Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with myeloma, a blood cancer according to a report from Punchbowl News. Scalise who was almost killed by a crazed leftist while playing baseball, told the outlet:
“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.
“I have now begun treatment, which will continue for the next several months. I expect to work through this period and intend to return to Washington, continuing my work as Majority Leader and serving the people of Louisiana’s First Congressional District.
“I am incredibly grateful we were able to detect this early and that this cancer is treatable.
“I am thankful for my excellent medical team, and with the help of God, support of my family, friends, colleagues, and constituents, I will tackle this with the same strength and energy as I have tackled past challenges.”
According to The American Society of Hematology: Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce disease- and infection-fighting antibodies in your body. Myeloma cells prevent the normal production of antibodies, leaving your body’s immune system weakened and susceptible to infection.
The multiplication of myeloma cells also interferes with the normal production and function of red and white blood cells.
An abnormally high amount of these dysfunctional antibodies in the bloodstream can cause kidney damage.
Additionally, the myeloma cells commonly produce substances that cause bone destruction, leading to bone pain and/or fractures.
Myeloma cells are produced in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones. Sometimes myeloma cells will travel through your bloodstream and collect in other bones in your body.
Because myeloma frequently occurs at many sites in the bone marrow, it is often referred to as multiple myeloma.
According to Politico:
That day, a lone gunman, James Hodgkinson, unloaded dozens of rounds at GOP lawmakers practicing on an Alexandria, Va., field for the annual congressional baseball game.
After asking one lawmaker whether the team was the Republicans or Democrats, Hodgkinson returned to his van — which had been stationed outside the field for weeks — pulled out two firearms and began shooting at the team, narrowly missing Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) before hitting Scalise in the hip, which nearly led to him bleeding to death on the field. Scalise required multiple surgeries and weeks in the hospital before recovering and returning to Congress.
Several lawmakers were injured fleeing and a lobbyist practicing with the team was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the chest.
Two Capitol Police officers, who were at the field as part of Scalise’s security detail, were wounded as well and helped delay the shooter’s advance until other law enforcement arrived and helped end the attack. Hodgkinson died of injuries shortly afterward.
While the FBI never released public conclusions about the shooting, Alexandria prosecutors publicly labeled the attack “terrorism.”
“The evidence in this case establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspect, fueled by rage against Republican legislators, decided to commit an act of terrorism as that term is defined by the Code of Virginia,” commonwealth prosecutor Bryan Porter concluded.
NEWS: House Majority Leader @SteveScalise has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. @PunchbowlNews text is out. Special edition from me and @bresreports out shortly pic.twitter.com/gX2tiuTQ89
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) August 29, 2023
After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer.
I have now begun treatment, which will…
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) August 29, 2023