all.....I wish Novak well in his recovery and hope the docs can fix him up soon.
Thanks for posting this. It’s wonderful to hear Mr. Novak is still alive and kicking. What a great service he did for America by writing his book, “The Prince of Darkness.” Anyone who hasn’t read that book is well advised to do so if they’re interested in how Washington works.
I particularly liked this:
“Support for me and promises of prayers sent for me poured in from all sides, including political figures who had not been happy with my columns. I’m told that President George W. Bush has not liked my criticism, particularly of his Iraq war policy. But the president is a compassionate man, and he telephoned me at 7:24 a.m. on August 15, six minutes before I went into surgery. The conversation lasted only a minute, but his prayerful concern was touching and much appreciated.”
“he was David A. Bono, a partner in the high-end law firm Harkins Cunningham.”
When I started reading I was like oh this Bono guy must have helped out Novak that day so Bob was giving him a shout out in the article. Then as I read, Bob did give him a shout out...to show that Bono was an a-hole. Not to mention the Joe & Valarie quote at the end.
It was nice to hear that others in Washington were very kind and helpful.
...’I am now at home in Washington, awaiting further therapy. Dr. Friedman recommended that I try to get back to at least parts of my normal life. He suggested reading, but also that I try to write columns, which is the reason I’ve composed this piece.
Support for me and promises of prayers sent for me poured in from all sides, including political figures who had not been happy with my columns. I’m told that President George W. Bush has not liked my criticism, particularly of his Iraq war policy. But the president is a compassionate man, and he telephoned me at 7:24 a.m. on August 15, six minutes before I went into surgery. The conversation lasted only a minute, but his prayerful concern was touching and much appreciated’.....
W, I do like that man.
My mother had a brain abscess that caused the same kind of peripheral vision damage. It wasn’t brain cancer, but she expereinced the same devastating effects in her vision as well as cognitive difficulties.
As an aside, I like how he says it was his Corvette that hit the guy...
more at link, he had surgery the 15th. wow.
This is freightening to say the least and it could happen to any one of us. God Bless you, Mr. Novak....we wish you well soon.
ML/NJ
I am surprised that his eye doctor or GP didn’t catch it earlier.
> W, I do like that man.
History will be kind to President GW Bush. I feel certain of that.
Thanks for the prognosis.
Things like this remind you that people are generally good, even Democrats! Its just this stupid hyper-partisanism that gets to ALL of us sometimes, makes us monsters sometimes.
Indeed. The article reads as if it were edited by his civil defense attorney.
Best wishes Bob. I have always enjoyed your columns, and I’m happy to see you are still writing. GOOD LUCK!
Godspeed to you Mr Novak.......
..Now that you proved to you your thinkin / writin skills are still in tact, talk to us about Sarah Barracuda Palin.
Thanks to my tumor, the Wilsons have achieved half of their desires. I probably never will be able to drive again, and I have sold the Corvette, which I dearly loved. Taking away my typewriter, however, may require modification of the First Amendment.
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Let me tweak this a little: “Taking away my typewriter, however, may require modification of the SECOND Amendment.”
Prayers to Bob Novak.
Follow your dreams and your passions, Mr. Novack. You can’t keep a good man down! A miracle waits just around the corner.
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