Kennedy Back Home After Grim Diagnosis

Mass. Senator Released From Hospital Day After Brain Cancer Detected

(CBS/AP)  Ted Kennedy walked out of Massachusetts General Hospital at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Wearing a patch on his head, where doctors took a biopsy of his tumor, and a smile on his face, he waved to the crowd, reports CBS News National Correspondent Jeff Glor.

First scheduled to be hospitalized through Thursday, Kennedy pushed to leave sooner, and got his wish. With his family, and his dogs, it was off to the Kennedy Compound on Cape Cod.

"I'm doing good! I'm doing just fine," Kennedy told the crowd that had gathered to wish him well.

The senior senator from Massachusetts was also with the dogs five days ago, when the seizures began, leading doctors to diagnose what's called a malignant glioma, a tumor that doctors say usually grows very quickly, and is almost always fatal within five years.

On the grounds of the compound, he walked arm in arm with his wife Vicki. And, he wasted little time getting in his boat, for a sailing trip this afternoon.

In good times and bad, this is where Kennedys retreat. JFK once said it's the only place he could truly be alone.

"The Cape is a very special place for Senator Kennedy and his family and they're drawn here just as his brother was so many years ago," Rebecca Pierce of the JFK Museum in nearby Hyannis told Glor.

Visitors stopped at the family museum to sign a book of well-wishes.

"I've watched these boys," said Renee Goodman, who was visiting from Maine. "I'm 62 years old. I went thru a presidency. And I watched one brother go. I watched another brother go. And I'm not ready to see him go."

The Kennedys say the current family patriarch is determined to fight, with no plans to retire.

For a family that's been through what seems like too many wrenching experiences to count, it's another fight they'll face with the world watching.

Doctors announced Kennedy "has recovered remarkably quickly" from the brain biopsy. They said he will recuperate at his home over the weekend while awaiting further test results that will help determine his treatment plan.

"He's feeling well and eager to get started," said Dr. Lee Schwamm, a top neurologist at Massachusetts General, and Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy's primary care physician.

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay explained on The Early Show that malignant gliomas are among the fastest growing types of cancer.

"There are cases where people have had MRIs for unrelated problems - totally clear. Just a few months later they reappear with some sort of neurological symptom and sure enough, a very large tumor is found," Senay said. That's how quickly they grow. They grow over weeks and months, not years, like we often think of most cancers."

Although the condition is serious, it's not necessarily a death sentence, according to two brain cancer survivors who appeared on The Early Show Wednesday.

"Don't write yourself off," said Dr. Bernadine Healy, an editor at US News & World Report and author of "Living Time: Faith and Facts to Transform Your Cancer Journey."

Healy told The Early Show: "I had surgery (when she was diagnosed 10 years ago), and then I also had chemotherapy, and at that time, chemotherapy was very unusual because the feeling was it never penetrated the brain. But one of the drugs I had was brand new at the time, and undoubtedly, it's one of the drugs that Sen. Kennedy will receive regardless of which type of glioma he has.

"The key thing is that we must realize that averages - what happens to one person doesn't dictate what happens to another, and let's be optimistic for the senator. I certainly am."

In an e-mail Tuesday, Vicki Kennedy told friends the grim diagnosis was "a real curveball" that left the family stunned even as Kennedy joked and laughed with them. She expressed pride in how her husband was handling the news.

"Teddy is leading us all, as usual, with his calm approach to getting the best information possible," she wrote in an e-mail Tuesday to friends.

"He's also making me crazy (and making me laugh) by pushing to race in the Figawi this weekend," she wrote, referring to the annual sailing race from Cape Cod to Nantucket.

The diagnosis cast a pall over Capitol Hill, where the Massachusetts Democrat has served since 1962.

Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving member of the Senate, wept as he prayed for "my dear, dear friend, dear friend, Ted Kennedy" during a speech on the Senate floor.

"Keep Ted here for us and for America," said the 90-year-old Byrd, who is in a wheelchair. He added: "Ted, Ted, my dear friend, I love you and I miss you."

In a statement, President George W. Bush saluted Kennedy as "a man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength and powerful spirit." He added: "We join our fellow Americans in praying for his full recovery."

Kennedy has been active for his age, maintaining an aggressive schedule on Capitol Hill and across Massachusetts. He has made several campaign appearances for Sen. Barack Obama.

"He fights for what he thinks is right. And we want to make sure that he's fighting this illness," Obama said Tuesday. "And it's our job now to support him in the way that he has supported us for so many years."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said: "Ted Kennedy's courage and resolve are unmatched, and they have made him one of the greatest legislators in Senate history. Our thoughts are with him and Vicki and we are praying for a quick and full recovery."

One of Kennedy's close friends and colleagues, Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., told The Early Show that Kennedy would fight back against his cancer.

