Bob Bledsaw Health Update: UPDATE 02/01

jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:13 pm

Bob was in the hospital for most of the holidays after a procedure; sounds like it was carotid endarterectomy, he didn't say specifically. The worse news, though, is that during the stay they found a mass growing on his right kidney. He's going to be going through a battery of tests in the next couple weeks, first to determine what kind of growth it is, then to determine if he is strong enough to have it removed.

Bob sounded his usual self, so I don't really know how serious it is. He gave permission to mention this, and even post on the forums, though he said he's not looking for any pity or handouts (I told him he has friends and fans who would want to wish him their best); it was "steely Bob" who said no damn handouts or anything like that. He was more interested, I think, in discussing the future of D&D, specifically wondering at the way monsters work in 4E and how that affects the character of campaigns...

The best thing we can all do is keep him in our thoughts and prayers. If anyone wants to send him a card, mail them to me and I will pass them on (no gifts please, just cards). Mail cards to:

Adventure Games Publishing

Attn: Invincible Overlord

PO Box 185

Iola, WI 54945
_________________
James Mishler

Main Man, Adventure Games Publishing
jamesagp1@gmail.com
http://adventuregamespublishing.blogspot.com/
http://jamesmishler.blogspot.com

sieg · Post by **sieg** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:45 pm

Wishing him the best, needless to say....and a speedy recovery!

Mike
_________________
Always remember, as a first principle of all D&D: playing BtB is not now, never was and never will be old school.- Tim Kask, Dragonsfoot

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:34 pm

Wow, thanks for sharing. Here's all the best in the world to Bobby B.

-O
_________________
> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society

Emryys · Post by **Emryys** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:45 am

Wishing the best for Mr Bledsaw...
_________________

CharlieRock · Post by **CharlieRock** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:51 pm

Get better, Bob.
_________________
The Rock says ...

Know your roll!

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:51 pm

Yeah, sorry to hear this. I hope he makes a good recovery!
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:47 pm

Unfortunately, the news is not good.

I spoke with Bob's brother and with his son today. He's back in the hospital. Tests so far are inconclusive, but what's worse, Bob broke his hip, and some other problems have cropped up, so he's going to be there for some time still.

Your thoughts and prayers for Bob would be most welcome.
_________________
James Mishler

Main Man, Adventure Games Publishing
jamesagp1@gmail.com
http://adventuregamespublishing.blogspot.com/
http://jamesmishler.blogspot.com

Mike Frank · Post by **Mike Frank** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:04 pm

Oh, man...
Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:53 am

Just curious, any know his age. Late 60s/early 70s, no?

God bless and God speed to health and recovery!
_________________
Count Rhuveinus - Lejendary Keeper of Castle Franqueforte

"Enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!" ~ Gary Gygax

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes:" - Macbeth

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:46 pm

Man, rough. We'll be sending thoughts and prayers for Bob.

-O
_________________
> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society

sieg · Post by **sieg** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:49 pm

Prayers and Best Wishes...
Mike
_________________
Always remember, as a first principle of all D&D: playing BtB is not now, never was and never will be old school.- Tim Kask, Dragonsfoot

Zudrak · Post by **Zudrak** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:00 pm

Prayers...
_________________
AD&D, Amish Dungeons & Dragons.

"Galstaff, ye are in a cornfield, when a moustachioed man approaches. What say ye?"

"I shun him."

-----

"Knowledge, logic, reason, and common sense serve better than a dozen rule books."

-- E. Gary Gygax

jamesmishler · Post by **jamesmishler** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:04 pm

Okay, it's out now.

Bob has terminal cancer.

I've known now for several weeks, but the family requested that I respect their privacy and not release the full details to the public as yet. Unfortunately, someone else has been calling everyone in the industry letting them know, and it's now leaking out to the public...

Bob does have cancer. The cancer from the mass they found on his kidney had apparently spread to his bone structure (or however that works). With radiation therapy to shrink the mass he will feel a little better, for a little while, but yes, he only has a few months to live on the outside. Three at best, if we are lucky.

Now that it has broken public, I'll give his son a call and see what kind of official statement they would like to make.

I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone earlier, but as I said, that was per the wishes of his sons, brothers, and sisters.
_________________
James Mishler

Main Man, Adventure Games Publishing
jamesagp1@gmail.com
http://adventuregamespublishing.blogspot.com/
http://jamesmishler.blogspot.com

Zudrak · Post by **Zudrak** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:30 pm

jamesmishler wrote:
Okay, it's out now.

Bob has terminal cancer.

I've known now for several weeks, but the family requested that I respect their privacy and not release the full details to the public as yet. Unfortunately, someone else has been calling everyone in the industry letting them know, and it's now leaking out to the public...

Bob does have cancer. The cancer from the mass they found on his kidney had apparently spread to his bone structure (or however that works). With radiation therapy to shrink the mass he will feel a little better, for a little while, but yes, he only has a few months to live on the outside. Three at best, if we are lucky.

Now that it has broken public, I'll give his son a call and see what kind of official statement they would like to make.

I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone earlier, but as I said, that was per the wishes of his sons, brothers, and sisters.

Ugh. After losing both my stepmom-in-law and my wife to cancer in the last 24 months, this hits me hard. I will continue to pray for Bob and his family. James, if anyone needs someone to talk to about this, please PM or email me.

Flyerskippy at A O L dot com

In prayer,

Michael

EDIT: I highly recommend this site of former SF Giants' pitcher, Dave Dravecky's. They were a wonderful support during my wife's sickness and subsequent passing.
_________________
AD&D, Amish Dungeons & Dragons.

"Galstaff, ye are in a cornfield, when a moustachioed man approaches. What say ye?"

"I shun him."

-----

"Knowledge, logic, reason, and common sense serve better than a dozen rule books."

-- E. Gary Gygax

sieg · Post by **sieg** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:26 pm

Yes, my stepmother passed away from similar cancer a hear and a half ago. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Not to be morbid here but does anyone know what the fate of the Judges Guild TMs will be?

All my prayers,

Mike
_________________
Always remember, as a first principle of all D&D: playing BtB is not now, never was and never will be old school.- Tim Kask, Dragonsfoot

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:11 am

I suspected it was bad as I'm sure many of you thought as well.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Bob and his family.

Harry Joy · Post by **Harry Joy** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:40 am

James, I think you should post that notice in the Open Discussion forum as well. I'm not sure if everyone visits this one.