BREAKING: Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis has been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

[demmiblue]

Link to tweet

This month in a routine medical visit, and subsequent tests, doctors discovered Stage IV pancreatic cancer. This diagnosis has been reconfirmed.

While I am clear-eyed about the prognosis, doctors have told me that recent medical advances have made this type of cancer treatable in many cases, that treatment options are no longer as debilitating as they once were, and that I have a fighting chance.

So I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done: I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community. We still have many bridges to cross.

To my constituents: being your representative in Congress is the honor of a lifetime. I will return to Washington in coming days to continue our work and begin my treatment plan, which will occur over the next several weeks. I may miss a few votes during this period, but with God’s grace I will be back on the front lines soon.

Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey.

— Rep. John Lewis

Fuck.

[skylucy]

1. Oh no.

[irisblue]

2. 😢

😢
He is a hero of mine

[Lindsay]

4. He is a hero

to many, many people.

[stillcool]

3. selfishly hoping for a full recovery...

he is not my representative, but he can't go yet. He just can't.

[Skidmore]

10. +1

[dewsgirl]

5. Fuck...my dad passed away from this. Today was his birthday, yesterday

was mine. Just devastating, I pray for his family.😭

[BigmanPigman]

12. Sorry to hear that!

Should I even wish you a belated "happy" birthday considering the circumstances?

[dewsgirl]

16. He passed away in 2011. It was always our birthday,

I know he wouldn't want for me to not have a nice day, but I always have a hard time celebrating, I do try. Thank you Pigman, I hope you had a nice holiday.

[BigmanPigman]

22. No, I did not since it was the first Christmas

after my dad died suddenly and unexpectedly 9 months ago. I am sure you know what I mean. There was a heavy sadness hanging over everything.

[dewsgirl]

23. I know what you mean. I am sorry.

[Ace Rothstein]

41. Same here, two years ago today.

He made it 3.5 months after his diagnosis.

[dewsgirl]

52. My dad made it 13 months, long for most diagnosed with stage 4

PC. I am sorry about your dad. There are posters on Twitter right now thinking Alex Trebek has somehow magically beat it, unfortunately unless caught very early(RBG) the diagnosis is very grim.😔

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. Whoa. Not good.

[BigmanPigman]

7. Oh shit!

2019 sucked!!! The evil ones stay alive and healthy while the good ones.......well, you know the rest. You also know what I wish for every single day when I turn on the news.

[bdamomma]

124. Horrible year

BigmanPigman. All the more reason we have to fight and fight hard.

I am wishing for the same thing.

[triron]

8. Ugh.

Hope treatments are as successful as they can be.

[Hoyt]

9. A true hero. White wingers where I live better keep their vile comments to themselves.

[irisblue]

18. St Petersburg Internet Research Agency ' workers' has already been swarming

[brer cat]

11. ...

[Leghorn21]

13. Okay, Rep Lewis, if you say we're gonna fight, then fight we shall.

Hang tough, good sir, keep in good touch with us please

[Docreed2003]

14. Damn...

I cannot help but be inspired and applaud Rep Lewis for his courageous and resolute fight in this diagnosis. You are a hero to me and so many Rep Lewis. You will indeed be in our prayers.

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. Terrible news.

[Boomerproud]

17. Healing light to the Honorable Mr. Lewis.

We can't lose him . We just can't.

[nolabear]

19. May he fight like hell, and all of us fight in his name.

God, what a loss he’d be.

Do NOT let the inevitable garbage that will come from the crazy end of the right get to you. We need to support his fight and ignore them.

[Gothmog]

78. From President Obama

Link to tweet

[sheshe2]

20. I am crying.

So I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done: I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community. We still have many bridges to cross.

We still have bridges to cross.

[Hekate]

28. So am I. This is hard news to hear, and that passage made me break down.

[sheshe2]

30. Tears streaming down my face.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

48. I'm still mourning the loss of Elijah Cummings, now this ?

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

[sheshe2]

50. I know.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

53. BIG HUGS back at you, sheshe.

I am just lost . . . .

