EMERSON STILL ACTIVE, PLANS BID FOR RE-ELECTION TO HOUSE SEAT

Immediately after his diagnosis with lung cancer last fall, Congressman Bill Emerson promised to remain active in office and to seek re-election. Following several months of chemotherapy, his plans haven't changed.

"I meant what I said in October," said Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau. "That all remains operative and I remain optimistic. I don't see any reason why I should not run for re-election."

The 58-year-old member of Missouri's congressional delegation made his comments during a meeting Tuesday with the Southeast Missourian editorial board.

Emerson completed chemotherapy five weeks ago and said the spread of the cancer has been arrested. While the combination of two chemicals he was treated with killed some of the cancer, certain cells proved resistant and continued to grow.

Shortly, the congressman will begin radiation treatment. On his way to work every day for six to eight weeks, he will stop at an outpatient facility to receive doses of radiation.

Emerson's shoulder has been fitted with a catheter which periodically will be filled with a chemical he said is "designed to confuse the DNA of cancer cells to make them more susceptible to zapping"

Emerson is looking forward to beginning this stage of his treatment.

"I was a little disappointed, in my very limited knowledge, that they didn't go immediately to radiation because I know radiation is what causes cancer to shrink," Emerson said.

While undergoing chemotherapy, Emerson didn't slow down, except for travel. "I'd been rather constrained to staying in one place because of the chemotherapy and the side effects of that treatment," Emerson said.

However, he said modern drugs are extremely effective in diminishing side-effects which years ago caused patients serious problems.

Travel restrictions didn't stop him from getting to Capitol Hill every day. In 188 House votes taken since he began treatment, Emerson missed only five and all of those were on minor procedural matters. Aide Lloyd Smith said Emerson's voting attendance record is among the top 5 percent of members of Congress.

"Others in the delegation have missed more than that and didn't have cancer," Smith said.

Formerly a heavy smoker, Emerson has kicked the cigarette habit. But he does chew on unlit cigars. "I find it's more a fidget factor than anything," Emerson said. On rare occasions when he lights one, he said doesn't inhale.

Finding a silver lining in the experience, Emerson said the support of people both in and out of his congressional district has been overwhelming and uplifting.

"Whatever the outcome, I'm a very fortunate individual," he said. "Most people are dead before they know how warmly people feel about them."

Since his diagnosis he has received thousands of letters from well-wishers, many of whom have successfully beaten the disease.

"Most literature on the subject of cancer in not encouraging," Emerson said. "The anecdotal information has been nothing but."

Emerson has been personally answering every letter he received from those concerned about his health. But with the large volume of correspondence, he is still plugging away.

"I still have probably got as many to answer as I have answered," he said.