Novelist Vince Flynn Talks to Hugh Hewitt About His Cancer Fight (and Much, Much More)
- Posted on May 15, 2011 at 6:43pm by
Scott Baker
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HH: Before we talk about bin Laden, you had posted news at www.vinceflynn.com that you’ve had a health challenge yourself. Update the audience on how you’re doing.
VF: Well, I feel good. And weird enough, I was talking to Duane before we went on the air, I was on tour last fall, and I hadn’t been feeling good, and I was at dinner with you and Duane and some friends out on the West Coast, and it was really the low point. And up until then, I thought I had prostatitis, and I was being treated by doctors. But something was wrong that night. I mean, I was in pain that I hadn’t been in, you know, ever. And went and spoke at the Reagan Library that next night, and then got on a plane and went back to Minneapolis, and went in and within days was informed that I had advanced metastatic prostate cancer, which was like getting hit with a sledgehammer. For the first 36 hours, we didn’t know what, my wife and I basically huddled in our bedroom like we had the flu, because we couldn’t tell the kids anything, because there wasn’t any good news. I mean, I didn’t know if I was going to make it to Christmas.
HH: Right.
VF: And it’s amazing how quickly things can turn around. We ended up, I’m fortunate to live only an hour and fifteen minutes from the Mayo Clinic. And I ended up down there like five days later in front of a genius named Eugene Kwon, who looked at me and said, you know, you might not feel like it, but you’re a blessed guy. Two years ago, we couldn’t have done anything for you other than try to placate this. But now, we can kill it. And worst case scenario, I’ve got five to ten years, and I plan on doing a lot better than that. So I feel good. I’m on hormone therapy, which I am going to have to write a book about at some point. I’m basically a 45 year old man going through menopause.
Read the full transcript here.
(h/t Breitbart.tv)
And clearly Vince is learning a great deal about the health care system:
HH: I’ve got to ask you, what do you think of the American medical system since it’s so much in the headlines, now that you’ve been in its grip for a year?
VF: Well, you know, I’m in an interesting position, because the Mayo Clinic is not, it’s not a public hospital.
HH: Right.
VF: It’s a private clinic, and it’s funded chiefly by donations by extremely wealthy people who are constantly billed and billing. I couldn’t be more impressed with my doctor, Bill Utz, here in Edina, who’s also in private practice, and Eugene Kwon in the Mayo Clinic. I mean, I’m in…Hugh, I’m a research guy. You know that. That’s why I come on your show.
HH: Yup.
VF: So when this hit, you know, I reached out. And Roger Ailes put me in touch with Michael Milken, and I got on the phone with Milken and his top research guy, a guy named Dr. Howard Sewell, and I said to him here’s where I am, I’m down at the Mayo Clinic, and they breathed a sigh of relief, and they said you know what? There’s only the top two hospitals in America for what you have, are Sloan-Kettering in New York, and the Mayo Clinic.
HH: Wow.
VF: And Eugene Kwon is a genius, and you need, that’s exactly where you need to be. So that’s a great burden that I don’t have to sit there and worry am I with the right guy. And these, both Utz and Kwon have been amazing, and I have not had that experience of problems. I mean, other than (laughing) you really start to get sick of being probed and scanned all that other stuff…
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Comments (57)
2010GOP
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 11:41amWhile America does have the best healthcare system this person certainly also benefited from the aspect of having connections to the best within days. Even the best healthcare system cannot replace the benefit of knowing people in important positions. The average “Joe, the plumber” I fear would not have been as fortunate, excepting only the power of prayer to heal, -a miracle to say. No to Obamacare but don’t think that all have this opportunity expressed by the Author. All said and done, I do wish this man a full recovery, and perhap, someday, the research that he finds will allow less and less reliance on who you know.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 11:35amI will definitely ad him to my prayer list. He’s great guy, great author (one of the best,if not the best in his genre) and I have every one of his books. Get right with GOD …this is the message we should all take away from this. LIFE here is FLEETING at best. Must be awful for all. I’m sorry. Get better!!
