Tom Hunting , drummer for Exodus , performed his first show since being diagnosed with stomach cancer and undergoing a total gastrectomy to remove the organ.
The band is preparing for the release of the album Persona Non Grata on November 19th, but Hunting's return to the stage wasn't with his Exodus colleagues. According to Brave Words, the drummer performed with Hellhunter last Saturday, the 18th, in California, at a benefit concert in his honor.
Hunting was greeted by the audience at the small venue with applause and hugs. “You are angels walking on earth. I don’t know what to say, I love you, thank you so much. And a few more things? Fuck cancer,” he said before taking to the drums to play “Metal Command.”
In February of this year, the 65-year-old musician was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his stomach , a type of gastric tumor. Treatment began in April and showed good results in the first few months , with a successful gastrectomy performed in July.
The optimism for Hunting's full recovery is so great that Gary Holt announced his bandmate's cure , but the drummer remains cautious. “The doctors had a good plan, they went through with it and told me everything was under control!! Sounds great to me!! But it’s presumptuous to say I’m cancer-free at this point. I really hope to make that statement personally soon, but let’s not jinx the process,” Hunting explained .
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