Billy Joel likens his neurological disorder to ‘being in a boat,' says he feels ‘good' nonetheless
Joel offered the update during Monday's episode of Bill Maher's 'Club Random' podcast, saying that while the condition is 'not fixed' and 'still being worked on,' overall he feels 'fine.'
'My balance sucks. It's like being on a boat,' Joel said, later adding, 'I feel good. I think they keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling.'
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a 'very rare condition' that 'occurs when a person has too much fluid in the brain,' according to Yale Medicine. Fewer than 3% of adults over the age of 65 are diagnosed with NPH, and it affects men and women equally.
Joel announced in May that his tour dates had been canceled so that he could seek treatment for NPH, saying in a statement at the time that the condition 'has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.'
'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,' the statement read. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.'
Joel's announcement in May came after he previously postponed eight tour dates so that he could focus on recovering from recent surgery.
Last week, a new documentary about Joel's early years and career debuted on HBO Max.
Titled 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' the doc covers Joel's beginnings and early musical partnerships, and also goes in depth into some of his personal struggles. (CNN and HBO Max share the same parent company, Warner Brothers Discovery.)
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Eagles Super Bowl champion admits to some Tom Brady apprehension
Classic games often share similar ingredients. Huge stakes are helpful, but they aren't necessary. The bigger the stakes, the bigger the moment, though. The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots once engaged in one of the best Super Bowls ever played. Ask Birds fans, and they may place it among their top two. It helps that the right team came out on top. An exciting and stressful affair offered a night we'll never forget. Super Bowl 52 certainly meets the criteria of a classic. Every masterpiece needs unforgettable scoring plays, a few twists, and great performances by its stars. On February 4, 2018, an underdog Eagles team hoped to topple perhaps the greatest quarterback, coach, and dynasty in NFL history. Chris Long makes his confession about his feelings on the Tom Brady mystique. One day, we'll all be old men and women. We'll tell the grandchildren about the 2017-18 Philadelphia Eagles. If you weren't paying attention then and think this current iteration is stacked with characters, you should do some research on that roster. Philadelphia, the NFC's top-seeded team during the postseason, was often treated as an underdog. They bought dog masks. Fans followed suit, and before you know it, the world's supply had evaporated. They had become impossible to find. One of the leaders of the charge was a former Patriot who had joined the Eagles. Long was recently a guest on the "Green Legion" Radio. Naturally, he was asked about winning a Super Bowl in Philadelphia and his affiliation with both organizations. As always, Long on the microphone provided magic. Before the Eagles took the field to play the Minnesota Vikings for the right to play in Super Bowl LII, he watched as much as he could of the New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars clash in the AFC Championship Game. Long admits pulling for the Jags on that Sunday afternoon. He had seen the brilliance of Tom Brady firsthand, and he wanted no part of it two weeks later. He believed facing Jacksonville would provide a smoother ride to the Eagles' first Lombardi Trophy. We all know how that turned out. Ultimately, Long didn't get his wish, but the Birds got the job done. Honestly, that makes for a better story. Had Philadelphia played the Jags and won on football's biggest stage, Birds fans would have appreciated the win, but beating Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots dynasty means a little more, right? Think about it. To win the franchise's first championship since the NFL/AFL merger, they conquered the QB and coach often viewed as the best pro football had ever seen. To many, their Patriots dynasty is without equal, but on one night in 2018, they met their match. No, scratch that. They found a superior opponent. Long, now with the Birds, would hoist another Lombardi Trophy as green, white, and silver confetti fell. Were those of us who were watching a little apprehensive and afraid? You're doggone right! That's Tom Brady, man! Have you seen all of those clutch moments and all of that elite play? But a classic unfolded, one marked by a heroic performance from Nick Foles. This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles Super Bowl hero confesses to Tom Brady intimidation


Medscape
13 minutes ago
- Medscape
Refine Your Application as Residency Deadline Approaches
The deadline for applying to residency programs is approaching, and as you prepare to apply to your chosen programs, here are some strategies to streamline the process while you get your plans and materials in order. Ensure Your Residency Portfolio Is Ready Consider these tips to keep you on track and organized. Start early and get organized. Whether your specialty uses Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) or another application platform, timelines with all key dates for the season are out. Keep this information handy and set alerts so you stay on track, recommended Meredith C. Thompson, MD, MAEd, associate professor and interim vice chair of Education, and interim assistant dean of student affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida Health/Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. The ERAS system begins accepting applications on September 3. Do your research. 'Formulate a system to compare and keep track of all the programs you're interested in. This includes any program characteristics that are important to you and your perceived competitiveness for the program. Your advisor can help with that, as can reputable data sources like Texas Star, AAMC [Association of American Medical Colleges] residency explorer or other specialty organization advising resources,' Thompson said. Another tip: Many programs also maintain social media presence and host virtual meet and greets on these platforms for applicants. Concentrate on recommendations. Ask for letters of recommendation at least 1 month in advance. 