BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Gary Carter’s fight with cancer takes turn for the worse; new tumors found on Hall of Famer’s brain

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gary Carter’s fight with cancer takes turn for the worse; new tumors found on Hall of Famer’s brain

Gary Carter’s fight with brain cancer has turned from brave to extremely grave.

On Thursday, Carter’s family received a phone call from the doctors at Duke University who have been treating the Mets Hall of Fame catcher informing them that the most recent MRI revealed “several new spots/tumors on his brain,” Carter’s daughter, Kimmy Bloomers, wrote on the family website.

In recent weeks, Carter’s condition was visibly worsening, and Carter began complaining of severe headaches, fatigue and balance problems that resulted in a fall on Christmas Day in which he tore his rotator cuff.

This past week, Carter spent almost all of his time at his home in Palm Beach Gardens and was too weak Monday to even attend his annual charity golf tournament a few miles away.

According to a family source, the doctors are now deciding whether to cease giving Carter any more treatment.

Repoz Posted: January 19, 2012 at 03:52 PM | 38 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. The Non-Catching Molina (sjs1959) Posted: January 19, 2012 at 03:59 PM (#4040593)

Damn. Prayers to the Kid and his family.

2. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: January 19, 2012 at 04:03 PM (#4040603)

According to a family source, the doctors are now deciding whether to cease giving Carter any more treatment.

God, I can't imagine what a horrible experience that must be for everyone involved.

Best wishes for Carter and his family.

3. Bob Tufts Posted: January 19, 2012 at 04:06 PM (#4040613)

Unfortunately, we are 50 years away from being able to treat brain tumors with the same success that we do Hodgkin's, lymphona and myeloma.

My thoughts are with Gary's friends and family as they deal with this difficult decision.

4. Ray (CTL)

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 04:14 PM (#4040624)

Having been through something like this recently with my family, it's a really difficult thing, from all angles, obviously. One positive comes from seeing the family pull together to do everything they can to help; the person who has been afflicted greatly appreciates that. You just wish the chances for a good outcome were better, and the fact that they're not is really tough on everyone.

5. Randy Jones

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 04:20 PM (#4040630)

Yeah, brain cancer is rough. My mom had a tumor removed ~9 years ago and is still healthy, though she certainly lost a good bit of her mental faculties. She is lucky though, beat the odds by a whole lot.

6. Bruce Markusen Posted: January 19, 2012 at 04:44 PM (#4040650)

Carter is one of the nicest players I've ever met. Though his sincerity has sometimes been questioned, his enthusiasm and positive nature have always been evident anytime I've seen him.

7. LionoftheSenate Posted: January 19, 2012 at 05:29 PM (#4040691)

Prayers to Gary and the Carter family.

8. ??'s Biggest Fan! Posted: January 19, 2012 at 05:35 PM (#4040699)

I am not sure why there has been a staggering proliferation of cancer-related illnesses in my life the last 14 months. The only positive thing about it all is the grace and bravery all the people in my life mustered while battling their illnesses to its terrible conclusion. I can only think the same is true of Gary Carter.

9. asinwreck Posted: January 19, 2012 at 05:37 PM (#4040704)

Watching Gary Carter catch games for the Expos and Mets was a joy. I wish him and his loved ones the most comfort they can possibly have in the days ahead.

"Glioblastoma" is one of the worst words one can hear from a doctor.

10. ajnrules Posted: January 19, 2012 at 05:44 PM (#4040707)

"Glioblastoma" is one of the worst words one can hear from a doctor.

Yeah. As a medical student I can't say I'm surprised at this news. But I'll be darned if it isn't the saddest thing I've seen so far today. My prayers are with the Carter family, and anybody else inflicted with this terrible disease.

11. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: January 19, 2012 at 05:52 PM (#4040711)

I'm too young to remember Carter as a player, but he emerged as one of the few non pieces of #### on that '86 Mets team in The Bad Guys Won.

This is obviously bad news. My dad had a cancerous tumor removed from his brain when I was a few months shy of my 14th birthday. He made a pretty good recovery, but doctors discovered another brain tumor about a year later. He died a month after I turned 15.

I was lucky in that he lived with his sister out of state during his final months, so I did not have to physically watch him become a shell of his former self. I did see him a couple of months before he died and while he was still with it and in good spirits, the illness had clearly left its mark on him.

My thoughts are genuinely with Carter's family.

