A personal note to my radio family

[Valin]

My Northwest.com:

Jan 30 2015

 

All those who listen regularly to my radio show know how much I value the privilege of speaking to this eager, enlightened audience every weekday, year-round. I have been unapologetically fanatical about broadcasting whenever, however I can; in eighteen years of national syndication, I've never missed more than four days in a row of regularly scheduled broadcasts.

 

I always knew that it would take something serious to keep me away from the microphone I cherish for an extended period of time. As it turns out, I am facing something serious. It's called cancer.

 

To be more precise, I was diagnosed in the middle of December with stage three throat cancer. I began medical treatment immediately at one of the finest cancer centers in the country and my prognosis for full recovery is very good; in the great majority of cases, this is a highly curable form of cancer. In fact, given my fierce desire to keep doing the show I managed to broadcast every day while completing more than half of my daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy treatments. I would go to the hospital first thing in the morning then make my way down to our Seattle studios to do the live show. The doctors warned me that this would become increasingly difficult. At this point, my confidence and good spirits would lead me to go on but my voice - the most essential tool in radio - won't cooperate. So beginning today - Friday, January 30th - I'm taking a medical leave of absence until my recovery is more advanced.

 

(Snip)

 

 

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Remember him in your prayers.