'Your goal is to have all application elements submitted by the time the platform opens to programs for viewing,' advised Thompson. Ensuring all items are received on time is key to maximizing your chances of obtaining interviews, she said. Meredith C. Thompson, MD, MAEd Assemble your team. Applying to residency is not a solo endeavor, so Thompson explained it's in your best interest to build a team to support you during the process. 'Key persons to have in your corner include a specialty specific advisor, editor, and interview preparer,' she said. Check your medical school's resources as many institutions provide students with access to a specialty specific advisor that can provide evidenced based advice personalized to your unique situation during the application process. If this is not available, Thompson recommended connecting to your student affairs dean who typically can help you with this information or guide you to appropriate data sources to help make these decisions. Lean on a support team. Complete one or more practice interviews with someone familiar with the interview format for your chosen specialty to become more comfortable, she suggested. 'Your support team is key in ensuring you are putting your best foot forward during the application and interview process,' Thompson said. Proofread your materials. Make sure all sections are completed and that your information is free from typos, said Mitchell Goldman, MD, senior associate dean for graduate medical education, professor of medicine, and designated institutional official at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Missouri. 'You want to impress anyone who reads your application and leave an impression of professionalism,' Goldman stated. 'Recommend having an experienced educator review your personal statement before submission to identify opportunities for improvement.' Be honest and genuine in your application. Goldman said to list hobbies, interests, and volunteer experiences that you could discuss in detail if asked about them during an interview. Be realistic in the scope. If you are applying to highly competitive specialties, consider a back-up plan and apply to acceptable programs or specialties, Goldman said. 'You want to be realistic about the programs you apply to and have a good chance for getting an interview at a number of programs,' he said. Be proactive. Reach out early and often for guidance from trusted sources. They may have prudent advice to share. In addition, be sure to follow-up. If your dream program hasn't extended an interview, consider sending an email to the program director and coordinator. 'Send only one (follow-up) email to communicate genuine interest,' Thompson said. 'Application season is not the time to take a wait and see approach.' How do you use your medical school's resources to help with the process? Your medical school's student affairs office is a wealth of information for your residency-application process. They can provide guidance on evidence-based resources to inform your decision making. Also, your medical school may have a career advising program that can identify local specialty specific advisors to give personalized guidance. 'In addition to this, they can be a resource to review personal statements, provide mock practice interviews, and assess your total application for your competitiveness for different programs,' Thompson said. Finally, medical school alumni programs can also be a resource for these types of services. What do these experts say about the rewards of residency? Residency allows you to focus on your unique interests and talents. 'This is rewarding as it allows you to enhance your clinical skills to more meaningfully contribute to patient care in a particular niche as well as develop professionally under the guidance of experts and a network of physicians with similar career goals,' said Thompson. 'Moreover, you gain a cadre of coresidents that share the journey with you that you can learn from and lean on for support.' Your residency is also a time where you can be immersed in your area of interest, be educated by those with extensive expertise and teaching skills and a time of rapid growth in your personal and professional life, said Goldman. 'Residency experiences are some of the most rewarding experiences of a physician's life,' he said. 'It is also a time to have fun being with individuals with shared interest. You can make life-long friends, learn about yourself and what you value most moving forward.'

Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shelby Lambdin appointed to four-month stint on Spokane City Council
Jul. 28—Shelby Lambdin was appointed to a four-month stint on the Spokane City Council Monday, filling a seat representing south Spokane vacated by former Councilwoman Lili Navarrete, who was herself appointed to the seat in early 2024 and resigned effective July 1 citing health concerns. Lambdin is the population health director at the Community Health Association of Spokane, more commonly known as CHAS Health. She was appointed with a 4-2 vote; Councilmen Jonathan Bingle and Michael Cathcart opposed her appointment. Though voters will have an opportunity in November to choose a successor for a full four-year term — Kate Telis and Alejandro Barrientos are currently vying for the seat — the City Council is responsible for appointing a temporary replacement when a seat is vacated early. Bingle and Cathcart had advocated to appoint Ryan Oelrich, who served on the City Council during a roughly two-month stint in 2023, arguing that the experience would make it easier for Oelrich to hit the ground running as the council prepares to balance the city's budget in the coming months. Ahead of the vote, Councilman Paul Dillon thanked the applicants for the position but said he and Council President Betsy Wilkerson had wanted to bring on a new voice to the council. Lambdin has no political, elected or government experience. During her public interview, Lambdin argued her experience in public health would bring expertise to the council on addressing relevant issues. She advocated for reducing the city's costs by using technology and artificial intelligence to replace personnel and streamline operations. Lambdin also argued in favor of programs to make the city's outdoor recreation more accessible to marginalized communities and for advancing the council's work on making various services available in other languages. Solve the daily Crossword