Posted on 01/27/2007 4:43:33 AM PST by Ninian Dryhope
AUSTIN - Nationally syndicated columnist Molly Ivins has been hospitalized in her recurring battle with breast cancer.
"I think she's tough as a metal boot," her brother, Andy Ivins, said Friday after a visit with her at Seton Medical Center in Austin.
Andy Ivins said his sister was admitted to Seton on Thursday. She spent Friday morning with longtime colleagues and friends, and was "sleeping peacefully" when he arrived later in the day.
A self-described leftist agitator, Ivins, 62, completed a round of radiation treatment in August, but the cancer "came back with a vengeance," and has spread through her body, Andy Ivins said.
Ivins' columns, which she infuses with passion and wit, appear in more than 300 newspapers around the country. She's written six books, four of which were best sellers.
They included Shrub: The Short But Happy Political Life of George W. Bush, Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America, which she wrote with longtime friend Lou Dubose; and Who Let the Dogs In? Incredible Political Animals I Have Known.
Ivins was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. A year later, she described her treatment with characteristic wit: "First they poison you; then they mutilate you; then they burn you. I've had more fun."
She received her third diagnosis a year ago; despite her illness, she's managed to crank out her columns.
In a piece earlier this month, she wrote that she was starting a newspaper crusade to end the war in Iraq.
"Raise hell," she urged readers. "Think of something ridiculous to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. ... We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, 'Stop it, now!' "
Hard to believe there is something more distructive than Molly herself.
I don't agree with much of anything Ivins writes, but I do enjoy her wit and down-home humor, particularly when she gets going on the Texas legislature. Plenty of good material there.
Wasn't she the one to dub Rick Perry "Governor Goodhair"? I appreciate her for that alone.
I wish her well.
I despise false piety. Nobody could accuse you of that. :)
You certainly seem to have sterling credentials in oncology.
After 7 years of treatment, it appears Molly has an aggressive metastatic breast cancer, which is now resistant to standard therapies and is spreading wildly throughout her body. At this point she likely has very little time left, months or even weeks.
We may not agree with her politics, but does she or anyone really deserve such a miserable, painful end? I think not! We should say a prayer for her and her family, not unkind words....
I find that people that don't have anything to live for or don't believe in God have the hardest time during trials such as these. I'm not a doctor as you pointed out. But I know the health of the soul has a tendency to determine the outcome of a lot of ills.
What do you think she deserves?
Those posting the unkind words might do well to recall that there are many people on FR who have been through this disease themselves or with family members (I lost my mother to it), and temper their remarks accordingly.
In the eyes of the only ONE that counts, yes.
Grant her the wisdom to see clearly and seek forgiveness from those she may have harmed unjustly and let her be surrounded with family and friends who love her.
Amen
So, women who get breast cancer do so because of hatred? My mother had none, but she died of it. I do wonder where some people here studied oncology, as I indicated earlier. Remember you are making pronouncements about everyone who has or has had this disease when you stay things like this - even in your own family.
Now that is funny......
I agree. I've always found her to be a nasty piece of work, but cancer is awful, and the treatment is worse. This is the last roundup for Molly, and I hope she finds her lost faith before the end.
Stop what, Molly? You are blind. It is not Bush who has empowered Hamas and Hezbollah nor the Musllim Brotherhood in Egypt, nor as setup an Islamist government in Turkey, which is slowly eroding away Ataturk's legacy, and which is beginning to play footsie with the fanatical regime in Iran. The place is a witch's Cauldron, and we are just trying to put out the fire.
Politics aside, prayers for Ms. Ivins and a full recovery from such a terrible cancer.
Exactly! Is this what we've become? Compassionless, spiteful louts who put the cause of politics above humanity.
The woman is dying from a horrible disease...her body racked with a cancer that will surely consume it.
I join you in encouraging others to not let their petty anger similarly consume their souls....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.