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Ted Kennedy Hospitalized With Stroke Symptoms

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Off Topic
Posted on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:51:00 AM EST
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Bump and Update(TL): Mass General Hospital is expected to make a statement shortly.

CNN is reporting. Let's hope he is ok. Our thoughts are with you Senator Kennedy.

Update (TL): News report here.

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    Ted Kennedy Hospitalized With Stroke Symptoms | 115 comments (115 topical)

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    Have said a prayer (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by americanincanada on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:34:35 AM EST
    for Senator Kennedy.

    Oh no (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by Steve M on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:35:17 AM EST
    I wish him a speedy recovery.

    Hope he's okay... (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by kredwyn on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:36:21 AM EST


    Here Is The Latest.... (none / 0) (#113)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 06:01:29 PM EST
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080517/ap_on_go_co/kennedy

    Parent
    I do hope he is well (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by Mrwirez on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:36:59 AM EST
    I am not nearly as liberal as Senator Kennedy, but he has done wonderful things for a lot of people.

    Positive Thoughts (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by chrisvee on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:39:48 AM EST
    being sent Senator Kennedy's way.

    Here! here! (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by felizarte on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:47:32 AM EST
    Let him be well to celebrate his brother's birthday on the 29th; and give him more years to do good.

    Parent
    Last time I saw him on TV (5.00 / 4) (#6)
    by Stellaaa on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:40:02 AM EST
    he did not look good.   There are great stroke treatments now if caught early.  

    Indeed (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by Step Beyond on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:22:08 PM EST
    My mother had a massive stroke a few years ago. She was rushed to the hospital right away, but the prognosis was that she probably wouldn't live. And if she did she would end up in a health care facility for a long time if not for the rest of her life.

    Thankfully they were using a new procedure and called in one of two doctors in the state who could do it. It had to be done within the first few hours after the stroke. She actually went home from the hospital a few days (not a typo) later and showed no major signs of having had a stroke after a few weeks. In fact, when I would take her to other doctor appointments they didn't even believe she had had a stroke.

    I hope that Sen. Kennedy is as fortunate as we were.

    Parent

    I was saying the same to my Mom about (none / 0) (#30)
    by inclusiveheart on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:14:26 AM EST
    those treatments - hopefully they had them on hand at the local Cape hospital because he spent two hours there before being airlifted to Mass General and really the earlier the better.

    Parent
    Yes, Through The Use Of Steroids If Given (none / 0) (#94)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:34:02 PM EST
    during the "golden hour".

    Parent
    wishing the senator and family well! (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by hellothere on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:42:04 AM EST


    There is no good time to suffer a stroke (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:43:52 AM EST
    they have made incredible medical headway in dealing with it though.  My heart sank reading this, that the last Kennedy of that generation out there playing rough and tumble politics is not well today.  His voice has spoke my heart many times during trying times and conditions.

    Wishing you well Sen. Kennedy. I feel (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Teresa on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:46:10 AM EST
    so guilty about some of my thoughts about him lately.

    Stella is right...my mother got fast treatment for a stroke and she is 100% okay.

    Same with my Mom. (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by magisterludi on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:48:35 AM EST
    She fully recovered, too. Here's hoping the same for Sen. Kennedy.

    Parent
    Caution (5.00 / 5) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:46:36 AM EST
    This is not about Sen. Kennedy's politics, it's about his health. Be respectful.  If you have something negative to say about him, please do it elsewhere.

    Senator Kennedy has been the best Senator (5.00 / 7) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:48:48 AM EST
    of the last 3 decades.

    I can not imagine anyone attacking his politics here.

    Parent

    Sorry To Hear This (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by MO Blue on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:48:06 AM EST
    All the best to Senator Kennedy and his family. Here's to a speedy recovery.

    All the best to Ted (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Lahdee on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:48:17 AM EST
    Best wishes for his recovery.

    Uh oh (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by andgarden on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:48:18 AM EST
    Get well Senator Kennedy!

    My thoughts and prayer are with him and his family (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by ajain on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:50:12 AM EST


    Makes me sad (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Faust on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:50:49 AM EST
    Hope he comes through it.

    Mass General is a great hospital (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Maria Garcia on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:51:04 AM EST
    ...Hopefully they got him there in time for a quick recovery.

    He isn't at Mass General... (none / 0) (#26)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:09:43 AM EST
    He was taken to Cape Cod Hospital. Here is the link to the story on CNN.

