Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson announced Monday evening to city staff that he was recently diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and would be taking some time away from city events for treatment.

Johnson told staff in an e-mail sent to all city employees. He was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It is the most common of the four main types of leukemia and is highly treatable; survival rates of the disease are around 90 percent.

In his e-mail, Johnson said he was diagnosed six weeks ago and was taking oral medication until March 23 when doctors discovered some cancer cells, at which time he was admitted to the University of Washington Medical Center for treatment.

He was expected to return home Wednesday.

Johnson said doctors are happy with his progress and he is feeling better, but will be prone to infection due to treatment and will have to remain out of the public.

He also said he has no intention of resigning as mayor and hopes to return to council meetings in a couple of weeks. Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman will run meetings in his absence.

“We have a strong management team at the the city, along with a great city council,” Johnson said in his e-mail. “I am confident that I will have a full recovery and be able to get back to living a normal life before long.”

City Administrator Don Morrison said the day-to-day operation of the city would not vhange.

“The position of mayor is part-time and Mayor Johnson has a full-time job in Kent. I have always been in daily contact with the mayor seeking his input and direction on the administration of city business. This will not change,” Morrison said.

“Knowing Neil,” he added, “I expect him back in the thick of things before long.”