Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Le Broken Clock, Part Two

SPOILER ALERT!! SPOILER ALERT!!

One of the many reasons I debated writing about this whole kidney cancer thing was a fundamental problem of genre. Namely, I never intended this to be a thriller. As I mentioned in the previous post, this whole ordeal began for me over Thanksgiving. We're now in January and, as much as someone can know these things, I've got a decent handle on the third act. I didn't really have a plan for how I was going to lay this all out, but it seems clear from the outpouring of concern that it would be irresponsible of me to dole this out chronologically. My family and friends have lived through it that way already, and trust me, it's a rough ride that no one else should have to take, even strangers who simply know me through my blog. Of course, my father claims he's learned more about my life through the blog than our thirty-odd years together, so consider yourself blood.

Despite the fact that it is at its core dramatically unsound, it's only fair that I give you the most current information I have. Maybe later I can double back and reflect on the path I took to get here, and perhaps it will free me up to approach the whole thing from various angles, as opposed to the more traditional lone protagonist three-act structure. Maybe I won't write anything about it after this. Who knows.

Here's the deal: I had a malignant tumor growing on my left kidney. I use the past tense because on December 27th I had what is known as a partial lower nephrectomy. Removed from my body were: a malignant tumor some two and a half inches around, approximately 10% of my kidney, and half of my eleventh rib. The rib was a surprise. I remained in the hospital five days, and have been home since New Year's Day recovering. I have an eight inch incision in my side. I cannot drive, lift my son, sit up in bed, or sneeze without crying.

Biopsies performed during the surgery indicate the cancer had not spread. I will be scanned every 3-6 months for the next five years but will require no chemotherapy and no radiation for this particular cancer. Without being too dramatic about it, there is a very good chance my bout with food poisoning saved my life. Which goes to show, if you see a taco stand and it looks even the least bit sketchy, get in line.

I do not believe in God, and I do not believe in fate. The last two months have been tough on this particular atheist, but as an infinite monkey I have little choice but to bow down to the powers of natural selection and mutation, even when it's happening inside my own body. There are those who suggest a greater power must be looking out for me. But the greatest power I know was doing last minute post-production on Munich so I didn't bother calling on him, either.

I do believe in poker. I was addicted to cards, and so I quit. But they converted me to their ways. I believe in math, random chance, probability, and mostly, luck. Professional card players understand that poker is short-term luck (good and bad) eventually balanced out by long-term skill. Living, more likely, is long-term luck balanced out with occasional bouts of short-term skill. In this case, the luck is all mine and the skill belongs to those who found my tumor and took it out.

I did not fight cancer and I certainly did not beat cancer. One night cancer came and grabbed me hard by the arm, yanked me down the stairs and stood over me on the landing while I begged for mercy and waited for the rain of blows to come. Some did, enough for me to know I couldn't have withstood the whole barrage.

And then without explanation it disappeared. And let me live. Like some monsters do.

Thank you everybody.

111 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

well for fuck's sake, lad, thanks for the scare. I'm ridiculously happy to here the news, and sympathize immensely with the post-op thrills.

You should certainly know that if you need any of your geek needs filled, call the goddam Kung Fu Monkey. I'm around, I've got some spare time, and I won't make you read a spec.

Take care,

John

1/10/2006 1:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Um, yeah. Long time lurker delurking to say hi and good luck.

1/10/2006 1:28 PM  
Blogger Shoun said...

Hey man, congrats, glad you're back! Good luck for the future.

1/10/2006 1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You found it, it's gone, now get on with your life. The world needs you, at least the small part of the world that reads your blog needs you. You make us laugh, what a wonderful thing.

I'm very glad everything came out all right.

Get wholly well very soon.

Phyllis

1/10/2006 1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Josh! First time leaving a comment here, but I've been reading this blog since the beginning.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear in the end the guy saved the world and got the girl.

take care,
Dani

1/10/2006 1:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, if your life is ROUNDERS, is cancer your Teddy KGB?

See, you DO have stories to share with Spielberg!

1/10/2006 1:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

Thanks for writing the blog.

Glad everything turned out okay.

1/10/2006 1:57 PM  
Blogger Steve Peterson said...

