Victor Davis Hanson, the distinguished senior fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, disclosed Friday that he faces major surgery next week following a prolonged struggle to diagnose a serious health condition.
The prominent conservative historian and commentator made the sobering announcement during his regular program, “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” revealing that medical professionals have finally identified the source of his declining health after nine months of uncertainty.
Hanson told his audience that he will undergo the surgical procedure on Tuesday at Stanford Medical Center.
He emphasized the gravity of the situation while expressing confidence in the medical team handling his care.
“I’m having a major operation, and I’ve got a major problem and I’m gonna have a major effort to solve it and that’s all I can do,” Hanson stated during the broadcast.
“And I finally ended up going to the best medical center that I think that I know, Stanford Med, and the people there are wonderful. It’ll work out one way or the other.”
The 71-year-old scholar addressed concerns from viewers who had noticed changes in his appearance and voice over recent months.
Many followers of his work had reached out privately to express worry about his noticeably hoarse voice and frequent coughing during appearances.
Hanson acknowledged these observations, explaining that the diagnostic process proved exceptionally challenging for medical professionals.
The condition he faces is apparently rare, particularly for someone with his health profile.
“I don’t want to talk about my own problems, but I’ve had people call me and say, ‘You don’t look well, you’re hoarse, or you’re coughing.’ But it’s been a nine-month odyssey because the problem I had for a nonsmoker and nondrinker was a rare type and very hard to diagnose, so it’s no one’s fault other than my own perhaps for not realizing why I was not getting well,” Hanson said.
The breakthrough in diagnosis came following a biopsy procedure.
This diagnostic test ultimately revealed the nature of his condition and led to the decision to move forward with surgical intervention.
Hanson clarified that his lifestyle choices made the condition particularly unexpected. As someone who neither smokes nor drinks alcohol, the ailment he developed falls outside typical risk categories, contributing to the difficulty medical professionals faced in reaching an accurate diagnosis.
The nine-month timeframe represents a significant period of medical uncertainty for the influential conservative voice.
Throughout this period, Hanson continued his professional obligations while dealing with increasingly noticeable symptoms.
During his recovery period, the show will remain active with Jack Fowler, the program’s co-host, taking over hosting responsibilities.
This arrangement will allow Hanson to focus entirely on his recovery without concern for his regular broadcast commitments.
Hanson’s decision to seek treatment at Stanford Medical Center reflects his confidence in the institution’s capabilities.
He spoke highly of the medical staff and facility during his announcement.
The timing of the surgery, scheduled for Tuesday, means Hanson will step away from his public-facing work in the immediate future.
The duration of his absence remains unclear as it will depend on his post-surgical recovery progress.
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