Senator Ted Kennedy Out of Surgery

The surgery lasted 3 1/2 hours and will be followed by a regimen of chemo-therapy and radiation treatments.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who received the diagnosis last month that the cause of recent seizures was a malignant glioma, a lethal brain tumor, has finished undergoing brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

A statement from the Senator's office confirmed that a team of Doctors, under the leadership of renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Allan Friedman, attempted to remove as much of the tumor as possible. This procedure is particularly delicate because the growth is in the area of the brain which affects movement and speech.

One of the Surgeons who participated in this delicate operation indicated that the Senator was awake throughout the 3 1/2 hours. He also indicated that he will not experience any permanent neurological problems.

An aid to the Massachusetts Senator who has been dubbed the "Liberal Lion" told reporters that Kennedy spoke to his wife, Vicki, immediately after the procedure saying with humor, "I feel like a million bucks. I think I'll do that again tomorrow."

The surgery was initially expected to last at least six hours. It was completed in 3 1/2 hours.No explanation of the shorter duration has been given. The Senator will undergo a regimen of chemo-therapy and radiation treatments. The Senators office indicated that he will remain at Duke for at least a week and undergo the radiation and chemotherapy sessions at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

The Senator made the following statement in writing before his now completed surgery:"I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness."

He explained that he and his wife Vicki, "along with my outstanding team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, have consulted with experts from around the country and have decided that the best course of action for my brain tumor is targeted surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation."

Ever the politician, the Senator ended his earlier statement with these words; "I look forward to returning to the United States Senate and to doing everything I can to help elect Barack Obama as our next president."

Senator Kennedy has formally endorsed Obama and was engaged as a surrogate for the candidate in an active manner before his recent medical crisis.

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