    Parent
    Oops, will be transferred to Mass General. nt. (none / 0) (#28)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:10:35 AM EST


    Parent
    I guess they got him there in (none / 0) (#39)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:40:11 AM EST
    the 3-hour 'window of recovery' period.  I sure hope that if it was a clot that the tPA works only enough to get rid of it--not enough to cause a second stroke (bleeding).  Ironically, my husband would have been better served in a little community hospital, instead of one with all the latest meds.  If I have a stroke, I'd opt for the 'roto rooter' technology--or simply saying goodbye.

    Parent
    As you know, a lot depends on what kind (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by Anne on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:25:45 PM EST
    of stroke it is, if in fact, that's what's going on.  Giving TPA, for example, is a disaster if what someone is having is a wet - or hemorrhagic - stroke, as opposed to a "dry" stroke.

    It could also be a case of TIA - transient ischemic attack - which produces stroke-like symptoms which resolve in pretty short order.  The thing one has to be careful about, and why they should always be checked out, is that they can be indicators that a more severe stroke is coming.

    My mother had a stroke about 5 years ago.  Long story short, she is fine.  The stroke did not paralyze or affect her particularly physically, but initially she had a complete left-side deficit: if something was going on anywhere to the left of her, she wasn't aware of it - initially, she wasn't even aware of the left side of her own body.  After therapy, most of that resolved, but it did leave her with blind spots in her field of vision on the left side, and a kind of attention-deficit disorder - she has a really hard time focusing when there is a lot going on around her.  The films showed an area of damage about the size of an egg - but she was lucky that it happened on the side of the brain that it did - had it been the other side, she would have lost her abilty to speak.  But, with the blind spots and her distractability, that was the end of her driving days.

    About a year after her stroke, she had something - we're not quite sure what.  It could have been a TIA - by the time we got her to the hospital, it was over, but they did scan her to make sure there was nothing worse about to happen.

    It could be that Kennedy is fine, but being checked out to make sure nothing else is brewing.

    Parent

    Thanks -- yes (none / 0) (#78)
    by Cream City on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:01:00 PM EST
    I had a TIA at 49.  After a lifetime of quite low blood pressure, it was a surprise.  I called it the angel on my shoulder, telling me to live differently.  Hypertension meds and going on a diet have meant a new lease on life, even more appreciated now.

    That said, reports say Kennedy had two seizure strokes today, and those along with his weight, age, and probably other factors make this more serious than TIAs, I suspect.

    Still, I write this just so others here will know to learn a bit more about TIAs, learn symptoms -- and live better.

    Parent

    On strokes: (none / 0) (#87)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:15:05 PM EST
    My husband and I were in Charlotte with lunch guests.  My husband got a pained look and fell off the chair.  He was 'out' for several weeks.

    He had a clot; the tPA caused bleeding in addition --either because everyone stuffed aspirin in him after his fall or because of genetics (his father died of that).  He never recovered speech or the use of his right side--but he was well aware of it and his face was unaffected.  He also could focus mentally if cued.

    But Kennedy, now that I think of it, looks as if he has similar physical characteristics.  So I am inclined to fear the worst--unless the tPA does work.  "Roto rooter" technology is newer, as is a stem cell treatment later on.  Boston is a main center of research, so maybe....

    Parent

    You got lucky.,,and I am glad. (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat May 17, 2008 at 02:52:19 PM EST
    My husband died of a massive stroke in Dec 2006. We were watching a movie on a Sunday afternoon and he had a grand mal seizure. I called 911 and told them he was having a stroke. I knew he was, he couldn't talk or smile, or use his left side after the seizure. The EMTs got here and stood around for over 30 minutes debating whether or not he was having a stroke. Then they put him in the ambulance and stood around in the driveway for a while trying to get an airway in. They never got it in.

    I stayed to feed all the animals before getting in my car to go to the hospital. It took them almost two hours to make a one hour trip in the ambulance. By the time he got there, he was brain-dead. I was driving down a pitch dark road when the cell phone rang and the doctor was on the line to tell me that he was brain dead. It was the most surreal experience of my life.

    The doctor told me that even if he had made it to the hospital he wouldn't have made it for long. The damage was too massive, total bleed out in the back of his brain. So, I called his sister, his only family, and she agreed, so I signed the papers and they turned off the ventilator.
    It is the hardest thing I have ever done.

    I hope no one in the Kennedy family has to do it. Or anyone in your families either.

