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Specter's health vs. the Judiciary Committee's schedule

Specter, who is 75 years old, announced last week that he has Hodgkin's Disease, a cancer of the lymph system. Asked if he could handle both the potential battles that lie ahead over judicial nominees and treatment for his illness, Specter referred to his physician.

"Dr. John Glick, who's one of the foremost oncologists in the country," Specter said, "says that when I take these treatments on a Friday afternoon and rest over the weekend, then I can come back to work on Monday."

Specter said he received a treatment on Feb. 18 and came back to work after the President's Day holiday Monday.

"I have a lot of stamina and Dr. Glick thinks that being in shape from my daily squash routine is going to help me," Specter said. "I expect to be able to do the job."

Recounting a previous political experience, Specter used his sense of humor to put the disease in perspective. "You should have been with me to face the Warren Commission on the single bullet theory if you wanted to face a tough issue."

Specter gained fame for originating the idea that a lone gunman on Nov. 22, 1963 fired a single bullet that wounded both President John F. Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally, before firing another shot that killed Kennedy. The theory has been ridiculed by some for contradicting the laws of physics. Specter argues that it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The senator will receive chemotherapy every other week for six to eight months to treat his Hodkin's Disease. Glick described Specter last week as having "an excellent chance of being completely cured."

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