felltoearth wrote:The deadline for signing up was also the deadline for dropping out.

While we wish Ford a speedy recovery—this is not how we’d ever wish to see him leave the mayor’s office—this isn’t just about him. These decisions are about the future of Toronto, and it is staggering to see the arrogance on display here from the entire Ford family.

The hubris of Rob Ford: simply issuing a statement that he cannot compete for the mayoralty given his current medical condition while simultaneously thinking, hey, Ward 2 is totally fine. If there is a better example of the sense of ownership and entitlement Ford has always demonstrated towards his home ward, we’re hard-pressed to identify it. Rob has been skipping campaign events (and the duties of his office) more and more frequently over the past few weeks, presumably because of his tumour and the pain it has been causing him, and will have to skip many more since he is effectively bedridden. From all this he concludes not that he needs to step back from public life and tend to his health, but that he can still run, just for a slightly less demanding office.

The message Rob is sending through his actions is very simple: he does not believe that he has to compete in his home ward—he doesn’t even have to show up. He is saying that he owns those votes, and he doesn’t need to knock on anyone’s door to earn them....

With these choices, the Fords have demonstrated, once again, that they do not appreciate their supporters or the people of Toronto generally. Certainly we all knew they didn’t appreciate people who didn’t support them—though some are their constituents also—but it’s amazing to see them take for granted the people who have so devotedly supported them throughout their tumultuous, disastrous municipal careers. Or, maybe, it’s less than amazing. It depends on what you expected from the Fords. Most of us have learned to expect only the least.

http://torontoist.com/2014/09/the-never ... ore-330532

Benign or malignant? It’s impossible to know just yet. Perhaps it’s best to focus on the blessings of the present moment. Here are several unconflicted ways in which I can be happy for Rob Ford.

I’m really happy for Rob Ford that we live in a city and country with socialized medicine. With no apparent privilege given to his personal wealth and influence, he could journey from a nutritious breakfast to the emergency room to a CT scan to an ambulance to an elite care facility to receive an MRI and biopsy in a matter of hours, without having to worry about how he or his family will pay for it. I’m also relieved that if cancer patients of lesser means somehow got the impression he was jumping the queue, their general belief in Canadian fairness would soothe their concern.

I’m happy that Rob Ford has been cared for by well-trained physicians and support staff at Humber River Regional and Mount Sinai hospitals, some of whom are gay and/or people of colour and/or have real Jamaican accents. I imagine the nurses – many from parts of the world where there are few social services to speak of – are so friendly, they’ll let chums like Don Cherry show up after visiting hours with a double-double and the gift of a flashy tie.

I’m happy that Rob Ford got to spend time in emergency with alcoholics, drug addicts, people with HIV, homeless people who couldn’t find a bed in our shelter system, librarians, elites and other minorities, people who have been hit by cars while riding their bikes, victims of construction accidents, food poisoning and domestic violence. It can feel so reassuring to know you are part of a society in which everyone, no matter what their health, economic, or ethical challenges may be, is cared for with equal attention to evidence, transparency, and established protocol....

To sum up: I’m so very glad that Rob Ford benefits from the kindnesses and services he has always voted against. I absolutely wish him an end to his pain and a speedy recovery, with the willing help of our tax dollars, because that’s what I would wish for everyone.

http://matthewremski.com/wordpress/im-h ... e-of-need/

Shrunk wrote:Rob Ford is quoted today as saying the doctors are doing a biopsy of his lung. That does not sound good at all.

felltoearth wrote:As someone who has smoked crack for who knows how long, eats KFC, and drinks heavily I have little sympathy.

Shrunk wrote:

felltoearth wrote:As someone who has smoked crack for who knows how long, eats KFC, and drinks heavily I have little sympathy.

Are you sure that's how you want to word that?

Rob Ford to undergo chemotherapy for treatment of malignant liposarcoma

Mayor Rob Ford’s tumour has been diagnosed as being a malignant liposarcoma, Dr. Zane Cohen told reporters on Thursday.
The mayor will undergo chemotherapy as part of his treatment at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital.
Cohen said doctors believe it is a "fairly aggressive tumour."

Shrunk wrote:Rob Ford is quoted today as saying the doctors are doing a biopsy of his lung. That does not sound good at all.

Skinny Puppy wrote:

Shrunk wrote:Rob Ford is quoted today as saying the doctors are doing a biopsy of his lung. That does not sound good at all.

They just had a news conference and that was dismissed by his doctor as an unfounded rumour.

Shrunk wrote:Some info on liposarcoma here:

http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html

Overall, it doesn't have that bad a prognosis relatively speaking. But the facts that Ford's tumour is in his abdomen and that they are using chemo first are less optimistic signs.

Shrunk wrote:Some info on liposarcoma here:

http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html

Overall, it doesn't have that bad a prognosis relatively speaking. But the facts that Ford's tumour is in his abdomen and that they are using chemo first are less optimistic signs.

Calilasseia wrote:

Shrunk wrote:Some info on liposarcoma here:

http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html

Overall, it doesn't have that bad a prognosis relatively speaking. But the facts that Ford's tumour is in his abdomen and that they are using chemo first are less optimistic signs.

If it's a retroperineal liposarcoma, that's bad news. If it puts pressure on either of the kidneys, he's also looking at renal failure.

This is not a nice way to go. In the worst case scenario, it's lingering death by torture.

As much as one might regard his policies and past behaviour as malignant, I wouldn't wish this on another human being.