ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Monday he has “very advanced” and “very aggressive” cancer of the lymph nodes, but he said he will fight for a full recovery and continue to work as the state’s chief elected official.
Hogan spoke candidly, choking up at times while also managing to keep a sense of humor, as family, friends and his staff filled the governor’s reception room for the announcement. The governor, who has been in office for five months, said the cancer is B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“Over the coming months, I’ll be receiving multiple very aggressive chemotherapy treatments,” Hogan said. “Most likely, I’m going to lose my hair. You won’t have these beautiful grey locks. I may trim down a little bit, but I won’t stop working to change Maryland for the better.”
He said it may be Stage 4, or at least a very advanced Stage 3.
The Republican, who was elected in a big upset in November in a heavily Democratic state, said that he had noticed a painless lump along his jaw earlier this month. He also felt some back pain, which, he said, was caused by a tumor pressing on his spinal column.