Best wishes and hope you're feeling zippety soon.

1/10/2006 2:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Try to send a guy a sign and he repays you by denouncing your existence. Lucky for me, I exsist regardless of your belief.
(rumbling thunder)
Lucky for you, I enjoy your infidel blog. Glad you're okay. Had a chance to read my spec, yet?

1/10/2006 2:27 PM  
Blogger Ralphie said...

My brother has a friend who banged his head while river rafting. Resulting tests - done almost as a lark, since he didn't seem to have any major damage - turned up a brain tumor. You just never know, man.

1/10/2006 2:31 PM  
Blogger Harry Connolly said...

Josh,

I'm glad things are looking good. Best wishes on the upcoming checkups.

1/10/2006 2:44 PM  
Blogger MaryAn Batchellor said...

The monster did not "let" you live. He was slain. Sure, he could regenerate, but he won't. Congrats and best wishes.

1/10/2006 2:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You should see the new movie 'Last Holliday' W/ Queen Latifah. It sounds similar to what you've been going through. Although unlucklily for you it doesn't sound like you ended up in the arms of LL Cool J in the end.

Here is a link to the trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/thelastholiday/

1/10/2006 2:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do these things always seem to happen around the holidays?

That is fantastic news. I'm so glad to hear you're doing better.

1/10/2006 3:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OH, the old "I had a malignant tumor" excuse for not posting. What, Cedars doesn't have internet access? Pussy.

Welcome back and stay well.

1/10/2006 3:44 PM  
Blogger Wonder Boy said...

Well . . . this puts my recent bout with kidney stones in perspective now doesn't it?

Anyway, I just wanted to de-cloak before some other piece falls off or out and say thanks for the blog. I've enjoyed it much more than passing a kidney stone!

Now rub some dirt on that thing and get back to getting back in working order. And under no circumstances are you allowed to start watching "The View" -- you just had one cancer excised, no need to replace it with another!

1/10/2006 5:08 PM  
Blogger Julie Goes to Hollywood said...

Speaking as a total stranger, I'm not buying the whole dancing monkey act. You write your guts out, always did, which is why we keep reading. I couldn't get this many well wishes if I skipped naked down Hollywood Boulevard with my URL tattooed on my ass. All you had to do was open your laptop. Dude, you are Dorothy. All my best wishes on your journey the rest of the way home. JGTH

1/10/2006 5:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Josh,

Few questions for you:

Did you ever have any symptoms or pain, or any evidence at all of the tumor?

Like did the doctors say, "Did you ever feel this, or see this?", and you thought back and said, "Oh yeah, that did happen."

If not, did the doctors say whether or not the tumor would have been treatable by the time you did have a symptom?

Would the tumor have been detectable by a simple blood test, or by any other means, or do you just have to be lucky to discover it early?

Like if someone goes for an annual check up, would the tumor have been found?

I mean, what normally happens to people who get what you got? They can't tell anything's going on, and then they get a symptom, go in, and the doctors find the tumor? And hopefully, it's still in a treatable stage?

I guess I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the whole randomness of it all.

Thanks.

Anon.

1/10/2006 6:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

stories are easy. life is hard.
glad you're alive.
glad you're a writer.
glad you share.

be well for a long time.

1/10/2006 6:31 PM  
Blogger josh said...

Anon--
I had no symptoms from my tumor. There is no blood tests for this type of cancer. You cannot even biopsy a kidney tumor (except during surgery). I do not know how long I had it or how long until I would become symptomatic. Believe it or not I didn't ask. You cannot detect this type of cancer before it becomes symptomatic except by absolute dumb luck. And I was just dumb enough.
jf

1/10/2006 7:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Josh,
I just wanted you to know that my dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer 11 years ago. He's still going strong.You're lucky that they caught it at an early stage. I think Steven Spielberg had it too, although it seems to be a closley guarded secret. My dad still gets scans every six months--so far so good. I think the cure rate is around 80% with early detection.

1/10/2006 7:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i don't believe in god or fate, either. but i believe in good fortune, and i'm glad you had enough of it to escape something worse.

you should probably smoke some pot for that pain. it'll help.

1/10/2006 7:27 PM  
Blogger david golbitz said...

