Posted on 02/07/2007 2:21:40 PM PST by groanup
Congressman Norwood declines further cancer treatment
By TOM BAXTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/07/07
U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood has decided to forego treatment for lung cancer that has spread to his liver and will be returning to Georgia to receive hospice care, his office said Wednesday.
John Stone, a spokesman for the Augusta Republican, said an air ambulance flight was being arranged and that he expected Norwood to be leaving Washington either Wednesday night or Thursday.
Norwood, 65, suffers from a chronic lung disease, ideopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and received a lung transplant in 2004 at a hospital near the residence he maintains in suburban Washington.
Doctors there found a tumor on the non-transplanted lung and removed it in November, 2006. But late last year they found the cancer had spread to Norwood's liver, Stone said.
Throughout his long illness and even after his transplant, Norwood continued to travel the halls of Congress, using an electric cart and toting his ever-present oxygen tank. But he has been absent throughout the current session of Congress, spending much of his time back in the hospital. President Bush acknowledged Norwood's illness when he gave his State of the Union speech last month.
Stone said Norwood considered further treatment, but finally said, "No, you know what, it's time to go home."
Rep. Nathan Deal, a Hall County Republican, called Norwood "probably my closest friend in Congress."
"He has displayed the same kind of rugged individualism and stubbornness in his fight against cancer that he showed in fighting for legislation that he thought was important to America," Deal said.
Sadly. We'll lose one more.
Wasn't there some demo Senator that is unconscious, but voting somehow in the lib's "counts" against certain cloture votes?????
May God give him peace!
No. Senator Johnson is not unconscious, but he is in rehab, he is not voting, and it's making it harder for them in filibuster votes because those votes require 60 yea votes -- it doesn't matter if there are NO nea votes.
I can only imagine how hard it must be to make that decision. I pray God will continue to give him strength and help him prepare for the end of his earthly life, and bring comfort to his family.
Our fine governor will appoint a Republican replacement. Or will we have a special election? I wonder.
What a brave choice for a man his age. God bless him.
My thoughts are with this man....
FRegards,
Prayers for a miracle for Congressman Norwood's health.
He is a very good guy, a proud Vietnam vet, and will be missed.
Oddly, state governors can't appoint interim Congressmen, only Senators, so there will have to be a special election soon. This is a VERY safe Republican district (I live in it).
I was going to make a similar comment on this quotation, but you did so more eloquently than I could.
Very sad. I hope he is as comfortable as possible.
I pray that the man has a dignified and comfortable passing.
No, I do not think so. The district is a Republican district. I live in his district. Besides, the governor is Republican.
That's not odd at all. Representatives are always representative of the people, not the state, as Senators were up until the 17th amendment.
No the governor appoints someone. Remember when Gingrich resigned and Zell Miller appointed republican Issackson.
House members cannot be appointed.
Very tragic.
If he hasn't tried non-traditional treatment yet, he may have other options.
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