Robert Novak diagosed with brain tumor

The Chicago Sun-Times, Robert Novak's home newspaper, published Novak's statement today that he has been hospitalized with a brain tumor.

“On Sunday, July 27, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have been admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where doctors will soon begin appropriate treatment. “I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period."

Novak is alert and talking — he wrote the statement announcing his illness — but in intensive care, where the hospital does not allow phone calls or flowers, according to his assistant, Kathleen Connolly.

"He's talking,'' Connolly said. "He seemed fine."

The diagnosis was sudden. Novak became ill Sunday during a family outing near Cape Cod, Mass. A family member called 911, and he was brought by ambulance to Brigham and Women's Hospital, where the diagnosis was made.

It’s too early to know whether the tumor is malignant or benign, his assistant said.[Snip]

Novak, 77, struck a pedestrian last Wednesday [July 23] while driving his Chevrolet Corvette in Washington, D.C. The man he struck suffered minor injuries, according to the Associated Press. Novak was issued a $50 citation.

Asked whether the accident might have been linked to the columnist's medical condition, Novak's reporter, Charlie Spiering, said today, "It's really too early to tell."

Novak said he didn't realize what happened and continued driving until a bicyclist stopped him, the Associated Press reported. David Bono, the bicyclist, said the pedestrian was hit in a crosswalk and was splayed across Novak's windshield.

The report last week that Novak had struck a pedestrian in a cross-walk and appeared unaware that he had done so was strange at the time. This appears likely to provide an explanation for that event.

As much as I dislike Novak's politics, I really hope this is not cancerous. No one deserves that. It is hard not to compare Novak's condition to that of Senator Ted Kennedy who was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer and has been getting treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital, also located in Boston.

We should all wish Bob Novak the best possible outcome.