COLORWORKS STUDIO OF INTERIOR DESIGN II Honigman's Surgery Shouldn't Affect Race JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITERDETROIT A s a politician, David Honigman is more than used to dealing with ru- mors and half-truths. But he's running out of pa- tience with those reports that have him too sick to be in the Legislature. "I don't have a degenerative disease," said the senator, who underwent surgery in February to remove all but three feet of his small intestine because of the ex- traordinary number of adhesions or scarring found in his abdomen. The adhesions were twisting around and blocking his in- testines. Rumors surrounding state Sen. Honigman have ranged from colitis to cancer. One local paper reported the 37-year-old senator had kidney problems. "What's left of my intestines is healthy," he said. "Can I have a bout again? No one knows. I've had three occurrences in a row but before that, my last surgery was 13 years ago." During his February surgery, which lasted 10 hours, the West Bloomfield Republican's lung partially collapsed, and he had his gallbladder removed. "My doctor told me most peo- ple would have died in the surgery I just went through," Sen. Honigman said. "I survived because of my good attitude and physical shape." Sen. Honigman seems to be re- covering well, but the process has been slow. With his seat up for reelection, his health could be- come an issue. But the senator is confident he will be "back to nor- mal" by fall. "He is not sick and he is not ill," said Dr. Yvan Silva, who has been Sen. Honigman's doctor since the senator's childhood. Dr. Silva also said it is unlike- ly that Sen. Honigman will have future obstructions, but it is a possibility. He said he has not ad- vised Sen. Honigman to leave public office. "He can lead a normal life," Dr. Silva said. "I have always advised him to do what he wants as long as he is able. It would be wrong for a doctor to get involved as long as a person's activity is not a threat to his (the patient's) life." Sen. Honigman's surgeries and slow recovery process have kept him from attending legisla- tive sessions in Lansing. Between January and May, Sen. Honig- man attended 11 out of 51 leg- islative sessions. Last year, his attendance record was 96.4 per- cent. Reflecting on what he has been through in the past months, Sen. Honigman said he believes hardships are helpful in devel- oping character and compassion for others. "When I was in the hospital, I thought seriously about not run- ning. At that time I did not know I would recover this well. If I ever found I was too sick to do my job, I would resign," he said. If the senator were to drop out of the race before the Aug. 2 pri- mary, a write-in candidate could appear on the November ballot by receiving .15 percent of the votes in the primary. If Sen. Honigman withdraws after the August primacy, the Re- publican county committee mem- bers from his senatorial district would meet and choose a re- placement candidate. In a third scenario, if the sen- ator is reelected in November You've said we're in a class by ourselves & we thank you for the compliment! Complete interior design services from blueprint review & construction specifications, to furniture selection & custom fabrication; from windows & walls to the last scented soap... These are the services that set us apart. We're so glad you've noticed the difference. Barbi Krass • Linda Bruder • Wayne A. Bondy Jennifer Thomas • Sharon Kory allied member ASID allied member ASID The Courtyard 32500 Northwestern Highway • Farmington Hills • 851-7540 bookpeople presents Gloria Steinem signing and discussing her latest book, Moving Beyond Words - Wednesday, June 15 7:30-8:30 pm - Sen. Honigman: Expects to maintain a full schedule In the fall. and then resigns, the governor would call a special election for the open seat. "I do not want David's health to be an issue," said Vicki Bar- nett, a Democrat from Farming- ton Hills who is running unopposed in the August prima- ry. "I did not get into this race be- cause I thought I could win by default. I am running against Dave because he is not repre- senting his voters. Health is a personal matter unless you are too sick to do the job. You have to assume he knows his health bet- ter than anyone else." The senator, who plans to run a "low-budget, low-key" cam- paign, said he is not overly con- cerned about his chances for reelection because his district is primarily Republican. "A few years ago I went door- to-door but I don't think I will be able to do that this time," he said. ❑ Don't miss this Detroit area exclusive! Moving Beyond Words Signing and discussion: Wednesday, June 15, 7:30-8:30 pm In Orchard Mall • Orchard Lake Rd. at Maple • 851-9150 Installation Special $50 Off RICK WALD - Call For Details - 489•5862 (licensed and insured)