Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama HaCohen announced today (Tuesday) that he is being hospitalized for another surgery to remove a tumor from his left kidney.
In a statement he issued, he sought to dispel rumors that have spread in recent days about his health condition and clarified that his life is not in danger. He noted that the recovery period is expected to last between two weeks and a month, after which he plans to return to full activity.
""I am being hospitalized today, and tomorrow I will undergo surgery to remove a tumor from my left kidney. It is not fun to have a second surgery in a year, but I am entering it with faith, optimism, and a strong spirit, with full confidence in the excellent medical team, in the personal care, and in the power of the prayers, blessings, and love that I am privileged to receive from you.".
""I would like to make it clear: I am not in mortal danger, I am not seriously ill, and there is no basis for the sick rumors spread by the opposition's mouthpieces. Instead of wishing me health and recovery, they are spreading false wishes, apparently with the understanding that they have no chance in the public arena.".
Unfortunately, this atmosphere has a father. About two years ago, during a council meeting, the leader of the opposition, a man who claims to lead a city, allowed himself to wish me or one of my family members cancer.
Since then, both my mother and I have indeed fallen ill. It is clear to me that there is no connection between the two, since cursing the wicked is a blessing, but that statement set a precedent and a negative example for activists that basic human boundaries can be crossed.
Now for the facts, as I have always reflected and will continue to reflect honestly:
About a year ago, I underwent a completely successful surgery to remove a six-centimeter cancerous tumor from my right kidney. The kidney was preserved, and I did not require any drug, radiation, or other treatment.
In a follow-up examination, about six months later, it became clear that the original scans had not been fully deciphered, and that even then there was also a separate tumor in the left kidney, about three centimeters in size.
The doctor made it clear that another operation was necessary. Since this was discovered in February, at a time when we were preparing for the possibility of another campaign against Iran, I asked for his permission to postpone the operation so that I could be present, active and available for the city and its residents in an emergency. As you can see, during the war I was constantly active, moving from scene to scene, from shelter to shelter and being present wherever the city and its residents needed me.
After the war, I was forced to postpone the surgery again, this time due to the sudden and severe deterioration in my mother's condition.
Now it's time to take care of myself too.
According to Prof. Zohar Dotan, the surgery will be performed using the innovative Da Vinci robot. The expectation is that after a recovery period of about two to three weeks - as you know me, this will happen before I do, with God's help - I will be able to gradually return to full work, without the need for medication or radiation therapy.
In most cases, a tumor is discovered in one kidney, but you already know that with me everything is special, and it is two separate and independent tumors, one in each kidney. Fortunately for me, both were discovered at a stage that allows them to be removed while preserving the kidneys, and according to the current medical assessment, there is no evidence of metastasis and no need for additional treatments. Therefore, there is no real reason for concern.
I am in good and dedicated hands at Sheba Hospital, and with the help of your blessings, prayers, and support, with God's help, I will successfully undergo surgery tomorrow and will soon return to lead the city and serve you.
Thank you for the concern, support and strength you give me.".
