Rep. Julia Carson, the first black congresswoman of Indianapolis, has announced she has terminal lung cancer. The 69-year-old former secretary told The Indianapolis Star on Saturday that she had been on a leave of absence since September to seek treatment. "Then the second shoe fell -- heavily," Carson told the paper in a brief written statement. "My doctor discovered lung cancer." Statement after the jump.
Julia Carson issued the following statement to The Indianapolis Star:
"In the late summer of 2007, Congress granted me a leave of absence because of my leg infection. My wonderful doctor cured the leg, and I went into rehabilitation, planning to be back in Washington shortly.
"Then the second shoe fell -- heavily. My doctor discovered lung cancer. It had gone into remission years before, but it was back with a terminal vengeance.
"Therefore, I take this occasion to express my loving and literally eternal gratitude to my friends, including family, constituents and colleagues, who have given me so much love, support and trust. God bless our beloved country."