[sheshe2]

59. Back at you, Haggis.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

61. We just found out that a member of the family

whose cancer was in remission - has had it come roaring back with a vengence. Stage IV. Liver. Found out christmas eve day. She's starting in-home hospice. I've known her my entire life. We're five years and one day apart in age. Yes, we've celebrated a lot of birthdays together. I just can't imagine life without her in it.

[sheshe2]

65. I am so sorry.

Hospice is good. We have them for mom. Very kind and knowledgeable. I found they go above and beyond. You could not ask for better.

Love and hugs to you and yours.

[blm]

88. ((Haggis))

And ((she))

[bdamomma]

126. I know me

too. Why him??? Cancer sucks.

[Gothmog]

76. Same here

John Lewis was a great man

[bdamomma]

125. Horrible news

sheshe2, it's our turn to take the bull by the horns. We cannot stop we must continue to fight. I'm giving you this which we need more than ever.

[nycbos]

21. John Lewis is one of the few true heroes out there.

I will never forget when he came to my Synagogue with Jerry Nadler to talk about his civil rights memoir and I got to meet him.

[Guilded Lilly]

24. Fight it, with all of us beside you! You are heroic.

[bluestarone]

25. So sorry to hear this!

[lunatica]

26. Oh no!

So many of my heroes are gone or getting sick!

[pazzyanne]

27. First Elijah Cummings, and now Joe Lewis?

My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer. It is a horrible, hard to treat condition. D*** it to h***!
Guess the adage "only the good die young" is alive and well in 2019.

[livetohike]

40. It took my paternal Grandfather in 1979 at age 79 and

my Dad in 2004 at age 80. I worry about my brothers.

There are new and better treatments now and hopefully Rep. Lewis will win. My thoughts are with his family. I’m sorry for your loss of your Grandma. It is a horrible disease.

[GreenPartyVoter]

91. Took my MIL at 49 in just a couple of months. Horrible disease!

[pazzyanne]

107. Thank you, livetohike.

I am praying for healing for Rep Lewis! He has a battle for his life now.

[SidDithers]

29. Fuck...nt

Sid

[sheshe2]

82. Yes.

I am in tears.

[FarPoint]

31. Oh My God No!

My heart is breaking...

[PatrickforO]

32. Oh no. That is really bad.

May his family be blessed, and may he go into complete remission as a result of treatment.

[StarfishSaver]

33. I love this man so dearly

[erlewyne]

34. My older brother is always worried about his health.

He got a routine blood test from the VA (Veterans) and he then told
them he had pancreatic cancer and they told him it was too
early to make that prognosis. He found a personal Doctor and
said he wanted to be diagnosed and if his Medicare would not
pay for it he would. Cancer was discovered and he was operated
on and now the cancer is gone.

His doctor said "we never catch cancer that early".

It did not cost him a cent, except, of course Medicare is
not free in the first place and he has paid Social Security for
damned near 50 years.

[csziggy]

55. I wish my brother in law had been that persistent

He went to doctors and emergency rooms for at least a decade with abdominal discomfort and pain. When they finally diagnosed him, he was Stage IV. He got the most aggressive treatment he could which gave him almost eighteen months of life after diagnosis, but he died in his mid-forties, leaving four children under eighteen.

The only way he could pay for treatment was to keep his job at the "happiest place on earth" which meant he had to schedule his treatments for Fridays, be sick on weekends and had to work up to two weeks before he went into hospice care and died a week later.

My best wishes to John Lewis.

[erlewyne]

60. That is a sad ... sad story.

What we need is universal health care and pay for it in taxes.
You say we can't afford it, think about the trillion dollar tax
we have to pay for the rich man's tax cut last year. How the hell did we
pay for the Iraq War, oil sure as hell did not pay for it. We tax
payer's paid for it but they forgot to tell us.


The anguish your family had to go through when diagnosis should
have been readily available for tree disgusts me. I'm getting all
fired up.

