Vince Flynn: "This is a Battle I Do Not Plan on Losing"

The Rap Sheet posted a personal note from thriller novelist Vince Flynn, which itself was posted on the author's website, and we wanted to share the information with our readers.

In November, at the end of my last tour, I was diagnosed with Stage III metastatic prostate cancer. Just a few years ago, this diagnosis would have been a death sentence. Today, specialists are making great strides in the areas of hormone therapy and immune response, and there are several very promising drug trials that are changing the landscape of how prostate cancer is treated.

My treatments are working very well, and my near term prognosis is extremely good. In other words, I have more than a few Rapp novels left in me. My attitude is strong, and I feel better than I have in years. I am blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful wife, family, and great friends who have been extremely supportive. My faith has seen me through the darkest moments, and early on, when the diagnosis was not entirely accurate, things were very dark indeed. I am also blessed that I live in a part of the country that is known for great medical care. I have a wonderful group of doctors who are confident that I can beat this thing. For those of you who have gotten to know me, it will not be a surprise to you that this is a battle I do not plan on losing. As with any cancer, this is serious, but the good news is that I have lots of options for slowing this thing down, and then hopefully killing it.

I am currently working with Brian Haig on our joint novel and have started the next Rapp novel that should be out in October of 2011. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers, and I will try to keep you posted as things progress.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Vince Flynn and his family.

We had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Flynn's most recent Mitch Rapp novel, American Assassin, a prequel to the series, calling it "a pulse-pounding thriller, one not easily put down."

You can read the first chapter(s) of American Assassin below. Use the Aa settings button to adjust text size, line spacing, and word density.