"He is still very much with us here. This idea that we're sort of engaging in a funereal kind of process here is something he is finding somewhat amusing," Dodd said. "He knows what he is facing here. He has been through an awful lot over his life."

Kennedy has left his stamp on a raft of health care, pension and immigration legislation during four decades in the Senate. In 1980, Kennedy unsuccessfully challenged Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Kennedy family has been struck by tragedy over and over. Kennedy's eldest brother, Joseph, died in a World War II plane crash; President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963; and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968.

Ted Kennedy shocked the nation in 1969 when he drove his car off a bridge to Massachusetts' Chappaquiddick Island and a young female campaign worker drowned. Kennedy, who did not call authorities until the next day, pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and received a suspended two-month jail sentence.

Kennedy, the Senate's second-longest serving member, was re-elected in 2006 and is not up for election again until 2012. Were he to resign or die in office, state law requires a special election for the seat 145 to 160 days afterward.

[slim1h2o]

When it comes to health matters, I wouldn''t wish any ill health on any one. It''s too bad that people have to get sick and die. Thats a fact of life, Ironically.

But at 76, he''s had fairly long life. Most working poor won''t make that far. A lot of middle class men doesn''t make it that far, either. More do than poor men do.

Longevity wise,,he''s had a decent life, and growing up rich didn''t hurt either. He''s had a better life than most of us. We could only dream of his circumstances.

Good Bye Ted,,R.I.P

[slim1h2o]

The last line was in reference to his political career, and his influence, only. I know he has not died yet.

[freckster]

Ted, race in the Figawi this weekend and kick some a$$.

[skyk-2009]

I wish the Senator and his Family the very best in their fight with this terrible Illness. My Father, Mother and brother all have falled to Cancer. Watching yet another of the Kennedy Family having to face yet another fight like this is sad.

[armydog2]

He might be wealthy but unfortunately money can''t buy you good health.I hope and pray he can recover from this devastating illness. His family has certainly suffered heavy losses in his lifetime.He is a fighter and hopefully he will overcome this.

[jjarden]

Yeah, He really should be felt sorry for, after all, he killed a girl 40 years ago and his fathers wealth and influence kept his a$$ OUT of jail...not a thing happedn to him when the rest of us would have been charged and convicted of Manslaughter. What a bunch of Fake Actors with their "tears" in the Senate for this boy of privilidge...Where were the tears for Mary Jo Kopekne 40 years ago when she died at the hands of this scumbag. He should have gotten brain cancer 39 years ago and then justice would have been served. Let''s hope he goes quickly to RID the country of the Kennedy "Dynasty"...what a joke.

[hadenufff]

Yeah good ole Teddy had a good life. He''s filthy rich and 76 years old. Too bad Mary Jo didn''t make it past her 20''s, yep too bad, huh?

[sgtrds-e4]

Nothing but the best Ted, nothing but the best!

[jetlizhan]

past errors you say, az97202? past ''errors''? being responsible for a young woman''s death and then not even reporting it until a day or so later is not in my book an ''error'' - it''s saving your selfish, egotistical as.s, which ted did. he only rec''d a 2 month suspended jail sentence, which is ridiculous and the light slap on the hand was only because he''s a kennedy. although i hope he beats the cancer and continues to live his good life with his family - bet mary jo''s smiling.

[sgtrds-e4]

Why do some IDIOTS have to bring up the past errors.
Of course we should all be happy for them, that they never made any mistakes, (or so they claim). Liars, the lot of them. I have made mistakes, and they have also, even though they will not admit it........Doug

Posted by az97202 at 08:31 AM : May 21, 2008

Like most republicans they''re professionally jealous. All day yesterday all of the major news outlets played a nearly never ending tribute to this great man. Yet they know they won''t ever get to hear the same type of admiration and affection extended to Bush or Cheney when it comes to their time, so they fling garbage around like jealous little children. Oh sure they point to that terrible accident years ago as an excuse, but none of them really give a da*mn about Mary Jo beyond using her to throw trash on Ted.

All the best Ted.

[amazedd]

I wish people would quit saying Kennedy has to fight his tumor. You can''t fight a sickness, you have to nurse it. To do so one must be strong, strong as in eating your vegetables. And strong to be immune to the gloom that accompanies such predicaments.
The only way one can be helpful is to succeed in getting one''s immune system to eliminate the defective cells. To do so they have to be recognized, first and eaten up after. Tai-chi, like.

[irliberal]

Hang in there Ted! You''re a great senator and the majority of the US public knows that.

Other than some nasty, bitter republicons, I see a lot of great comments here.

[dukedodge]

I''ve never been a Kennedy fan, but I hope and pray for Sen. Kennedy''s recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Get well! I hope to see you agitating us Republicans again soon.

