Sunday, July 24, 2016
Hey, blog fans. I'm out of the hospital after being poked, prodded, tested. and humiliated. I'm in much worse shape than when I went in. It's a long story. Next week I'll try to get into M. D. Anderson. The outlook isn't brilliant for the Mudville Nine. I might not be posting here again, so I want to say now how moved I've been by your comments. You guys are the best. Even if we've never met in person, you are truly my friends. Love to you all.
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63 comments:
Sending loving thoughts to you and your family xoxoxox
It just sucks so bad that you are suffering like this. I was thinking the other day of when we first met - Washington Bouchercon, 1980 - but knew each other several years before that from the apa and fanzines.
Life isn't fair, we know that, but this is a particularly bad, hard blow. One thing this has proven is how much we all care about you and how many of us there are. I just wish all that caring could do you some good.
We'll keep hoping.
You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Love back at you, in spades.
Bill, you have been in my thoughts since I first heard of your trip to the hospital. We only met a few times in person, and share almost as few words at those times, but we have talked via email...mainly me looking for help letting people know about a book or the like. You have always ALWAYS immediately jumped in to give me and so many others a hand. Your kindness and enthusiasm is a model others should live by. Keep strong, Bill. And thank you for being the naturally cool person you have clearly always been.
Hang in there!
The longer the odds, the better the victory. Thoughts and prayers and thanks heading your way!
We've never met Bill, but I feel like I know you from this blog and your marvelous work. I finished your latest novel SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN last night and it is another wonderful entry in the Dan Rhodes series. Thank you for writing it. My review should appear in the next issue of Mystery Scene.
Thank you also for supporting my blog over the years by visiting, commenting, and everything else. The interview you so kindly did last summer, and the mentions - not one, but two! - in your EQMM column Blog Bytes.
Your work has brought more than a few smiles to me, maybe even a couple chuckles and the rare but always desired belly laugh. I'll miss your presence on social media. This blog, and Facebook. Although I'm hoping this is far from your last post, and, with a little luck we'll meet one of these days at Bouchercon, or elsewhere, after you beat the odds-makers at their own game. My thoughts are with you. Good luck, my friend. And I'll be waiting for your next post.
Ben
Know you are loved and being prayed for. MD Anderson is one of the best for cancer plus they can check the NIH's trial drugs. Look at how great President Jimmy Carter did.....
Know that you ARE loved by your fans and friends.
Don't give up.
(Rick Libott)
As with so many others, we've never met yet I am devastated by the news. For several years I've read your blog each and every day and found it to be a source of entertainment, insight, and so much more. I think there is a sociological concept, "world-maintaining," and you have been that for me. I hope your treatments are successful and that we can all look forward to hearing from you soon.
I can only echo Jeff's comment. Wish there was more to do, or say. Love you, man. Keep fighting.
Stilwell
I continue to hope for a medical miracle to head your way. Your blog has meant so much to me. I'm just sorry it has taken such disheartening news to compel me to tell you that. Thank you for taking the time to make the world a more informed, entertaining, and creative place.
Best of luck to you and yours,
CNM
Considering that we've never met in person, you matter more to me than I could ever have imagined. You've made my world a better place for quite some time now. Miracles do happen...so I keep hoping.
This sucks, but MD Anderson can do wonders with the latest NIH test protocols. Hoping that happens for you. Sending healing energy and light your way.
I read Barbara this post and the Facebook, but my voice broke each one. I have tears in my eyes, for both you and myself. The last time I talked with you - and Judy - was in San Francisco, at B'con there. It was so great to see you both, as always. We met many other times, of course, at cons, the first time in Seattle. Every time, always, you were friendly, good-humored, kind, welcoming, knowledgeable. You're my friend, and I thank you for that friendship.
I wish there were something, anything, I could do to help you now, take this burden away, heal you, make you wake up and find it's just a bad dream. We wish it were. There are miracles, you deserve one if anyone does. Our prayers are with you. You are in our thoughts every minute. We love you, Bill. Be well.
Like many others, I have never met you. But reading your blog over the years makes you feel like a very good friend. All the best, and keep fighting. I'll be thinking about you and rooting for you.
All the best to you, Bill.
Hang in there, my friend. The kittens need you around for a long time, as do we. The effect you've had on all of us is beyond words, so we'll just keep on praying and you keep on healing.
Hugs and prayers continue. xo Terrie
You will be remembered for a long long time. and MISSED! I keeping hoping you'll say it ain't so......
Thank you for being here and doing all that you have done and best wishes.
Don't know you personally, but have enjoyed what you have given.
Sincerely,
Eric Ellis
Peoria, IL
Thinking of you, Bill, and praying for you.
My thoughts are with you. Thanks for many years of entertainment.
Hoping for the very best outcome is possible for you Bill.
Ken.
Bill, I hope you know how much you mean to not only those who met you personally, but to those like me who only know you through this blog, Facebook, and your books. I certainly consider you a friend and one of the Good Guys. Hope to "see" you here again and for a long time to come -- will be praying hard for that outcome.
And we are all in your corner, Bill. Anything you could possibly need, please just ask.