    Parent

    What a sad story. You just always think you are (none / 0) (#106)
    by leis on Sat May 17, 2008 at 03:48:09 PM EST
    going to have time to say good-bye. I'm very sorry for your loss.  

    My father-in-law just had a very mild stroke a couple of weeks ago and was out of the hospital a few days later. He isn't yet sixty and it was pretty scary. Talk about an eye opener.  

    Parent

    I had the chance to say good-bye.. (none / 0) (#112)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat May 17, 2008 at 05:47:54 PM EST
    in a way.. before they put him in the ambulance, I was able to tell him I loved him and that I would see him at the hospital. I could tell by his eyes that he understood me. So, that's something, anyway. And he was 57 when he died. No history of high blood pressure. The stroke came out of nowhere. So it can happen to anyone. At any age.

    Parent
    I'm so, so sorry. (none / 0) (#109)
    by eleanora on Sat May 17, 2008 at 04:50:09 PM EST
    What a heartbreaking story, very sorry for your loss.

    Parent
    Terrible and so recent (none / 0) (#111)
    by Marvin42 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 05:33:06 PM EST
    Honestly words are completely inadequate for what happened. I am so sorry for your loss.

    I keep realizing over and over that we think we have infinite time with loved ones and I guess we just can't get through the day if we didn't hold to that illusion. I find myself getting caught up in so much daily cr*p, and then I read your story and realize how little most things matter.


    Parent

    yes (none / 0) (#57)
    by jedimom on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:20:49 PM EST
    one report indicates a second stroke during air transport

    the clot agent was the first thing I thought of..

    Parent

    Do you remember where you heard that? (none / 0) (#64)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:32:22 PM EST
    The Ed Henry report I mentioned below has been repeated on CNN, and they said, at any rate, that he called whoever it was to cancel his lunch date from Mass. General.  If that's true, seems unlikely he had a second event during transport.


    Parent
    I hope he's ok. (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by BostonIndependent on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:51:09 AM EST
    He was not looking good in his last few appearances that I caught on TV, but then, he does have a history of being passionate and getting worked up about issues he cares deeply about.

    He has been a strong and tireless public servant. Here's hoping he'll recover fully and be back roaming his haunts soon.

    Please post as you find out more.

    Get Well Sen. Kennedy (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:51:24 AM EST


    Ted Kennedy (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:02:10 AM EST
    Has contributed great things to this country. I hope for his rapid and full recovery.
    Best thought... (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by NWHiker on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:05:20 AM EST
    I hope he recovers fully.

    Oh no!! Awful news!! (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:06:56 AM EST
    I hope he recovers with everything intact. He is a great Senator, even if I disagree with some of his stands. He has done more for the average citizen than most Senators even think of doing. They don't call him "The Lion of the Senate" for nothing. I have watched his career from his first campaign, and I do admire the man. I hope he recovers completely.

    Prayers for him. I just applauded him last night (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by IndiDemGirl on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:10:27 AM EST
    My hubby and I went to see the new documentary Body of War in Chicago.  The entire audience applauded as the names of the 23 Senators who voted against the war appeared on the screen.

    Hope he recovers.

    Nothing but Love (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by txpolitico67 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:11:58 AM EST
    and light for the great Liberal Lion of Massachusetts.  Hope he will be okay.  

    Dominus vobiscum. n/t (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by wurman on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:18:58 AM EST


    I don't think it's good (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by americanincanada on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:22:15 AM EST
    the family has been summoned to Boston.

    From the Globe:

    Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts has suffered a stroke in Hyannis Port and is being transported by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital, according to a leading political source.

    Family members have been summoned to Boston, the source said.

    Kennedy is the senior statesman in one of America's political dynasties.

    Oh, dear - that doesn't sound good - (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Anne on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:27:58 PM EST
    I was hoping from the early reports that it was a TIA and not a full-blown stroke.

    Thoughts and prayers are with him and the family.

    Parent

    OY (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by squeaky on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:22:26 AM EST
    Hope he recovers 100%. He is irreplaceable.

    Best wishes to Sen. Kennedy and his family (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by athyrio on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:22:51 AM EST
    and thankfully strokes can be very recoverable....Hope his was mild...