Glad to hear you're well. That's some tough news to hear, I imagine. Especially around the holidays. Must've made Hanukkah even less important a holiday than it already is.

Take care. Be well. Mazel tov.

1/10/2006 8:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My dad died of kidney cancer, or bowel cancer... or maybe bladder cancer. I forget. Anyway, he's dead now.

If he'd just left some sushi on his dashboard he might be here today.

Anyway... Another hand?

1/10/2006 8:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As odd as it might sound, I couldn't be happier to hear someone went to the hospital and got some bit cut out of him.

1/10/2006 8:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Josh, I'm so thrilled you're back and kicking. I think you're an amazing writer and I can't hardly wait to see Black Dahlia.

Get better, we're all rooting for you.

1/10/2006 8:46 PM  
Blogger Patrick J. Rodio said...

Glad you're "back" and doing well, and hope you continue to do well.

Plus, I was tired of reading your last post.

Get well, stay well.

1/10/2006 9:09 PM  
Blogger David Anaxagoras said...

You call that a Third Act? Feh.

Rest up, man. You have some posting to catch up on.

1/10/2006 9:28 PM  
Blogger stace said...

Plop plop
fizz fizz
oh what a relief it is.

1/10/2006 10:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Josh--

Another long-time lurker here, with no compelling reason to post, other than to add my voice to the chorus of well wishers.

Was truly relieved to hear that you were spared the peculiar horror that is chemotherapy. I’ve been in and out of the hospital since September (I’m posting this from a hospital bed), receiving chemo for a particularly obnoxious and aggressive form of lymphoma. The prognosis is good, but the treatment has been pretty damn brutal--all things considered, I think I’d rather have appendicitis.

Anyway, I stumbled across your blog a couple months ago—I figured this was as good a time as any to say thanks for all the great writing. Glad you’re back.

Jim

1/10/2006 10:32 PM  
Blogger Grubber said...

Glad you've reached the upside, hope it gets much better and stays there for you. Sorry to hear the monkey has had such a rough time over the festive season though.
cheers
Dave.

1/10/2006 10:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Deus ex taco....

1/11/2006 12:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alright!! Glad you conquered your "difficult" act two.
And one more thing. As we all know, there's no such thing as natural selection. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

1/11/2006 2:43 AM  
Blogger Eleanor said...

Phew! :-)
Much as I like thrillers, this one had me worried for a bit.
I'm glad you're back at the keyboard...just, don't make yourself laugh too much until after you've recovered some more. ;-)

1/11/2006 2:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Given your loose surgeon / deity analogy, i'd be interested to know what have planned for your rib...

1/11/2006 3:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Given your loose surgeon / deity analogy, i'd be interested to know what they have planned for your rib...

1/11/2006 3:30 AM  
Blogger Hawise said...

Hope you keep well for the long term. My son and I do imaginary hugs (he has an autism spectrum disorder) and for the healing process to work right, you might want to take that up. It works on verbal skills and you seem to have plenty of those.

Keep up the good work and rest well.

1/11/2006 3:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you're going to be okay. Now you can concentrate on telling us the gory details - I mean, getting on with your life. And an important part of getting on with life is sharing gory details with your internet peeps.

Welcome back, take it easy.

1/11/2006 4:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

YES!

If it counts for anything, you've made me happy today. Now get yourself healed up so you can get back to updating the blog and keeping me happy on a regular basis. :)

1/11/2006 5:37 AM  
Blogger Andrew said...

All I have to say is this: the reign of Google's rightness is not yet at an end.

Everyone's glad to hear that your doctors kicked cancer's ass for you. :)

1/11/2006 5:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Josh, just a heads-up, but I think the hospital owes you for that section of rib. My understanding is that the going rate for a rib is a woman. One rib, one woman. Obviously, if they only took part of the rib you wouldn't be entitled to a whole woman. But still, you might be able to get a Lindsey Lohan or an Olsen twin. Just FYI.

1/11/2006 5:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Usually you make me laugh, but today you made me cry.
So relieved to hear that things are going to be okay. Hold tight, monkey!

1/11/2006 7:20 AM  
Blogger Martine said...

