Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), who represents Contra Costa and Solano counties in the Bay Area, announced on social media July 8 that he is starting treatment for multiple myeloma, a treatable blood cancer.
“Pre-screening that strange bump was standard but the call from my doctor wasn’t,” he said in the video.
His doctor asked him when he would be back in California to take a series of tests.
“Thus began my journey with multiple myeloma,” he said. “And I’m embarked on my journey to remission with a course of chemo-immunotherapy as an outpatient at Kaiser Oncology in Sacramento.”
Mr. Garamendi, who is one of 52 U.S. congressmen from California, said his doctor expects the treatments will last “a few months” and he plans to continue working on projects and goals for his constituents during that time.
Doctors have told the congressman to reduce any unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, influenzas, and other viruses, he said.
“In addition to destroying cancer cells, chemotherapy impairs natural antibodies and undermines the body’s immune system,” Mr. Garamendi said.
The congressman lives with his wife Patricia in Walnut Grove, California, about 30 miles south of the Capitol in Sacramento. He is in his eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and will be seeking reelection on the November ballot.
He served in the California state Legislature as an assemblyman and a senator prior to his current position.
As a congressman, Mr. Garamendi advocates for gun control, Social Security and Medicare, and economic issues, according to his website. He is also the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.
Mr. Garamendi’s communications director in Washington did not return a request for information about whether the congressman plans to continue voting or participating in daily House business.
