Norwood declines further hospital treatment

Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.) is declining further cancer treatment at Georgetown University Medical Center and will return home for hospice care, the lawmaker’s office announced Wednesday.

Norwood, who in November was elected to his seventh term in Congress, was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer shortly after the election. A dentist by training, Norwood has championed health issues in Congress, including his Patient’s Bill of Rights. He has also been a strong supporter of oncologists.

“For 10 years, I had the best job on Capitol Hill,” said Rodney Whitlock, who used to work for Norwood and now is part of the Republican staff on the Senate Finance Committee. “There was nothing I could say or do that Charlie wouldn’t say or do worse. It breaks my heart to know we’ve seen the last of his wry, mischievous wit.”

After undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Virginia, Norwood was transferred to Georgetown to be evaluated to determine whether laser surgery would help fight cancer in his liver. However, Norwood declined to receive further treatment and will be flown to Georgia to receive 24-hour nursing care at home, his office said.

“The Norwood family thanks all who have helped through Congressman Norwood’s extensive health battles since 1998 stemming from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis,” a statement from his office said. “They request continued prayers for Charlie and his family.”