Her campaign says she will make a full recovery. Tuesday, her supporters and even her opponent wished her well.
After weeks of non-stop campaigning, Tuesday morning 56-year-old /*Carly Fiorina*/ headed to the hospital. Her campaign says she is currently suffering from an infection after undergoing breast cancer reconstructive surgery this summer.
In a statement, her chief of staff said: "This morning Carly came down with an infection associated with the reconstructive surgery and, as a result, she was admitted to the hospital to receive antibiotics to treat this infection. While this will impact her campaign schedule today, Carly is upbeat and her doctors expect her to make a quick and full recovery and be back out on the campaign trail soon."
The announcement came just hours before the senate hopeful was scheduled to appear in Riverside and Coachella to speak to small-business owners. Both events went on as planned, with Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Riverside) speaking on Fiorina's behalf in Riverside.
"We want Carly to get better quick and I understand she will be back on the campaign trail very soon," said Calvert.
Fiorina was first diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2009. Since then, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO has had a double mastectomy, and has undergone radiation and chemotherapy treatments. She lost her hair during the process and had a short crop when she announced her candidacy for senate last November.
Fiorina has been very open about her battle with cancer. Earlier in October, she spoke to Eyewitness News criticizing how President Obama's healthcare plan would affect future breast-cancer patients.
"The protocol that Health and Human Services has put forward in this healthcare bill for the treatment of breast cancer would deteriorate our survival rates," said Fiorina. "That's not progress, that's not helping anyone."
It has been a tight race so far for Fiorina, who's being trying to unseat Democratic incumbent Senator /*Barbara Boxer*/.
An exclusive Eyewitness News SurveyUSA poll released Tuesday shows Boxer leading Fiorina by 5 percentage points, with 7 percent voting for other candidates and 8 percent undecided.
Boxer was campaigning in San Jose Tuesday. She released a statement: "We wish Carly Fiorina a speedy recovery and hope she is able to return to her normal schedule soon."
Fiorina's campaign is not saying in which L.A.-area hospital she is receiving treatment.
Fiorina's Chief of Staff Deborah Bowker issued a statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Carly has received treatment for the infection related to the reconstructive surgery she underwent in July after her winning battle with breast cancer. The doctors tending to her care will observe her overnight and are taking every precaution to ensure that she can return to her busy campaign schedule. Carly is thankful for all of the prayers and encouragement she has received today from family, friends and supporters. She is anxious to get back on the campaign trail later this week and is very much looking forward to a victory on November 2."
