Sen. Kennedy out of 'successful' brain surgeryBy MIKE BAKER
Associated Press Writer
Monday, June 2, 2008
DURHAM, N.C. — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is out of surgery at Duke University, and his doctor says a procedure to treat his cancerous brain tumor “was successful and accomplished our goals.” The 76-year-old senator now faces chemotherapy and radiation to treat the malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain tumor. Kennedy surgeon Dr. Allan Friedman says Monday his patient was awake during the 3 1/2-hour procedure, and should experience no permanent neurological effects from the surgery. A spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Democrat says Kennedy spoke with his wife, Vicki, right after surgery. He told her: “I feel like a million bucks. I think I’ll do that again tomorrow.” Statement of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy: I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness. Over the past several days, Vicki and I, along with my outstanding team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, have consulted with experts from around the country and have decided that the best course of action for my brain tumor is targeted surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation. This morning, I will be undergoing surgery with Dr. Allan Friedman at Duke University Medical Center and expect to remain there to recuperate for approximately one week. Shortly thereafter, I will start radiation treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital and begin chemotherapy. After completing treatment, I look forward to returning to the United States Senate and to doing everything I can to help elect Barack Obama as our next president. Statement of Dr. Allan Freidman, who performed brain surgery on Kennedy at Duke University: I am pleased to report that Senator Kennedy’s surgery was successful and accomplished our goals. Senator Kennedy was awake during the resection, and should therefore experience no permanent neurological affects from the surgery. The surgery lasted roughly three and a half hours and is just the first step in Senator Kennedy’s treatment plan. After a brief recuperation, he will begin targeted radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital and chemotherapy treatment. I hope that everyone will join us in praying for Senator Kennedy to have an uneventful and robust recovery. -- Associated Press reporter Glen Johnson contributed to this report from Boston, AP Writer Andrew Miga contributed from Washington and AP Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione contributed from Chicago. |
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Comments
This article has 23 comment(s)
Posted by ColdBeer on June 2, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While I hope he has a full and speedy recovery, I also hope this takes him out of politics for good.
Posted by Harpo on June 2, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The aftermath of such surgery almost guarantees it. He'll
probably be a little like Pat Brady after this.
Posted by wpc3iop on June 2, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure the Kopekne family wishes him well...
Posted by elisabetta on June 2, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares that some stupid politician is sick.
What has Kennedy done to help all the starving children in this world? What has he done to prevent genocide in North Korean concentration camps?
What has he done to help human slavery that is still going on around the world? Or children sold into prostitution?
Politicians are worthless.
ANARCHY!
Posted by MichaelsAdvocate on June 2, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Senator Kennedy, we wish you a very speedy recovery -- and now have insight into what may have influenced that bad 'ol endorsement of BHO ;)
.................
...I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future....
Saint Teresa of Avila
Posted by CaptPete on June 2, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He went to the best brain sugery place in the world.
Posted by willbillbedamned on June 2, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Kennedy family has a history of service to this country. The oldest brother was killed in WW2. Jack and Bobby assassinated. Ted Kennedy has served honorably for well over 40 years. You may not agree with his politics but look around and see who matches their record of sacrifice and service.
Posted by CedarPosts on June 2, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wpc - she was an only child and both parent are also deceased. So I doubt they care.
elisabetta - Ted and the Kennedy family are major contributors to Save the Children, and Franklin Graham's Samaritans Purse. Senator Kennedy's unwavering support of the UN, and continued support for US funding of UNICEF should count for something as well.
Senator Kennedy has long supported normalization of relations with North Korea and most importantly he has done what a senator from Massachusetts should do and that is fight for federal dollars to eliminate poverty in his home state.
Harpo - unless someone bumps the surgeon's elbow, I'm sure he'll have 99% of his motor skills.
But the truth is the type of cancer the that Senator has is a death sentence, this is may buy some time, but it won't be long and there will be a state funeral on national television.
Posted by ColdBeer on June 2, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, I hope he recovers quickly and fully, but as a man, he's trash. His entire adult life exists solely because a bunch of people were duped by his brothers when they were young a charismatic. He owes his political career to his two brothers. He certainly hasn't done anything to garner praise. If anything, all he has done is tarnish what good name the family did have with some gullible people. The Kennedy political family has lasted well past its prime.
Posted by KidYendor on June 2, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He could have undid the damage done by the liberal philosophies of the Johnson years but instead he embraced them. He is a liberal's role model.
Posted by Chilldiesel83 on June 2, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Politician he is, good or bad is besides the point. Whatever difference in political views one might have with him or anyone else should not overshadow the fact that he is still a person and a human being. I wish him well and that he fully recovers.
Posted by ColdBeer on June 2, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Chilldiesel83. I made it a point to state that I hope he has a complete recovery.
Posted by greyrider on June 2, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Kennedys have certainly done a lot of good, but Ted is by far the worst of the clan. I've never met the man so I can't say for sure, but from watching him the last few decades, he strikes me as one of the most hate-filled men in America. He's always bashing or attacking someone and not exactly in a constructive manner. Who knows what the problem is, maybe he never forgave himself for the Mary Jo incident. I hope he does a lot of soul-searching during his recovery. It's never too late to turn your life around, but Ted's running out of time.
Posted by BKLYNIRISH on June 2, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by CedarPosts on June 2, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Senator Kennedy's unwavering support of the UN..."
[sarcasm on] ...because the UN does such a fine job of supporting the US...[sarcasm off]
I wish him all the best healthwise, but it is time for his political reign to end.
Posted by beth1070 on June 2, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Kennedy family has suffered a great deal of tragedy over the last 60+ years, more than any family should have to suffer. But I must say that I will not be sorry to see Sen Kennedy's political career come to an end. I hope that he will choose to spend his remaining days with his family rather than in the senate.
Posted by raregar67 on June 2, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mary Jo: But Ted, what if I'm pregnant?
Ted: Don't worry, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I hope God shows him the same mercy he showed that young lady in 1969, no more; no less.
Posted by YankeeLady on June 2, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You all are so eager to bash the Kennedy name when you kept some racist like Strom Thurmond propped up in office for decades. Yeah, I know, you'll look at my user name and tell me to go back to where I came from, but at the very least don't wish ill to a sick man.
Posted by greyrider on June 2, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't wish Ted ill, I hope he repents, and God forgives him for everything he's done. As for Strom being a racist, he obviously didn't hate black women! Seriously though, a lot of people from that era were labelled racist because they opposed the forced busing to desegregate the schools. (Once you're labelled a "racist" that is one of the hardest labels to get rid of) Personally, if I had been around then, I would have opposed it also. Yes, there were major problems with race relations then, but you don't use children as political pawns to solve problems in adult society.
Posted by raregar67 on June 2, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yankeelady...I'm a yankee transplant and I will remind you how he wished ill on a drowning woman on that warm July night, failing to report it for 8 hours! In God's perfect world, nothing happens by accident.
Posted by MooMoo on June 2, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Raregar, Cold Beer, Greyrider:
Dead on!
Posted by whome on June 2, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On a somewhat related topic, when Barack Obama says that Americans, if they want it, would get the same health care that he, as a Senator, gets would that mean that we could all go to Duke Medical for brain surgery?
Posted by beth1070 on June 2, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh GAWD! Please don't buy into that whole universal healthcare crap. If you want to know what it's all about just ask any Canadian and they will tell you what a nightmare it is.
Posted by dr_fed on June 3, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
political philosophy or bents should not apply at all to this story or issue. I wish him a speedy recovery.