Rudy T's doctors like odds against cancer Treatments work for longtime Rocket By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Former Rockets coach and player Rudy Tomjanovich has not won his battle with bladder cancer, but test results received Saturday indicate he has built an almost insurmountable lead. A biopsy taken Friday revealed that the six topical treatments he underwent beginning late in the Rockets' season were so effective that doctors are confident that with continued treatment, Tomjanovich will be cleared. "He'll definitely be OK," Rockets physician Dr. Jim Muntz said. "He's responded in a very good way to the treatments. We're very happy with the response. This is very good news. It shows the treatment works." Tomjanovich underwent his first biopsy March 17 and was diagnosed with a superficial bladder cancer. But because the abnormal cells had not penetrated into the muscle of the bladder, doctors believed Tomjanovich could be treated with topical medication rather than surgery. Friday's tests showed that the treatments had been so effective, urologist Dr. Richard Goldfarb could recommended continuing with the medication to complete Tomjanovich's treatment. "He's definitely showed improvement," Muntz said. "He'll continue to receive treatment and surveillance. The best explanation I can give is that it's like a skin cancer. You look, relook, treat it, come back and look again. But every area we looked at definitely looked a lot better." Tomjanovich, 54, has been with the Rockets since he was selected with the second pick of the 1970 NBA draft and has been a part of the team as a player, scout, broadcaster, assistant coach or head coach for every game since the franchise moved from San Diego for the start of the 1971-72 season. He stepped down as Rockets coach last month in part to concentrate on his cancer treatments. Tomjanovich had a 502-397 record in his 12 seasons since taking over in 1992. He led the Rockets to NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 and the 2000 U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal in Sydney, Australia. Tomjanovich remains with the Rockets as a consultant, though his role has not been defined. He did not rule out coaching again but said that first he would concentrate on his health. That work is not done, as any coach protecting a lead would remind his players. But Tomjanovich on Saturday found he is getting close.
With any luck he'll be back coaching in the league in a couple years. Too bad it couldn't be with us.
"more treatments" are the normal course of things. Health-wise, this is pretty much the best possible place RT could be. Professionally, this is just more evidence that Les lied, and his public statements are not to be trusted....
Err... That is not totally true. If he has early stage disease and the biopsy is negative at six weeks after the treatment, he will not need any more treatment just the follow -up. That is the best sinario possible. He needs more treatment that means the biopsy is positive at 6 weeks. Eventhough, the odds is still good, it is not the best sinario that I had hoped.
From ESPN, So far, so good: Rudy T. winning cancer fight Sunday, June 29 _ Team doctor: 'We're very happy with the response' ESPN.com news services Rudy Tomjanovich is accustomed to winning. Two NBA championships. An Olympic gold medal. His recovery from alcoholism. Now it appears the former Houston Rockets coach is winning his battle against bladder cancer. According to the Houston Chronicle, topical treatments Tomjanovich has received the past three months have been so effective that doctors are optimistic about his future. "He'll definitely be OK," Rockets physician Dr. Jim Muntz told the Chronicle. "He's responded in a very good way to the treatments. We're very happy with the response. This is very good news. It shows the treatment works." In fact, the treatment is working so well that Tomjanovich -- who took a leave of absence as Rockets coach on March 26 to concentrate on his illness and eventually resigned on May 23 -- may avoid surgery. Tomjanovich, 54, has received six topical treatments since the March 17 diagnosis of superficial bladder cancer. Doctors opted for the topical treatment because the abnormal cells had not reached the muscle of his bladder. The Chronicle reported that urologist Dr. Richard Goldfarb might recommend continuing the medication. "He's definitely showed improvement," Muntz told the newspaper. "He'll continue to receive treatment and surveillance. The best explanation I can give is that it's like a skin cancer. You look, relook, treat it, come back and look again. But every area we looked at definitely looked a lot better." Tomjanovich had coached the Rockets to NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, producing a 502-397 record before leaving the club in March. The Rockets were guided by assistant Larry Smith the rest of the season and failed to make the playoffs despite having two All-Star players in guard Steve Francis and rookie center Yao Ming. The Rockets then hired Jeff Van Gundy as their new head coach on June 11. Tomjanovich, who guided the U.S. to Olympic gold in 2000, is still on the club's payroll as a consultant, and he has said he might return to coach, although his first priority remains his health. Tomjanovich has proven he can overcome health problems. In 1977, while playing for the Rockets, he was punched in the face by the Lakers' Kermit Washington. The blow nearly killed Tomjanovich, with spinal fluid leaking from his brain. But he eventually returned to play 188 more games, averaging 15.3 points and 6 rebounds before retiring in 1981. Tomjanovich also has battled alcoholism, eventually going through a successful treatment program in 1998.
I can see Rudy T in Millwaukee Bucks or L.A. Lakers or even Philly!! sad but true.. (one more post to 100)
seeing rudy t coach another team will be like seeing your ex-girlfriend out with another guy. best of luck, rudy, and get better.
Let it go before you start sounding like a broken record. RudyT is Healthy and things are looking up that is what matters. That said I am VERY glad that JVG is now our coach.
