ST. PAUL, Minn. – U.S. Senator Norm Coleman has a different outlook on life, four months after he was diagnosed with throat cancer.
“A lot of things are going through your head because you’re really thinking, okay, you could die,” said Coleman from his home in St. Paul. “And then you catch your breath, and you talk to the doctors and you do your research.”
Coleman noticed he had a dry throat for about two months and went to the doctor for help. He also noticed a lump on the side of his neck. He was diagnosed with cancer after a biopsy. Coleman sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, opting to take part in a new clinical trial.
The trial included two weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, then surgery to remove the tumor. The traditional treatment would have included seven weeks of chemo and radiation.
“I have side effects,” said Coleman. “But they’re minimal compared to the folks who have to do the seven weeks. I worked through the whole radiation. It is a miracle.”
Coleman was overwhelmed by the amount of support he received from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
“So, I’ve been lifted up. Senator Klobuchar has been wonderful. Al Franken called me. The head of the DFL who’s never said a nice word about me extends his wishes for my recovery,” said Coleman. “Some folks on the right who say I’m not conservative enough came over and prayed with me.”
Coleman is now cancer-free. He will return to Mayo in a few weeks where he’ll undergo a scan to see how he’s doing.
The former Senator and St. Paul Mayor said he treasures every day now.
“I have a different sense of mortality. I treasure every day. I really do, “ said Coleman. “For a while there I was looking and thinking, how many days do I have?”
When asked if he’ll ever run for office again, Coleman said he never totally says “no”. “If my side wins this election and I’m asked to serve, I’d certainly be open to it,” said Coleman. “But I really treasure the time I have with my family that your really don’t have if you’re holding elective office.”