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Update from Rich
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller * Background is here if you need it. Several people have asked how I’m doing after being released from the hospital. My short answer is I feel a whole lot better than I thought I would after a long Friday afternoon/evening surgery to remove a larger than expected tumor. I’m experiencing some pain, but that’s almost totally associated with a few specific body movements. I was so tired yesterday, but I chalked that up to not being able to fully rest while in the hospital. Nausea crept in, but I’m told that’s probably related to the surgical anesthesia. Tomorrow, I will start to learn what further treatment is needed. My surgeon is confident she removed the entire tumor, but some sort of follow-up chemo has always been expected. That plan will be mapped out by Northwestern Hospital’s ace specialists in the coming days. Those folks are quite something to behold. * I am blessed to have some great friends who have helped me get through this, including taking hours out of their days to assist. And I’m triply blessed to have Isabel on the job. Isabel seems to have found a reserve of true grit during all this, starting in June when my mom (her grandma) died from cancer. Her grandma would be so proud of her, but while all of us within the family and friends circles are impressed, none of us are surprised. She’s always been an extraordinary person. That’s why I hired her in the first place. * To sum up: I’m in a bit of pain, but it’s manageable; There’s still a road ahead of me to fully beat this thing; My friends, family and Isabel have been key to getting me to this point and they and others will be particularly important in the coming weeks. So, a big thanks to everyone, even if it was just a brief email to ask how I was holding up. I thought it was a bit trite to say before my diagnosis, but you really can feel the love in times like these. It’s far more important than I ever understood. Big hugs to all!
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- Joseph M - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 11:41 am:
Happy to hear the recovery is going well. Stay strong!
- Behind the Scenes - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 11:43 am:
Great news, Rich. True that - a hospital is no place to get any rest. Keep up the recovery.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 11:49 am:
Awesome! Congrats Rich, keep up the good work. Isabel- great job stepping up!
- The Ford Lawyer - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 11:55 am:
Good to hear that the surgery was a success. Hopefully your recovery will go as well as it seems to be going for that famous South Side guy who also had cancer surgery last week. Prayers and well wishes for a complete recovery!
- Think Again - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:01 pm:
Glad to hear that the surgery was a success. Continued prayers for a 100% recovery
- Dave Dahl - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:16 pm:
Great news. We need you !!
- Benjamin - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:22 pm:
Glad to hear this, Rich. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re also belssed to have Isabel on the job. I suspect we all feel she’s like *our* niece, too, and we share in your pride.
- Archpundit - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:24 pm:
Great to hear. Rest up!
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:31 pm:
Happy to hear you’re soldiering on and wishing you the best
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
All the best for your continued (and complete!) recovery.
- Contrarian - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
Godspeed!
- FormerParatrooper - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:53 pm:
You have the grit and determination to get thru this. I am sending prayers your way.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:57 pm:
great news. keep on keeping on!
- Fisher - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 12:58 pm:
Best wishes, Rich!
- Faithful Reader - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:06 pm:
Glad to hear that recovery is going well. Prayers for continued healing. Isabel is doing a great job
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:19 pm:
Godspeed and get better soon.
You are one of a kind.
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:28 pm:
We are thinking of you!!
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:37 pm:
Glad to hear you’re improving, Rich. Watch the temptation to do too much before you’re completely recovered.
Prayers will continue. Your job now is to get better.
- Paul Peterson - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:45 pm:
Wishing you a speedy recovery Rich!
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:56 pm:
Thanks for sharing your news with us all of us. The team at NWMH is great and will continue to support you in the process. We are pulling for you so that you have smooth sailing ahead.
Isabel keeps us on our toes so that we don’t veer off the road with our comments.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:58 pm:
Good luck captain.
- Annon'in - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 1:59 pm:
Thanx for the update. Good news. Now you can ignore my call unless chatting will serve as a distraction from constant thoughts of recovery. An mental experience I have dealt with.
BTW are we for Tampa in WS?
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 2:11 pm:
Take it slow and easy, Rich.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 2:12 pm:
= you really can feel the love in times like these. It’s far more important than I ever understood. =
Truer words were never spoken (or, in this case, written).
I’m glad you are doing well, and I hope the road ahead is an easy one for you.
And you are not the only one who appreciates all that Isabel is doing. You’ve got a good one there.
- Robert Montgomery - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 2:19 pm:
Continuing to send healing thoughts and best wishes your way!
- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 2:29 pm:
Keep on keepin’ on, Rich. Thanks for what you do, and I’m glad you can lean on Isabel so you can rest when your doctors tell you to rest.
- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 2:30 pm:
Also, if chemo is on the horizon, investing in Altoid mints is a pretty good way of dealing with the weird “I taste metal” effects that can crop up.
- James of Little Italy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 2:39 pm:
Best wishes Rich Miller. We will try not to burn down the state while you are recovering.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 3:08 pm:
Glad for the update, glad things are going well.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 3:31 pm:
Good vibes, you got this.
- Scoot - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 3:42 pm:
That’s wonderful news! I had a brain tumor removed at Northwestern in 2024…and the staff, doctors, nurses, made my family and I feel at home. It’s an amazing institution and you’re in good hands Rich!
- Early Illinoisan - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 3:55 pm:
Best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery, Rich. So glad to hear your care is being coordinated by folks at Northwestern. They are excellent.
- Keep it Real - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 3:56 pm:
Blessings to you and your family, Rich.
- DMC - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 4:29 pm:
Speedy recovery Rich! The media needs more of you and Isabel. You both rock and it is much appreciated.
- Reformed Blonde - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 4:37 pm:
Sending healing vibes your way! Take care of you. We will cheer you on during your recovery! Hat tip to Isabel for being resilient and on top of her game.
- stateandlake - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 5:34 pm:
Rich, may your treatment and recovery be as smooth and as complete as possible. Thank you for everything you and Isabel do…
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 6:26 pm:
Rich: Thanks for the update and sending prayers for a speedy recovery. All the best.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 6:52 pm:
Best wishes from a fellow Saluki.
I had my prostate cancer removed in 2025. The process is both disturbing and amazing. I’m so impressed by what the doctors are able to accomplish. Yea science and medicine (banned punctuation)
- XonXoff - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 8:19 pm:
Great to hear you’re on the mend, Rich. Best wishes for a speedy recovery
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Wednesday, Oct 21, 26 @ 10:17 pm:
Great news, Rich.
Glad to hear you’re doing well.
- Allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Thursday, Oct 22, 26 @ 11:36 am:
Great update, Rich. Thanks for checking in with us all. Sending healing vibes and love.