Well it’s day five since my surgery. An Ivor Lewis esophageal resection performed by the head of thoracic surgery at Virginia Mason hospital here in Seattle.
Esophageal Cancer, stage 3c. If you google this like I did when first diagnosed, you start to think about saying goodbye. But when you dig deeper, you learn there are a number of factors to improve your odds.
Someone once told me there are one or two bad Thai Restaurants in Seattle. And 5 thousand that are excellent. It’s like that with cancer care here too. Seattle has amazing cancer care. After a great recommendation from a dear friend (Scott Strong) who is a 14 year survivor of pancreatic cancer (another one you do not want to google after a diagnosis) I did what you have to do. Get the best care you can to improve the odds that you can be there longer for your kids and grandkids. Dr Hubka is a world class thoracic surgeon who performs a high volume of this specific surgery.
So I had my operation Tuesday. At Virginia Mason. People do literally travel from all over the country, even out if the country to be here.
But there are no guarantees.
It’s a pretty intense surgery. Not for the faint of heart. Google it at your own risk. Trust me I’m not brave about this stuff, but what choice do you really have?
I expected to be laid out for months. I’ll be released from the hospital Monday.
As well as I’m doing, I’m just like so many cancer patients. There will be biopsies and a pathology study to determine best course of action. Follow up treatment with immunotherapy and/or radiation is very common with this and other aggressive cancers, because they like to spread and reoccur. So I will also need to be monitored and screened regularly.
Plus, now I need to learn how to eat entirely differently, which can take a long time. I can only eat one cup of food at a time. Those of you who’ve watched me attack a pepperoni pizza will know how much that’s going to suck.
So Lisa and I will be spending a lot of time on the West Coast again, where we will have great health care, and spend more precious time with our children and grandchildren.
We’re really going to miss making Maple Syrup. But it will be nice to have access to some great Thai restaurants.
More on this adventure in a few days. Lisa and I are grateful for all your love and support. I especially love so many of you remembered stories of when we met, or something on the radio show that changed your life.
Next week. Part 2 of “what are those crazy guys up to now?” I dare you go make a prediction.
So many inroads have been made into the treatment of this insidious disease that I have nothing but optimism regarding your outlook. I lost my father to it over 37 years ago which, in medical research and innovation time, might as well be 100 years. You are definitely in the best of hands and cities for treatment! I would wish you luck, but that isn’t what you need. You need perseverance, patience, the unquestioning ability to follow your doctor’s instructions, and faith. God bless! And thank you for all the years you and your crew provided me and mine entertainment.
Thank you for all the years of entertainment you have given to so many. Enjoy your hiking.
Bob. Being a faithful listener to your many iterations, I have confidence in your complete recovery. God has so much more for you to do. I have known many people who have survived cancer and a few that I have lost. Why do we say that they are lost? Do they just wonder away? I think not. You have left a mark on more people than you know. A smile is a gift that costs nothing and returns much. You and your company have brought so much laughter and light that you will never be lost. All that we really have to give are memories. You’ve given us a lot, with many more to come. Think shrink,Stay strong. Thank you much.
For many years we started our day with Bob,Spike and Joe. We felt like we knew you. I am a cancer survivor and know all the fears and anxiety that go with it. Have faith that you will be a survivor and a mentor to future survivors. You are loved and respected to many. We were devastated to hear you were sick. But,we will all celebrate when this is in your rear view window. Sending prayers and love always.
Glad to hear there was success and you are in good spirits! Thank you for updating, been thinking of you and your family.
Thanks for sharing, wishing you a full recovery. Enjoy the blessings of family, from #96, Sutton , MA
Love that picture. Looking forward to hearing about your new adventure. Will miss your maple syrup. I am happy I got a tour. Be Strong! Thinking of you and Lisa.
Love your photo. I live somewhere in the North Bend background. When I had my last knee surgery, I stayed awake listening to you and Spike. Sorry we couldn’t do the interview you requested from the operating room. Sorry too that your world has been rocked some. Hang tough. In this world, the Rivers runs through it. Prayers for Bob
Bob,I’m sorry to hear about your cancer. My thoughts & payers go out to you and your family. That being said, I’ve been a long time listener. I remember so many great memories on “KISW Seattle’s Best Rock”. THE JELLO MOLDS🤣. Anyway Brother just keep kicking that cancers ass. All my love & Payers, Gary “Otis” Nielsen.
so glad things went well, …. glad to hear you got the best of care, you certainly deserve it.