[csziggy]

64. I know - it really sucks

But one of the problems is diagnosing pancreatic cancer early enough for treatment. Right now, it is usually not found until way late and a cure is not possible

I recently read about a blood test that can pinpoint where a cancer is in the body - I hope pancreatic cancer is one of the ones it works for. Apparently it can find cancers very early along when treatment is possible.

I was lucky - two years ago they found kidney cancer very early while doing tests for something else. It was contained and they removed the kidney. No other treatment except checking for a couple of more years to make sure it hasn't shown up somewhere else. I wish all cancers were that easy to deal with!

If we'd spent the money for cancer detection instead of wars, many people would still be alive that died from undetected cancers.

[erlewyne]

77. I just checked my VA blood test ... all Greek to me.

I will ask my brother the next time I see him "where did
you find it." Our sister-in-law (I have another veteran
brother) died of pancreatic cancer before he diagnosed
himself. This second brother of mine refused to join the VA because
of paperwork and is now home-alone suffering from
paralysis from a stroke. I think the VA might have saved him
but this paperwork stuff should have been unnecessary
in the first place. Oh, he was insured but when you join the
VA, appointments, twice a year minimum, are mandatory.
I pay for stroke medicine through the VA right now. Sucks.

If we'd spent the money for cancer detection instead
of wars, many people would still be alive that died from
undetected cancers. (I am quoting you.)

That is my point. I will go to the VA in March and catch hell
for my lifestyle. I am enjoying a beer(s) right now.

I enjoy this board and appreciate your responses. Just
wanted to complement you, I am not expecting a response.

Thank you.

[csziggy]

81. Thank you for your sympathy

Take care of yourself and best wishes to your family.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

108. That's amazing that he *knew* what was wrong.

How lucky he was! And determine not to let anyone dissuade him.

[Dem2theMax]

35. No, no, no, no, no!

We are with you, Representative Lewis. Fight your fight, as hard as you possibly can. We need you, the country needs you, most of all, your family needs you.

[smirkymonkey]

36. Life just isn't fair when great men like this receive a cancer diagnosis and

evil bastards like Trump, McConnell and the rest of the scum that make up the republican party seem to live longer than they deserve to.

[Ferrets are Cool]

45. Add cheny to that list.

[bdamomma]

127. Those bastards

can burn in hell. It's always the good ones, I only wish those who inflict pain on others will get theirs.

[burrowowl]

37. Hang in there Rep.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

[SunSeeker]

38. Fuck.

[Atticus]

39. We were two of the throng that walked across Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma several years ago with

Rep. Lewis. Of all the dignitaries that crossed the bridge that day, John Lewis was the moral giant; the man who could talk the talk because he had darn sure walked the walk---- and got his head busted open for it.

If I ever have the opportunity to stand up for what is right while confronting overwhelming opposition, I hope that I can muster one tenth of the courage and strength that Mr. Lewis displayed on that bridge when he "walked on" despite snarling dogs, baton-swinging racists in uniform and a crowd of hostile onlookers that included some of the Klan.

Prayers, good vibes, loving thoughts, fervent best wishes---whatever you got, get it up, please, for Congressman John Lewis.

[dhill926]

42. awful....

goddammit!

[Ferrets are Cool]

43. This is not good at all.

[FM123]

44. No no no no!

[TNNurse]

46. With this news and Elijah Cummings dying,

I am having trouble believing that God is still involved with the world.

yeah, I had cancer but this is much worse.

[dem4decades]

92. And Trump continues to be the president? I have a hard time believing in a god.

[applegrove]

47. Vibes to him and his loved ones. And vibes to all americans too.

[Thekaspervote]

49. Oh no!! Such a great leader

[roamer65]

51. So many with cancer or passing because of it...

Really makes me believe the 3 reactors at Fukushima Dai’ichi are responsible for it.

God be with Rep. Lewis.

[Anon-C]

54. Prayers given!

[democrank]

56. I love him

[badhair77]

57. Heartbreaking news.

My first thought is he deserves better, but anyone with this horrible diagnosis deserves better. Prayers for Rep Lewis and the health care workers who care for him. Life isn't fair.

