Ward One Councilmember H. Edwards Ricks has announced his scheduled Left Laparoscopic Nephrectomy to remove a cancerous lesion on his left kidney has been postponed until early June.  It remains scheduled to be done at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore.  A hospital stay is anticipated for several days.

Originally scheduled for mid-May, Councilmember Ricks’ doctor and surgical team deemed it best to wait until additional pre-surgery tests could be completed and evaluated.  Although anxious to have the surgery done and over with, Councilmember Ricks agreed with his medical team that approaching his surgery with the utmost of care and caution is in his best interests.

Councilmember Ricks expressed his great appreciation for the calls, cards, and visits of those wishing him well through this health event.  He thanks everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers to support him through this.  He said he is looking forward to being on the other side of this with the quick return to good health, and his position as a Laurel City Councilmember.

Councilmember Ricks proceeded well through the dry run and now looks forward to early June to have the surgery.  He continues to encourage everyone to establish a routine health examination regimen and regular medical checkups. He said good health care starts with each one of us.

Councilmember Ricks will work from home and his plans to be in touch regularly with Mayor Moe, his Council colleagues, and the Clerk’s Office are in place.  He expects his absence from City Hall will be minimal; and he will actively serve the Citizens of the City of Laurel through his recovery.