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By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Staff WriterBarbara Pariente had breast cancer surgery in June, a Florida Supreme Court spokesman says.
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente is undergoing chemotherapy treatment following breast cancer surgery in June, a court spokesman said Wednesday.
Pariente, who was diagnosed in March, underwent a double mastectomy, court spokesman Craig Waters said. He said Pariente's spirits are good and she has continued to participate in arguments and case conferences, but the chemotherapy may sap her strength and force her to rest more often.
"Doctors say her prognosis is excellent," Waters said. "She has elected to undergo a more aggressive form of therapy to make sure there is no recurrence."
Waters said Pariente's office is adjacent to Justice Raoul Cantero's, and they frequently engage in a lighthearted exchange of ethnic humor and trade gifts. Waters said Pariente, who is Jewish, especially enjoyed the gift of a guayabera shirt from Cantero, who is Hispanic.
Waters said the justice also appreciated many get-well messages from throughout legal and government circles, including from Gov. Jeb Bush and legislative leaders."She has been as lively and spirited as I've ever seen her," Waters said.
Pariente, 54, is the second woman appointed to Florida's highest court. She was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles in December 1997.
Her husband, Fred Hazouri, is a judge on the 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach. They have three children and six grandchildren.
The seven-member Florida Supreme Court is in its traditional summer recess. The justices are scheduled to return to work the last week of August.