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Rep. Holliman has lung surgery
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Published: May 26, 2009
Updated: 05/26/2009 09:50 pm
State Rep. Hugh Holliman, the chief sponsor of a newly enacted law that will ban smoking in bars and restaurants, had surgery yesterday to remove part of his right lung.
Holliman, D-Davidson, is a two-time survivor of lung cancer who believes his disease was caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. He is the majority leader in the N.C. House and is a vocal advocate for smoking restrictions, including the statewide ban that Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law last week.
During a routine doctor's visit, a small shadow was discovered on the lower lobe of Holliman's right lung, said Holliman's legislative assistant, Carol Bowers. His doctors don't believe it was cancerous, but wanted it removed as a precaution.
The surgery was conducted yesterday at Forsyth Medical Center and Holliman was recovering in the intensive care unit. He is expected to return to the General Assembly in about a week.
Holliman used to be an occasional pipe smoker but believes his lung cancer was caused primarily by secondhand smoke from his parents, who were smokers. His cancer was first diagnosed in 1999. In 2007, it reappeared and he had surgery to remove a tumor in his lung.
Just a week ago, at the bill signing ceremony for the smoking ban he shepherded through the legislature, Holliman called it one of the highlights of his career. The smoking ban will take effect on Jan. 2, 2010.
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