Former Rockets coach Tomjanovich cancer-free October 13, 2003 HOUSTON (Ticker) - Rudy T. is cancer-free. Nearly seven months after being diagnosed with bladder carcinoma, former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been deemed cancer-free, the team announced Monday. Tomjanovich was diagnosed with cancer on March 17. But it had not penetrated the muscle of the bladder, allowing physicians to treat him with a topical medication. In late June, Tomjanovich showed signs of improvement, although biopsies revealed that the cancer still existed. But his response to immunotherapy has been completed, according to Dr. Richard Goldfarb, deputy chief of urology at The Methodist Hospital. "The current signs are very positive, and with this last set of biopsies, I am very optimistic," Dr. Goldfarb said. "Rudy has been an extremely motivated patient and a privilege to care for." Tomjanovich thanked Dr. Goldfarb for the medical care he received, Dr. Jim Muntz for his moral support and friends for staying with him through "this battle." He also learned some valuable things. "No. 1, smoking is a major factor in developing bladder cancer and was the first thing I changed," he said. Tomjanovich also gained a better knowledge of how diet can help him recover and maintain good health. But he especially wanted to send a message about smoking. "He wishes to stress to the public that smoking is a real factor causing bladder cancer and hopes that others can benefit from this fact," Dr. Goldfarb said. On May 23, Tomjanovich resigned as coach of the Rockets, claiming he needed "to live a life with less stress." He missed the final 17 games of the season to undergo treatment and eventually was replaced by Jeff Van Gundy. Tomjanovich, who turns 55 next month, has remained with the team as a personnel consultant. Tomjanovich has been with the Rockets for more than three decades, including 12 as coach. He guided the franchise to its only NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, posted a 503-397 record and piloted Team USA to the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. As a player, Tomjanovich was a five-time All-Star who had his No. 45 retired by the Rockets in 1982. He survived one of the scariest moments in NBA history in December 1977, when Los Angeles Lakers forward Kermit Washington blind-sided him with a punch that resulted in serious facial injuries. Great news!
Rudy says his Vegetarian diet played a big role in his overall health improving. Maybe Les Alexander regrets getting rid of his Vegan brother now
Great news. They just mentioned on channel 2 news that Rudy will be on during sports...should be any second now.
It is good to see that Rudy is healthy. I think we will soon learn to appreciate the job he has done throughout the years. He will be coaching somewhere else soon.
Great news for Rudy. In my opinion, he's in my top 5 Houston icon's of all time. Here's to hoping he can get back on the T-bone steaks, though.
Knowing what we know now, why didnt the Rockets just use an assistant to take over and wait a few months to see if his cancer would go away? That way,right now before the real season even started Rudy could be our healthy coach. He wasnt fired, he "took time off" remember? If he quit to fight cancer,then now he can coach right? Even if Rudy was to come back now,the players would adapt to his system faster than they are to JVG. If he was fired, then Les should face up and admit it like a man in a press statement.
Best news of the day. And sweetie, the cancer was not the (only) reason that Rudy T. is not our coach anymore...
