Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Sen. Kennedy Has Malignant Brain Tumor

For those that have made their living off of the backs of the hard working people they supposedly represent, there will be a sigh of relief to have this weight lifted from our shoulders.


Sen. Kennedy Has Malignant Brain Tumor

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , D-Mass., hospitalized Saturday after suffering a seizure at his home on Cape Cod, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Kennedy, 76, has been undergoing tests at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston since he suffered the seizure May 17.

“Some of the tests we had performed were inconclusive, particularly in light of the fact that the senator had severe narrowing of the left carotid artery and underwent surgery just 6 months ago,” said a statement issued by Dr. Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the neurology department at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy’s primary care physician.

“However, preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe. The usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy,” the statement said.

The doctors said that decisions on specific treatment for Kennedy would “be determined after further testing and analysis.”

Kennedy will remain at Mass General for several more days for the additional testing, the doctors said. “He remains in good spirits and full of energy.”

Malignant gliomas are the most common form of primary brain tumors, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The median survival rate for patients diagnosed with moderately severe forms of malignant gliomas is three to five years; for those with aggressive forms, the median survival rate is less than a year.

Kennedy, first elected in 1962 to the seat previously held by his brother, President John F. Kennedy, is the Senate’s second longest-serving member, behind Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd , D-W.Va.

News of the tumor diagnosis brought expressions of concern and prayers from his colleagues.

“Ted Kennedy has spent his life caring for those in need,” said Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin , D-Ill. “Now it’s time for those who love Ted and his family to care for them and join in prayer to give them strength.”

For a full version of this story and the latest coverage, please visit CQ Politics.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000002879563

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

While I am not a fan of Ted Kennedy, I find it heartless that anyone should breathe a sigh of relief at someone receiving the news that they have a brain tumor. He may not be a saint, but he is a fellow American and I for one, will say a prayer for him tonight. I will also say one for you that maybe you will learn what it means to be compassionate.

tom said...

I am NO fan of Ted Kennedy or his politics. Just because he is a fellow American doesn't mean I nor anyone else has to have compassion for him. There are people all over the U.S. that have much more severe problems then the Kennedy's and yet I don't see them in the mainstream media nor even being talked about. These are the people I feel compassion for.

As for being compassionate I am and I know the meaning of the word, however there are people in this universe that just don't create a blip on my compassion meter and Ted Kennedy is one of them.

Thank you for the prayer though it is very thoughtful and I'm sure it will provide some insight into my troubled soul.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you have lowered yourself to the standards that you so strongly protest against.
Senator Kennedy has his legacy to deal with and the "sigh of relief" comment is the legacy you leave.
True compassion does not know race,sex,age or social status. It does not gloat on others misfortunes. I clicked on this site because I thought I had misunderstood what was said. I understand very clearly and I won't make the same mistake again.

tom said...

Unlike others I won't sugar coat my beliefs or comments. The only people who will truly miss Mr. Kennedy are those that are government addicted and those that work with him. To the average American his passing is nothing more than another person dying.
For some reason because he is an elected official he deserves "preference" treatment from the media and the citizens of this country.
I think NOT !!!!! Ask yourself this question, besides your close friends and loved ones who is really going to miss you when you pass on ?? Are you going to receive national attention ?? He is NO more news worthy of national attention then I, except he was able to allow a person to die in his car while he tried to save his political career, and we know how that worked out.