First time caller Long time listener
Could tell you plenty on air stories , probly rarely missed your shows for I’m guessing 30+ years. Got some great photos of you and the gang playing N. Bend anyway I’m pulling for ya . Pancreatic got my mom!
Sooooo happy the surgery went well!!!! Knowing the rest of the journey will be positive
Bob! its Rachael, Jazz Alley. I am so sorry you are dealing with this, good Lord! Sounds like you have the best possible attitude, care and love around you anyone could ask for. We’ve got you too. I’m going to share on the Jazz Alley page and that will be another incremental bump of love and healing vibes coming your way! Hang in there friend. ~ The Jazz Alley family
Always wishing you the best Bob, and confident in your speedy recovery
Bob
Such a rare cancer, but in the last 3 years I’ve been exposed to 3 people with this exact illness. One, my colleague, at 75, doing well after first some chemotherapy to reduce the tumor and then surgery and then radiation. At 2 years out, holding up well. Wishing you the best, holding a positive mindset and your family close. Keep us up to date. Jamie (not O’Neil, a different one).
Thanks for the update. Keeping you in my positive thoughts.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️ Bob and Lisa
I already know what you 2 are up to next but won’t tell, lol.
Love you Bob and Lisa. Looking forward to seeing you more since you will be in the west again.
You and Lisa are on an incredible journey. I appreciate your honesty and straightforward approach to your cancer and your recovery. There are so many people rooting for you and sending love your way. Enjoy this beautiful day. Take care, Janet
Ah yes, the stories about meeting Bob, Spike, and Joe do bring back memories. I was handling promotional events for Ticketmaster and had the opportunity to meet B, S and J along with Kathy, your producer. Darn, can’t remember her last name. It was a bit odd, standing in a hallway in the old FX McRory offices. But Kathy put me on your mailing list and I received birthday cards for a while. Still have those somewhere in my decades of accumulated souvenirs. It is my distinct pleasure to have enjoyed your show for almost all the years it was on, and I wish you all the positivity you radiated through those radio waves.
PS Wish your syrup was in single, old-lady-who-doesn’t-need-sugar size. 🙂
Praying for a speedy recovery and full remission. My husband had stage 4 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and thanks to the amazing team at Virginia Mason (13 hour surgery!), chemo, radiation, and tons of support he was able to reach remission. Not bad for a guy with a 2% chance! I will continue to send you and your family good vibes my friend. Oh! And so glad I froze some syrup 😉
Hey Bob , thinking about you and Lisa. Love ya man.
Jim King
I’m am so glad the surgery went well! Can’t wait for your full recovery and return to podcasting etc. I know it will be a long journey but it’s worth the wait
Stay strong brother!
✌🏼&❤️
Bob!! Very happy that your surgery was successful, and love your attitude! Thank you for sharing this!! Continued positive vibes to you and your family!!
i am so glad all went well. Stay well Bob you have a great attitude and strong support system. There is definitely many more syrup seasons in store for you and Lisa.
Dear Bob,
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis I myself dealt with kidney cancer last year and came out well. I miss you on the radio in the morning all the years he said things to make me laugh and make me cry. I’m sending nothing but love prayers and blessings to you and your family.
Love you Bob
We are all with you on this journey, Bob. Sending good energy for a solid recovery! Love to Lisa.
Wishing you the best possible outcome Bob.
Best wishes Bob. I really miss you on the radio here in Seattle. As a teenager in Long Island, NY, I listened to your Twisted Christmas album ENDLESSLY and was shocked to hear you on the radio when I moved out here in 99! I had no idea since this was before Google! But thank you for the humor and memories and cheers to you making many more memories for years to come.
SO glad to hear the good news of your successful surgery! Like many, have listened to you for a looong time… An early memory was when you broadcast live in a box from Car Toys in N. Seattle, I think to raise money for books/literacy? Anyway, we drove there and stood with hundreds of others to watch you successfully emerge. I didn’t start the story with this intention, but maybe it’s a fitting metaphor for now as well? Am thinking healing thoughts for you multiple times a day!
Sending you love strength and energy Bob, know that you are in our thoughts and hearts. Hope to see you and Lisa On The blue Cruise next January!
Sooo glad to hear you are doing well!! We’re missing you and Lisa in Vermont!
We just heard today about your surgery, sending much Aloha and hugs to you and Lisa. Read your blog posts and so appreciate your transparency. ….Paulette and Ernie
Bob, thank you for sharing your journey. You have the right growth mindset and curiosity to find the best treatment, and you are learning the humility to accept love and help when you need it. You are already a winner in life.
