The cancer was diagnosed after Hogan found a lump on his throat while shaving, he said. He thought it might just be a cyst.
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But medical tests revealed he has cancer – B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The reform-minded Republican who surprised politicos nationwide with his win in deep-blue Maryland in November announced the diagnosis Monday afternoon, noting he was exactly five months into his term – and not going anywhere. Though the governor described his illness as “very aggressive” and “very advanced”, his doctors told The New York Times that they believe he has a “strong chance of survival” and recovery.
With family, friends and staff by his side, the 59-year-old Hogan vowed to battle the disease with the same underdog intensity of his unlikely November victory. “I may trim down a little bit, but I won’t stop working to change Maryland for the better”. He will undergo aggressive chemotherapy for about 18 weeks.
Dr. Catherine Broome at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, agreed. “We achieve remission in this disease over 70 percent of the time”, and at least half of patients survive at least five years, she said. He also felt some back pain, which he said was caused by a tumor pressing on his spinal column. “He’s going to have to fill in for me on some other meetings, as will our entire cabinet”.
Hogan has said he would make an announcement by the end of the month about whether to move forward with the proposed Purple Line light rail in Montgomery and Prince George’s County. “Boyd has my back”, he said.
The announcement likely means an increased role for Maryland’s lieutenant governor, Boyd Rutherford.
Hogan is not the first Maryland governor to be diagnosed with cancer and undergo treatment while in office.
“They also tell me it’s gonna beat the hell out of me”, Hogan said. The lieutenant governor also can serve as acting governor when the governor is disabled but unable to communicate the fact of his inability to perform the duties of office.
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