Iconic Marvel and DC comic book writer, Gerry Conway, best known for his run following Stan Lee on Amazing Spider-Man in the 1970s (where he wrote the story that killed off Gwen Stacy, and the first Clone Saga) and creating major Marvel and DC characters such as Punisher, Jason Todd (the second Robin), Firestorm and Power Girl, posted on social media about his health struggles since last fall.
Conway explained that fans might have noticed that he had been absent from social media for most of this year, and he revealed that the reason for his absence was his struggles with pancreatic cancer, and complications from his treatment for the disease, but he at least appears to be cancer-free for now.
Conway noted, “Last October I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I had Whipple surgery to remove the tumor, including my gall bladder, some of my intestines, and rearrange most of my lower body parts. The good news is, praise Cthulhu, as of January, I’m now cancer free. The bad news is, praise Cthulhu, there were complications.”
He then detailed the complications that he had to deal with following his surgery, “I’ve been dealing with those complications since last December, and it’s been a lot. Three hospitalizations including weeks in an ICU I don’t remember because I was in an induced coma and various other issues too fun to discuss here.”
The writer, who was also a successful TV writer and producer in the 1990s, including Father Dowling Mysteries, Diagnosis Murder, Law & Order, and working as a showrunner for the spinoff series, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, explained why he was sharing the details about his struggles now, “The reason I’m bringing this up is not to grab for sympathy (I received much needed sympathy and support from friends and family at the time) but to express my sincere gratitude to the wonderful team at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital who saved my f*cking life. And to publicly express my love especially to my family, particularly the amazing Laura Conway, and to the friends who stood by me, old and new. I don’t have a high opinion of my worth. Their generous support was a revelation.”
He concluded by noting, “Fingers crossed, I believe I’m well on the road to recovery. I’ve been in a dark place, and I’ve come out. My heart is filled with gratitude. There’s a ways to go still, but the bottom line is I’m back, baby, ready to take names and kick ass.”
CBR is thrilled that Conway is currently doing well, and we wish him the best going forward.
Source: Gerry Conway on social media