Cardinal Francis George announced that after a year in remission, his cancer "is beginning to show signs of new activity" and he will undergo a "more aggressive" round of chemotherapy, according to a report from the Catholic New World, a newspaper for the archdiocese of Chicago.
At this juncture in his life, Cardinal George remains realistic about his situation. He acknowledges that "this is a difficult form of the disease, and it will most probably eventually be the cause of my death."
The cardinal's cancer, originating in the bladder in 2006 before popping up again in both the kidney and liver in 2012, is now confined to the right kidney. Aggressive chemotherapy is the next step.
"After many tests, scans, biopsies and other inconveniences, the settled judgment is that the best course of action is to enter into a regimen of chemotherapy, with drugs more aggressive than those that were used in the first round of chemo," George explained. "This treatment will take place over the next two months, when my reaction to the chemo will be evaluated."
George's original form of cancer was classified as carcinoma in situ and highly unusual, as it accounts for only 10 percent of bladder cancer cases. At the time it was considered superficial, but patients who have had bladder cancer are at increased risk for developing that cancer in their kidney or liver, outside doctors have told the Chicago Tribune.
During this time, George maintains a positive outlook, of course with the support of prayer.
"As I prepare for this next round of chemo, I ask for your prayers, which have always sustained me, and for your understanding if I cannot always fulfill the schedule already set for the next several months," the cardinal wrote.
In 2012 when George turned 75, he submitted the required letter of resignation, but Pope Francis has yet to accept it.
