Snowing in washington?

I certainly hope the prognosis is optimistic, but I'm afraid it doesn't sound like good news. They can slow the further spread down but likely not stop it, at least according to what I just read in Dave's trusty copy of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. I had a friend whose mother, who was about the same age as Tony Snow when her colon cancer was found to have spread to her liver, survived for six years. They were six miserable years, frankly. Endless rounds of chemo and at least three surgeries. She was a little in denial, I think, or she wouldn't have kept pushing for further treatment. I had a great aunt who had the same thing happen and was gone within 8 months, but she was in her early 80s at the time of the diagnosed metastasis.

Glad you came around on seeing that there was nothing sinister at play here, Medicinal. The last thing any White House press secretary wants to do is be gone when big stories are needing to be managed and spun. He would be there doing his job if there were any possible way he could. I hope for his sake that he can return.

To whoever asked about his having to wear a bag? That's only rarely done now. They sometimes create temporary colostomies while people heal from colon resections, but 8 times out of 10 the surgeons go back in after the healing is complete and reconnect the gut and let people return to somewhat normal bowel function. That often means practically eating just outside the bathroom door because the food's going to go right straight through a much shorter gut. But at least it doesn't mean dealing with a colostomy bag.

To whoever asked about his having to wear a bag? That's only rarely done now. They sometimes create temporary colostomies while people heal from colon resections, but 8 times out of 10 the surgeons go back in after the healing is complete and reconnect the gut and let people return to somewhat normal bowel function. That often means practically eating just outside the bathroom door because the food's going to go right straight through a much shorter gut. But at least it doesn't mean dealing with a colostomy bag.
That's good to know, I've not kept up on cutting edge medical procedures these past few years. That cholostemy bag deal pretty much ruined quality of life, and isolated you from public exposure. I'll check my sources a little more before posting.