‘My prognosis is incredibly bright’: Nebraska lawmaker continues blood cancer treatments

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln speaks on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. March 1, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN — A Nebraska state senator said her ongoing cancer treatments of a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been going “very well,” and she looks forward to getting back to the statehouse.

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a first-term lawmaker in her second year in office, was diagnosed with splenic marginal zone lymphoma at the beginning of the year, a rare and slow-growing type of blood cancer. She said she has a great medical team behind her as she nears what she hopes is the end of her treatments.

“My prognosis is incredibly bright,” Raybould told the Nebraska Examiner.

Raybould said she will have her sixth round of chemotherapy during the first week of August, which will last three days, followed by multiple days of recovery. As with other cancer treatments, Raybould’s treatment plan was determined and scheduled months in advance.

In that time, Raybould said, she’s made a lot of progress in her physical health and says, “fingers crossed,” her next round of chemo will be her last, and she can regain her strength.

Raybould’s diagnosis caused her to miss much of the 60-day regular legislative session in the spring, but she said she continued to remain on top of legislative issues. Now, she’s preparing with colleagues for an expected special session on property taxes tentatively scheduled to begin Thursday .

“I’m very enthusiastic and look forward to participating in this special session as much as I possibly can,” Raybould said.

Raybould said she is still recovering but has found “overwhelming” support, on a daily basis, from Nebraskans offering prayers and other kind words for her health.

“They want me to get back. They need me to get back. They want me to be in fighting form,” Raybould said. “It is such a big joy to be thought of in such a kind way. It’s great.”

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