[boston1954]

I do not like the thought of ANYONE having to endure cancer. Fight on Teddy. I am praying for remission.

[dukedodge]

Hey fellow "Republicans", it''s time to live by those priciples we supposedly beleive in. Like empathy and compassion. I don''t like Sen. Kennedy''s politics, but as a human being it deeply saddens me to see anyone with this horrible disease.

[blondbeotch]

You LIBS seem to forgot all the nasty, hateful comments you have made about Bush and Cheney, huh??
You hope Bush is assasinated?? You hope Cheney has a heart attack?? I didn''t hear any objections then---Now we are supposed to be compassionate??? I don''t think so--It''s about time Kennedy got out of the Senate--one way or the other

[whatsup49]

once again, it''s sad to see people who can show no compassion for a fellow human. we''ve all made mistakes, but still, we all deserve compassion and respect. shame on those of you who can''t show compassion whether or not you like the man. we shouldn''t be judging this man, in the end, God will judge him, and all of us. those of you who show nothing but contempt, anger and hate will have to answer to a higher being just like sen. kennedy. i will keep him in my prayers . . .

[msay3]

blondbeotch: Ummmm are you one of those blondes who call Onstar because you locked yourself in your car?

[bigboy1069]

Why do we continue to celebrate this family? They are without a doubt one of the most corrupt and morally bankrupt families ever starting with old man Joe Kennedy and going right on through his sons and grandsons. Does the word Chappaquiddick ring any bells? Karma is a b i t c h.

[blondbeotch]

whatsup49 9:27 Where was all of your compassion and respect when Cheney had heart problems??? I read many, many nasty posts saying they hope he dies---now that it''s your guy, we''re supposed to have compassion? You LIBS have such a double standard--makes me sick!!

[bigboy1069]

May Mary Jo Kopechne rest in peace. Kennedy is finally reaping the fruits of his corrupt life. Kennedy hasn''t made "mistakes" as some so eloquently put it, he has committed murder, adultrey, and only God know what else.

[blondbeotch]

msay3---can''t you do better than that???

[blondbeotch]

smt1013 9:34 I have always wondered the same thing--what is so wonderful about that family---they have been crooks, rapists and murderers since their fathers days, yet the LIBBS just praise and celebrate them

[irliberal]

blondbeotch: Ummmm are you one of those blondes who call Onstar because you locked yourself in your car?

Posted by msay3 at 09:33 AM

LOL. Probably. And his ford festiva isn''t even equipped with it.

[blondbeotch]

prometheus41 9:38 For God''s sake---get some new talking points----those are getting sooo old!!!

[perceptions5]

Well I hope Ted finds some good treatment facilities.

According to Michael Moore he should probably go seek treatment in Cuba.

Other liberals are saying Canada or Europe..............but stay away from the "private" health care system in America.

Now, doesn''t all that "old propaganda" from the libs look at a big lie right now?

Of course America has the best health care in the world the problem is that "vampire trial lawyers" are overfeeding on our system with lawsuits that drive up the cost of insurance for all and makes the cost too high for 45 million Americans.

[whatsup49]

blondbeotch: i never wished cheney or any other person dead. and i''m sorry others have. but unfortunately, so many people have to belittle themselves and respond in such childish ways. double standards? not me. but it seems you have the double standard. rather than showing compassion, you''re blasting people . . . why not turn the other cheek? if more people would stop blasting each other on these pages, we might learn something from one another.

[blondbeotch]

whatsup49----talk to your own party about double standards and compassion---they are the worst---as far as "turning the other cheek"? The Repubs do that way to much as far as I''m concerned--They need to fight dirty like your party does--Good for you if you don''t fit my description-maybe you are a good LIB--they are few and far between--

[whatsup49]

blondbeotch: and i see you''re like most repubs that i know . . . can''t see beyond your nose and don''t care about anyone else but yourself. maybe if YOU took the first step others might follow and we could have compassion and respect all the way around. it''s highly doubtful, but one can dream

[blondbeotch]

prometheus41--LOL you really are a MORON!!!

[whatsup49]

oh, and blondbeotch, your name says it all...i pity the woman who describes herself as you do

[blondbeotch]

whatsup49 9:52---Jezzzz-you have it completely bass- akwards--you are describing your own party!!! You are the one that can''t seee your nose---sad

[cattlekate]

Posted by perceptions5 at 09:42 AM : May 21, 2008

You are ill-informed. Kennedy not only has his socialized Medicare, he also has his federal employee policy, which has cheap rates due to its large pooling of risks.

Obama supports opening up federal policies to all, and steering us away from the "your''re on your own" risk system Bush, McCain, and their ilk support.

