Longmont Mayor Bryan Baum is taking a medical leave from his duties to be treated for kidney cancer.
Baum, 52, said Friday he will not undergo any chemotherapy or radiation therapy because the 6-inch tumor on one of his kidneys is self-contained.
Doctors at Longmont United Hospital on Tuesday will take out the tumor, the kidney it is attached to, and one of his ribs.
He expects to be cancer-free following the surgery.
“I have this big old monster inside of me, and we are going to get rid of it,” Baum said. “I will come back with a much smaller waist; that’s one of the upsides to this.”
Baum said he noticed blood in his urine nearly two weeks ago and decided to get checked out late last week. Soon enough, he was told he had cancer.
“I just got back from Chino, Japan (Longmont’s sister city), and I thought maybe I had picked up parasites or something,” Baum said. “No, I found out I had something a little more serious.”
Baum said he was stunned by how quickly doctors have responded. “There is already a team of doctors working on this, and I am so grateful for them.”
City officials say Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Santos will take over Baum’s duties while he’s out. Baum said he expects to return to work in about a month.
Baum has another obligation he must see to, however: His 7-year-old son wants to take Baum’s rib to school to show his buddies.
“That’s his top priority right now,” Baum said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