Bill, I'm continuing to say prayers for you. I'm so sorry you have bad news, and a bad prognosis. I know how terrible it can be. I'm sorry. Lesa Holstine
My good friend who is a nurse and has been through this many times with patients wanted to stress to me how important attitude and not giving up is, no matter how hard it seems.
Do not go gentle...
Bill, think good thoughts and feel the love. There's a lot of it out there for you.
I took the liberty of adding your name to the prayer list at church this morning. I've not been able to attend many conventions since moving to the other side of the state, and I've missed seeing you at them. You'll remain in my prayers. Hang in there.
Keep up the fight, Bill. As this list of messages indicates, you have a lot of friends and acquaintances who hold you in the highest esteem. I asked a friend who's very active at her church to put your name on her congregation's prayer list, as Keith West did at his church, and she assured me she would. So besides those of us who know you, to one degree or another, there are a lot of strangers out there praying for your recovery.
Bill, I'm confident that the Mudville Nine will bring in the pennant, however tough the fight. Best thoughts from all for your recovery.
Well, after reading your post and then all of these comments, I'm crying. Count me in the "we never met but..." set. True, we never met, but this blog was a must-stop-by every day. I loved the alligator, thin mints melee, Texas leads the way, and in that case, sir, you are free to go. And even though I never met Judy, I felt I knew her through your blog. I don't know what your spiritual/religious beliefs are, but I know from personal experience that being aware that lots of people are thinking of you and praying for you can be a significant element in fighting and recovering from illness. I hope the treatments will not be too onerous. Best wishes for a full and fast recovery.
Bill, thank you for everything. You have given all of us so much with this blog. I only discovered you about a year ago, and I regret the years I missed. It's been really great to read you on a daily basis, and also great to find a kindred spirit who loves so many of the same things I do. I think of you as a friend also. And I am thinking positive thoughts toward you, for what that's worth, and I am hopeful we'll meet here again.
Bill, I'm one of the many strangers who read your blog but have never met you. Thank you so much for everything. The warmth and generosity of your personality really comes across in your writing, as does your knowledge and enthusiasm. I live in the UK and the woman I love is also fighting Cancer. I really felt for you when you lost Judy. Like everyone, I'm hoping for a miracle. Stay positive. We all want you to beat this. Very best wishes, Allan.
Bill,
I just found you this past fall. My husband and I read Sheriff Dan all through the fall and winter. We had so much fun talking about your stories. I was thrilled when I found your blog.
Like so many others, we are pulling for you, sending positive thoughts and prayers. You mean so much to us.
Steph
Although we have never met in person, I have always felt that I knew you and had a friend deep in the heart of Texas. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you win this battle.
Long time reader of your novels, your entries on Rara-Avis, and more recently your blog.
You offered some great suggestions to me on hard-boiled crime novelists I should be reading and collecting and I'm eternally grateful for that.
Wishing you the absolute best.
My prayers, etc.
MD Anderson is the best. If there's anything that can be done, they will do it.
Thoughts and prayers are with you. Be strong.
Bill, never give up. There is power behind you in all your friends and loved ones.
We may be strangers, but I've been a great fan of your writing over the years, and have always enjoyed the charm and heart you've shown on this blog. It may sound trite to say my thoughts and prayers are with you, but I mean it. Godspeed.
I'm still hopeful. My sincerest thanks for all the blogging, books, and stories.
I add my wishes to those that have come ahead of me. You cast a tall shadow, Bill, and if anyone has the heart and courage to face this demon down, it's you.
We all love you, Bill, and we're rooting for you. You know that.
All the blessings I can come up with, Bill. We're backing you, dear.
I'm crying
All these comments show how much you mean to so many people. Once again, best of luck in your battle.
Not much we can do but let you know we care.
Thank you very much for Sheriff Dan Rhodes. He's one of the best. I hope you fare well.
We met some time in the early 80s and along the way have enjoyed many mystery and science fiction conventions together and so much else. It's hard for Becky and I to talk about this without tearing up. Oh, my friend, we love you and so do so many others. I hope MD Anderson can bring about a miracle or at least some more time. We need you in this old world!!
Here's hoping for the best. Finland sends greetings!
Bill, long-time fan. Sending you my best wishes!
hoping for the best and praying for you.
missing your posts and your FB VBK pics and updates.
take it easy.
I consider you a friend, and a mentor, Bill. Whatever miracles and blessings there may be, may they be there for you, your family, and of course the VBK gang! Manly hugs!
Love you, Bill. Let me know if you need anything. I can check on the kittens or water the plants. Whatever ...
Thank you for your blog and your good humor. I hope your journey ends well, and I hope it is a peaceful one. I fully expect to see you posting here again, but if I don't, you have my sincere thanks.
Good luck!
Bill, thinking about you all the time, and hoping for a swift recovery. The Lansdale's love you. You are part of our family, you and your family. Joe
I had my own brush with mortality -- it's no damn fun. But it's worth the struggle.
I am, of course, a big fan of your work, and I love this blog...and I am very grateful for the wonderful things you've written about my work here. When a writer you respect says nice things about your stuff, you get a very special kind of boost.
You're in my thoughts, and you have my admiration and love.
Al Collins
I add my love, respect and prayers as well.
Peace,
Karen
Yes, hospitals are humiliating places. Hope you're in, out and healing soon.
Sending you healing thoughts.
Best wishes, Bill. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
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