12. Sam M. Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:16 PM (#4040726)

Gary Carter gave me some of my best memories as a fan -- I don't think I'll ever think of him without flashing on this joyous picture.
His fight with cancer, and now this news, has been so sad. I can only wish for his ease -- and that he is able to live out the rest of his days on whatever terms he wants, with those he loves. That's what I would want for myself, anyway, so I wish it for him, too.

13. Gamingboy Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4040730)

Ugh, what a way to go. Thoughts with the family.

14. Lassus Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:34 PM (#4040736)

This brings to mind Ron Darling during that Stand up To Cancer ad during the playoffs. His "My Catcher" sign was poignant but his expression was absolutely heartbreaking - you could tell from the look on his face he knew this was where it was going. Ugh is right.

15. Adam Starblind Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:47 PM (#4040745)

On Thursday, Carter’s family received a phone call from the doctors at Duke University who have been treating the Mets Hall of Fame catcher informing them that the most recent MRI revealed “several new spots/tumors on his brain,” Carter’s daughter, Kimmy Bloomers, wrote on the family website.

You know what the funny part about this is? The name "Kimmy Bloomers." But that's it, pretty much.

16. alkeiper Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:48 PM (#4040746)

17. cHiEf iMpaCt oFfiCEr JE

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:48 PM (#4040747)

Just awful. If nothing else, I hope he is no longer in pain.

18. asinwreck Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:48 PM (#4040748)

This brings to mind Ron Darling during that Stand up To Cancer ad during the playoffs. His "My Catcher" sign was poignant but his expression was absolutely heartbreaking - you could tell from the look on his face he knew this was where it was going.

Best part of that ad was Kruk looking triumphant. Saddest moment was exactly what you described.

19. Adam Starblind Posted: January 19, 2012 at 06:51 PM (#4040751)

Watching Gary Carter catch games for the Expos and Mets was a joy.

The Giants, not as much.

20. depletion Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:00 PM (#4040760)

Of his fateful at bat in the bottom of the 10th, game 6, Gary said, "I didn't want to be the guy who made the last out. Not me." (or words to that effect) He then hit one of the sweetest singles I have ever seen. I think that spirit is in all of the great ones. Best of luck to the Carter family.

21. Tom T Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:07 PM (#4040763)

This brings to mind Ron Darling during that Stand up To Cancer ad during the playoffs. His "My Catcher" sign was poignant but his expression was absolutely heartbreaking - you could tell from the look on his face he knew this was where it was going. Ugh is right.

Took a couple times of watching the ad to read all the little signs, and I stared at this one for a moment or two before it hit me to what it was referring. I ended up tearing up/crying for an inning or so because of it ... Ron just looked so pained. That said, it also made me smile for the rest of the game...while everyone else was there for an immediate family member, he was the only one I saw who arguably didn't "have" to be there. My reaction was probably increased by the fact that we were as yet uncertain whether my wife's chemo was going to be effective (it has been very much so, fortunately) --- the thought of quite possibly being in a very similar situation wasn't happy.

22. Rancischley Leweschquens (Tim Wallach was my Hero) Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:10 PM (#4040764)

Darn. Best of luck.

23. Tom Cervo, backup catcher Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:15 PM (#4040767)

"Glioblastoma" is one of the worst words one can hear from a doctor.

Yep. My dad made it not quite three years from his diagnosis, and though he was only 51 when diagnosed, I think we were pretty lucky he lasted that long. It still seems weird to think how much luckier he would have been to have had a stroke like the doctors first thought. I don't know that I could handle going through two brain surgeries plus radiation and chemo like he did, and I sure as hell could not do so like he did without ever complaining. And no matter how unlikely the odds were, there was still a part of me that thought he could be one of the few to last long-term. Getting the call from my parents that there was nothing else they could do and he was going to get hospice care is by far the worst moment of my life. I wish Gary Carter and his family all the best, and if his end is near, I only hope that he has as awesome of a family as I do and can pass in as much peace as possible.

24. AndrewJ Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:15 PM (#4040769)

Two friends of my family were diagnosed with brain tumors in the last decade, and they each died within a matter of days. I consider that a blessing.

25. Dale Sams Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:21 PM (#4040770)

The waiting process is agonizing, I don't know how she and her family manage.

My perfect scenario would be to get rid of everything I own, have someone fly me over the ocean, knock myself out with a massive dose of morphine, then someone can roll me out the door. No service, no memorials, no family waiting outside the door or just basicaly waiting for me to die.

Serious question, are there services similar to a Wedding Planner, but a Death Planner...so the family doesn't have to do anything? They make one phone call and everything they want done gets taken care of without them having to lift a finger. A funeral director doesn't do estate sales...

26. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:36 PM (#4040778)

A friend of mine has a son battling cancer. Just 12 years old, they've effectively ceased fighting it as it is now too advanced. The waiting process is agonizing, I don't know how she and her family manage.

I have utterly no grasp of how a parent can lose a child at such an age and still carry on. I would be reduced to nothing. I suppose we're all stronger than we think we are, but I don't think I could go on after something like that. Aleksandar Hemon described it as something like having an organ placed in your body whose sole purpose was to secrete misery.

27. O Tempura, O Morays ('Spos) Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:37 PM (#4040781)

This brings to mind Ron Darling during that Stand up To Cancer ad during the playoffs. His "My Catcher" sign was poignant but his expression was absolutely heartbreaking - you could tell from the look on his face he knew this was where it was going.

That ad felt like a kick in the balls. Hope for his family.

28. dlf Posted: January 19, 2012 at 07:54 PM (#4040793)

I remember Carter for his bubbly, infectious, positive attitude. It can't be easy, but I hope for his family's sake that trait has been passed down.

Reading the number of posters here personally affected by cancer saddens me. This place is supposed to be an escape from reality, not a reminder of its pain. Right now, my mother-in-law is winding down a many year battle with a combination of lukemia and lung cancer with the latter having metastisized. Her family is treasuring these last few weeks or months that we have.

29. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 08:12 PM (#4040801)

Just horrible. Way, way too young.

30. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 08:38 PM (#4040812)

Yes, that Darling ad was something. And as others have mentioned, the look on Darling's face was just lacerating. Damn.

31. Magnum RA Posted: January 19, 2012 at 08:46 PM (#4040817)

I lost both of my parents relatively young. My dad was 60 and my mom was 64. My dad died suddenly, my mother after a year long battle with cholangiocarcimoma.

I was actually laid off during the last few weeks of my mother's life and I spent all day with her. I would cook her meals, help her up and down the steps, drive her to doctors appointments and the like. We would sit around all day and talk and watch tv. It was an incredibly sad time, but it was a great time too.

32. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: January 19, 2012 at 08:56 PM (#4040826)

I was actually laid off during the last few weeks of my mother's life and I spent all day with her. I would cook her meals, help her up and down the steps, drive her to doctors appointments and the like. We would sit around all day and talk and watch tv. It was an incredibly sad time, but it was a great time too.

That's what I call a good son. I'm sure that meant the world to your mother at the end.

33. winnipegwhip Posted: January 19, 2012 at 09:21 PM (#4040837)

My brother and I were talking about Carter last week and we both agreed that there was a period in Canada when Carter was the biggest sports star in Canada except for Wayne Gretzky. And the gap in popularity between the two was not as great as many would expect. And this viewpoint isn't based upon living in eastern Canada.

34. Jack Sommers Posted: January 19, 2012 at 10:23 PM (#4040872)

Sad. :(

35. base ball chick Posted: January 19, 2012 at 11:13 PM (#4040893)

i'm glad that he was elected to the Hall when he was alive and healthy so he could enjoy it

my sympathies to his family and to all yall whose family members and friends are sick

36. Go-Kart Mozart Posted: January 20, 2012 at 03:25 PM (#4041449)

Carter's greatest moment came in Game 5 of the 86 NLCS. Came to bat with the winning run on second. Houston walked Hernandez to pitch to him and he had been like 1 for 20. He hit a 23 hopper up the middle against Charlie Kerfeld to win the game 2-1.

37. Daunte Vicknabbit! Posted: January 20, 2012 at 04:33 PM (#4041511)

It's funny because I probably remember Gary Carter in a completely different light than anyone else on this site. I am too young to remember any relevant part of his playing career. The 86 series was before I was born. But as a young baseball fan growing up in South Florida, I still remember waiting with bated breath for the first few Marlins games. Gary Carter was the voice of baseball for me as a young fan, and I am very saddened by this news.

38. fracas' hope springs eternal Posted: January 20, 2012 at 05:29 PM (#4041560)

This brings to mind Ron Darling during that Stand up To Cancer ad during the playoffs. His "My Catcher" sign was poignant

Best part of that ad was Kruk looking triumphant.

Better yet would have been Kruk with a sign saying "My Left Nut".

Hey, they say laughter is the best medicine....

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gary Carter’s fight with cancer takes turn for the worse; new tumors found on Hall of Famer’s brain

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