Cape & Islands News

Kennedy to stay in hospital longer; Tuesday morning update

TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE:
Kennedy to saty in hospital  several more days

"Take care of my friend."
              - President BushUS Senator Edward M. Kennedy will probably remain at Massachusetts General Hospital a couple of days more while doctors try to determine the cause of the seizure he suffered Saturday, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

Stephanie Cutter said it is likely the 76-year-old Massachusetts Democrat will then take a few days off at his home in Hyannis Port. She said it was too soon to discuss when he might return to work; the Senate is in recess next week for the Memorial Day holiday...  Globe.

Will not return to work this week
The Associated Press reported that a Dr. Mark Schlosberg, a neurologist affiliated with the Washington Hospital Center, said if Kennedy were his patient he would investigate whether he suffered an undetected stroke during his surgery, since seizures can often come months after a stroke.

"Perhaps he didn't have any symptoms of a stroke at that time, but maybe it put him on the path to a seizure down the road," Schlosberg said. CAT scans, MRIs, blood tests and an EEG brain-wave test would also be used to search for evidence of a stroke, brain tumor or abnormal brain activity such as a seizure.  Schlosberg said seizures can also be caused by medication, undiagnosed diabetes or sudden alcohol withdrawal.

"From my experience in the hospital where I work, when someone comes in with a seizure and is admitted, this can all happen within a day. There can sometimes be logistical issues — the attendant comes for the MRI and the patient is in the EEG — but this can all usually be done within a day," Schlosberg said.

  The Kennedy sailboat Mya awaits the Senator's return. cctoday photo by Frank Paparo

No explanation yet for seizures
Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy remained in the hospital Sunday, awaiting test results that could explain why the 76-year-old Democrat suffered a seizure a day earlier. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital said it would be today at the earliest before the tests were complete, and the hospital and Kennedy's office released no new information about his condition on Sunday. Kennedy was resting, eating and watching the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics games on television Sunday afternoon, said a top aide who requested anonymity because the family had asked that details of the senator's hospital stay not be released...  Beacon News. ORIGINAL STORY:
Upbeat day after seizure
Receives calls from Senate colleagues

When Barack Obama picked up the phone to speak with Edward M. Kennedy yesterday, he expected his Senate colleague would be groggy from medication following a seizure Saturday.  But Kennedy, 76, who remains in the hospital, surprised him with his vigor and sense of humor, Obama said in a telephone interview yesterday while campaigning in Portland, Ore.

"He sounded great," Obama recounted. "He sounded like the Ted Kennedy we know and love. He joked a little bit about [how] this happens when you get an old politician going out there on the road"... Kennedy's inner circle would not commit to a timeline for making those results public. It is uncertain when Kennedy will be able to resume his busy political schedule...  Globe.
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Family now is "guardedly optimistic" for his recovery
In office 46 years, second longest-serving US Senator

Senator Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy suffered what is described as a massive stroke early today at his home in Hyannisport.

The senator on his yacht Mya for the last time in November with his two dogs. cctoday photo by Frank PaparoThe Globe reports he had a "second seizure" on the helicopter heading for Mass. General.

The most details were available at the Herald here and here. Senator John Kerry arrived there around 1pm today as did Vicky Kennedy and other close family members.

Bloggers to the rescue

A commenter named ekzept tipped us to the fact that one of the best coverages today was from a blogger outside Mass. General named Argyrios who writes, "I just arrived in Boston last night to start a summer job on Monday. When I heard about Senator Kennedy being transferred to Mass General, I looked it up on Google Maps.  'Hey,' I thought. 'That's two blocks from where I am right now.'"  See it here.

So far the national media only has reports like the one below.

Kennedy Falls Ill; Airlifted To Boston Hospital

BOSTON - U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy was airlifted to a Boston hospital Saturday morning after falling ill at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, Mass.

Hyannis Fire Lt. Bill Rex told the Associated Press that a 911 call came in from the Kennedy Compound at 8:19 a.m. EDT.  A male was transported to Cape Cod Hospital and was transferred by medflight at 10:10 a.m. from Barnstable Municipal Airport to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Kennedy, 76, has been in the Senate since election in 1962, filling out the term won by his brother, John F. Kennedy.  Kennedy was first elected in 1962 to finish the final two years of the Senate term of his brother, Senator John F. Kennedy.Previous Health Problems
  Just last October, Ted Kennedy had surgery to repair a nearly complete blockage in one of his carotid arteries - a major artery that supplies blood to the brain.
  The blockage was discovered during a routine examination of an old back injury which occurred In 1964 when he was in a plane crash in which the pilot and one of Kennedy's aides were killed. He was pulled from the wreckage by fellow senator Birch E. Bayh II (D-Ind.), and spent weeks in a hospital recovering from a severe back injury, a punctured lung, broken ribs and internal bleeding..
  An hour-long procedure at the same hospital to clear the artery lastb October was deemed a success by doctors. He returned to work just a couple weeks later, with doctors describing Kennedy's overall health as "excellent."
  According to doctor accounts after that surgery, Kennedy takes blood-pressure and cholesterol medication.

Political leaders offer sympathy
Senator John Kerry, "Ted Kennedy is beloved and respected on both sides of the aisle in the Senate in which he's been a giant for close to half a century, a legend in Massachusetts, and a dear friend to me and Teresa. He's also been a fighter who has overcome adversity again and again with courage, grit, and determination. Teresa and I are praying for Teddy, Vicki and all of his family and we know that everyone in Massachusetts and people throughout the nation pray for a full and speedy recovery for a man whose life's work has touched millions upon millions of lives."
Governor Deval Patrick,  "The Senator, Mrs. Kennedy and their whole family are in our thoughts and prayers. Diane and I are sending good wishes and hoping for the Senator's speedy recovery."
"I have been in contact with the family. Obviously they are in our thoughts and in our prayers. Ted Kennedy is a giant in American political history. He's done more for health care than just about anybody in history. We are going to be rooting for him." - Sen. Barack Obama
Senator Hillary Clinton, "My thoughts and prayers are with Ted Kennedy and his family today. We all wish him well and a quick recovery."
Senator John McCain, "I was very sorry to hear that Senator Kennedy has taken ill, and like millions of Americans, Cindy and I anxiously await word of his condition. Senator Kennedy's role in the U.S. Senate cannot be overstated. He is a legendary lawmaker, and I have the highest respect for him. When we have worked together, he has been a skillful, fair and generous partner. I consider it a great privilege to call him my friend. Cindy and I are praying for our friend, his wife, Vicki and the Kennedy family."