[catbyte]

58. First Cummings and now Lewis. We're losing all of the giants. My heart is breaking.

I'm hoping for the best, but I'm also realistic. This is one of the bad ones & Stage IV means it has spread.

[gademocrat7]

62. This is devastating news.

Representative John Lewis is a hero who has dedicated his life to social justice.

[warmfeet]

63. An icon of civil rights, of freedom and of liberty.

John Lewis, his goals, his achievements, and his aspiration's, make this world a better place to live in.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

I will do my best to emulate him.

[wendyb-NC]

66. What terrible news. Oh no.

John Lewis is such a great man, a hero for civil rights, and a representative people, who takes his work for those he represents and his oath of office seriously My prayers are with you, Rep. Louis.

[tavernier]

67. I'm one of the lucky and privileged.

I sat in on a speech he gave at a state convention and he brought down the hose with his humor, wit, and loving aura. The man actually radiates joy.

[Gothmog]

80. He was amazing

Did he tell his preaching to chicken story?

[tavernier]

83. Yes!

That year Obama and Pelosi and a bunch of other “names” were there and giving speeches, but he’s the only one that had us rolling in the aisle, wiping tears of laughter. I’ve often wished they would show more of that side of him on tv.

[Gothmog]

86. I love that story

[RT Atlanta]

120. i thought it was a blessing to be in his presence

took my children to see the Congressman speak in ATL a few years ago where we joined him & thousands of others in the gun violence march inspired by the Parkland students following the mass shooting at their school.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

68. OMG, WE LOVE YOU SIR... BEST WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY!!

[hibbing]

69. A true hero n/t

[MineralMan]

70. Oh, no!

[FailureToCommunicate]

71. Awful news. My younger brother got it and was gone in 6 months. Lewis is a fighter but

this is a battle that has few winners.

My brother was one of the fierce journalists going after corruption, national beat, based in D.C. Terrible loss, not just to his young family, and ours, but to hard working truth seekers everywhere.

[secondwind]

72. I'm sorry, but I thought Lewis passed away not too long ago

[Gothmog]

79. You may be thinking of Elijah Cummings

[demtenjeep]

73. nooooooooooo

first our North Star Elijah and now Congressman Lewis.

WHY not fucks like 45 and Moscow mitch and gym jagoff jordan

[Gothmog]

74. I have been blessed to have heard John Lewis tell his preaching to chicken story 4 times in person

I have been blessed to meet Congressman John Lewis in person four times and to hear him tell his preaching to chicken story in person at each event. John Lewis is amazing. Congressman Al Green introduced me to John Lewis as a civil rights attorney (I am a corporate attorney) and he shook my hand.

I have some great pictures of John Lewis at an event held at the National Convention when he was on stage with Kareem and Keith Ellison. The difference in heights is stark.

This man is truly a great man and I will be praying for him

Link to tweet

I have several copies of volume II and one copy of Volume I of March signed by Congressman Lewis

Again, please pray for Congressman Lewis.

[calimary]

75. Aw, damn.

Just - DAMN.

[MerryBlooms]

84. Fuck. This is heartbreaking.

[Gothmog]

85. Statement from Joe Biden on Congressman John Lewis

Link to tweet

[blm]

87. Noooo.

[Vinca]

89. Horrible, horrible news. If anyone can beat it, John Lewis can.

[H2O Man]

90. Recommended.

[GoCubsGo]

93. Shit.

[Stuart G]

94. Horrible news.

[R B Garr]

95. So sorry to hear this.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

96. I am so sad. Cancer is the worst disease of all time

All the good ones are dying

[napi21]

97. My first thought after hearing that news was "All the great ones are dying." I hope he doesn't

suffer pain with this disease. He is one f my favorites in the House! I truly hope he doesn't suffer a lot of pain. Thee are lots of meds that can kill the pain and hopefully he'll accept taking them.

Who are the young ones who can try to fill those shoes? Are there any? We lost Teddy Kennedy & no one has been able to fill that void. Why do the old AH's keep hanging around continuing to cause trouble and the good guys keep being taken from us too soon?

