Former Rep. Gary Glenn’s cancer no longer in remission, treatment ended

Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, Monday issued a statement asking prayers for her husband of 38 years, former state Rep. Gary Glenn, whose stage 4 prostate cancer is now active again, according to blood tests.

“Throughout his over five-year fight with cancer, Gary has been strengthened and sustained by the prayers of our community,” Rep. Glenn said, “and he doesn’t want to face the battle again without the support of all those we know will join us in prayer if they’re aware of the need. And those prayers for the healing power of Jesus’ name are needed again, now more than ever.”

As first reported by the Midland Daily News in January 2016, Gary Glenn was first diagnosed that month with stage 4 cancer, a week after he was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by a state Capitol news service as he completed his first year in the state House of Representatives representing the 98th House District, comprised of portions of Bay and Midland counties. Gary served two two-year terms in the House, maintaining a perfect attendance and voting record even while undergoing chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

When first discovered, the cancer had already destroyed his L-5 vertebrae, which a neurosurgeon said would require surgery to replace the vertebrae with a titanium cage. However, Gary immediately went into remission in response to radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy, and his L-5 vertebrae regenerated or “calcified,” making the surgery unnecessary.

His first remission ended two years later, when the cancer began spreading again in the spring of 2018. After receiving immunotherapy and radiation and starting oral chemotherapy that summer, the cancer went back into remission for another almost three years.

However, Gary’s PSA score, a blood test to detect cancer activity in the bloodstream, has steadily increased in recent months, and cancer doctors at the University of Michigan two weeks ago ended the oral chemotherapy, since it was no longer working to suppress the disease.

As a result, for the first time since his initial diagnosis, Gary is not taking any drug proven to block cancer growth. UM doctors said they may be able to enroll him in a trial scheduled this fall of a “breakthrough” treatment that, in previous testing in Europe, has extended life by an average of four months.

“Regardless of the medical treatments available, Gary has known all along that his ultimate hope is in the healing power of Jesus Christ, and he has no less faith in that now,” said Rep. Annette Glenn. “We ask all our friends and constituents in Bay and Midland counties, and beyond, to join us again in praying for Gary’s health, but also that he have the strength to continue to be a good example and witness no matter what may come.”

Annette was first elected in 2018, succeeding Gary in the state House, and is serving her second term. She serves as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.