N.J. Sen. Diane Allen returns to the Statehouse after battle with cancer

TRENTON — After a six-month absence to treat an aggressive form of oral cancer, state Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) returned to work in Trenton today. “It feels wonderful. I’ve stayed home to gather the energy so I could do this, and here I am,” said Allen. Allen tried to slip in unnoticed to the joint meeting of the Senate...

Noah Addis/For The Star-LedgerState Sen. Diane Allen poses for a portrait in her office in Burlington on Thursday. Allen, who was diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment, returned to the legislature today.
TRENTON — After a six-month absence to treat an aggressive form of oral cancer, state Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) returned to work in Trenton today.

“It feels wonderful. I’ve stayed home to gather the energy so I could do this, and here I am,” said Allen.

Allen tried to slip in unnoticed to the joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly health committees this afternoon, walking in about 10 minutes late and quietly taking her seat. “I really am not looking to make a wave,” she said.

But it was no use. State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), who co-chaired the meeting, paused to welcome Allen back, drawing applause from the audience. State Sen. Robert Singer (R-Ocean) got up to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

In October, Allen, 62, found out an annoying sore spot on her tongue she had ignored for months turned out to be a life-threatening, advanced stage cancer. At first, her prognosis was troubling.

“Half the people who get it die, and about half the people who get it once get it again,” she said.

Allen underwent surgery in November followed by radiation therapy and experimental laser treatments. She still has one surgery scheduled for either June or July. And while Allen’s medical ordeal is not over yet, the treatment has been successful so far.

“At this point I believe it’s manageable. And I may never have it again because half the people have no reoccurrence. But even if not, I know I’m going to survive it,” she said.

For now, Allen is trying to catch up on her legislative work. Last week, she attended her first public event since her surgery at a Women’s Legislative Caucus meeting.

Thursday, she met with constituent groups at her Burlington legislative office. Next week, she has meetings scheduled with Richard Bagger, chief of staff for Gov. Chris Christie, and state Education Commissioner Bret Schundler.

“I have appointments to have people bring me up to speed on things,” she said. “I feel like I’m not there yet.”