[Shoonra]

98. There is reason to hope ...

A friend of mine survived pancreatic cancer thanks to a horrendous surgical operation called a Whipple Procedure.

In essence they perform an autopsy on the patient and then put everything back in place.

That sounds ugly, and it's no day at Disneyland, but it saved my friend's life.

[onecaliberal]

99. This news is difficult.

[McKim]

100. Praying for YOU!

I am praying for you Rep. Lewis and I treasure your every word and your noble deeds.

[marieo1]

101. Rep. John Lewis

What a gentleman and fighter for what is right!!! Praying for you Rep. John Lewis!!!

[littlemissmartypants]

102. Tough news to bear.

I hope he and his family are comforted by the knowledge that so many people are sending prayers and loving support in his direction.

[Xolodno]

103. Stage 4 is a death sentence.

Sadly, I've had a few family members die of cancer...all of them stage 4 diagnosed. I've heard about survivors of stage 4, and friends of ours whose uncle was diagnosed with it, may actually beat it...he will be the first personally that I know.

If it were me, I would probably ask the doctor about the quality of life while on treatment, how long I could hold this off, etc. vs. deciding living life as much as I can before the end.

[58Sunliner]

104. Poor guy. Stage 4.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

105. Wishing for a speedy recovery

We need more men like you John.

[Duppers]

106. Such sad, sad news.

I was thinking about him a couple of wks ago & hoping he was doing ok.

Wish I thought prayers would help because he's another giant we shouldn't lose.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

109. Oh No! Oh, Fight, Rep. Lewis!!

Ohhhh....why can’t cancer go after the reich wing for a change? The best people suffer while the evil keep going on just fine and dandy. It’s not right!!

[polmaven]

110. How sad!

[kentuck]

111. Some young man on CNN said we "should him flowers while he's living"...

It was a very nice tribute to Congressman Lewis.

[Ninga]

112. He Spoke at a Facing History and Ourselves event in Cleveland. I sat 20 feet away and felt

his power and conviction. His love for humanity emanated from every pore. I was overwhelmed by the experience.

The man deserves to be carried around like he were a prince of peace. He deserves to be in comfort and spend his time here on Earth gently and surrounded by love.

I am saddened by the wrongness of it all.

[MoonRiver]

113. I'm heartbroken. But if anyone can beat this, John can.

[sinkingfeeling]

114. Why is it always the best among us and never the evil ones?

[femmocrat]

115. Such sad news.... Prayers for John Lewis.

I take some hope from Justice Ginsburg who has also fought this dreadful disease.

[BigDemVoter]

116. I felt nauseous when I read this in the NYT this morning . . .

He is, indeed, one of a kind-- especially now that Elijah Cummings is no longer with us.

[dchill]

117. Bridges to cross.

.

[pandr32]

118. I sure hope he is successful

I think this is a fast-growing cancer if not. I also hope he doesn't feel he is letting us all down if he can't make it. It is tough enough to battle cancer.
May he feel our love and support.

[sdfernando]

119. This is heartbreaking

I hope he beats it like RGB did. I'm hopeful but tempered by reality.

[Moostache]

121. Thank you Congressman

For your service...
For your courage...
For your example...

I wish you all the strength and luck in the world in your battle, but if your time has come, while we will be poorer for losing your light, your example and strength and courage will live on in our hearts and as an exemplar to the world long after that sad moment.

Godspeed John Lewis.

[BlueIdaho]

122. May he and his family find peace and comfort.

May we train a new generation of courageous leaders speaking truth to power.

[bdamomma]

123. OMG

We are loosing our loins so sad. Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer isn't that what Alex Trebek has WTF.

God, we lose Congressman Cummings, now this?

How many are secretly wishing for someone else to go instead of him.

[peggysue2]

128. Terrible news and a terrible disease

This was my sister-in-law's diagnosis. Though she fought like hell, the cancer won. She died in August, a year after the initial diagnosis.

A huge blow. Elijah Cummings this year and now John Lewis.