State Rep. Roger Freeman is preparing for chemotherapy this week.

However, the former Federal Way City Councilman said he will not call it the "c" word - cancer - just yet. He awaits more information from doctors on an official diagnosis.

"This is just a medical challenge and health challenge we're going through," Freeman told The Mirror. "The prognosis is good, we know that."

Freeman, a Democrat, was elected in November to represent District 30 in the state House of Representatives. He expects to finish this year's legislative session.

A visit to his doctor last month about a cough ended up revealing a problem in his lungs, he said, and was told that "whatever this thing is, it needs chemotherapy." After undergoing scans and blood tests, Freeman expects doctors to confirm specific details on his condition in the next week or so.

"By then I'm pretty sure they'll know everything they need to know," he said. "We are in the early stages of treatment."

Freeman was elected to the Federal Way City Council in 2009, and was elected to the Legislature in 2012. He will make an official announcement about his health later this month.

"We're hopeful and thankful for supporters," he said. "My faith is very important to me and my faith in God will carry me through. A good positive outlook is essential to me. It's the way that you deal with it. I've always been a fighter and we're going to get through it."

On March 1, Freeman was the closing speaker at the annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Olympia. He briefly touched on his diagnosis.

"The doctors say if my health challenge were not treated, I'd have four months to live," he said. "But I say to you again the God that I serve is stronger than any challenge."

 

Contact Federal Way Mirror Editor Andy Hobbs at editor@fedwaymirror.com or 1-253-925-5565 (ext 5050).

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