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County Councilman Don Praisner has been diagnosed with colon cancer and will undergo surgery next week.

Praisner (D-Dist. 4) of Calverton was admitted to Suburban Hospital last weekend for tests related to ongoing stomach discomfort. He then was transferred to the intensive care unit of the Bethesda hospital for further tests.

"[The cancer] is treatable, and we'll know more when [the doctors] get in," Joy Nurmi, Praisner's aide, said Friday.

Nurmi estimated that Praisner would be hospitalized about a week.

"I was with him at the hospital this morning, and he's in good spirits," Nurmi said. "He has already talked with [his scheduler] to set up meetings for when he gets out."

Praisner missed last week's council meeting due to the unknown illness. The stomach problems caused weight loss and a decreased appetite, Nurmi said last week.

Prior to going to the hospital, Praisner had been feeling ill "on and off" for a few weeks, his daughter Alison Klumpp told the Gazette earlier this week.

Visitors are limited to family and Praisner's staff members, according to a county statement. Praisner can receive cards, but flowers are not permitted in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Praisner took office May 27, taking over the seat of his late wife, longtime Councilwoman Marilyn Praisner. Don Praisner defeated a group of Democratic challengers, including school board member Nancy Navarro in a special primary election, and then Republican Mark Fennel in the general election.

Praisner ran for office with the support of County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and four council members. As part of his campaign platform, he vowed to uphold the tenets of his wife on smart growth and financial prudence. He also promised to stay in office just long enough to finish out Marilyn's term, which expires in December 2010. He said being a council member was more of a young person's job.

Klumpp is considering running for the District 4 seat after her father steps down.