We don't know each other but like a lot of people, I feel compelled to leave a comment after reading both of your latest posts. I wanted to talk about the power of words and blogging, the power of YOUR words and your humor, but all I can really come up with is that I'm glad you made the choice to write about this.

And I'm glad luck was on your side. Bon courage.

1/11/2006 7:23 AM  
Blogger Mary Lewys said...

Glad it's gone. Glad you're recovering and hope it continues on a smooth course.

Life is chance and random, without the boundries most writers create in their worlds.

Sucks.

Take care and thank you for sharing.

1/11/2006 7:52 AM  
Blogger WinnieEatsWorld said...

good luck with everything and i'm happy for your recovery! :)

1/11/2006 9:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

very glad that so far the news is good. sorry 'bout the rib, they hurt like a motherfucker. i've been wondering how you're doing and am very glad to hear from you again. i am also glad you are sticking to your spiritual guns. one of the biggest social lies i have ever encountered was "there are no athiests in foxholes." bullshit. my time in combat was the catalyst that solidified my atheism. if you need solace and comfort during the healing time, turn as you have been turning, to those around you who care for you deeply. they're real, they're there. trust your surgeon more than jesus/buddha/whatever. he's been to school for that stuff. be well, be happy. regardless of where this journey takes you, i'm grateful that you've decided to take us along. this isn't the first e ticket ride you've given me. thanks again, monkey dude. (you can't see it but i'm scratching my armpit and screeching)

1/11/2006 9:10 AM  
Blogger Unsigned said...

Glad to hear you're doing well Josh. Sorry about the kidney, maybe it'd make a good movie idea or something. You know the urband legend... ok, bad joke.

but yeah, good to hear you're well now. Hope you post more.

1/11/2006 9:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The prognosis sounds very good! Excellent. A huge weight off, I'm sure. Couldn't happen to a guy I knew less than you.

1/11/2006 10:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

(Whew!) Talk about your highs and lows! I hope you sent your long suffering wife out to buy several grosses of lottery tickets; cause you, sir, are a winnah!!

All my best wishes, for your continued good health.

1/11/2006 10:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Last year I went into the doctor due to really bad gas. Turns out it was appendicitis. Next thing I know I'm being wheeled into surgery and I realize that I'm suddenly the dumbest guy in the room which is why I have to be the patient. Surgeries suck. They take things out of you and then charge you for it. And you find how incredibly difficult it is to fucking WALK.

Keep fighting the good fight sir.
-Jack Cameron
www.jackcameron.com

1/11/2006 11:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let the villagers rejoice!

1/11/2006 12:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to say I like the sequel better than the original in the Broken Clock series.

1/11/2006 1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that everything turned out for the better. I don't know how I'd have been able to procrastinate anymore without this blog. It's addictive.

Nice to have you back. And best of luck for the future.

1/11/2006 2:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just read your last two posts.

I guess this is what they call mixed emotion...

Just wanted to say good luck... though it sounds like you've got it beat.

1/11/2006 2:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude, hang in there. My stepson had cancer (yes a different kind, etc. etc.) and he's fine now, even after last year's lymphoma scare. It sucks. It's scary. I hope you're well (in every sense).

1/11/2006 5:05 PM  
Blogger Charles Montgomery said...

may I just say....

"yay!"

1/11/2006 6:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

we all love you. it's strange to read that, probably, but i think it's true. yr a scathing beacon of sarcasm for all wannabe screenwriters, and reading about yr tumor (did you name it Marla?) froze my guts. but i'm glad yr alive. don't go nowhere. the world is a better place with you in it.

1/11/2006 6:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Josh, I'm the guy who posted and said I have the same thing you do...I can't tell how wonderful it is to read that you came through the otherside. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll come through unscathed, but it gives me mucho hope.

Can ask a technical question? You went to Cedar Sinai, which I'm considering. Did you have the minimally invasive surgery like laproscopic or was it open surgery? And would you mind mentioning who you're doctor was?
I'm meeting my doctor tomorrow to get the details of what I'll soon be going through and I thought it might be good to get a second opinion.

By the way, my tumor was found because I went in for a regular check up and they detected microscopic amounts of blood in my urine. That led to an MRI.

