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A Minnesota man whose son fled the
state because his parents wanted to avoid court-ordered
chemotherapy said Wednesday that he has cancer but isn't ruling out
chemotherapy.


      Anthony Hauser, 55, of Sleepy Eye, told reporters at his farm
that he was diagnosed last month with a rare and aggressive form of
leukemia. For now, he is treating the disease with blood
transfusions and dietary therapies, similar to what he and his wife
first wanted for their 14-year-old son, Daniel.


      But Hauser said he isn't ruling out later chemotherapy or
radiation.


      "It's up to God, I guess, what happens, but I'm just going to
take it one day at a time, one step at a time," he said.


      His wife fled to California with Daniel early last year after a
judge ordered the boy to undergo chemotherapy for Hodgkin's
lymphoma, which his doctors said was highly curable but would
likely be fatal without treatment. His parents wanted to use
alternative therapies.


      The case made national headlines and triggered a debate over the
rights of parents to make medical decisions for their children.


      Daniel and his mother returned home after a week on the run, and
he underwent conventional treatment. He remains in remission and is
doing well with no signs of cancer, his parents said.


      His parents acknowledged Wednesday that their son benefited from
the court-ordered treatment. But they maintain that without the
strict diet they put him on - and have kept him on - the
chemotherapy and radiation might not have worked.


      Anthony Hauser said he began feeling fatigued in February and
lost about 35 pounds, but regained some weight on a diet heavy on
leafy greens and nuts, with no animal fats or sugars. The diet is
similar to his son's.


      He and his wife, Colleen Hauser, said they face severe financial
hardships because he hasn't been able to work because of his
illness, they have minimal insurance and she had their ninth child
two months ago.


      "It's hard, it's hard," she said. "Words can't describe it.
Because first now our son, now Tony himself."
      

Gallery

Father of boy in chemo controversy has cancer, too

Daniel Hauser done with chemotherapy

Daniel Hauser's parents agree to chemotherapy

Judge orders 13-year-old to undergo cancer treatments

Health

Minnesota News

Greater Minnesota

A Minnesota man whose son fled the
state because his parents wanted to avoid court-ordered
chemotherapy said Wednesday that he has cancer but isn't ruling out
chemotherapy.


Sleepy Eye family faces another cancer diagnosis

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