Kennedy Brain Tumor Surgery

There are no minor brain surgeries. And when one is at the age that Ted Kennedy is, the body doesn't do well with the procedure; however, GOOD NEWS has come from the doctors this morning after Ted's surgery. Sen. Kennedy underwent what his doctors called successful surgery Monday to treat his cancerous brain tumor, and told his wife shortly after that he "felt like a million bucks," a family spokeswoman said.

Regardless of political affiliation we should all be rejoicing for he and his family.

The surgery at Duke University Medical Center took about 3 1/2 hours. He is expected to undergo chemotherapy and radiation in coming weeks. He is expected to remain at the North Carolina hospital for about a week. You have to know that he had the best of doctors and patient care.

Kennedy is 76-year-old and was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain tumor. Experts had said Dr. Allan Friedman -- the top neurosurgeon at Duke and an internationally known tumor and vascular surgeon -- was likely try to remove as much of the tumor as possible while balancing the risk of harming healthy brain tissue that affects movement and speech.

Foloowing the surgery, Dr. Friedman said the surgery "was successful and accomplished our goals." Kennedy was awake during the procedure, and should not experience any permanent neurological effects, he said. AWAKE! Amazing what's done these days.

After a brief recuperation, he will begin radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital and chemotherapy treatment. Family spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said Kennedy spoke to his wife, Vicki, and told her: "I feel like a million bucks. I think I'll do that again tomorrow." RIGHT!

Kennedy had a seizure at his home on Cape Cod which led doctors to later announced that he had a malignant glioma in his left parietal lobe, a brain region that governs sensation but also plays some role in movement and language. A malignant glioma is one of the worst kinds of brain cancer, and malignant gliomas are diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year.

Here is the complete statement from Dr. Freidman:

"I am pleased to report that Senator Kennedy's surgery was successful and accomplished our goals. Senator Kennedy was awake during the resection, and should therefore experience no permanent neurological affects from the surgery. The surgery lasted roughly three and a half hours and is just the first step in Senator Kennedy's treatment plan. After a brief recuperation, he will begin targeted radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital and chemotherapy treatment. I hope that everyone will join us in praying for Senator Kennedy to have an uneventful and robust recovery."