Tom Brokaw isn’t going to let cancer define the rest of his life. And although the NBC News anchor is battling multiple myeloma , Brokaw maintains his positive outlook on the world, reported People .
Myeloma is categorized as a type of blood cancer, and although it cannot be cured, it can be treated. Now in remission, Tom describes himself as a lucky guy.
“[I am] the luckiest guy in the world,” sums up Brokaw of his outlook on his future.
At 73, he had no plans to even consider the possibility of his own death. But, as Brokaw reveals in his memoir A Lucky Life Interrupted , having gone through it has given him a new attitude toward life.
“If there’s an oxymoron in American life it’s ‘humble anchorman,’” mused Tom. “Cancer has given me a dose of humility.”
In addition, Brokaw, who always has been known for his ability to reach out to his viewers, feels that he has more empathy for others after suffering through his cancer battle.
“I’m much more empathetic,” emphasized the newsman.
In his new book, Brokaw reveals how he learned about his cancer diagnosis , reported USA Today .
His journey began with back pain two years ago. But when he finally sought help from a physician for the chronic agony, Tom learned that he had multiple myeloma.
Now that his book is scheduled for publication this month, Brokaw admits that he feels somewhat uncomfortable having the spotlight turned on himself.
“It’s a little unsettling. It’s getting such great reviews. I’m very happy with it. I started writing a journal and I was learning so much along the way. How to deal with your family, how to deal with your friends,” he explained.
With his health stronger, Tom wants to focus on getting more confident in his ability to resume his normal level of physical conditioning.
“I’m in remission. I need to get my physical conditioning to a higher level. I was always very fit. I need to get back to where I am very confident in my ability to bike a long way.”
And as Tom looks to the future, his NBC Nightly News colleague Brian Williams lives in a state of suspended animation between his past triumphs and current indecision about whether he can return, as the Inquisitr reported.
In fact, one of Brian’s contradicted statements had to do with his discussions about former Nightly News anchor Brokaw about becoming sick with dysentery because he mistakenly gulped down floodwater.
Wrong again, said Dr. Brobson Lutz, a former city health director who survived the storm in a trailer in that area. Lutz asserted that he neither treated nor heard of any cases of dysentery after the hurricane.
[Image Via Penguin Random House ]