    Peace and love (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by bjorn on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:23:43 AM EST
    I also prayer for his sister Eunice who has been in poor health for some time.  Her legacy with Special olympics will be as lasting as Senator Kennedy's legislative accomplishments

    Something about the senator (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:33:09 AM EST
    reminds me of my husband (who also recovered from a small plane crash).  Maybe it is a degree of hyperactivity--pushing one's self to the max--that seems similar, in addition to a certain facial resemblance.  I hope Kennedy is spared the enforced lesson of patience my husband had to learn, being a hemiplegic for 6 years.  May he have a better outcome.

    And, yes, a blessing on Eunice, whose fun day for the retarded has become the most important day of the year for so many.

    Good Thoughs and Prayers (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by jere on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:33:48 AM EST
    for the Kennedys.  

    Get Well Quickly, Senator Kennedy! (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Jeff Martin on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:39:33 AM EST
    All the best to the Senator.  Ted Kennedy is one of the few American leaders we can be thoroughly proud of and look up to.  As a matter of fact, I can't think of another who, through good times and bad, through liberal and conservative cycles, has fought as he has for progressive ideas and policies.  Keep it up Senator.  Get well soon.

    Let's pray (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by frankly0 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:40:50 AM EST
    for some good treatment here from Providence toward Ted Kennedy.

    I think the man is owed.

    What is wrong with CNN?! (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by americanincanada on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:43:29 AM EST
    Using this as a way to promote Obama is beyond the pale.

    Promoting Obama through this report is sickening (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by NoJoking on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:56:32 AM EST
    CNN, this is not about Obama.  This is about Sen. Kennedy!!! Although I am sure Obama will use this as another chance to promote himself. Even though I disagree with the Senator regarding many things, such as backing Obama. I believe he has done more harm than good by supporting Obama. I still wouldn't wish a stroke on anybody--even someone I don't like. Perhaps it is time for him to step down from his office, work on his health and let new blood take over as Senator.  This is not intended to be crude.....it is just time. Sometimes it is best to remain neutral and let the people decide.  Senator Kennedy interfered with our voting process and for that our future could be destroyed. Enough said, I will keep him in my prayers.

    Parent
    Link? (none / 0) (#43)
    by Fabian on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:52:10 AM EST
    I would not be surprised.

    Parent
    Fox was too (none / 0) (#45)
    by waldenpond on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:53:51 AM EST
    It was very important to get Obama's reaction.

    My best to Ted Kennedy and his family and I hope the media gives the family some space while the family is waiting to hear about his health and while they are supporting Senator Kennedy.

    Parent

    I thought maybe I (none / 0) (#51)
    by zfran on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:06:19 PM EST
    was the only one who noticed on CNN. Thanks
    americanincanada.

    Parent
    News reports indicate serious condition. (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Fabian on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:51:21 AM EST
    Kennedy was first rushed to Cape Cod Hospital around 9 a.m.. After being in the emergency room for two hours there, he was transported to Barnstable Airport and was then flown to Massachusetts General Hospital

    Not that a stroke is ever a minor event, but he was moved from a regional hospital to MA GH.  This means that he was stable enough to move w/o being life flighted out, but serious enough that he need top of the line care.  

    Hoping for the best.  Nothing indicates a life threatening condition so far.  (You just don't know with strokes though, especially if there's a chance that a clot broke loose.)

    reports vary (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by jedimom on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:19:53 PM EST
    one report seems to indicate after the clot agent was introduced he may have suffered another stroke during transport to MASS GEN..

    Prayers to him and his family

    Parent

    Now saying he had a "seizure" (none / 0) (#103)
    by FlaDemFem on Sat May 17, 2008 at 02:35:31 PM EST
    So it may be that he had a seizure that was indicative of an incipient stroke.
    Sen. Edward Kennedy was hospitalized in Boston, Massachusetts, after suffering an apparent seizure Saturday morning, his family said. "He is undergoing a battery of tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure. Sen. Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours," a statement from his office said.
    Anyone hear anything else about situation?

    Parent
    He was medevac'd (none / 0) (#50)
    by Fabian on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:05:23 PM EST
    according to NPR with stroke symptoms, not in a full fledged health crisis.

    That's good news - so far.

    Parent

    They reported (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by americanincanada on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:53:48 AM EST
    that kennedy shot Obama to the top and talked about how "hard" this is going to be for Obama without Kennedy on the trail for him.

    Sickening.

    Rick Sanchez on CNN (5.00 / 3) (#80)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:02:28 PM EST
    was particularly odious, going on and on very early on in the reporting about how Kennedy's absence would affect both Dem. and GOP fundraising.  Completely inappropriate when at the time, we didn't know how serious it was and he might well have been dying.

