Editor’s note: Thursday afternoon, Jack Fowler, co-host of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” received a note from Hanson that the iconic historian wanted him to share with the public. As Fowler said, if you’re looking for the “official word” on Hanson’s health and status, “this is it.”
I want to thank all the wonderful people who have sent me wishes of rapid recovery and prayers in so many manifestations. I cannot thank you enough, given it gave me hope and encouragement these past two weeks as I read and reread your notes, cards, and postings.
I was operated on 12/30 to remove a large “mucinous adenoma carcinoma” and also right lower lobe by the thoracic surgery team at Stanford Medical.
I had previously and mysteriously been unable to recover fully from a March 2025 flu and a series of sinus infections that led to a sinus operation, and later hoarseness and cough.
A series of various scans suggested subclinical pneumonia, prior damage from long COVID, or perhaps even valley fever.
However, the consolidation continued to grow, and I continued to feel weaker and hoarser—from what turned out to be a very hard to diagnose and rare lung cancer that is often dubbed “pseudo-pneumonia” for its near identical appearance to infection/inflammation on scans.
Many think these types of cancer are genetically driven, and I have had certainly many family members with cancers.
An accurate diagnosis is often made more difficult given non-smokers (and nondrinkers/non drug users) more often suffer this type of strange malignancy.
Luckily, and belatedly, I got to Stanford Med where, after another scan and surgical biopsy, they quickly diagnosed the near-yearlong problem as a large malignancy.
In this regard. I want to thank our director at the Hoover Institution and my friend and colleague Dr. Condoleezza Rice whose support and advice on medical care proved invaluable.
The 12/30 cancer removal surgery a little more than two weeks ago went well. But as happens (I’m 72) sometimes, an arterial bleed of unknown origins developed in the recovery room.
I was very lucky that the team got me back into surgery, found the hemorrhaging, provided numerous transfusions, and got me back to recovery.
I am recovering well from the lung cancer surgery, but now mostly dealing with the after-effects of the long time under anesthesia for the two procedures, blood loss, anemia, and some AFIB, which are all mostly manifested in fatigue and weakness.
But I hope to rebuild and recover and return to work in time, especially given the frantic news cycle of the last month.
There is much to be optimistic about, despite the nasty nature of this rare nonsmoker’s cancer and a few detours during recovery.
Lymph nodes and peripheral samples removed during surgery around the tumor and mass proved negative for malignancy. And a pre-op full body scan did not show metastasis.
So, I’m hoping to rebuild my strength and prepare for perhaps some sort of chemo/immunotherapy prophylactic treatment to help prevent recurrence in the pulmonary area.
I can’t thank all of you enough for your kindness. It stunned me, and I will do my best to recover and see you all again on podcasts and other venues.
Sincerely,
Victor Davis Hanson
