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Sen. Thomas in ‘Serious Condition,’ Struggling With Infection

Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) is listed in serious condition at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where he is battling infection and undergoing a second round of chemotherapy for blood cancer.

Thomas, 74, was first hospitalized on May 24 following a round of routine blood tests to monitor his bone marrow and white and red blood cell counts. Doctors have been administering chemotherapy to control the disease, but according to a statement Monday from Thomas’ family, the cancer has “proven resistant to their most recent efforts and he continues to struggle with infection in addition to the leukemia.”

“At this difficult time, all we can do is give him as much love and support as possible,” Thomas’ wife, Susan, said in a statement Monday. “The support and prayers of Wyoming folks have made a tremendous difference to us. It has meant everything to Craig, and I know it helps him today.”

The popular Wyoming Republican was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on Election Day 2006, the same day he sailed with 70 percent of the vote to a third term in the Senate. Since that time, Thomas has undergone several sets of therapy beginning with one in November, another in December and a third in January.

Thomas had been headed toward a remission earlier this year, and his doctors opted against a March treatment because of his positive response. Thomas had gotten back to his routine in the Senate, keeping to a regular vote and committee schedule.

In an interview in January, Thomas was optimistic about his prognosis, saying he “felt very good and very normal.”

“When these things happen, you have to do what’s necessary to deal with it,” Thomas said at the time.

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