Edmonds-based European travel guide and author Rick Steves announced Wednesday he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Making the announcement via social media, the 69-year-old Steves said he is thankful for “the support of friends and loved ones and a strong faith that I’m in good hands.”
In his post, Steves said he has “great trust in my doctor and in Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.”
“My doctor assures me that, if you’re going to get cancer, this is a good kind to get, and careful scans show no sign of it having spread,” Steves added. “There is a clear path forward to getting healthy, and this fall, I’ll be in the hospital for a few days having prostate surgery.”
With his doctor’s OK, Steves said he will be filming two new TV shows in France for the next three weeks, with plans to return home to Edmonds by mid-September. “I’ll likely get my surgery in late September, be laid up for a month, and — God willing — be cancer-free and back at it by the end of October,” he said.
“While the statistics tell me I should be just fine, I’ve been fortunate to have never spent a night in a hospital — and I find myself going into this adventure almost like it’s some amazing, really important trip,” he said. “I feel good about my positive attitude — and I expect to take home some delightful, if intangible, souvenirs like: appreciating and seeing a vibrancy in the little things; appreciating the goodness in people and the treasure of friends and family; being wowed by modern medicine and the army of amazing, smart, and dedicated people that make it possible; appreciating what a blessing life, health, and this world to enjoy is; and — just in general — being more thankful.
“I’m looking forward to many more years of happy travels, exciting collaborations, and beautiful friendships. Thank you for your love and support (and any ‘travel tips’ you may have for me as I set off on this journey),” Steves wrote.
Wishing the very best recovery for Rick Steves. He shows great bravery sharing this diagnosis. Having several family members who have faced the same issue, my hope is that Rick’s public announcement will help more men seek screening and early treatment as well as to know that they aren’t alone.
Keep on traveling, Rick!
I am also an unfortunate member of the prostate cancer club for two years now and a big fan of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. You’re in great hands!
Your faith will sustain you but I’ll throw in an extra prayer for good measure.
Blessings to you, Bruh!
Wishing you a speedy recovery and return to traveling and delighting us with your wonderful programs very soon. Your positive attitude will always get you far and you are a national treasure from my hometown.
Best wishes Rick Steves!!
Rick, you’ve done do much for our community. What can we give back?
You’ve got this, Rick, and you have the full support of all of us who have known you and loved you for many years. We will be with you all along. Mauri
Wishing you a positive outcome from surgery and a full and speedy recovery. Enjoy your French trip!
Wishing you the very best outcome, RICK. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I would say that FAITH and COURAGE are in order at this time. May you have successful trreatment and a full recovery !
We wish you the best as you journey toward recovery. Seattle is a good place to have a medical problem, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center will serve you well.
You asked for tips for your first time overnight in a hospital:
*Take a device that will provide your choice of music in your room.
We had one and staff would pop in and say: I was wondering where that beautiful music was coming from.
*Have an advocate stay overnight in your room. That has turned out to be very important. Having my husband in the room for my joint surgeries, was valuable, i.e. when a lab tech had the wrong room. The advocate is alert at times when the patient might be groggy.
We all love Rick, his amazing work and his positive attitude. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Take it from a guy who’s spent many nights in a hospital, Jeanne M. commenting above is right on. My wife being with me almost all the time when I had Gall Bladder surgery complications later in life heart issues made lots of difference and I still went home exhausted both times. I suspect your fame will be your friend on this adventure. Looking forward to seeing a very generous and enlightened man back here in the ‘Hood and good as new.
I have been there myself with stage 3 colon cancer back in 2011. Staying positive was the best medicine.
Something you will probably experience is the nurses do all the work! Several years later I Sold my favorite nurse’s boyfriend a house. Than about a year later they ask me to marry them! Stay positive Rick and know the Lord is by your side through this journey.
What a courageous letter you wrote, Rick. Thanks for leading an example of thinking positively. Those thoughts will lead to a healthy outcome.
Thank you for the courageous plan to share your cancer journey with us. There is much for you to gain by sharing. Two tips I like to share with everyone entering cancer world (I’ve been here for 24 years now) 1) Seek help with a naturopathic (FABNO) oncologist to help with any and all side-effects. 2) Cancer Lifeline, a local resource with a ton of support for cancer patients. I wish you much success slaying the dragon.
Best wishes to you, Rick.
Our Prayers are with you Rick and we hope to see you strolling the streets of Edmonds again soon (well, after France, of course).