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Published: 8/19/2012 | Updated: 6/17/2013
By DOUG WILSON
Herald-Whig Senior Writer
RUSHVILLE, Ill. -- Sen. John Sullivan plans to have surgery this week to manage a rare but treatable form of cancer. "It's a personal and private issue, and yet because I'm a public official I just thought it was important that I let my constituents know what's going on," Sullivan said. Four years ago Sullivan had a small growth removed from his lower abdomen as an outpatient procedure. Recently, his doctor observed a recurrence. "I am scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure this week and will be away from my full-time duties for two or three weeks," Sullivan said. Doctors have identified the cancer as a form of liposarcoma. It is considered a slow-growing cancer comprised mostly of fat cells. It rarely invades organs, but can displace them. Liposarcoma patients have excellent survival rates and low recurrence rates, according to medical literature. "My doctors and I are confident I will make a full recovery and return to my duties full time in early September," Sullivan said. He will have the surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Sullivan chose Johns Hopkins because it has specialists who deal with liposarcoma on a regular basis. In addition, he has a sister-in-law working in the oncology department there. Sullivan, a Democrat from Rushville, has been in the Illinois Senate for 10 years. He is running for re-election and wanted to let people know he would be away from the office and the campaign trail. He joked that he might have been able to disappear without anybody noticing because he has six brothers who are often mistaken for each other. "I take my job very seriously. When I was talking with the doctor about treatment, there was some flexibility in timing of the surgery, so I scheduled it after (Friday's) special session," Sullivan said. "When you look at the priorities, your health and your family have to be No. 1." Sullivan, 53, said the cancer diagnosis is frustrating. "I don't have an ache or a pain. I feel as good as I've ever felt. Obviously, I wish I didn't have to deal with it," Sullivan said. Sullivan alerted Rep. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, and Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb, about the surgery and said his fellow lawmakers have offered their assistance to help handle any urgent legislative business. He said his legislative staff in Quincy, Macomb and Springfield will continue to offer constituent service in his absence. "The first words out of most people's mouths is that they're going to keep me in their prayers and thoughts, which is very, very much appreciated. That's No. 1. No. 2, they ask â What can we do to help?' It's very humbling to get that kind of reaction from folks."A press conference has been called by Sullivan at 1 p.m. today at Quincy City Hall. "This is a bump in the road. We're going to deal with it and be going back here just as soon as possible. I just feel very positive about the final results," he said. -- dwilson@whig.com/221-3372
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