    I sent a blistering email to CNN telling them to take the fool off the air immediately.


    Parent

    It's all about something... (none / 0) (#52)
    by Fabian on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:07:01 PM EST
    Democracy?
    Progressive Values?
    The Future of the Country?

    or, sadly and predictably
    Obama and his political career.

    Parent

    Oh dear g-d (none / 0) (#74)
    by Marvin42 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:57:42 PM EST
    Can we all agree to just turn off all main stream media forever?

    Parent
    I'm really almost there - (none / 0) (#85)
    by Anne on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:09:35 PM EST
    this last week, I watch local news for weather and some sports news; other than that I have pretty much been on a media diet.

    I feel much better, too.

    Parent

    CNN's Ed Henry reporting (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:57:40 AM EST
    having talked to a friend of the family, who said Sen. Kennedy called a family member himself this morning to cancel a lunch date because he wasn't feeling up to it or some other non-specific health reason.

    Not clear whether he actually called from the hospital, but it sounds likely since the EMTs were called from the home shortly after 8:00 AM.

    Henry says the friend says the family member says Kennedy sounded perfectly fine, entirely coherent, and the family member was shocked to hear later that he'd been taken to the hospital.

    The hospital on Cape Cod he was originally taken to would certainly have given him that clot-busting drug that's so critical right away, and since he got there so quickly, that's good news.  I'm guessing here that he was taken to MGH for the best possible quality of monitoring, not because his condition was considered too urgent for the Cape Cod hospital.

    My good thoughts (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Emma on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:00:33 PM EST
    and best wishes to Sen. Kennedy and his family.  He's a liberal lion for sure.

    Teary (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Lil on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:14:22 PM EST
    over this latest crisis for the Kennedy clan. I just came in from hanging my American flag and saw this. The Kennedys always made me feel proud to be American even with all their "faults". I don't feel guilty for being mad at him lately though, just a little sad. Good thoughts from me to all the Kennedys.

    Jus left the hospital myself (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by cawaltz on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:15:04 PM EST
    My son ended up in the ER Thursday evening/Friday morning with appendicitis. He ended up getting an appendectomy. I haver never been so grateful for our medical coverage. I can't imagine if my choce had been the choice many Americans end up making.

    Blessings (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by jedimom on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:23:02 PM EST
    God Bless and glad your son had treatment right away

    the impact to those without insurance is incredible
    how many would not have been airlifted to a bigger facility as in Teddys case..and if they had, their family would be looking at a 50k bill for air evac..we need universal healthcare ASAP

    Parent

    I'm glad your son is okay, (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by eleanora on Sat May 17, 2008 at 04:57:01 PM EST
    but what a scary experience! I'll add your son and family to my prayer list tonight.

    Parent
    Thank you (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by cawaltz on Sat May 17, 2008 at 06:26:55 PM EST
    I appreciate it. It kept going through my head as they were doing surgery that the outcome might have been much more different had I not had good coverage and known that my visit would cost us a $50 copay. It truly was a judgement call situation. I'm still reeling that a person could go from perfectly fine(He was his goofy self all afternoon) to being in danger in such a short time.

    Parent
    So sorry to hear this and hope he recovers (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by kempis on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:26:55 PM EST
    My mom was paralyzed by a stroke, and an aunt had to learn to talk again thanks to one, so whenever I hear "stroke" I freak out a bit.

    Teddy's a fighter and I'm sure he's getting excellent care. My sincere hope is that the blood clot is resolved and there will be no lingering effects.

    Another Ed Henry report says (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:35:29 PM EST
    family member told him family is "optimistic" and that they now expect him to make a full recovery.

    Henry's got some kind of good sources in the family or close to it here, apparently, which he's been working by phone from Egypt while he's traveling with Bush.

    the cortoid artery can be a very (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by hellothere on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:47:24 PM EST
    serious thing. my mom had that problem but her health of was too delicate for surgery. my next door neighbor died with that problem.

    my brother in law had a very mild stroke after  the surgery, but he is absolutely fine now. sometimes surgery can set off things like the law of unintended consequences. the good thing here is that they identified it and acted on the information. i wish the senator well.

    My thoughts and prayers (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by eleanora on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:20:14 PM EST
    are with Senator Kennedy and his family. My grandmother had a serious blockage removed from her neck same as Teddy had in October. Pretty scary, but she lived a very healthy life for another fifteen years after that, so I hope he has the same good fortune.