Also if you're taking Craig's advice and exchanging a rib for one of the Olsen twins, I'm putting my dibs in for Ashley...

1/11/2006 8:09 PM  
Blogger Piers said...

I'm glad you're OK. Stay with us.

1/12/2006 2:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

de-lurking...

glad you're back and glad you're getting better. thanks for the update as i was getting worried...

back to lurking

1/12/2006 6:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck.

Being that you believe in randomness, math, etc., here is an article from the NY Times which talks about the series of random mutations that are required before cancer cells are produced. Fascinating read, especially for an empiricist. (You may have to register to read the article, but it is free).

1/12/2006 7:55 AM  
Blogger M said...

Adding my voice to the cast of many. Good luck, good life, and thanks for always making me laugh out loud. Have been reading your blog for months now and glad that I'll be able to keep doing so. Best wishes to you and your wife and son.

1/12/2006 10:10 AM  
Blogger josh said...

Anon--
I'd be happy to answer your technical questions but why don't you send me an e-mail at the gmail account listed on the blog. For starters, though, I had an open surgery. My tumor wasn't in a good spot for laproscopy.

1/12/2006 2:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, quite a rollercoaster ride within two posts. After reading the 140+ comments I can finally post one myself. Glad to hear of the good outcome.
Your blog is the only one I read (or in the last few weeks checked ;)) regularly and I hope to see more of your writing (script- and blog-wise) in the future.

1/13/2006 4:32 AM  
Blogger thekeez said...

With some creative medical additions, I think you might have a House episode here - You come in with the food poisoning and it all goes to hell from there.

Lotsa potential in the characterizations: wise-cracking sushi-addicted brilliant screen writer Infinite Monkey takes on wise-cracking vicodin-addicted brilliant doctor...thekeez

1/13/2006 5:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hear you on the genre thing, Josh, and I think you did right. And now that we know the story, I'm wishing you every good thing.

I was the one who wrote 'sorry to hassle you', and you can bet I'm sorry now. I'm planning on feeling contrite for a day or two and then telling everybody in town how I was an insensitive prick in your blog comments, haw haw haw.

Now where did that little robotic rabbit get to?

1/13/2006 6:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Unlurking to say "Wow". I'd been missing your writing so much and had no idea. I figured you were busy with working.
I wish you the speediest of recoveries.

1/13/2006 9:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

okay, this is great news! When I saw new posts after Dec 5, I decided to read and comment chronologically (not skipping ahead). I think that was the quickest I've ever alternated from stunned/dejected to relieved/happy :) Good luck with your ongoing health, Shreyas

1/13/2006 4:04 PM  
Blogger ORF said...

Did someone seriously recommend the new Queen Latifah movie to you???

Wow.

Seriously tho, glad you are better. I was wondering where you'd gotten off too and I think it's good you decided to share this ordeal with the Interweb. Here's hoping 2006 is better on ya.

1/13/2006 5:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Erased this post and started over a jillion times already... thank you for being my favorite writer monkey. You'll be back to eating bananas and slinging caca in no time!

1/13/2006 5:21 PM  
Blogger PJ McIlvaine said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

1/13/2006 8:22 PM  
Blogger PJ McIlvaine said...

Being sick sucks. I know. Being sick and a hypochondriac sucks worse. My daughter is one. She has a blister, she thinks she's going to lose her foot.

Hey, do a "Frey" and write a memoir about it.

1/13/2006 8:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sucks that you had to go through all this, but I'm happy that you're on the mend and looking at such a good recovery prognosis. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop!

1/14/2006 1:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Josh,

You're quite wrong to say this blog isn't inspirational. It is. You are. I'm thrilled you were able to catch the cancer in time. I'm an atheist myself, but gosh darn-it, you are one lucky monkey. Bow to the Screenwriting God! Who, I've heard tell, is a monkey. So you see? It all comes full circle.

So glad you're feeling better.

Devon

1/14/2006 8:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

congratulations on recovering! your words scrolling through blogoshere is similar to gale sayers galloping unmolested across the frozen tundra of lambeau field.

1/14/2006 1:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Glad you didn't die or have your sense of humour choked by life threatening drama.. I only just started reading this and its damn good!