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 9:36amI love Vince Flynn and his writing! Cancer is terrifying when you are told “you have a massive cancer in you” it is frightening but we prayed and our friends prayed and we had great doctors and came through it fine-10 years ago. Vince you will come through in great shape as well and with a greater appreciation for life.Looking back I think about many friends who were diagnosed with cancer after me and many have died so I feel blessed that God chose me to live and I am thankful every day for that.
Report Post »God bless you and your family. Keep writing.
santramir
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 9:10ammasons, illuminaties, bilderbergers, it would be lovely to read about wallstreeters, londoners, the haguers, parisiens, and bruselers now that economies and societies are going through like a w curve (or y curve perhaps?) would not it be nice to read about the polititians, religions and central bankers, lobbysts and all that amazing stuff in the religious three border betwen of heaven earth and hell? good health to you and more books to come
Report Post »sig4141
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 7:40amGod Bless stay strong God never gives more than you can take. Love your books cant wait for the next one.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 7:25amHang in there Vince. We need Mitch Rapp!
Report Post »EP46
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 6:43amMy prayers go out for Vince and his family. I have spent so many wonderful hours reading his books, and learning a lot from them. He has disclosed some very interesting things about our government, I hope his health continues to improve and that he can continue to ‘inform us’ about things that our present government does not want us to know.
Report Post »cranes
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 12:15amI am very glad to hear this good news about Vince’s recovery. I am happy for his family and children. I love his books and think he is the best. It is fortunate that he runs in the circles like Glenn Beck where they can get the best medical care. Unfortunately, the rest of us don’t have that option. I am not for Obamacare, but I do believe that the latest research could get to the regular folks quicker and there could be a way to reduce the cost of these treatments. It is interesting that my entire life I paid into healthcare and never used it. Now that I am older it seems that I am very limited in the options for healthcare that I can have. I am thankful that I turst in a higher power, Jesus to heal us all because if I had to depend on our health care system and what is available to me today, I would be in big trouble. Best wishes to you Vince. I am also praying for a speedy recovery for you. Take care of that great family. Keep writing!
Report Post »Rubicon
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:05pmGod Bless you Vince! I plead the blood of Jesus upon for your healing.
Report Post »Mark
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:21pmVince,
Report Post »My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. God Bless and take care of yourself.
extrememd
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:17pmI love his books and hope and pray he does well…..but metastatic prostate cancer at 45 is very bad news. Prostate cancer is a slow growing tumor that can be further slowed with hormone therapy,but ….. Nomercy63 is right. If he was in a public hospital he would be dead. He will live longer because he has money and that is great. I got my medical degree in Canada and have practised in the United States for almost 20 years. I have worked in both systems and the big difference is he will get better care for 2 reasons. One he has money and 2 he is in the United States. In Canada they all die, rich and poor alike. I watched the Canadian system kill my mother in law. She had treatable cancer and got to wait in line untill she died a painful death. Socialism is so compasionate.
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:31pmIf you went to a public hospital and had no insurance or limited you would be dead!! So the moral here is if you have money you get to keep living if not your dead, that should be the title of the new book.
Report Post »islandlady
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:28pmGod Bless you. Hopefully you and many others will be changed with the twinkling of an eye.
Report Post »stonetampa
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:52pmI am so happy for Vince, especially because my son and I want him to keep writing those great books. However, and I am not a fan of ObamaCare, it strikes me somewhat sad that to get this kind of care you either have to be inidigent or so wealthy you can call the head of a major network or an ex-Wall Street felon to discuss where the best health care is. I am in the financial services business and was unemployed for two years. Obviously I lost my health care and even if I could afford it no one will cover me because of the usual maladies of a 55 year old man….depression, colesterol, blood pressure, Jameson and good cigars. Anyway, way to go Vince and by the way…thanks for the heads up on Ben Coe. Loved his book too.
