On Thursday, Jack Fowler, co-host of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” shared a message from historian Victor Davis Hanson. Fowler mentioned that if you’re seeking the “official word” regarding Hanson’s health, this is it.
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has sent their wishes for a quick recovery and prayers in various forms. Your notes and posts have truly brought me hope and encouragement over the last two weeks.
I underwent surgery on December 30 to remove a sizable “mucinous adenoma carcinoma” along with my right lower lobe, conducted by the thoracic surgery team at Stanford Medical.
Earlier this year, I had been struggling to fully recover from a flu in March and several sinus infections, which led to a sinus surgery and subsequently some hoarseness and coughing.
Different scans suggested I might have subclinical pneumonia, lingering effects from long COVID, or possibly valley fever.
However, the issue continued to worsen, and I felt increasingly weak and hoarse—symptoms linked to a rare lung cancer that’s often misidentified as “pseudo-pneumonia” due to its similar appearance on scans.
Many believe these cancers are driven by genetics, and I certainly have a family history of various cancers.
For non-smokers, getting an accurate diagnosis can be especially difficult, as this unusual type of malignancy is more common among them.
Fortunately, I eventually went to Stanford Medical, where another scan and surgical biopsy led to a timely diagnosis of a large cancerous growth.
I want to extend my thanks to the director at the Hoover Institution, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, whose support and guidance on medical matters were invaluable.
The surgery on December 30 went well, but, being 72, I experienced an unexpected arterial bleed during recovery. Thankfully, the medical team quickly addressed it, found the source of the bleeding, provided blood transfusions, and helped me recover.
I’m on the mend after the lung cancer surgery, but I’m now facing the lingering effects of anesthesia from both procedures, blood loss, anemia, and some AFIB. These issues primarily manifest as fatigue and weakness.
Still, I’m optimistic about rebuilding my strength and hopefully returning to work soon, especially given the hectic news cycle of the past month.
Despite the challenges associated with this rare non-smoker’s cancer and a few setbacks during recovery, I have reasons to be hopeful.
Tests of lymph nodes and peripheral samples taken during surgery showed no malignancy, and a pre-operative full-body scan revealed no metastasis.
Thus, I’m looking forward to regaining my strength and possibly starting some form of chemotherapy or immunotherapy soon to help prevent any recurrence in my lungs.
I truly appreciate everyone’s kindness. Your support has been overwhelming, and I’ll do my best to recover and reconnect with you all on podcasts and other platforms.
Sincerely,
Victor Davis Hanson
