Robert Jordan, Death, Amyloidosis and the Future

Something, I don't know exactly what, rekindled my interest in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time (WoT) this afternoon. I've read all 11 books so far in this epic series and eagerly await the 12th and perhaps, final, book. It might also be Jordan's last EVER book because the man has been diagnosed with Amyloidosis, something that causes an abnormal protein buildup in various organs that can permanently damage them. Sadly, the disease has no known cure.

At this point, I wonder, what is more important - Jordan's potential demise, which could happen at some imminent point in the future or the completion of the series? Call me heartless for even engaging in such a debate, but it is something discussed all over the Internet in WoT forums. I think it's a valid question. After all, he's made the fans a part of his life ever since the series became popular and it is his responsibility to finish it up. At the same time, it's not like he wanted to be affected by amyloidosis. Like I said, it's a tough question.

For me, I can't really say. When Dreamer Gray first told me of this, I was shocked. At the fact that the series might not end, and that I would never know the fate of the world post-Tarmon Gai'don. Then, I began to feel sorry for Jordan, who made fantasy reading so much more enjoyable.

Well, I do hope he makes it through at least the next few years. To quote an article about him in Forbes magazine, "Jordan plans to live another 30 years--long enough, he says to finish all the books that are in his head right now".

We can but hope that a man of his genius survives to complete all the books in his head.

It will be a dark day for all us Jordan maniacs should he pass soon, darker still, should he not complete A Memory of Light. Let this book, should no successor to it emerge, be a testimony to Jordan's immense imagination, talent and dedication to his fans (he still writes for 2 hours a day now, despite his weakened condition).