Report Post »drhunt
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:53pmMr. Flynn is a great American and deserves THE best health care available. Unfortunately, our health care delivery system is under assault by BO and the gang, and doctors will be leaving their practices to head into “early” retirement if/when BO-Care is implemented. Medicare is already being denied by some of the best doctors in this country, because of low reimbursements, and with $500B more cuts and the intiation of Accountable care organizations(ACO’s), it will push even more of the best docs out of the system. Be prepared to be seen by PA’s, and FNP’s, (if you’re lucky), and docs that speak English as a second language. Dr. Paul was right when he stated that these programs are like slavery, because it reimburses doctors at a rate so low, they are forced to see more patients/hour to make up the difference, and quality health care will be a thing of the past.
God’s speed to Vince Flynn.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:51pmNever heard of him.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:00pm.
You don‘t know what you’re missing.
If you are fed up with corrupt politicians, Flynn (Rapp) has the cure.
Well researched. Defiantly not legal.
Takes the war on terror to the enemy, here and abroad.
YES!
Everything about SEAL team 6, I learned from Rapp.
Or, you don’t read..
Report Post »drhunt
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:01pmAre you illiterate? Can you not at least do a simple search on Vince Flynn to determine who he is, before typing a statement based on ignorance? Let me lead you through some simple steps, considering you’re seemingly incapable of such “cerebral” endeavors. Just type the name Vince Flynn into a search box at the top of your browser, and left click your mouse. See how easy that was?
Hope this helps.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:21pmLOL… dumbsheets….
Graduated with a Masters in English Literature from UCSB… and I STILL never heard of your dead guy, nor do I give a sheet.
Blow me Drhunt
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:26pm@ROB
Ok. Consider it done.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:28pmROB, guess they didn’t teach “class” in you class.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:32pmSorry, ‘your’ (missed a key).
Report Post »Rob
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:18pmIt’s okay grandmaof5… senility is tough.
Report Post »maryslittlelamb
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:06pm@rob
I doubt anybody could find anything to blow. I found out early on, you smartazz guys are all pencil di@ks.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:34pmRob doesn’t read. You have to get out of first grade to be abe to read.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:43pm@maryslittlelamb
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:06pm
@rob
I doubt anybody could find anything to blow. I found out early on, you smartazz guys are all pencil di@ks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ROFLMAO!!!!!
He just bragged on having a master‘s degree from some college that probably doesn’t claim him now, and I made a comment about he doesn’t read because he has to get out of the first grade.
@Grandmaof5 ~
Report Post »He also doesn’t have the brains to realize that any disrespectful comment made to anyone with class is like “Hmmm- Thought something came at me. Must have missed!” You don’t show a good education by being smarny to your elders. (Grandma, you have class, too.) AND, recovering alcoholics simply take the attitude that a person has the right to be the person he is or wants to be–polite or not polite; I have no control over anyone but myself.
BrownWaterVet
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 12:40amThanks Rob. Telling us you graduated from UCSB, a typical, liberal California school explains all we need to know about you.
Keep strong Mr. Flynn, love your books.
Semper Fortis
Report Post »drhunt
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 9:11amRob-English Lit at UCSB? ROFLMAO! Oh…I’m SO impressed! Liberal arts degree from a party school in the UC system, and you STILL cannot use a search browser to determine Mr. Flynn’s background before exposing yourself as being an ignorant tool. Too many hours in the campus coffee shops after too many hours in the bars the night before waxing poetic about “all things liberal”, instead of doing any serious studying. I pick my teeth with liberal arts majors, and you’re no exception. And I’ll have to turn down your phi beta kappa offer to send you off the cliff down onto the oil stained beaches below UCSB…you know…the oil that seeps from the ocean floor naturally?
