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Mets broadcaster Howie Rose shares struggle with bladder cancer, revealing he was diagnosed in 2021

Feb. 1, 2023
Mets broadcaster Howie Rose shares struggle with bladder cancer, revealing he was diagnosed in 2021

Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose has revealed he was diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago, and while he has certain limitations, he's healthy enough to continue as the team's voice and partake in his favorite physical activities.

Speaking about his fight with the disease to the NY Post, Rose said he noticed blood in his urine during spring training in 2021, eventually being diagnosed with cancer after his doctor thought it may have been a kidney stone or urinary tract infection. 

Rose received various cancer treatments during the 2021 season, though they were not successful and he was unable to work by the final month of that season.

He eventually decided to get a major surgery - a radical cystoprostatectomy - to fix the issue, according to the Post.

The procedure is a 'major surgery in which the cancerous bladder is removed along with the prostate, and then a new bladder, called a neobladder, is created from the intestines.'

And Rose was given a new lease on life after the procedure. 

'The bottom line, after the pathology came back after the surgery, the doctor basically said, 'You're good to go,' Rose said. 'The surgeon, he says, 'You have no restrictions, do whatever you want.'

'And it's managing the situation where my life is more complicated than it used to be. It's not insurmountable. Obviously. It certainly hasn't helped my golf game, that's for sure.

'But the beauty of it is I can go out and play golf. I can ride my bike. I can play pickleball if I want or tennis and do whatever I want. I'm thankful for that.'

Rose revealed his struggles last weekend, when he was honored as a co-recipient of the Arthur & Milton Richman 'You Gotta Have Heart' Award at the Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner.

Rose, a recent inductee into the Mets Hall of Fame, has done play-by-play for the team since 1995.

He plans to cut down his work schedule to 125 games instead of 162, as he did last year.

With the news of his past cancer fight now public, Rose shared a heartfelt message to his Twitter on Wednesday. 

'If I can help someone going through this,' he said, 'I’m happy to do so.'


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