John Dingell has ‘entered new phase,’ says wife, who asks for prayers

Former Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) has “entered a new phase,” according to his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), who on Wednesday asked supporters for “prayers and privacy.”

“Friends and colleagues know me and know I would be in Washington right now unless something was up,” she tweeted. “I am home with John and we have entered a new phase. He is my love and we have been a team for nearly 40 years.”

“I will be taking each day as it comes,” she added. “We thank people for their friendship and support and ask for prayers and privacy during this difficult time.” 

I will be taking each day as it comes. We thank people for their friendship and support and ask for prayers and privacy during this difficult time.

— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell) February 6, 2019

John Dingell shared later Wednesday evening on Twitter that “after long negotiations we’ve worked out a deal where she’ll keep up with Twitter for me as I dictate the messages.”

“You’re not done with me just yet,” he quipped.

The Lovely Deborah is insisting I rest and stay off here, but after long negotiations we’ve worked out a deal where she’ll keep up with Twitter for me as I dictate the messages. I want to thank you all for your incredibly kind words and prayers. You’re not done with me just yet.

— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) February 6, 2019

Dingell, 92, who retired in early 2015 as the longest-serving member of Congress, has been in failing health.{mosads}

His wife Debbie replaced him in Michigan’s 12th District and has been serving since.

The Associated Press and Detroit News both report that Dingell recently went into hospice care.

He has reportedly been diagnosed with prostate cancer that metastasized last year and has decided not to treat it further.

In September, the former congressman suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for a week.

Updated: 5:52 p.m.