by Jill Zuckman
In a statement from Durham, N.C., Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said he will be undergoing "targeted" brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center this morning.
True to form, Kennedy used his statement to remind people that he is backing Sen. Barack Obama for president, and hopes to continue to help Obama after his expected one-week recuperation at the hospital.
Kennedy said he would follow the surgery to remove his brain tumor with radiation and chemotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Here is Kennedy's statement:
"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."
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Comments
Who cares?
He has no compassion for his ex-wife and no regrets about Chapequi(?).
God's will be done.
Posted by: Louise Mark | June 2, 2008 7:23 AM
Dear Louise Mark "who cares?" You sound like an equally pleasant person...forgiving, compassionate, non-judgmental. May God's will be done for you as well.
Posted by: A Black Attorney | June 2, 2008 9:10 AM
How about Republican Newt Gingrich's "compassion" who served his wife with divorce papers while she was in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy? There's plenty compassion to go around in the political world. Not that Mr. Kennedy is a shining example, either.
Posted by: John | June 2, 2008 10:01 AM
Our prayers are with you, Senator Kennedy. May the Lord forgive those who cast stones.
Posted by: Carole | June 2, 2008 10:28 AM
Dear Louise Mark,
I care. God bless Ted Kennedy. May God forgive you too for your sins. Too bad you can't understand normal thinking!
Posted by: John Bridges | June 2, 2008 10:38 AM
God watch over you, Senator Kennedy and may His hand be guiding the surgeon's hand !! Get better, soon, Teddy, we need your expertise and wisdom in our Senate, and in America, today. God bless you, Senator !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 2, 2008 10:39 AM
even this old republican has compassion. I hope his surgery goes well. Bless your heart Ted.
Posted by: sweetpea | June 2, 2008 10:57 AM
God Bless you Senator and your recovery.
Posted by: Bonnie | June 2, 2008 11:03 AM
I care. I hope he defies all the odds and makes a complete recovery. In my opinion, he is one the most courageous and caring individuals in my lifetime, and he has helped many people by his work as a Senator. I hope and pray for his speedy recovery.
Posted by: Judith | June 2, 2008 11:14 AM
I am praying for you Senator Kennedy. I know you to be a very compassionate man who has done so much to help others. May the Lord Bless & keep you and your surgery be a total success!! Louise Mark that was a very cruel thing to post. I really feel sorry for you!
Posted by: Gwendolyn Ferrell | June 2, 2008 11:16 AM
Regardless of how people view his private life, Ted Kennedy has been a great advocate for the middle and lower class Americans for more than forty years.
It would be good to see him back in the Senate, even for just a short while.
Posted by: chuncha | June 2, 2008 11:18 AM
76 years old and still thinks he'll be back at the senate ? We need term limits, he is way out of touch and has been for years. I wish him all the best in his fight against cancer.
Posted by: Tony | June 2, 2008 12:11 PM
Sure Tony, term limits. Hmm, if the people voted kennedy in all these years isnt that called democracy? Not sure though.. fill me in.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | June 2, 2008 12:48 PM
Scot, Tony never said it wasn't democratic. And democracy can very well exist with term limits--after all, we have them for the presidency.
Good luck to Sen. Kennedy and good luck to the doctors at Duke.
Posted by: Michael | June 2, 2008 12:58 PM
I dont agree with presidential term limits either. If the people want their president in office again it should be allowed. period. But then again we arenot a democracy we are a republic.. If someone could explain that to me I would welcome it.
And yes, bonne chance Mr kennedy!!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | June 2, 2008 1:32 PM
Does anyone know how risky this surgery is? A few weeks back the experts were saying we had to know what type of glioma he had before being able to calculate the odds of survival. Is this type of surgery common for invasive tumors? I wish Senator Kennedy all the best and good luck with his surgery, but it would be nice to know the context of this operation. Help us all out, medical professionals.
Posted by: Jeff | June 2, 2008 2:09 PM