Ex-Oriole J. Johnson dealing with retinal cancer
Former Orioles starting pitcher Jason Johnson, who is attempting to make the New York Yankees' Opening Day roster, was diagnosed with choroidal melanoma of the right retina on Feb. 9.
According to this story in Newsday, Johnson had gone to buy new contact lenses in Tampa, and the eye doctor noticed an abnormality. A retina specialist provided the diagnosis and sent him to the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia for treatment.
I'm not a health expert by any means, but it looks like this condition is extremely rare. According to this medical Web site, it affects about six people for every 1 million. The good news is that Johnson said there's a 98 percent recovery rate for people with his stage of retinal cancer, according to the Newsday article.
Johnson pitched for the Orioles in five seasons from 1999 to 2003. He was originally acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade for Danny Clyburn and a minor leaguer in March 1999. Johnson won 10 games in two different seasons (2001 and 2003) for the Orioles, but he also had two bad years (1-10 in 2000 and 5-14 in 2002).
Cancer isn't Johnson's only health issue. Some Orioles fans might recall that he deals with type 1 diabetes on a regular basis. Beginning in the 2004 season, Johnson received permission from Major League Baseball to wear an insulin pump while pitching.
The 35-year-old right-hander still hopes to play for the Yankees after making a recovery. For now, he's limited in his baseball activities, and Johnson's main focus is to get healthy.
Categories: Former O's minor leaguers
Comments
My prayers and best wishes go out to Jason.
Posted by: Ken Francis | February 22, 2009 4:59 PM
Good luck to Jason on and off the field.
Posted by: Boomer | February 22, 2009 7:15 PM
Prayers for Jason Johnson, get well soon. Dean Jones JR, liking your blog, keep up the good work.
Posted by: smokestack | February 22, 2009 8:26 PM
MASN needs to stop running file of the OLD Orioles of the 60s-80s. IT only serves to make me realize just how pathetic the ORIOLES have been under Mr. Angelos. Let Adam DUNN go to DC. Make a token offer to Tex. They spit in the fans face and pay BRIAN the doper Roberts 10 million dollars a year when you could have signed Adam Dunn for the same money. Wow I take it back keep showing the games from days go by. It better that driving to camdem yards to see the present day team.
Posted by: joe e | February 23, 2009 9:00 AM
My husband was diagnosed with the same eye tumor as yours, on Jan. 24, 2009. He is scheduled for the radiaton surgery on Feb 26, 2009. The second surgery to remove the plaque is March 4, 2009. I pray total success with the surgery for both my husband and you. God Bless You.
Posted by: Jean | February 23, 2009 10:05 AM
Dean....Please forward all of these Get Well comments to Jason. I am a lifelong O's fan, was diagnosed at age 25 with Type 1 diabetes and was forced from the Army via a medical discharge. I have used a pump since 96 and two years ago had major eye surgery owing to retinopathy.
All Type 1 diabetic athletes competing at professional levels are an inspiration for us "normal" diabetics. Best wishes and hopes for Jason to keep on going!!
Posted by: MasonDixonDude | February 23, 2009 3:08 PM
Is joe e really Jack*** using another name? great to have fans out there like him - not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: james | February 23, 2009 4:42 PM
Jason has always been one of my all-time favorite Orioles, and it breaks my heart that he is now dealing with retinal cancer. He has had so much to deal with in his life and now this. My prayers go out to him and I wish him a full recovery. And I'm still hopeful that he will one day be an Oriole again!! :)
Posted by: Paula | March 9, 2009 3:13 PM