Sen. Kennedy Diagnosed with Brain Tumor

By: TheGreenMiles
Published On: 5/20/2008 2:00:58 PM

Just saw this distressing news:

BOSTON -- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor, according to his doctors.

Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat said tests conducted after Kennedy suffered a seizure this weekend show a tumor in his left parietal lobe. His treatment will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy.

The senator, 76, has been hospitalized in Boston since Saturday, when he was airlifted from Cape Cod after a seizure at his home.

The Green Miles grew up in Massachusetts during the Reagan/Bush era when "liberal" had become a dirty word. Sen. Kennedy was one of the few politicians who didn't try to change to fit the fashion, never wavering from his values. More than his peaks (endorsing Obama, "Where Was George?") and valleys (losing the 1980 presidential nomination), that will be his enduring legacy for me - fighting for liberal values no matter what the political climate. What about you?


Comments



Very sad news indeed (Shawn - 5/20/2008 2:09:00 PM)
This is indeed very sad news about Senator Kennedy, but let's all hope and pray for the best.

From Political Animal:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008
BREAKING: Ted Kennedy has brain tumor
Per MSNBC, he has a brain tumor. No word on whether it's benign or malignant at this point.

UPDATE: Statement from neurologist:

He has had no further seizures. Some tests were inconclusive. However, preliminary results show a MALIGNANT tumor. Radiation and chemo are the common treatments. Decisions will be made after further analysis on the treatment.

Per an MSNBC analyst, this is the worst kind of tumor to have. With brain surgery, of course, you have to be aware that speech and movement can be affected.


Kennedy's legacy for me (Lowell - 5/20/2008 2:22:36 PM)
is of a great man and a fighter for human rights, civil rights, women's rights, universal health care, the environment, pretty much everything I care about.  Of course, he is also the brother of JFK and RFK, and as such has carried the Kennedy flame brilliantly for the past 40 years.  I deeply hope that the doctors are able to help him...


very sad indeed.. (lgb30856 - 5/20/2008 2:31:43 PM)
a great American.


This is terrible news (DanG - 5/20/2008 2:42:53 PM)
But certainly don't write the good Senator off.  Keep him in your prayers, and let's all (as a nation) show him that he has the support to put up the good fight!


Last of a breed I'm afraid (AnOrangeDem - 5/20/2008 2:54:17 PM)
Was thinking about him on Saturday--before I had heard about the seizures--driving through Charlottesville. Was graduation weekend at the University.

Back in the ice age when I graduated he was the Saturday speaker for the honors ceremony on the Lawn. By far the most impressive political speaker I've ever seen. By end of his speech, he had the crowd so fired up by his vision of social justice a virtual mob of 50 to 100 surrounded him and they all moved together back up the Lawn toward the Rotunda. Was like a giant fast moving circle. Hard to describe but an indelible memory.



DNC statement by Howard Dean (Lowell - 5/20/2008 3:03:44 PM)
Senator Kennedy is a true American hero and a leader in the Democratic Party, having spent a lifetime standing up for the values of fairness, justice and equality. On behalf of the Democratic Party, we extend our prayers and well wishes to Senator Kennedy, his wife Vicky, and the entire Kennedy family.


Reaction (TheGreenMiles - 5/20/2008 3:23:15 PM)
CNN says the news was greeted by "stunned silence" among Senate colleagues. The Green Mom reports Sens. Byrd & Dodd broke down while speaking about it on the Senate floor.


Byrd took the news especially hard (Will Write For Food - 5/21/2008 4:44:45 AM)


Statement by Barack Obama (Lowell - 5/20/2008 6:45:04 PM)
"Michelle and I were saddened to hear the news about Senator Kennedy's condition today, and we plan on doing whatever we can to support him, Vicki, and the entire Kennedy family during this time.  Senator Kennedy has been a fighter for his entire life, and I have no doubt that he will fight as hard as he can to get through this.  He has been there for the American people during some of our country's most trying moments, and now that he's facing his own, I ask all Americans to keep him in our thoughts and prayers," said Barack Obama.