TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – May 30, 2025

I typically start these messages with an observation or anecdote before delving into an issue, but today’s entire note is more personal than usual.

For some 40 years I had the same family doctor so when he announced his retirement, I booked an appointment for his last day of private practice to thank him for looking after me, and to get the results of blood work and other tests he put me through to gauge my overall health in preparation for surgery.

His parting counsel to me was to listen to my ear, nose and throat specialist and have the small, but steadily growing brain tumour that I had had for close to 15 years removed sooner than later to aid my chance of a full recovery. Needless to say, I heeded his advice.

Earlier this week at Vancouver General Hospital, two highly skilled physicians and an amazing medical team performed more than seven hours of surgery to restore my brain to its original state. Because of where the tumour was located, it was a risky procedure given all the connected nerves in that area and the fact that it’s ‘brain surgery’. One wrong move and half my face could have been paralyzed permanently, not to mention other risks.

Thankfully the tumour was benign but regrettably I have total hearing loss on my left side except for the tinnitus that sounds like a Mariachi band as my brain sends signals to try to repair the damaged ear.

Before the operation my family and friends asked me if I was scared. Frankly, I was probably more nervous given that in my six plus decades on this planet, I have never spent more than two nights in hospital, let alone had major surgery.

Those closest to me, including many industry friends and colleagues, know that I had been struggling with acute symptoms since the summer of 2020 that led to hospitalization, home visits by paramedics, and until two years ago the need for daily medication to control dizziness and vertigo, the latter of which was so debilitating it took me days to recover. Thank God that in spite of feeling physically unwell for the better part of the last few years, I’ve still managed to work, travel, cycle, golf, play hockey, and spend meaningful time with family and friends.

I am being discharged today or tomorrow, but while in hospital I have been practicing walking to regain my balance, taking all my cues from the right side of my brain since the balance nerve on my left side is now dormant. Recovery time is unknown but with therapy, I hope to be back on track soon. All of this is context for why you won’t hear (back) from me, see me in media, or read my messages for a while.

In the meantime, TIABC will continue to be hard at work on your behalf to address the issues of the day with all levels of government. Please feel free to connect with Board Chair JJ Belanger or Project Manager Deb Kulchiski who will assist with any urgent matters over the next while.

I told my retiring doctor and every specialist I had seen in recent years that if they just cut off my head, I’d be in perfect shape. Mercifully they didn’t heed my advice and only removed a small part of my brain that didn’t belong, and if anything, was a real pain in the @*#.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC