(The Center Square) – Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly has announced he is battling esophageal cancer but remains confident in a successful recovery.
The announcement comes two days after the 74-year-old congressman resoundingly defeated (66.8%-33.2%) his Republican opponent in a bid for his ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
The congressman said he only recently learned of the diagnosis, saying it came as a “surprise” as the only symptoms he experienced were “some intermittent abdominal aches and pains.”
In a letter to his constituents, he said he would be undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy “right away” as part of his treatment. Connolly added that he is approaching the shock diagnosis with what he describes as his “Irish fight and humor.”
He tried reassuring his constituents that he is being treated by a “great team of doctors, nurses, medical technicians, we are very confident in a successful outcome.”
“Over the next few months as I do my job here in our district and on the Hill, I may be a bit fatigued due to the treatment. I hope you’ll understand,” Connolly wrote.
The congressman concluded with a message of hope and love in his fight against the disease.
“Be assured I’m full of hope and am sustained by the love, support, and encouragement of my family, friends, and of all of you,” Connolly said.
He assured his constituents that, though he will be tending to his health, he and his staff will continue serving his district, which encompasses swaths of northern Virginia.