    Quite a difference in Hillary Supporters... (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by fctchekr on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:25:34 PM EST
    Not by any means a surprise, I commend Hillary's supporters for setting the bar high, always..
    For being a reflection of the candidate and for relaying only the best sentiments...and wishes for Kennedy.

    I did watch him the day of the Senate vote on CSPAN this past week. I had never seen him other than standing at the podium or seated, so I was surprised to see the difficulty with which he walked; he did not appear in good health.

    Despite the insurmountable fight, the long odds and the horrific battering by the media and the low-blows from the opposition, Hillary and her supporters have always shown remarkable calm and care in the midst of all this turmoil...

    Kuddos to all....

    He has had difficulty walking (none / 0) (#95)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:39:30 PM EST
    for decades.  His back was basically crushed in a plane accident as a young man.  From everything I hear, he is in excellent overall health.


    Parent
    Senator Kennedy (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by Cal on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:44:53 PM EST
    I, too, said a prayer for Senator Kennedy.  Watching the coverage, it always makes me smile to hear his nieces and nephews speak about their "Uncle Teddy."

    So it seems that Ted will be okay.... (5.00 / 2) (#99)
    by Maria Garcia on Sat May 17, 2008 at 02:15:32 PM EST
    ...so now can I diss the CNN coverage of this? Bill Schneider just elevated Kennedy's endorsement of Obama to a status that I don't quite remember it having. He says there was dancing on the streets by Obama supporters. He's said it twice and I think he means it literally. Does anyone remember this?

    Well, they were pretty ecstatic (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 04:34:51 PM EST
    and the media went nuts.  But I agree with you that Schneider et al are basically giving most of the credit for the success of Obama's candidacy to Teddy's endorsement, which is ridiculous.

    Parent
    Here's to a speedy recovery for Sen Kennedy (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by gmo on Sat May 17, 2008 at 02:18:38 PM EST
    Good thoughts and prayers to him and his family.

    I wish him well... (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by Regency on Sat May 17, 2008 at 02:26:07 PM EST
    even if we agree on absolutely nothing. I don't wish a stroke or a seizure on anyone. My prayers such as they are, are with the Kennedys today as everyday.

    Simple Stroke Symptoms Test (5.00 / 4) (#102)
    by Saul on Sat May 17, 2008 at 02:27:22 PM EST
    Never take a person falling or unusual severe headache for granted.  Time is of the essence

    Here is a simple test you can administer if you feel a person could be having a stroke. Here is a set of letters to memorized.

    STRT

    S= SMILE  Tell the person to SMILE.  IF the person cannot smile then they could be having a stroke

    T= TALK   See if the person can coherently say a simple sentence. i.e.  " It's a sunny day" If they have problem repeating the sentence coherently they could be  having a stroke.

    R= RAISE ARMS   See if the person can raise their arms. If they cannot then they could be having a stroke

    T= TONGUE  Tell the person to stick out their tongue.  If they cannot or the tongue is twisted they could be having a stroke

    Depending on the type of stroke.  Many can be totally reversed in one day but if I am not mistaken you only like a two hour window to get the treatment to reverse the stroke.

    Amazingly helpful, (none / 0) (#108)
    by eleanora on Sat May 17, 2008 at 04:38:30 PM EST
    thank you so much! I worry about my mom now and then; she isn't even 60 yet, but her health isn't the best. I'm printing this out to give to her, thanks again :)

    Parent
    You are most welcomed (none / 0) (#115)
    by Saul on Sat May 17, 2008 at 06:45:19 PM EST


    Parent
    There is an easier acronym (none / 0) (#116)
    by mg7505 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 06:55:31 PM EST
    too, this one from the Red Cross class that I teach:

    FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time

    Face: ask them to smile, and watch out for only one side of their mouth going up; also look for sweating, drooling, anything that suggests loss of control

    Arms: have them raise their arms; you're spot-on

    Speech: ask them to say something (their name?) slurred speech, not remembering, etc are all signs

    Time: this is really key; note what time you first see symptoms and tell the police/EMTs when you call

    Parent

    Get Well Soon Senator Kennedy (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by john horse on Sat May 17, 2008 at 03:29:47 PM EST


    That's too bad, although I don't think he (none / 0) (#49)
    by MarkL on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:02:21 PM EST
    has looked healthy for a long time.


