Blackhawks/NBC color commentator Eddie Olczyk diagnosed with colon cancer (upd: officially beat it!)

[Elimanator]

Wow
Thoughts and prayers for Eddie and his family

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Get well.

 

[John Price]

Very sad news to hear. Hopefully he will get through this. Always was a fan of his broadcasting work.

 

[Viqsi]

This. Especially if it runs in your family. Genetic predisposition means get checked early and regularly.

Eeeeyep. I had to start in my mid-20s because of family history. My mother and I like to refer to those screenings (and the prep for them) as our "Proud Annual Family Tradition".

Hopefully all goes well for Eddie O.

 

[LeafFever]

Once you hit 50 get yourselves a colonoscopy.

 

[nnynetpotato]

You can even watch now while they scope it.
I declined.

 

[Sol]

Catching it early generally refers to what stage the cancer is at rather than the age of the person. Though a younger person can likely withstand more agressive procedures (surgeries) than an elderly one.

Sorry I made a typo, I didn't mean age, I meant how does treatment differ as to being caught at early stage rather than a bit later stage? Wonder what kind of treatments are available at an early stage for something like this.

 

[LeafFever]

You can even watch now while they scope it.
I declined.

Still better than Baywatch.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

sucks

 

[LeafFever]

Goes to show you, the guy looks really young and healthy for his age. It can happen to anyone.

 

[Seedling]

Hoping for a complete recovery and a long life.

 

[supermann_98]

Eddie was a favourite of mine growing up a Leaf fan, and always liked him when he played for other teams afterwards. Wishing him all the best in his recovery and hopefully they diagnosed it early

 

[chicagoskycam]

Guys, get tested if you are north of 30. it is not uncommon to find precancerous masses and are easy to remove. They will turn eventually.

Article on CNN today on the increasing number of people in the 30's dying from it.

As the poster said above you will not remember the test at all.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/08/health/colon-cancer-rectal-cancer-deaths-study/index.html

 

[KJoe88]

Well said.

I don't like him as an announcer on national broadcasts, but this is a human being here.

I hope he beats it.

My thoughts too.

GL to Eddie.

 

[Sol]

Guys, get tested if you are north of 30. it is not uncommon to find precancerous masses and are easy to remove. They will turn eventually.

Article on CNN today on the increasing number of people in the 30's dying from it.

As the poster said above you will not remember the test at all.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/08/health/colon-cancer-rectal-cancer-deaths-study/index.html

30? Wow. Thanks for the information man. Appreciate it

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Sorry I made a typo, I didn't mean age, I meant how does treatment differ as to being caught at early stage rather than a bit later stage? Wonder what kind of treatments are available at an early stage for something like this.

There are basically mainly 3 types of treatments (with variations) usually used in conjunction. Radiation, Chemo and surgery. Radiation is used to either shrink a tumor and/or kill any remaining cancer cells after surgical removal in the affected area. Chemo is typically used to kill any remaining cancer cells and to make sure it hasn't/doesn't spread to other parts of the body. Surgery is used to remove any cancerous cells / tumors.

By catching it early, the same types of treatments are typically used, but the area of treatment is confined (sometimes, surgery isn't even needed even though it's the most effective method) so less of the colon is impacted (and in some surgical cases removed) and the risk of it spreading to other parts of the body is less. So basically, catching it early means less radiation, less chemo, less impact of surgery and less of a chance of it spreading. Hopefully with Eddie they found it early because chances of survival is much higher and the treatments will be less severe.

My wife's cousin, who is in his 30s is was just recently diagnosed and is going through chemo and radiation in hopes that he doesn't need surgery, but he said there's maybe a 25% change he won't need it. The radiation and chemo is really taking a toll on him though.

My wife and I just recently got our colonoscopies. The procedure itself was a breeze. The knocked me out and the next thing I know I'm waking up in bed after a good nap. The prep though, man, that sucked. The stuff they give you to "cleanse" is god awful and it works as advertised.

 

[FirewagonChange]

I remember seeing him doing some commentary at the Belmont Stakes and he was profusely sweating and looked tired. Didn't think much of it until I heard this news.

 

[Subbaman]

This sucks. Love Edzo. Hope he gets well soon.

 

[Darth Bangkok]

Beat this quick Eddie!

 

[Sansbacon]

Damn. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

 

[Armourboy]

Hate his broadcasts ( him nearly crying during the Chicago series made me laugh), but I hope things go well for him.

Speedy recovery.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

You know what I hate more than listening to Eddie O try to pretend like he is impartial while calling a nationally televised game involving the Blackhawks? Cancer.

Cancer ****ing sucks.

Hope he gets better soon.

Right on.

 

[KnightofBoston]

That's awful, I hope he beats it.

 

[Sol]

There are basically mainly 3 types of treatments (with variations) usually used in conjunction. Radiation, Chemo and surgery. Radiation is used to either shrink a tumor and/or kill any remaining cancer cells after surgical removal in the affected area. Chemo is typically used to kill any remaining cancer cells and to make sure it hasn't/doesn't spread to other parts of the body. Surgery is used to remove any cancerous cells / tumors.

By catching it early, the same types of treatments are typically used, but the area of treatment is confined (sometimes, surgery isn't even needed even though it's the most effective method) so less of the colon is impacted (and in some surgical cases removed) and the risk of it spreading to other parts of the body is less. So basically, catching it early means less radiation, less chemo, less impact of surgery and less of a chance of it spreading. Hopefully with Eddie they found it early because chances of survival is much higher and the treatments will be less severe.

My wife's cousin, who is in his 30s is was just recently diagnosed and is going through chemo and radiation in hopes that he doesn't need surgery, but he said there's maybe a 25% change he won't need it. The radiation and chemo is really taking a toll on him though.

My wife and I just recently got our colonoscopies. The procedure itself was a breeze. The knocked me out and the next thing I know I'm waking up in bed after a good nap. The prep though, man, that sucked. The stuff they give you to "cleanse" is god awful and it works as advertised.

Damn man, that's crazy. Thanks for long response, very insightful. Luckily for me, I haven't had many people in my life whove had cancer so I didn't know much about the different protocols and stages. I very much appreciate it. Hope he's okay, hope for great health for you and your loved ones.

 

[CallMeShaft]

For those curious on Edzo's status, he's almost done with Chemo.