It's sad but it looks as though they've caught the prostate cancer early and he could have many years with his Parkinson's at a manageable level. Hope that proves to be the case and that he feels better soon.
I have to say though, I'm not sure I believe the 'early stages' bit. He seemed very different to his 'old' self when he was interviewed a couple of years back when Pamela was on Strictly and I was struck how closely his mannerisms resmebled a family member of mine who had Parkinsons.
When I heard that he had been struggling badly with his stand up shows, forgetting his jokes, etc this thought of maybe he does have Parkinsons again crossed my mind but I thought surely he would have got medical opinion for this.
At least it has been diagnosed now but as I say I think this is a condition that has been going on for a number of years with him.
Sorry to hear this, he's a brilliant comedian. His house in Scotland has been put up for sale recently, I wonder if that has anything to do with his health.
How ironic that he did a sketch a few years ago mocking the 'finger up the bum' test at the doctors :eek: Hopefully it has saved his life, get well soon Big Yin
I hope billy will be OK. Michael J Fox has gone on for quite some time with it so hopefully Billy will too and it looks as if they have got the prostate cancer at an early stage so all this should be manageable. He will probably have to slow down though.
I wonder if he had the PSA blood test? All men should have this test once they are in their 40s. My husbands father had prostate cancer and they removed his prostate gland. Unfortunately this can sometimes cause impotence. I have always found Billy very funny and I am saddened to hear about his ill health.
Hope Billy Connolly get's well soon, he is a fantastic comedian and actor, pleased they caught the cancer at the early stages as it is more likely he will recover. I think like others have said he will have to slow down now especially with the Parkinson's as that will no doubt will have an impact on his health for the rest of his life.
I wonder if he had the PSA blood test? All men should have this test once they are in their 40s. My husbands father had prostate cancer and they removed his prostate gland. Unfortunately this can sometimes cause impotence. I have always found Billy very funny and I am saddened to hear about his ill health.
I cannot stress this too highly as early treatment is usually very effective. The good news is you get free Viagra or Cialis on the NHS and that DOES work too!
My mother has had Parkinsons for ten years, although it didn't really hit for about three years after the treatment started. Thinking back, however, there were signs before the tremor gave it away. it is pretty soul-destroying or those around the sufferer too as you see the sufferer being hollowed out as things start to fail. Nevertheless, it has only really been in the last year that my mother's mental faculties have started to go.
I saw Billy for the first time back in 81 and he was brilliant - 2 hours stand-up and then 30 mins of some 50s rock and roll/humour. Multi-talented man, who will no doubt find some humour in his condition - interesting thought that Parkinson's afflicted both Hitler and Pope John Paul 2.
My mother has had Parkinsons for ten years, although it didn't really hit for about three years after the treatment started. Thinking back, however, there were signs before the tremor gave it away. it is pretty soul-destroying or those around the sufferer too as you see the sufferer being hollowed out as things start to fail. Nevertheless, it has only really been in the last year that my mother's mental faculties have started to go.
I saw Billy for the first time back in 81 and he was brilliant - 2 hours stand-up and then 30 mins of some 50s rock and roll/humour. Multi-talented man, who will no doubt find some humour in his condition - interesting thought that Parkinson's afflicted both Hitler and Pope John Paul 2.
Not really. It is very common in older people. What is much rarer is early onset Parkinsons which affects young people.
Sad to hear this. I remember years ago when our year at uni went on a theatre trip Billy was also there to watch the show. Despite being surrounded by all us drama students he was very friendly and funny although we disrupted his evening. Even though I am not really a huge fan of his work, I have always remembered how nice he was to us all and had much respect for him because of it.
How ironic that he did a sketch a few years ago mocking the 'finger up the bum' test at the doctors :eek: Hopefully it has saved his life, get well soon Big Yin
Funnily enough I was just about to post that. It could have been as long as twenty years ago when he did that.
So sad to hear this- and like another poster, I too thought of his gag about the prostate check at the doctors. I'm sure he had a laugh about that himself.
I must say, I went to see him in Bournemouth last year, and found him to be a shadow of his former self. 'Rambling' was the word I'd use to describe his performance. And yes, while his stand-up has always been disjointed and full of tangents, this was different. I felt at that point he should hang up his boots and focus on family time or whatever he wanted to do. He's of a generation who should realise that their time is up- along with Paul McCartney- but I hope his determination to keep touring doesn't result in a very public loss of dignity.
In his hey-day he was wonderful; I'm a Glaswegian, and my family could relate so strongly to humour. Today, he has a worthy successor in the fab Kevin Bridges. Above all else I'm glad I got to see him live, but without a doubt he was at his strongest in the 70s and 80s.
May he take some recovery time and just focus on getting better. Orra best Big Yin.
Comments
I have to say though, I'm not sure I believe the 'early stages' bit. He seemed very different to his 'old' self when he was interviewed a couple of years back when Pamela was on Strictly and I was struck how closely his mannerisms resmebled a family member of mine who had Parkinsons.
When I heard that he had been struggling badly with his stand up shows, forgetting his jokes, etc this thought of maybe he does have Parkinsons again crossed my mind but I thought surely he would have got medical opinion for this.
At least it has been diagnosed now but as I say I think this is a condition that has been going on for a number of years with him.
Anyway, I wish him all the best, he has given me some great laughs over the years, sometimes to the point of tears.
I noticed one about Sean Connery not so long ago.
Sad news about Billy.
Does that mean he'll be in a tacky commercial advertising life insurance with a free Parker pen soon?
parkinson disease?? wonder will billy poke fun at it?...or is it funny when its so close to home
I have no doubt he will. The person he has most taken the p*** out of throughout the years has been himself.
All the best to him, one of my favourite ever stand ups and in his prime pretty much untouchable IMO.
I cannot stress this too highly as early treatment is usually very effective. The good news is you get free Viagra or Cialis on the NHS and that DOES work too!
I saw Billy for the first time back in 81 and he was brilliant - 2 hours stand-up and then 30 mins of some 50s rock and roll/humour. Multi-talented man, who will no doubt find some humour in his condition - interesting thought that Parkinson's afflicted both Hitler and Pope John Paul 2.
Not really. It is very common in older people. What is much rarer is early onset Parkinsons which affects young people.
I must say, I went to see him in Bournemouth last year, and found him to be a shadow of his former self. 'Rambling' was the word I'd use to describe his performance. And yes, while his stand-up has always been disjointed and full of tangents, this was different. I felt at that point he should hang up his boots and focus on family time or whatever he wanted to do. He's of a generation who should realise that their time is up- along with Paul McCartney- but I hope his determination to keep touring doesn't result in a very public loss of dignity.
In his hey-day he was wonderful; I'm a Glaswegian, and my family could relate so strongly to humour. Today, he has a worthy successor in the fab Kevin Bridges. Above all else I'm glad I got to see him live, but without a doubt he was at his strongest in the 70s and 80s.
May he take some recovery time and just focus on getting better. Orra best Big Yin.