1/14/2006 2:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

scary shit, but great writing. relieved you're okay. happy new year.

Renaat

1/14/2006 6:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. I found this page looking for information on "Snakes on a Plane." I found that, but also an awesome human story.

Best of luck to you. Hope your incision heals well, and soon.

1/15/2006 1:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Josh --

I stumbled across your blog this morning. I appreciate your talent(which is obvious). I appreciate your honesty (which is more-so). I'm glad you're getting better.

In reading your story, I was really struck by your line about not believing in God. I respect your belief. But I don't share it. I do believe in God. And, I think what you experienced is the clearest indication we have that not only is God alive and well, He is loving and constantly reaching out to bring us back into a relationship with Him.

Another chance is not always what He chooses to give. It's a great gift and one to appreciate (which I have no doubt you and your family absolutely do).

A random case of food poisoning? Happens to be at the right time, at the right hospital, with the right docs, and the right tests? Early enough to make the difference?

Maybe a better question is -- Why another chance?

Or maybe -- Is it worth trying to find out?

At any rate, I'm glad you're well. Your story (and His) was a blessing.

Thanks for writing.

1/15/2006 7:14 AM  
Blogger Jared said...

Fuck that!

Genuine relieved regards from London, Josh.

I can't say we're really that keen on fajitas, be they good or bad, but if you're ever in town I'll happily buy you a ropey old kebab from a dodgy late-night turkish harem/cab office/kebab shop to celebrate.

Happy New Year.

And happy scribbling. x

1/15/2006 6:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks josh for sharing, glad you're ok, stay strong.

1/15/2006 7:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To here knows when...

1/16/2006 1:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For what it's worth- Armstrong has nothing on you.
And it's great to have you back, for a moment there I thought we had lost you to food poisoning.

1/16/2006 6:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hub dxd with RCC ( Kidney Cancer subtype) in 2002. Massive tumor 15cmx17cm. Lost rib, adrenal and whole kidney...still kicking without mets- Stage3 . Get on the Acor Kidney List...google Steve Dunn ( god rest his soul) was a long time 20+year survivor of Stage 4 Rcc started this list. He recently passed from non related disease -- Meningitis.


No treatment for this cancer unless there are mets. Try a Clinical trial ( NCI/STLUKES) for immune bolster to keep recurrance free! Get best treatment/doc available ---ACOR list is font of knowlege. Couple of best Kidney docs : Dutcher in Long Island NY and Amato in Texas.

have the wife look at the net for grade/subtype/clinicals. Hypochondriacs are NOT good for research ( I'm a obsessive hypoch with a diff cancer ).
Good Luck.

1/18/2006 7:33 AM  
Blogger Wamba said...

I check your blog a couple times a week looking for another monkey fix that will make me laugh gatorade out my nose. I figured you were just busy with the holidays, and I even let myself wonder what kind of exotic vacation a successful monkey would take in December.

You write a different kind of holiday story.

Glad you're still kicking around.

1/18/2006 11:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats on the good results for your surgery, Josh. Get well and stay that way.

1/18/2006 4:20 PM  
Blogger Phil said...

It's all about you, isn't it? Well, yes it is, actually. Been following, been praying, been thankful. Thank you for not exiting stage right.
phil - http://www.screenwriterbones.blogspot.com

1/19/2006 11:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,
My school project is to look for blogs that have a small business opportunity ideas subject. So far I have found http://www.dxinoneusa.com and others. I just thought I would post a comment on your site because I read some other comments that can help me out.

1/20/2006 1:42 PM  
Blogger ellen said...

Stumbled upon your blog the same way I learned about my kidney cancer....blind luck. I had a radical left nephrectomy in July of 2001 and was declared cancer-free: completely encapsulated tumor with no visible metastases....

Don't want to scare you, but as of November 2004, the cancer has spread to numerous parts of my body, including my pancreas, abdomen, right lung, right tibia, left thyroid, left parotid gland and left temple. Interferon treatment has failed; I have undergone a couple of rounds of radiation (brutal) for palliative purposes, and await a drug trial some time next month. I tell you this not to frighten you, but to urge you to DEMAND scans every 3 months, INDEFINITELY. Observe and listen to the signals your body sends you.

