Crap! One of my favorite authors is sick!

[Kenyth]

It's Robert Jordan. He has Primary Amyloidosis. A rare blood disease where his bone marrow is producing abnormal proteins. These proteins deposit on the wall of the heart leading to eventual heart failure within a year. The treatment at the Mayo clinic is to stimulate the body with growth horomone and harvest surplus marrow stem cells from the blood. Then, they kill the bone marrow entirely with an intense bout of short lived chemotherapy. They then re-implant the harvested stem cells, which regrow into new bone marrow. It has about a 25% full success rate, a 25% partial success rate, a 35% failure rate, and a 15% chance of fatality. His chances are better than most right now because his tests are significantly better than average. I'm guessing it was diagnosed early. He's in good spirits and finds this turn of events a bit ironic. He's been fighting false rumors of ill health for years.

He's almost done with the final novel in the huge series he is known best for, "The Wheel of Time". Hopefully, he returns to full health and is able to complete his greatest work. Though he say's he has many other books he wants to write, and I'll be more than happy to read them, I think perhaps he should slow down a bit and enjoy his remaining years after this. An author is an author though, writing is his passion.

[Monk]

It's Robert Jordan. He has Primary Amyloidosis. A rare blood disease where his bone marrow is producing abnormal proteins. These proteins deposit on the wall of the heart leading to eventual heart failure within a year. The treatment at the Mayo clinic is to stimulate the body with growth horomone and harvest surplus marrow stem cells from the blood. Then, they kill the bone marrow entirely with an intense bout of short lived chemotherapy. They then re-implant the harvested stem cells, which regrow into new bone marrow. It has about a 25% full success rate, a 25% partial success rate, a 35% failure rate, and a 15% chance of fatality. His chances are better than most right now because his tests are significantly better than average. I'm guessing it was diagnosed early. He's in good spirits and finds this turn of events a bit ironic. He's been fighting false rumors of ill health for years.

He's almost done with the final novel in the huge series he is known best for, "The Wheel of Time". Hopefully, he returns to full health and is able to complete his greatest work. Though he say's he has many other books he wants to write, and I'll be more than happy to read them, I think perhaps he should slow down a bit and enjoy his remaining years after this. An author is an author though, writing is his passion.

Wow that sucks... I guess this kind of thing is why Bush doesn't want to approve things that will help stem cell research.... .

I hope he makes a full recovery, I too enjoy his work although I have to admit he could have kept Wheel of Time a bit shorter, by the time each new one comes out I have forgotten the previous 4. He also wrote some of the Conan books which rocks. Sad news...

-W.

[Kenyth]

Wow that sucks... I guess this kind of thing is why Bush doesn't want to approve things that will help stem cell research.... .

I hope he makes a full recovery, I too enjoy his work although I have to admit he could have kept Wheel of Time a bit shorter, by the time each new one comes out I have forgotten the previous 4. He also wrote some of the Conan books which rocks. Sad news...

-W.

That's why you re-read the series once in a while, or re-read the previous book in anticipation of the new one. Would that be considered obsessed?
I think I've read each book three times now. It's a rarity with me to re-read books, so I guess I really enjoy this series.

I've got quite a few historical books I've been wanting to read. I pick them up at book sales and don't read them for years sometimes. It seems like I can't get around to anything these days. The baby is killing my spare time hobbies it seems. Good thing he's cute! ;)

[Monk]

That's why you re-read the series once in a while, or re-read the previous book in anticipation of the new one. Would that be considered obsessed?
I think I've read each book three times now. It's a rarity with me to re-read books, so I guess I really enjoy this series.

I've got quite a few historical books I've been wanting to read. I pick them up at book sales and don't read them for years sometimes. It seems like I can't get around to anything these days. The baby is killing my spare time hobbies it seems. Good thing he's cute! ;)

Yeah, I figure once I get the last one in the series I will re-read it. I'm waiting for the latest one to come out in paperback. I do re-read books, but I have so many books (and buy so many books ) that I need to finish first... and I don't even have a cute baby to use as an excuse!!!!!

What historical books/era you reading about?

-W.

[Kenyth]

Yeah, I figure once I get the last one in the series I will re-read it. I'm waiting for the latest one to come out in paperback. I do re-read books, but I have so many books (and buy so many books ) that I need to finish first... and I don't even have a cute baby to use as an excuse!!!!!

What historical books/era you reading about?

-W.

I've got a huge Time Life book about the 100 greatest people of the last century (1900's). I've got another about the great military minds of history. I've got a book about famous ships in history. There's another on JFK. I think there may be a few more I've forgotten on the bookshelf. When Barne's and Noble's has their $1 book sales, you gotta jump on it. Be careful what you buy though. I bought a book I remembered hearing a buzz about some time back. The back cover said it was "risque". It wound up being totally pornographic. I mean like something you'd buy in an adult store. Bondage, exhibitionism, lesbianism, the works! Definately rated X. I had to dispose of it (after reading it of course . You can't waste a good read!). I wouldn't want kids getting a hold of that one!

[Monk]

I've got a huge Time Life book about the 100 greatest people of the last century (1900's). I've got another about the great military minds of history. I've got a book about famous ships in history. There's another on JFK. I think there may be a few more I've forgotten on the bookshelf. When Barne's and Noble's has their $1 book sales, you gotta jump on it. Be careful what you buy though. I bought a book I remembered hearing a buzz about some time back. The back cover said it was "risque". It wound up being totally pornographic. I mean like something you'd buy in an adult store. Bondage, exhibitionism, lesbianism, the works! Definately rated X. I had to dispose of it (after reading it of course . You can't waste a good read!). I wouldn't want kids getting a hold of that one!

I would have thought with that description you WERE being careful with what you were buying Hell of a steal at $1.00

I have a few interesting history books to read as well. "At Dawn we slept" about Perl Harbour, "Europe" about well... Europe... but the history from lava-seas to present day, a book about Juno beach on D-Day... also really enjoying the Sharpe series of books by Bernard Cornwell (also an older TV series starring Sean Bean) Historical fiction set in the days of Wellington and Nepoleon (War of 1812 pops up in the background in a couple of cases).

-W.

[Kenyth]

You know, when I started the RJ WOT series, I sold all the hardbacks when I was done reading them. I was generally low on money and space in those days. A few got pilfered by book "borrowers". Once I realized I liked the series so much, I want the hardbacks to put in my bookshelf. Now, I have to buy them all again!

I've got paperbacks in the meantime.


I guess it serves my dumb ass right for thinking ahead like that!