Report Post »TOPOFTHEGAME
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:49pmI’m one of the few that can say to Vince…..I KNOW WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH…… I had a diagnosis:::::: metastatic malignant melanoma……had about fifteen lymph nodes removed…….then had more lymph nodes removed………experimental drugs for a year……That was almost twenty years ago…..THANK THE ‘LORD’ I’M STILL HERE……….. :) Vince we are all praying foryou……………….. PS Vince I read ALL your books
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:45pmTHEHermanCain Herman Cain
Report Post »My staff set up a website, http://www.aRealLeader.com, to receive pledges for the 5/21 announcement. Visit and pledge today! Thanks!
Herman Cain tweet (different subject)
tifosa
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:48pmok, ok, I know. I didn’t even read what the thread was about… so report me :P
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 1:56amcain has cancer also doesn’t he?
Report Post »muddymo
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:33pmOur thoughts and prayers are with you. I survived prostate cancer, so far, and so can you. Your information on hormone therapy is very helpfull.
God Bless You and Your Family.
Report Post »randy
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:13pmYou and your family are in my prayers Vince. I ignored the symptoms for 7 years only to be diagnosed 3 years ago with prostrate cancer….. I Beat the Cancer and have a long life planned…. :)
Report Post »Shewolf135
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:31pmReally sorry to hear this. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.God bless you and heal you.
Report Post »betsp
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:04pmI love Vince Flynn’s writing, his patriotism and his character, Mitch Rapp. I‘m glad to hear he’s doing well and getting the best care. I have his books in order too, and they are worth reading again.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:00pmGlad to read this, Vince. Hooray for your wonderful doctors and their staffs. Hooray for your attitude and will to live. Hooray for a great GOD WHO has plans for you here with us, with your wife and with your family.
We need you and we really, really, really need MITCH RAPP right here, right now.
Thanks, Vince. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT and heal you absolutely, inside – out!
Report Post »wianno94
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:00pmI’m 70 years old, and I hope I’m around long enough to read his next ten novels.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:44pmAmen .
Report Post »Rob
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:21pmDeath Panals.
Report Post »hud
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:05pmMe too
Report Post »We Are Not Alone
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 6:56pmPrayer to you….
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 6:55pmWe will add Vince to our prayer list. My husband has read every one of his books (in order) and waits, impatiently, for the next one to be released. I was not aware of his medical condition but am grateful to Mayo for their expertise. Being from Jax FL, I can tell you that they have a stellar reputation there as well. Our best regards for continued good health.
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:22pmI read ALL of his books in short order. GREAT books! thanks Glenn, for turning me onto him!
Report Post »coladude
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:31pmI like the guy hope he comes out ok.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:37pmA prayer for Vince & his family.
Good thing he writes much better than he speaks.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:54pm.
God bless you.
You are my favorite author. I’ve read every book. Term Limits is still my favorite.
Mitch Rapp is my hero, even though he wasn’t a central character in “Term Limits”.
Amazing, I was rooting for the “good” bad guy.
Get well soon, I need more of your books.
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 8:15pmI’m happy to add Vince to my prayer list. He and Brad Thor have given me many sleepless nights.
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:46pmI love Mr. Flynn’s books…and I have listened to his past interviews with HH. He is a super guy and a top notch family man. Now…he is showing another side to himself…extreme courage.
I pray tonight for three things:
1) That the Lord embraces him and his family and gives them the strength to fight this battle.
2) That the Lord gives him the time he feels he needs to see his kids off into adulthood.
3) That I be blessed with the same courage he has if I should ever find myself in the same situation.
Amen.
Report Post »GRANNYMOO
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:06pmMany good wishes winging their way for you and your family,sounds like you’re in good hands! Bless you!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:20pmWow
Prayers
Good author
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:32pmYes, we will, Grandma.
Report Post »Thanks.
Sinista MACE
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 9:48amConsumption of 30+ grams of pure hash oil CURES stage 4 terminal cancer.
Application of pure hash oil to skin melanomas kills the cancer in a few weeks.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 11:11amI join you in those prayers for Vince and his family.May GOD touch him and heal him fully from my heart to his and his family.
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