had leukemia


https://news.cuanschutz.edu/cancer-center/norm-macdonald

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Does anyone know if the therapy he took could have given him that moon-faced look that he had for a while there? His face had been so thin, and he even mentioned that he'd always been skinny and felt self-conscious about it.

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Yes, it's very possible Norm's chemo treatment caused his weight gain. Plus, many patients on chemo are prescribed cortisteroids to counteract swelling, nausea caused by the chemo.

I also read an article where the author followed Norm around for a whole day and Norm ate 5 ice cream sandwiches. After the 5th one Norm raised his shirt and showed off his big belly and cracked a joke.

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I wonder if he normally ate like that? 'Cuz that's insane!

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Norm's 3rd or 4th podcast with guest Russell Brand back in 201: Norm says "I've seen more sunsets than I'll ever see again", then Brand seems genuinely worried and asks "are you worried about your mortality?" and notes that Norm has been eating a lot of comfort food lately.

I suspect Norm had been diagnosed in late 2012 and for a few years ate whatever he wanted. Also, Norm's 1st podcast Super Dave asks about his weight and Norm said he gained 45 lbs.

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Why the heck not, right?

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"I've seen more sunsets than I'll ever see again"
He's said that one a few times on early morning radio and Howard Stern. Well before he had any cancer.

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Probably the steroids. I had to take them after my kidney transplant and they had a similar effect. I still take them now, but a smaller dose.

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I've been watching a lot of Norm clips lately and his recent weight gain surprised me too

I think you're right in your assessment

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Have you seen the one at the Improv at the start of the pandemic? Or the podcast phone call with Roseanne? With Roseanne he really seemed freaked about the 'Rona. And I almost busted out crying during his Improv set where he said, "At least we all know what we're going to die of."

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No, I've rewatched a lot of the great SNL stuff, Howard Stern interviews (which I only found audio for) and his MANY late night talk show appearances...
This guy killed:)

I hate to say it but he did look pretty ill during his podcasts...Tough dude though, he never let on, Norm was a joker and a sport

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What else could he do? Just like Robin Williams or Gene Wilder, he couldn't let people know he was ill. Norm wanted to continue to work. Dying gets in the way of the comedy. In Wilder's case, he wasn't working anymore, but he didn't even want children -- or adults -- to be sad seeing him.

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I'm no medical expert, so can anyone tell me why he didn't have more obvious signs of illness. Like hair loss due to chemotherapy. Wouldn't it be more obvious with something like leukemia? Thoughts?

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I think he stayed hidden during his 1st round of chemo, which probably was in late 2012. He started his podcast in March 2013 he had hair but it was short and didn't look so good even though there was some coloring mixed in. I haven't delved into the year off Norm took from season 1-2(June 2013-June 2014) but Norm looked much, much healthier in June 2014. maybe he was MIA during that time?

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He ate Artie Lange's soul. It's like hyper-fuel.

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