Recovering Adam Yauch Writes Open Letter to Fans
- Posted on Aug 5th 2009 10:30AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (53)
The Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch is now in recovery after undergoing surgery to address the cancerous tumor in his left parotid gland that he announced last month. Yauch -- aka MCA -- provided an optimistic and appreciative post-op update to fans in an e-mail blast early Wednesday."So I'm about a week and a half out of surgery now and rapidly recovering from it," Yauch wrote. "I haven't taken any of the pain meds, which supposedly speeds along the healing process, or should I say, taking them slows it down. Anyway, I spent one night at the hospital after the surgery. The hospital was too crazy to get any rest so I headed home to relax, have home cooked food and hang out with the family.
"I'm pretty well detoxed from the anesthesia that they pumped me up with to keep me under for all that time," he continues. "That took several days to get out of my system. My neck and jaw are still pretty stiff from the surgery, but it gets better everyday. Had the stitches out this past Monday ... so things are moving along."
Next up for Yauch is radiation, which starts in a few weeks. Describing it as "torture," he said it "involves blasting you with some kind of beam for a few minutes a day, five days a week, for about seven weeks."
Unfortunately, the letter offers no hints to when fans can expect 'Hot Sauce Committee,' the group's upcoming album that was delayed by the news of his illness. However, Yauch did express his appreciation of the tributes paid to him by other acts at last weekend's All Points West festival after the Beasties were forced to cancel their headlining spot.
"Saw the Jay-Z cover of 'No Sleep,' and the Coldplay one of 'Fight for Your Right' from APW on YouTube. Good s---. And I heard Karen O wore a 'get well MCA' armband, and that Q-Tip gave a shout out too ... very kind of them," Yauch wrote. "Just wanted to thank them and everyone else who sent positive thoughts my way. I do think that all of the well wishes have contributed to the fact that my treatment and recovery are going well. Much love back at all of you!"
Reader Comments(1 of 3)
george tylerat 8-05-2009
I went through two laryngoscopy surgeries on my vocal cords, then radiation for 6 weeks as you soon will. It will be a rough trip. After the 7 weeks, it will progress for about two more weeks. Then things will get better. Your oncologist should tell you this. If not, ask questions. Take the medicines. You will need and appreciate them. I have been five years now with no known relapses. I wish the same and best for you. Take care, G. Tyler.
JEANETTE GUFFEYat 8-05-2009
GOD IS SENDING YOU A SECOND CHANCE, I GOT ONE TO 3 YEARS AGO I WAS 50 AND TOLD I HAD NON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER, THEY TOOK MY RIGHT LUNG WORST SURGURY I EVER HAD. THEY SAID I WOULD BE EXTREMELY LUCKY IF I MADE IT 5 YEARS THAT WAS 40 MONTHS AGO AND I GOT NEWS FOR THOSE DRS GOD WILL TAKE ME WHEN ITS MY TIME WITHOUT THE DRS HELP- IN MARCH OF 2011 I WILL HIT THE 5 YEARS
johnat 8-05-2009
Get well Soon Adam, I'm glad the surgery went well. Take it easy and relax. God Bless You.
aol is a rip off and slowat 8-06-2009
Please check out the cancer drug TARCEVA. It is doing miracles for my mother and others.
Terryat 8-06-2009
Twenty years ago Ihad colon cancer went thru chemo I was rough and I got thru it at the age of 47. Just 10 months ago I wan bleeding internally and Drs found a had a Gist, They also took it out and I know am on a Medication Called Gleevec. I will go on and you will too. God is the only one when and where we leave this earth. I will go on and fight this journey I was dealt. It makes a woman or man a stronger and looks at life everyday with gusto. Wishing you a great recovery.
