Good news for Exodus drummer Tom Hunting. He is now cancer free.
According to a social media post by bandmate Gary Holt, Hunting’s gastrectomy surgery went well and he is currently on the mend.
“Update of Tom!,” writes Holt. “Tom has been home for around a week now, is doing very well despite the pain, is eating real food but also adjusting to a new relationship with food and a new way of having to eat. But he’s a rock in all this, strong as hell and he’s gonna crush this. And he is CANCER FREE. They got it all. Fuck yes!”
He continued:
“I know if he was on social media he would thank each and every one of you for all the well wishes, donations, tickets for the benefit show that were purchased as well as the raffle items. Only a matter of time before he is crushing the drums again! He’s got some real healing to do but he is on his way to recovery.”
Hunting revealed in April that was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on his stomach. Following four successful rounds of chemotherapy, he announced that he would be undergoing a full gastrectomy on July 12 to remove his stomach and the surrounding lymph nodes and omentum. He will now face another four rounds of chemo.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Holt to help Hunting with his medical bills. Since April, he has raised over $108,000. Fans can still donate to the page here.
Following Hunting’s diagnosis, Exodus pushed back the release of their 11th studio album, Persona Non Grata. Once released, it will be the band’s first new album in seven years. Holt said at the time that the album’s release would be pushed back “so that when Tom has defeated this, he will be back to full strength to hit the road and pummel his drums like only he can! When he has kicked cancer’s ass like we know he will, we will resume kicking YOUR asses with the sickest record yet!”
Exodus is currently slated to hit the road with Testament on the US leg of their The Bay Strikes Back tour starting on October 6.
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