Good news! ❤️☮️🙏
Hi Bob,
I’m SO glad to hear you’re doing so well!! I’ve not actually ‘met’ you, although Joe did kinda introduce us at Snoqualmie Casino once, you were walking by kinda quick. I have listened to your voice for so many years now I feel like I do know you though. I’m pretty opinionated and listening to you guys talk all those years helped me be a bit more open to other peoples’ ideas and opinions. I learned a lot listening to you all and I am really looking forward to listening to you talk in the future too.
Best of wishes always, Bob, you can beat this!! (And welcome back to our neck of the woods too, even though we’re without maple syrup…. Our Thai does rock!)
God Bless you.
you will be awesome. You are awesome. God is so good.
You are in good hands. Seattle does have amazing cancer care. When you are up to it – happy to bring a cup of Thai. You’ve got this!
I can remember when you can to Seattle airwaves and I can remember when you left Bob. Thank you for all you have given to the Pacific Northwest.
Now it’s time the Pacific Northwest gives back to you and your family. My wife Sheri and I and our entire family and friends will keep you all deep in our daily prayers. We All Love you here.
Bob, sending healing vibes for a complete recover and a clean bill of health. Long time fan.
Thank you for sharing the type of cancer you were diagnosed with. As a three-time cancer survivor myself, I am always interested to hear what others have going on. What a brave soul you are to Google your type of cancer. In 2014 I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, got on my computer and Googled it, spent about two minutes looking and said “Nope” and stopped researching. What can I say, I scare easily. Best of luck and look forward to hearing more about your journey.
I appreciate you including me in your blog. I have followed you from almost the beginning. You thoughts and songs have touched my life. Thank you for that. I am a prostrate cancer survivor. Did not dally had it removed as soon as it was stage 3. PSA score for me 0.00. I hope and pray the same for you. Your attitude is great. I imagine it took a lot of control on that last pod cast. Which was amazing and great as is most of your career. I hope to hear you again. Thank you for all those years of top shelf entertainment and may god bless you and your family. Thank you again. John reed
Dr. Google can be pretty scary. Glad you found the care you need. Hang in there!
Thanks for making me feel better by comparison. All the best, may Seattle’s weather be a bit kinder to us all. Now about the next maple syrup…please don’t make me buy Canadian!
I’m hoping for the best outcome for you Bob. You and your radio show got me through many stressful days at work. Please get well soon. ❤️
Prayers & ((hugs)) for you and your family 💝
This FB page is helpful: Dysphagia Foods & Recipes Group
It offers suggestions for limited eating 🥞🎹🎶🎤👑🌂📿 🤍❤️ 💙💚
Been listening since the 90s. You and Spike and Joe have been a great influence in my life! Hugs!
Thank you for sharing your journey. Sending love and prayers to you and your family 💕
Thank you for updating your mass “family”. There’s no doubt with your tenacity and the talent you have for educating yourself, you have the best odds of anyone out there! So much positive mojo being sent your way.
2008 Stage 3b Melanoma. Dr Bird at UW removed 27 limp nodes, 3 had cancer. Wife saved my life by nagging me to have a mole looked at. PNW is the place to be to battle the big C.
Sending Love and healing thoughts to you and Lisa.
It’s easier to be the sick one than the loved ones caring for you.
Be well Bob.
Thank you for sharing! You’re an inspiration!
Great news Bob! You’re going to get through this. Wishing you a very speedy recovery.
Sending love.
You write and speak so eloquently. If I’ve learned anything from being a cancer survivor is that you know what you know when you know it, and not to future-trip. Wishing you Godspeed, Bob, in your progress and health. I’m happy to share my Grandmother’s chicken soup recipe with you. It’s been published and is like a warm hug, that we’re also all sending to you (virtually). Take care. Cancer sucks.
Great news!! Keep up the positive attitude! I’m sure you’ve researched it, but having a positive attitude and a healthy belief system is paramount to living longer with or without cancer. I’ve seen it in real life with friends who either beat it or prolonged your lives. Take care, you and your family!
So glad to read how you’ve managed to get through the operation like a champ. I’ve been thinking about you and praying all things go well. I picked up a habit from you years ago…No worries❤️ I look forward to more good news from you two🥰
Thank you for sharing your stories. I appreciate it always.
Bi-coastal is really the way to be!
