Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle says he plans to continue his role despite being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
Gravelle, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues at his Thunder Bay-Superior North constituency office, announced Monday he’s set to begin chemotherapy treatments for lymphoma, a potentially deadly form of cancer.
“It’s very serious, but I am heartened by the assessment of my oncologist that this is a treatable form of lymphoma and the prognosis for a full recovery is good,” the 63-year-old Gravelle said.
"It's scary," he admitted.
Acknowledging the treatments will sap his strength and keep him from performing his duties in the “all out manner” he’s used to, both in his riding and at Queen’s Park, Gravelle said he’s confident he can still get the job done.
“I also know that many people receiving these treatments continue on with their regular lives, including work,” he said. “While I will be following the advice of my physicians – and may I say my family and close friends – to the letter, to make sure I can protect myself throughout this process, I am hoping that I will be able to carry on with my life as normally as possible.
“Therefore it is my intention to continue on in my role as MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North as well as Minister of Natural Resources. I may be relying on my staff a little more than usual during this period of time, but I am looking forward to remaining an actively involved MPP and minister.”
He’s been given the thumbs up in this regard by both his oncologist and his family doctor.
"They see no reason why I can't carry on. We'll have to see what the impact is of the chemotherapy. I start that tomorrow," he said.
He added Deputy Minister of Natural Resources David O’Toole will spend more time in the city while Gravelle undergoes chemotherapy treatments, which will be spaced about three weeks apart. Local staff will pitch in to deal with constituency issues should they arise.
“I take my responsibility seriously, and if at some point in time I’m not able to manage it, I’ll make a different kind of decision,” said Gravelle, who was non-committal if he plans to challenge for the seat in the next election, expected as early as next spring once the Liberal leadership race has been settled.
“We believe that we can get things done.”
Reaction was swift.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath issued a statement on Monday afternoon.
"Ontario New Democrats send our best thoughts to MPP Michael Gravelle and his family during this challenging time. I was shocked to hear the news about his health, but happy to hear his confidence about treatment and to see the support of family and friends. I want to wish Michael a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to the legislature."
Local Liberal MPP Bill Mauro said he had a long chat with Gravelle on Monday morning and said he'll offer support in anyway his colleague needs it.
"It was somber news, but our lives get so ridiculously busy that the real world gives us a knock on the head so we have real appreciation for what's important," he told Thunder Bay Television.
Lymphoma, which took the lives of former U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onasis and rocker Joey Ramone, typically begins in lymphocytes, when white blood cells in the body’s immune system start uncontrolled growth and multiplication.
It’s typically identified by a swelling in the neck, underarm or groin.
According to Medical News Today, the ultimate goal of treatment isn’t a cure, but instead “durable remission” or “remission that lasts a long time."
Gravelle said the detection of the disease was made after a full physical he undertook with his family doctor in October. He’s since sought treatment at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and said he went public because he didn’t want a whisper campaign about his health circulating in the community.
The diagnosis comes at an ironic time in his life, three or four months after he made a commitment to better his health, resulting in a loss of about 25 pounds.
This also added to his decision to go public.
"(I didn't want) people to say he lost the weight because he wasn't feeling well. That's not the case. I do feel well, and my doctors and oncologists say the fact that I feel well is another reason to be optimistic. They do feel it's a strong chance of a full cure. Clearly it's going to change my life."
Gravelle said he isn't sure if he has non-Hodgkins lymphoma or Hodgkins lymphoma.