Bev Conzat 8-07-2009
This is a tricky disease I am so happy you are up after 40 months keep working. I lost my husband to non small cell lung cancer he was one of the unlucky ones who smoke tons and had indications of cancer sprinkled over his lungs. He had radiation then an operation then chemo. He was very stong and we fought the battle together. Having someone who helps with your recovery (personally) is very helpful I will be sending you my thoughts. Love Bev C
DANNY STOUTat 8-05-2009
I TO HAVE CANCER I HAVE RENAL CELL CARCINOMA I WAS TOLD I HAD 3 TO5 YEARS TO LIVE,I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CANCER WAS INCURIABLE. BUT THRU THE GRACE OF GOD I FOUND OUT ABOUT FORTUNE HI TECK MARKETING THEU THIS I FOUND OUT THAT THE FOUNDER OF FORTUNE ALSO HAD THE SAME TIPE OF CANCER I HAVEBUT THAT HE IS NOW CANCER FREE.I CALL HIM AND HE TOLD ME WHAT ALL THE DOCTOR CAN NOT TELL YOUBECAUSE THERE HANDS ARE TIDE. CANCER CAN NOT LIVE IN A HEALTH BODY .FIRST YOU NEED TO GET YOUR PH DOWN TO AROUND 7 ALSO YOU NEED TO TAKE COQ10 THIS IS A OXYGENNATOR PILL THAT PUTS OXYGNE BCCK INTO ALL THE CELL IN YOUR BODY THIS HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT CANCER CAN NOT LIVE IN A WELL OXYGNENATED BODY.HE ALSO CHANGE HIS DITE QUITE SMOKING TOOK A MEN VITAMIN PACK AND FRUIT &VEGETABLE PACKET. HE IS STILL CANCER FREE. IF ANEONE ONE WOULD LIKE TO NO MORE YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT (WOODCHIPS20@AOL.COM) MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND GOOD LUCK
Glenn Beckerat 8-05-2009
Best of Luck to you.3 years ago I found a lump where there shouldnt have been one. After 3 non-commital biopsies my oncologist said" if it looks like and and smells like one then it must BE one". He radiated me first as my cancer responds well to radiation. That proved the diagnosis and I went on to have Chemotherapy. Today I am a 2 year survivor. Trust you doctor,eat well, take your vitamins and bask in the love that is being poured out to you. PS: I am 72 and ride my beloved horse very often.
Moat 8-05-2009
MCA, get well soon! My prayers are w/U. :)
Lynn Huttonat 8-05-2009
Adam, I wish you God speed in your recovery. In 1973, when I was 31 I had left parotid gland surgery with a diagnosis of muco-epidermoid carcinoma of the salivery, well-encapsulated. Oncologists determined I needed no further treatment except to be followed for many years by my surgeons, which I did. I had a 2 yr old at the time, an ill husband and was starting a 4 year nursing program to become an RN which I completed. I was an RN for 24 years and retired early. It isn't the most common of cancers but is hightly treatable if found early. Thinking of you at this time. Lynn
Diat 8-05-2009
I am also a cancer survivors. In1999 I was told that I had Gastro Intestinal Carcenoid Tumors. I was referred to MD Anderson in Houston and got the most wonderful surgery and care there. They are strictly trained and ready to face cancer patients. We stayed the first week, and they kept in touch with my Current Doc, and it worked out great. The surgery was performed in October, about three days from the holiday and the tumor had really grown and was about 4x what they had inspected so they had to remove 70% of my stomach, my pyloric Valve as well a part of the small intetines. I do still encounter problems from time to time, but each time they do a scope they will to polyp biopsys and so far everything has come back just fine. Pray, as I do. It is a comfort, strength and Yes I do Believe!!!Good Luck to everyone who is going through the Aftermath of Cancer - It changes your life to be sure.
Diana
Leratoat 8-05-2009
Di, hello, I believe we have had the same form of cancer, did you mean Carcinoid? It took them years to find it; I went to UCLA. There is a wonderful online support group; there purpose is to make other aware of this rare form of cancer. God bless you. Lerato
Michelle Longat 8-05-2009
I too had carcinoid tumors in my small intestine followed by an extensive surgery. It took years for them to diagnose this. I had my surgery in Boston four months ago. I am feeling so much better but living with this is a new experience.
ufospoter09at 8-05-2009
sorry to say , if obama has his why with heath care the gov. will decied if you live or die; good luck cancer is very costly...
pasdequoiat 8-05-2009
What are you talking about? The way things have been until now have been abysmal to say the least. Our health care system is nowhere near being the best in the world. It ranks # 37 AFTER Columbia and Chile, for crying out loud. If they can do better, we are in sad shape. I lived in France for a couple of years, had no insurance, and only paid the US equivalent of 450 dollars for 4 days in a hospital, tests, screenings, and food. This would have cost me an arm and a leg in the United States...back when Bush was in charge. The current administration is more interested in people actually being able to get health care without walking away penniless. I don't know where you got the ideas you presented in your post, but they are WAY off-base. I mean, aren't some of you posters always bashing the government for becoming socialist? Why don't you make up your minds? Socialized medicine is nowhere near as expensive as the system we've had to put up with for too long.
Judi Schinkeat 8-29-2009
ufospoter09,when you speak of Obama it is "President Obama" and I think you could use an English class to polish up on your spelling,as you have at least 2 words mispelled.As you put it, the gov will decide if you live or die!! Get a grip...I guess you do not believe in anything spiritual
Luckyat 8-05-2009
Good Luck to you Adam, I do not have cancer, but too many family members and friends have.
Your music has made me appreciate a type of music that I probably would not have tried, unless the stuff that you made ended up on a radio that I was listening to.
Thanks MCA, and get well soon!
Tasteat 8-05-2009
So what. His whole band should get cancer. Horrible.
Angieat 8-05-2009
That was just lovely. Karma's a bitch, buddy--remember that! Get well, Adam!
Michaelat 8-05-2009
You must be some kind of monster to say something like that..