~ New Yorker Seattleite
Love and prayers for you and Lisa.
I can not say enough good about the total care I have received in my journey with cancer. I, like you chose the pros at VM for my original surgery and they had me up and moving then next day and home by the end of the week.
I would recommend a look at SCCA for your follow up care, the staff there has taken some of the worst news of my life and turned it from end of the road thinking to hope and looking forward to the future.
Cancer care in the Seattle area is truly amazing.
Continued love and positive energy being sent your way my friend.
Thank you for sharing. Speedy recovery to you.
I just finished reading your blog. Congrats on successful surgery! I’m sure I speak for all who have either met you or listened to you on the radio that we all wish you a speedy recovery. Take it easy and please keep us all updated on how you are doing.
Be well Bob Rivers 🫶
Bob, there are so many people cheering for you – from all around the country. Looking forward to the day when we can enjoy that pizza (or at least some scrumptious macaroni & cheese 😉👍🍽). I know you’ll remain focused and strong as this journey continues. Blessings and best wishes always to you, Lisa and your family. 💪😃👍
Thank you for sharing. I hope for nothing but a positive outcome for you and your family. You helped me when I needed questions answered and even tho you won’t remember me , I will always remember your kindness. Seriously, if you or Lisa need anything all you have to do is ask.
Thinking of you Bob!!!
Continuing to send positive vibes and good juju for you Bob! 🤘🏼
Best wishes Bob! Wish you were back in Seattle for other reasons, but sending our most positive thoughts your way as you recover. Thanks for coming back in the form of a podcast after your terrestrial radio career was done. We feel like some old friends came back into our orbit. Take care,
Doug Honeyman
Bob, I’ll miss you here in Vermont but will be watching your progress and send you only the deepest heartfelt wishes for a great recovery. It’s terrific that you can get the terrific care you need in a place you long called home. Time to be with your family and friends out there. Sending love and respect.
Great to hear that things went well – and don’t forget, now that you’ll be bi-coastal, you’ll need to change your pronouns (survivor/survivors). Looking forward to the upcoming homespun recipes for what you can put into Soylent to make it taste less like [no spoilers]. Stay well & keep up the good work.
Many prayers coming your way.
Hey Bob,Stephen Botulinski here i met you once at Scotts Dairy Freeze talked a bit had a burger and discussed our kids who both attended Mt Si High.My son Steve Jr. is now a history teacher there as well as Head Coach for Mt.Si Football.You are in my prayers and positive thoughts and good MoJo are headed your way.Always for years been a big fan of you Spike and Joe,Love ya man
Good news, Bob. You have been in my prayers.
Grateful for keeping us close. Nonstop Rock. Nonstop Love.
Great to hear Bob! All the best as you recover and regain your good health.
I am happy for the good news and that you are so positive! You will stay in my prayers for as long as they are needed…and the. Some! 😊
You are amazing and an inspiration, Bob. All the best, and your positive attitude and family/friends support is EVERYTHING! <3
Welcome back to WA. Praying all goes well for. ☺️❤️
Bob, I sent you a message about this. Please investigate Jane McClelland and Joe Tippens. Your onco docs will tell you that they don’t work but I truly believe the science.
… Awesome … Take care in the days ahead, we’ve all been pullin’ for ya …
Stand in Faith. I read once “you’re in the middle of a miracle”. Believe it everyday…❤️
Great progress. Keep moving forward my friend.
Bob glad you are doing better and getting stronger.
I was introduced to you in Baltimore when you spent time on that sign back in 1988. Do you remember that? Then I loved the Twisted Tunes (I have a vinyl copy of the very first Christmas album stashed away, and no equipment on which to play it any longer). I followed you off and on in Seattle, and discovered your health problems when I was looking into maple syrup. Hopefully you make a full recovery and are with us for years to come. Stay positive and get well!
A 98Rock listener in Baltimore
Thanks so much for sharing Bob. We really care a lot for you and your family amd your well-being.. Sounds like you are on the route to recovery, albeit a lengthy one. As Jose Andres says, just keep moving ahead every day. Don’t get bogged down in whether to turn left or right, just move forward. Be well, my friend.
My good friend is 10 years out from that same cancer. They didn’t diagnose it early enough so it ruined his voice, but he is still smiling. Glad you are getting awesome care. Stay strong.
Best wishes Bob your a soldier you will win this battle I’m going to be praying for you.
“Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends
We’re so glad you could attend.” ELP