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Tucson lawmaker Melvin has cancer
State Sen. Al Melvin. Nov. 9, 2009.
Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
A freshman lawmaker disclosed Monday he is undergoing chemotherapy for a type of cancer but said it will not affect his ability to do his job.
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Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, said he has non-Hodgkins lymphoma. But the senator said he has been told that it is a type that, while faster growing, can be cured.
The 65-year-old Melvin said he went public with his condition largely because the chemotherapy, which he already has started, is likely to result in loss of hair. Melvin, who joked that he doesn't have much to start with, said he wanted people to know why that was happening rather than having them speculate.
What it also did, he said, is provide some opportunities for some humor about what will be his new appearance.
One of the first responses, Melvin said, came from Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu - who hasn't got a hair on his head - and who the senator said he plans to seek out to learn about "maintenance and polishing."
"I got an e-mail from him yesterday, and he said he's more than happy to assist," Melvin said of the sheriff.
He also said that, as a former eagle scout and Navy captain, he doesn't mind being as "bald" as his favorite bird.
The disclosure comes a week before state lawmakers are set to convene in special session to deal with part of the state's $2 billion deficit. Melvin represents parts of northwest Pima and southern Pinal counties.
But Melvin said he hasn't had any nausea or other real side effects from the chemotherapy he has had so far, other than an occasional slight headache. And he said he doesn't expect that to change as he continues to undergo treatments for several more months.
"My doctor says that older people ... seem to handle it better than younger people," he said. "And, compared to 20 or 30 years ago, they've really done miraculous things for chemotherapy as they have other fields of medicine."
Melvin also cited what he called the "Fred Thompson experience," referring to the 2008 presidential bid of the Republican contender who said he also had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Melvin said Thompson's doctor urged him to continue with his presidential bid.
"I do feel great," Melvin said. In fact, he was in Phoenix on Monday for an event to raise money for his 2010 re-election bid.
"Most doctors urge their patients if they're able - and I think I am - to continue with their routines as a part of recovery," he said.
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