Days after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan revealed his diagnosis of lymphoma, he announced his cancer is at stage III and he will soon begin intensive chemotherapy.
Hogan made his first public appearance since announcing his diagnosis Monday during a news conference on Maryland's transportation plans Thursday.
Toward the end of the conference, Hogan was asked about his health. Appearing in good spirits, he said a bone marrow biopsy came back clear Wednesday, showing that his B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is stage III, and not a more advanced stage IV.
Hogan said he's been touched by the widespread support he's received since he revealed his diagnosis.
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"It's been a terrible thing to have this [diagnosis] come up, and I wasn't expecting it, but the good part of it is just the outpouring of friendship and well-wishes from all across the aisle," Hogan said.
He continued to say some of his "tough critics on the other side," such as Democrats Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, president of the Maryland Senate, and Michael E. Busch, Maryland House speaker, have also showed their support.
"Some of our little squabbles don't seem nearly as important when you're faced with something like this," Hogan said.
The governor proceeded to invite those who attended the news conference to a picnic he is hosting with "a couple thousand friends" Saturday, just south of Annapolis. The picnic will be a "great way to see some folks before I start the treatment," Hogan said.
On Monday, Hogan will check into the University of Maryland Hospital Center in Baltimore to begin four days of intensive chemotherapy.
"...[W]e're going to begin the fun ride, but I have every confidence that we're going to come out of the other side of it," he said.
Along with the purple tie he wore to show his support for Maryland's Purple Line project, Hogan sported a bright green ribbon on his lapel from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Maryland chapter.
