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Councillor faces new cancer battle

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In July of 2003, Coun. Ray Peters vowed to continue his work on District of Squamish Council despite being diagnosed with throat cancer and now, after a second cancer diagnosis, he wants to press on again, but he's awaiting more information from his doctor before making a firm commitment to the November municipal election.

Peters and the rest of the members of Squamish New Directions (SND) all announced recently that they intend to seek re-election with Coun. Jeff Dawson joining the SND. Depending on what the doctors tell him next, he may not be running for re-election.

Peters said after two months of suffering with a raspy throat he went to his cancer clinic doctor. The doctor told Peters his radiation treatment might have caused nerve damage and there was just an outside chance there was a tumour against the vocal cords.

The doctor decided to use a scope to look at the area, Peters said. After using the scope the doctor still didn't think it was a tumour but a CAT scan was ordered so the doctor could get a better look.

The neck and chest CAT scan took place last Friday (Aug. 19). Peters got the results from the scan on Monday.

The cancer clinic doctor delivered bad news: a cancerous tumour caused the throat problem and a second tumour was detected on a lung.

Peters said the next step is to discuss treatment options with his doctor.

"Other than the awkwardness in the throat and a little trouble swallowing I feel great," said Peters. "I'm just disappointed that I haven't been able to run. After just a block I'm puffing."

Peters, an avid runner who has done the Boston Marathon, explained that running is difficult for him because one of his vocal cords is plugging part of his windpipe and he isn't getting as much air to his lungs.

When cancer started interfering with his training schedule he had ten marathons under his belt and said in 2003 that his eleventh marathon would be his battle with cancer.

The bad news on Monday didn't stop him from spending three hours walking the Smoke Bluffs on Tuesday with the Smoke Bluff steering committee, as the committee prepares to launch some major work on the Smoke Bluffs.

Peters went through cancer treatment in 2003 and announced after he completed his treatment that there was no more evidence of the stage four tumour doctors had originally detected in July of 2003. The treatment was uncomfortable and Peters said he lost 16 kilograms (35 lbs.) through the process.

"The prognosis isn't good in the long term," Peters said in 2003.

His doctors advised him it was very unusual for people who don't smoke to get throat cancer, he said at the time. The retired firefighter said he didn't know if his cancer was in any way connected to his years on the fire department.

"If I have as many well wishers as I did last time, hopefully I'll pop out the same way as I did last time," said Peters.

He told his fellow members of Council about his situation soon after he found out.

Once Peters knows more about the seriousness of his situation he plans to make his political plans known.

"Any decision will be based on what is happening and I will discuss it with the rest of council and the group I was going to run with."jfrench@squamishchief.com

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