On his website (
www.backstagecafe.com), Ian announced
that he has been battling serious cancer. Actually, I think Stewart announced
it with a post on the messgae board through Giovanni, and then Ian posted
himself.
The cancer, including a brain tumor, sounds quite serious. But Ian is his
usual optomistic self and very upbeat, considering. Ian has been absent from
his message board for quite some time. He used to post on a regular basis, but
was MIA for a few months. Now we know why. He had some health problems in
September or October, but I don't know if they were related to the cancer. But
he's back on the message board now, so I'm sure he'd appreciate some warm
wishes.
Here are the few posts that deal with the cancer issue. Ian and Stew
aren't giving too much info (and I don't blame them, it's a private thing and
must have been very terrifying). His treatments sound very extensive.
FROM IAN: Thanks a million, Steve! Actually, my doctors seem to think
I've got a darn good chance of kicking this punk cancers' ass completely. So
far, bless the Lord, I've responded well to the treatments they've been giving
me (Chemothereapy, surgery and gamma radiation) have all done their job
exceptionally well, so let's keep our fingers crossed. The surgery last week
removed the most threatening of all the found tumors, the one in my brain.
And, would you believe this? I'm sure you'll be reading about it in medical
journals, but upon examination during the operation they came to realize that
I had a perfectly good tumor, but a worthless brain, so they kept the tumor
and threw out the brain. In any case, it seems to have been the right
decision, since I've never felt better since this thing began.
Cheers and regards,
Ian
FROM STEWART: "Both Ian and I ha ve been unable to get on to "Ask Uncle
Ian" for months now. You're probably wondering what's up with Ian so here is a
quick update. He has been through the wars and is still smiling. In a few
short months he
has been through chemotherapy, Gamma knife and brain surgery. Next week
he
starts with the radiation. Melanoma is one of the most fierce forms
of
cancer but Ian has been winning pretty much every battle. He has a kind
of
a strange hairdo and a five inch zipper on the side of his head but
still
has the nurses fawning over him. Ian has always amazed me that way.
We are all optimistic. If there was ever anyone with the right karma
and
track record of dodging bullets, it would be my brother Ian."
Stewart Copeland
FROM IAN: Hey Kids! It's true. I'm so sorry I've been so derelict on this
board lately, these last few months I've been to Hell and back (not for t he
first time, mind you). But I emphasize the fact that THE KID IS BACK! In more
ways than one, beginning with the fact that I've solved my computer problems
at last. The answer...buy a new computer, you cheapskate asshole! One that is
not so old as to require coal for power. Well, as it happens, I didn't have
to, since a dear friend donated one to me, (Thanks again, Deborah Lin) and to
make matters even better, I've signed up with Adelphia high-speed service and
it seems to make a world of difference! Now I can actually download things and
go to other sites without waiting half an hour or more for anything to
happen.
So STAND BY for more info and an update on all that's been going on. Here
are some teasers:
Sting & Trudie came to see in me in the hospital and caused quite a
stir with the nursing staff. - I went for a lovely lunch with them at their
house in Malibu when I got out.
Courteney Cox also came to see me, and I can't wait to tell you about it.
She is an absolute Goddess and a wonderfuly sincere person. Get this!!! She
told me that in all these years she has never had a proper opportunity to
thank me for getting her career started, (and that my pride would perhaps have
prevented me from accepting cash)and she told me that from now on I was not to
worry or even think about any medical bills. "Don't even open the mail," she
said, "just send everything on to my office and we'll take care of it." I
warned her that even after insurance the incoming bills already accrued had
exceeded $100,000, and that this was likely to be the tip of the iceberg, this
seemed to please her even more. God bless her soul!
If anyone would like to send her a thank you note on my behalf, please
send it to:
Courteney Cox
c/o Shephard & Associates
9200 Sunset Blvd. penthouse 22
Los Angeles, CA 90069
USA
I got lots more stuff to talk about, so give me som e time to catch up on
all I've missed.