Elson Floyd's leave of absence

[kayak15]

Brand X just reported that Dr. Floyd has asked the BOR for a leave of absence to deal with his health. Apparently he has been diagnosed with cancer and has been aware of this for some time. Only a few of the WSU circle were aware of this. He chose to keep it quiet during the state's legislative session in order to avoid a distraction from his efforts concerning the proposed medical school and other issues. Those of us of a religious inclination might include him in our prayers.

A real shame and not just because he has done an excellent job. He seems like an intelligent and decent man and despite only being here for a few years appears to transitioned into a dedicated Coug.

God bless and best wishes, Dr. Floyd.

 

[Coug1990]

I have met Dr. Floyd on a few occasions, in Pullman and in Olympia. He was genuine and I am proud that he is our President. My prayers go out to him.

 

[CougPatrol]

Hard news to hear. Best wishes on a full and speedy recovery.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

He is the only president we've had whom I was comfortable referring to by his first name. But then, he is also the only recent president that I've bothered to meet. My opinion of Elson is considerably higher than about 30 years worth of predecessors…IMHO you would have to go back to Glenn Terrell to find someone comparable, and based on the body of work to date I suspect that Elson will be viewed better by history. Both were good guys, but I think Elson faced some more severe opportunities. We will probably need some time to judge how well a few of his choices worked out, but at this point I'd say the odds are with him on most of those choices.

I don't know which variety of cancer, or how far along he was when diagnosed. Those tend to be the most important questions. I'll put him in the evening prayers and hope that I'll be able to lift a glass when he heals his way back out of my evening devotional.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

A BX post says colon cancer. That is bad news, if correct. It's not melanoma or one of the really fast ones, but the problem with colon cancer is that it is so often found very late in the process due to a lack of external symptoms. If the reported weight loss is accurate, it may have been found late. I hope that is wrong and the weight loss was due to a chemo reaction/side effect (quite possible) and that somehow it was found early. PSA, FOBT and other blood screening helps but is no magic bullet for detecting cancer. And people, if you are 50+ and have never had a colonoscopy you are being irresponsible. Other people depend on you, even if you don't get it done for yourself. If you have family cancer history, you may want to get it done younger. Colon cancer is pretty slow, so if you find it you can do something, and your odds are not bad. Elson's best shot is that it was found during a colonoscopy, early, and that the weight loss is a chemo side effect.

If you are in the older half of the population, you know people who have had colon cancer. Prayers for Elson.

 

[TZCoug84]

I second what cr8zyncalif says about colonoscopy. I am 53. Had my first colonoscopy at 50 because my doc told me it's the smart thing to do, and I trust him. No family history of colon cancer, and I am healthy, not overweight, active and fit. i eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains than anyone I know. They found three precancerous polyps, which they removed during the procedure. Put me on a three-year return colonoscopy schedule -- which I just had, and found no issues this time, so now back to a five-year return schedule. And, as far as discomfort, pain, etc., neither the prep nor the procedure are that tough; certainly not as bad as many will make you think. Please get it done ladies and gents - you may save your life.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

A BX post says colon cancer. That is bad news, if correct. It's not melanoma or one of the really fast ones, but the problem with colon cancer is that it is so often found very late in the process due to a lack of external symptoms. If the reported weight loss is accurate, it may have been found late. I hope that is wrong and the weight loss was due to a chemo reaction/side effect (quite possible) and that somehow it was found early. PSA, FOBT and other blood screening helps but is no magic bullet for detecting cancer. And people, if you are 50+ and have never had a colonoscopy you are being irresponsible. Other people depend on you, even if you don't get it done for yourself. If you have family cancer history, you may want to get it done younger. Colon cancer is pretty slow, so if you find it you can do something, and your odds are not bad. Elson's best shot is that it was found during a colonoscopy, early, and that the weight loss is a chemo side effect.

If you are in the older half of the population, you know people who have had colon cancer. Prayers for Elson.

I thought it was lung cancer? Not sure though. If so, non-smokers who have lung cancer is usually because it spread to the lungs from another area of their body. Hope I'm wrong. Prayers for him and his family.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I second what cr8zyncalif says about colonoscopy. I am 53. Had my first colonoscopy at 50 because my doc told me it's the smart thing to do, and I trust him. No family history of colon cancer, and I am healthy, not overweight, active and fit. i eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains than anyone I know. They found three precancerous polyps, which they removed during the procedure. Put me on a three-year return colonoscopy schedule -- which I just had, and found no issues this time, so now back to a five-year return schedule. And, as far as discomfort, pain, etc., neither the prep nor the procedure are that tough; certainly not as bad as many will make you think. Please get it done ladies and gents - you may save your life.

I'll third this. I haven't had it done myself (still a young pup I guess) but a local TV newscaster was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and was told that he could have saved himself a lot of pain and suffering with proper screening.

 

[95coug]

A BX post says colon cancer. That is bad news, if correct. It's not melanoma or one of the really fast ones, but the problem with colon cancer is that it is so often found very late in the process due to a lack of external symptoms. If the reported weight loss is accurate, it may have been found late. I hope that is wrong and the weight loss was due to a chemo reaction/side effect (quite possible) and that somehow it was found early. PSA, FOBT and other blood screening helps but is no magic bullet for detecting cancer. And people, if you are 50+ and have never had a colonoscopy you are being irresponsible. Other people depend on you, even if you don't get it done for yourself. If you have family cancer history, you may want to get it done younger. Colon cancer is pretty slow, so if you find it you can do something, and your odds are not bad. Elson's best shot is that it was found during a colonoscopy, early, and that the weight loss is a chemo side effect.

If you are in the older half of the population, you know people who have had colon cancer. Prayers for Elson.

He was in Tri-Cities at the end of March, and I thought at that time that he looked like he had lost weight. Not a tremendous amount, he didn't appear unhealthy, but he was definitely thinner than previous times I've seen him.