    Teddy has looked awful (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:27:04 PM EST
    for decades, really, especially since his weight ballooned up.  I don't think it means much.  His old back injury and arthritis in his hips cause him almost constant pain, and when it's really been flaring up, you can see the effects of that in his face.

    Also, if this is a stroke, there's really no correlation to whether people look well or not.

    Parent

    Also adding that (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:28:53 PM EST
    Ted Kennedy has been in pretty much non-stop terrible emotional pain for decades, with so many family members having been killed, his son's bone cancer, his first wife's alcoholism, on and on and on.  It's a wonder to me how he's kept going at all.


    Parent
    I was at a Peace Corps event (5.00 / 3) (#66)
    by bjorn on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:35:46 PM EST
    in 1986.  It was supposed to be attended by Ronald Reagan, but instead Bush I and Ted Kennedy were there.  It was the 25th anniversary.  Kennedy got up and started speaking, about one minute in when he mentioned his brother he just started sobbing.  Seriously, he was literally sobbing and had to stop talking and be helped back to his seat.  Bush got up and handled it well but is was very dramatic moment. It was the first time I realized what losing both his brothers had done to him.  I guess we will never know his ghosts.

    Parent
    He literally cannot mention either brother's (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:50:26 PM EST
    name without choking up badly.

    Teddy's psychology is completely haunted by those ghosts.  I'm certain that's the central reason for his endorsement.


    Parent

    He'd lost some weight (none / 0) (#55)
    by waldenpond on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:18:52 PM EST
    I thought he looked better.

    Parent
    Really? Good for him, that's hard (none / 0) (#88)
    by Cream City on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:16:36 PM EST
    when we're older.  It could indicate earlier signs, even an earlier TIA, of need to lose weight to bring down hyptertension.  A TIA when I was almost 30 years younger than him now is what finally made me face that I had to get rid of some weight.

    Btw, same goes for a 96-year-old I know -- so Senator Kennedy still could have a lot of decades left.  The 96-year-old danced at her 95th birthday party, when we started planning the 100th one.  I don't know if even Kennedy could keep up with her -- in her pantsuits and dyed-red hair, still in her own home, etc.  

    In part, that's because she took seriously the earlier signs to take steps to stick around for many decades more.  So that he already lost weight means he greatly improved his health and chances today of a good recovery to go for the record in Congress of serving even longer than Robert Byrd.

    Parent

    Why is it (none / 0) (#67)
    by americanincanada on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:42:39 PM EST
    that even Mark Halperin has links to further statements from Obama and McCain about Ted kennedy but not clinton.

    Perhaps because Clinton is not seeking to try and use this event for political gain.

    she had a (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by OldCoastie on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:58:12 PM EST
    nice dignified statement related on CNN... they forgot the media blackout for a second there...

    Parent
    Uh-oh (none / 0) (#68)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:43:45 PM EST
    Family has released a statement saying he had a seizure, not a stroke.  Not good.

    I tink it's possible we may find out that (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Anne on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:06:14 PM EST
    he may have had a stroke at some time in the not-too-distant past.

    I posted up above that my mom had a stroke about 5 years ago, and that a year after her stroke, she had some kind of event, but we weren't sure what it was.  One of the things that was on the list of possibilities was a seizure - her neurologist said that seizures in the first year after a stroke, especially so the closer you get to the one-year mark - are very common.  Who knew?  None of the tests found any definitive answer to that question, and she was alone when whatever-it-was happened.  She has no memory of it, other than that she didn't feel right, and when she called me, she said one of the dining room chairs was knocked over.

    Fortunately, nothing has happened since, so, with respect to Kennedy, we can only hope that whatever it is that happened, it is over and resolved.

    Parent

    What does that indicate? (none / 0) (#69)
    by MarkL on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:47:04 PM EST


    Parent
    One very common (none / 0) (#72)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:53:39 PM EST
    reason for a seizure in someone who isn't epileptic is a brain tumor.

    Parent
    Here is an article (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:02:16 PM EST
    on seizures in the elderly

    Link

    Excerpt:

    A five-year study of 151 patients with a first seizure after 60 years of age found that 32 percent of the seizures were caused by strokes and 14 percent by brain tumors, including meningiomas, malignant gliomas, and brain metastases; 25 percent had no identifiable cause. A community cohort study8 of 675 patients with a first stroke found that the risk of having a seizure was 2 percent at stroke onset and 11 percent in the first five years after the stroke. Seizure recurrence after a stroke can be immediate, or it may not happen for several years.9 Recurrences are more common after hemorraghic or severe ischemic strokes with cortical (particularly occipital) involvement and late onset of the first seizure.8,10

    Also, IF it's a tumor, it doesn't have to be malignant, nor inoperable.  It's possible that if it IS a tumor, it's something like a peripheral meningioma like my foster mother had.  Surgery required, but prognosis good.