[dotindixie]

I have little sympathy for Ted Kennedy. His scumbag family has been a shadow over this nation for most of my life.
Every last one of them have lived like they were above the rules......but, duh, they forget about God''s rules.
He''ll go to the Mayo Clinic, if he''s smart. But, like all the rest of us, he will die in due time no matter what he does.

God Bless America

[whatsup49]

blondbeotch: you''re wasting valuable space . . . too bad there''s not an ignore button here . . .

[blondbeotch]

whatsup 9:55 WAH, you really hurt me---LOL--man, you Libs can dish it out, but sure can''t take it can you--poor babies!! And yes, my name describes me to a T---and proud of it---anything else???

[blondbeotch]

whatsup49--LOL You wish!!! A typical LIBB---you are the only ones who should have a say---NOT!!!!

[whatsup49]

blondbiotch: you''re not worthy of any more of my time. when you have something insightful and intelligent to say . . . oh wait, that won''t happen because you''re neither insightful nor intelligent.

[speakinup]

May his demise be peaceful.

He will be judged by the only one that matters.

[excoachken]

Ted Kennedy has had his "issues", as we all have, but his personal life IS "his personal life," and as a Senator he was a giant! Although born into great wealth, he has done more for those with the least. I believe, in this respect, he is much more of a "Christian" than many of those who have posted exaggerations of his mistakes and lies about his life on this site. Regardless of your political point of view, we are talking about a person with a terminal illness, and he deserves your silence if you cannot afford to give him and his family your sympathy.

[sgtrds-e4]

Why do we continue to celebrate this family? They are without a doubt one of the most corrupt and morally bankrupt families ever starting with old man.

Posted by smt1013 at 09:34 AM : May 21, 2008

Ding Dong! Sorry, wrong answer. The answer we were looking for is Bush, Bush is the most corrupt family. But hey, thanks for playing and don''t forget to pick up your home version of "Corrupt Republican Dynasties through the ages".

[sgtrds-e4]

blondbiotch: you''''re not worthy of any more of my time. when you have something insightful and intelligent to say . . . oh wait, that won''''t happen because you''''re neither insightful nor intelligent.

Posted by whatsup49 at 10:06 AM : May 21, 2008

RAmen, why bother. He/she/it is a mindless GOP troll.

[maxgrader]

Hey, it''s not about the accident at Chappaquidick... it''s about the punishment to manslaughter. Kennedy got only probation, his drivers license taken away, and suspended jail time. you call that justice? Bull.

The man was drunk and incoherant that night Mary Joe Kopechne was driven into the water to die.

Irresponsible acts such as his should have been dealt a sentence commensurate to manslaughter. But, because of his fame, money and power in politics he was let free with only a mere slap on the hand for "punishment" of killing someone.

Had he been punished properly back in 1969 for the accident then I''d have no ill feelings toward the guy today. As it is I have no sympathy for his current plight.

All I pray for now is that he dies in comfort. And soon. VERY SOON.

My heart is with Mary Jo Kopechne. Love and continued peace in Heaven for her this day.

--Max

[irliberal]

IRLIBERAL 9:42 "HIS" for fiesta? blondbeotch????
Wake up Lib----it''''s almost 10:00 You''''re a moron!!

Posted by blondbeotch at 09:45 AM

Honeybunny, everyone knows you''re not a lady. No lady would act like you do. Now grab that bag of pork rinds and add a few more layers to that arterial blockage you''ve been working on. 8-)

[blondbeotch]

whatsup49 10:02 Hey--thats BEOTCH not BIOTCH--and you say I''m not intelligent??? LOL What happened to your statement about extending a hand to the other side? HUH?? Change your mind?? LOL

[byeneocons]

I love reading the posts by the compassionate conservative christian republicans rejoicing at someone''s cancer.

It just confirms what hypocrisy we''ve had in the past eight years, and how ignorant people elected an ignorant president.

[sgtrds-e4]

Hey, it''''s not about the accident at Chappaquidick... it''''s about the punishment to manslaughter. Kennedy got only probation, his drivers license taken away, and suspended jail time. you call that justice? Bull.

Posted by maxgrader at 10:21 AM : May 21, 2008

What a load of cr*ap. You or any of the other posters here on him because of that accident don''t give a da*mn about her beyond using her death to take shots at someone you don''t like politcally. You''re ghouls beating her dead body over his head because it gets you off politcally.

[blondbeotch]

sgtrdse-e (?) 10:17 Yeah, about as mindless as you liberal ***!! Next?

[sgtrds-e4]

blondbeotch

You are a toad and a troll and you are dismissed. Bye.

[blondbeotch]

sgtrds(??) Oh no, being dismissed by a loser lib!! My feelings are soo hurt!! lol please, please talk to me!! NOT!!!