I pray you will be one of the few to defeat this Monster. God bless.

1/20/2006 3:38 PM  
Blogger Ajit Anthony Prem said...

Yay!

1/20/2006 8:16 PM  
Blogger Ajit Anthony Prem said...

BTW, Yay was because it seems like you will be ok. Not because whatever...

1/20/2006 8:17 PM  
Blogger jgodsey said...

>I believe in math, random chance,
>probability, and mostly, luck.

you may want to read Last Call by Powers when you are feeling better. I read that novel and was also converted to the religion of probability. 8)

1/21/2006 8:09 AM  
Blogger SteveTP said...

Glad all is well We need writers like you (and Shane Black!)

First time caller - great freaking read! You sir are entertaining as all get out!

All the best

Keep writing - i'll keep reading!

1/21/2006 8:35 AM  
Blogger josh said...

jgodsey--
I'm a big Powers fan. Prefer anubis gates but also like Last Call...

ellen--
I plan on getting as many scans as I can. More importantly, I wish you well with your health.

1/21/2006 9:41 AM  
Blogger ellen said...

Thank you so much, Josh.

p.s. I'm prayin for you, whether you like it or not. (grin)

1/21/2006 12:27 PM  
Blogger Scribe Called Steff said...

Wow. Funny (as in strange, not ha-ha)...

I'd read your blog in the first couple weeks of its existence, thought, "I must come back, this is fine shit."

So, it's months later, a cancer scare and general crazyness has ensued.

It's an unfortunate thing, but I'll tell you what -- you'll likely be a profoundly better person, and a better writer as a result. I find all my tragedies have ramped me into something I could never have foreseen, and I'm grateful now for every blood-sucking day I've endured, 'cos I dig what I've got now, more than ever. It's SO AWESOME to be a cliche some days.

I'm glad I won't have to update my templates. ;) Maybe I should pop by sooner than five months, though. Congratulations on winning your very own episode of Survivor.

The Cunting Linguist.

1/22/2006 1:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I came back from vacation to discover that you had not only posted, but that the food poisoning was a blessing in disguise.
I'm so glad your doctors were able to excise the cancer. Rest up, we need you at your tip top monkeyness.

1/22/2006 3:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow, that's scary. I'm relieved that you're still an athiest. I often wonder if a similiar scare would have me crawling on my knees back to Mass. I hope not.

1/30/2006 8:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Holy fucking SHIT!

I know I'm late in coming but I gave up looking for new stuff a while back. I read backwards today, and was knocked out at the last entry. So glad to hear the news.

All the very best, sincerely, to those who are still fighting cancer -- but good god, it's not the greatest form to load that onto someone who's just had a tumor out. Really, people. Go easy on a healing monkey.

Positive thoughts only. I love you, Josh.

1/30/2006 11:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know what makes me happier: Finding out the Infinite Monkey lives -- HE LIVES! -- or that you're an atheist! :D

Happy happy joy joy.

Tom, London.

2/06/2006 12:29 PM  
Blogger DL said...

Just fyi... it still says on imdb that you wrote the script for the Black Dahlia and that it's in post production.

I am not envious that I don't live in L.A. It's all I gotta say.
Kuddos to you for speaking truth though !

2/16/2006 9:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

4/18/2006 7:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

4/18/2006 7:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

4/20/2006 9:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

4/25/2006 3:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

4/27/2006 11:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

5/06/2006 12:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

5/11/2006 5:10 PM  
Blogger xccc said...

The most in demand social network site Twitter aids people to discover about current things and events or social reactions of their favorite fames. website to buy twitter followers

1/02/2018 1:34 AM  
Blogger apohair said...

Food poisoning is a manifestation of the disease occurring after eating, drinking contaminated food, infection, rancid food, preservative Vietnam remy hair

9/09/2018 7:26 PM  
Blogger Hair Fall Treatment said...

Hair Fall Treatment provides Permanent Hair Patch in Delhi. We have long series of Quality Hair Patches. To Book Your Service 📞+91-9250504810, Visit for more information - https://bit.ly/2YNdS8P

9/23/2021 1:45 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home