    And BTW, seizure also doesn't rule out stroke.  Or dementia disease.

    Parent

    Oh, and I should mention (none / 0) (#82)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:04:07 PM EST
    my foster mother's first symptom was seizure.

    Parent
    Braon tumor? Ouch! (none / 0) (#90)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:22:00 PM EST
    My 54-yr-old niece is dying of astrocytoma glioblastoma (sp?).  She is now officially hospice care.

    Parent
    I wish her well! (none / 0) (#93)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:30:54 PM EST


    Parent
    My sympathies (none / 0) (#97)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:47:14 PM EST
    That's a bad one.  I had a friend die of that a couple of years ago, no symptoms whatsoever until he suddenly had a seizure and it was discovered then.

    My friend had good hospice care at the end and was very much at peace.  I wish the same for your niece.


    Parent

    Or... (none / 0) (#73)
    by NWHiker on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:57:15 PM EST
    Or medication issues.

    Regardless, I hope the outcome is good.

    Parent

    Doc on CNN (not Gupta, someone on the phone) (none / 0) (#75)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:58:08 PM EST
    said a number of things can cause a seizure, including nothing they can ever figure out.  But she said other possibilities are a change in medications of some kind or actually a hemorrhagic stroke could cause a seizure, something I'd never heard before.  The most worrisome possibility of course is brain tumor.

    She also said it can be very hard to distinguish mild seizure from mild stroke, symptoms very similar, but that one characteristic of seizure is that it's short and people are usually back to normal in a few minutes.

    I wonder about the report upthread about a second event in the helo on the way to MGH, whether if that's true, it could well have been a second seizure.


    Parent

    seizures can be (none / 0) (#77)
    by OldCoastie on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:59:47 PM EST
    caused by things as common as a fever or low blood sugar.

    Parent
    I know a bit about seizure disorder (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by Cream City on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:08:49 PM EST
    with a family member who has it.

    A startling ten percent of Americans have had one seizure -- brought on by meds, diet, stress, etc.  (Even one can be fatal, sadly, as we saw with Flo Jo.)

    But two percent of Americans have seizure disorder, meaning more than one seizure -- and seizure disorder is the term now for epilepsy.  As the Senator had two seizures today, reportedly, he now is being treated for seizure disorder, and the docs are testing to figure out the cause.  There are many.  

    And just fyi for general educational purposes, too -- they are people with epilepsy or pwi's.  The term epileptic is outre, in part because it still carries so many connotations that cause so many of us to break the laws and discriminate against pwi's in education, employment, etc.  (I could tell horrible stories of what still goes on, what my family member has faced.)  

    It even is still against the law in some states for pwi's to marry.  If you're in such a state, get rid of the law, please.  End of recorded message to assist in understanding terms we may hear from the medicos today.  And to unravel the mess that media no doubt will make of it.

    Parent

    wouldn't that indicate a situation with (none / 0) (#71)
    by hellothere on Sat May 17, 2008 at 12:48:21 PM EST
    the brain? i am not a medical professional but that is what it suggests to me.

    Parent
    could be a diabetic seizure (none / 0) (#81)
    by Kathy on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:02:49 PM EST
    those are more common in the morning when the patient has slept all night and perhaps gone too long without nourishment.  If they stabilized his blood sugar, then he would be okay.  Still, there can be lasting problems if the brain is deprived of fuel for too long.

    But, this is all just guess work at this point.  I'm wary that they've not released a clear statement.

    Parent

    Is he diabetic? (none / 0) (#86)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat May 17, 2008 at 01:14:08 PM EST
    I never heard that he was, but I guess it wouldn't be surprising with all that weight.

    As to the clear statement-- the family has said definitively it was a seizure, and there's almost certainly nothing else known for sure right now.  From everything I've been hearing, it will take the docs a while to figure out what happened, and they're surely not going to be speculating in the meantime.

    Doc on CNN said something about changes in the brain from this or stroke sometimes not showing up on MRI or CAT for a couple days.

    Parent

    Ted Kennedy Hospitalized With Stroke Symptoms | 115 comments (115 topical)

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