Roger Ebert’s hospitalization has extended into its third month. The popular film critic continues to battle cancer, but in a statement released yesterday he says he is fighting the disease with “all his might” and is looking forward to returning to work.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t tell you when, but I sure look forward to being back on the movie beat,” Ebert said Thursday.
Ebert, known for rating movies with his signature “thumbs up” or “thumbs down,” had surgery June 16 to remove a cancerous growth on his salivary gland. But, instead of getting better, the 64-year-old had to undergo emergency surgery two weeks later after a blood vessel burst near the site of the operation. Ebert admits the road to recovery has been a tough one.
“When I announced that I had a recurrence of salivary cancer that required surgery, I had no idea when I went into the hospital on June 16 that I would still be here on August 16,” Ebert said.
The TV host is no stranger to hospitals. Ebert had undergone cancer surgery three times before the June operation – according reports made public by his doctors, “once in 2002 to remove a malignant tumor on his thyroid gland and twice on his salivary gland the next year.”
According to the statement Ebert released about his current condition, his voice has been affected by the cancer treatment and part of his overall rehabilitation will include having to strengthen his vocal cords. He added: “Doctors are moving cautiously, but they are enthusiastically optimistic about my recovery.”
Anyone who has been touched by cancer knows what a hardship the disease places on the patient and his or her family. Here’s hoping Ebert can withstand the punishment doled out by this deadly disease. Various news agencies have reported that many of Ebert’s Hollywood friends have sent well wishes. In fact, for the past few weeks Jay Leno has teamed up with Ebert’s co-host, (fellow Chicago Sun-Times columnist) Richard Roeper as a substitute film critic while Ebert continues to recover.