Wilma Mankiller, this term's Montgomery Fellow, has been diagnosed with lymphoma and is currently undergoing tests at a Boston hospital to determine more about her condition and how it should be treated.
Mankiller, the former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, told the Associated Press of the diagnosis Wednesday.
College President James Freedman, who spoke to Mankiller early yesterday morning, confirmed she has lymphoma -- the same condition with which Freedman was diagnosed in April, 1994.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system, according to the Cancer Information Service of New England. As lymphoma progresses, the body is less able to fight infection.
There are two types of lymphoma -- Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Freedman said doctors have not yet determined which type of lymphoma Mankiller has.
Freedman had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was successfully treated by chemotherapy.
Freedman and Mankiller traveled together to Nashua to hear Hillary Clinton speak last Thursday, and at that time Mankiller "knew she was ill," Freedman said.
Within the next day or two, Mankiller had been admitted to Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Freedman said.
She was admitted to Deaconess Hospital last weekend after she failed to improve from a recent bout with pneumonia, Linda Welch, academic assistant for Native American studies, told the Associated Press.
Erin Martin, a spokesperson for Deaconess Hospital, would not confirm yesterday that Mankiller has been diagnosed with lymphoma, though she did say Mankiller has been at Deaconess Hospital for the past several days.
Mankiller had a severe case of pneumonia and a kidney infection earlier this month, so when she felt ill, she wanted to go to Deaconess Hospital to see a doctor she has confidence in, Welch told the AP .
Director of the Montgomery Endowment Barbara Gerstner said Mankiller is currently undergoing several tests as the doctors try "to locate how far [the lymphoma] has gone, if it's gone anywhere."
Mankiller is anxious for the doctors to pinpoint the problem, Freedman said, so they can go about treating her.
Mankiller told the AP on Wednesday that she was "in a good frame of mind, I feel strong spiritually, and I am going to be optimistic."
Freedman said Mankiller is in good spirits and is relieved to have had her illness diagnosed since "she has really not been feeling well for a number of weeks since she's been at Dartmouth."
Gerstner said Mankiller's Montgomery Fellowship was scheduled to expire on March 7, so Mankiller will not return to Hanover.
"She'll go from the hospital straight home to Oklahoma," Gerstner said.
Freedman said his personal experience in battling lymphoma has increased his "empathy" for Mankiller, since he knows what she is going through.
He also said his experience in beating lymphoma gives him optimism about Mankiller's condition.
"My treatment was successful ... and therefore I have great hope that hers will be too," Freedman said.
Members of the College community banded together in offering their best wishes for Mankiller.
Gerstner said "I'm waiting with my fingers crossed hoping for the best for her."
Marysa Navarro, chair of the Latin American and Caribbean studies program and a close friend of Mankiller, said Mankiller is a "very strong woman."
"My love and that of many other people and the prayers of many other people are with her, and we hope she can come back soon and visit, and enjoy it here as much as she did before she went to the hospital," Navarro said.
Mankiller has had a history of health problems.
She was diagnosed in 1980 with myasthenia gravis, a muscular disorder, and underwent a kidney transplant in 1990.
From 1985 to 1995, Mankiller was chief of the Cherokee Nation. She chose not to seek re-election last year, citing health as one of the factors behind her decision.
The College awarded Mankiller an honorary degree in 1991.
