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Ted Kennedy Has Seizure - Taken to MGH
Topic Started: May 17 2008, 10:19 AM (534 Views)
George K
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Finally
Kennedy Hospitalized

May 17, 2008 01:58 PM

By Globe Staff

Doctors believe that Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts suffered a seizure at his home in Hyannis Port this morning, then a second seizure as he was being transported by helicopter from Cape Cod Hospital to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, according to an official briefed on the situation.

Kennedy's condition was unclear early this afternoon, as a special police security detail gathered at Mass. General. Kennedy family members were called this morning and told to rush to Boston, according to sources.

The Hyannis Fire Department responded to an emergency call requesting an ambulance at the storied Kennedy compound at about 8:19 this morning. The senator was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital. Shortly after 10 he was flown by helicopter to Boston, said Fire Lieutenant Bill Rex. The Cape Cod Times published a photograh of Kennedy, strapped to a gurney, being carried to the chopper.

Kennedy, 76, is the senior statesman in one of America's political dynasties. He was first elected in 1962.

In October, Kennedy had surgery to clear a blocked artery in his neck to prevent a stroke. At the time, MGH doctors said the one-hour surgery was successful and they expected Kennedy to make a full recovery. They did recommend he take aspirin to prevent blood clots after the surgery, in addition to medicine he was already taking to control high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Doctors described the extent of the buildup as "a very high-grade blockage" and said there was a slight chance it could recur in the next few years.

Kennedy's doctors said at the time the blockage, found in his left carotid artery, could have triggered a stroke by choking off blood flow and preventing oxygen from getting to the brain, or by breaking off and lodging in the brain.

About one-quarter of strokes are due to carotid artery disease. Carotid artery surgery is typically performed on patients who have had a stroke or an artery that is at least 70 percent blocked.

Kennedy felt no symptoms from the blockage, which was discovered from a routine MRI conducted to check on his spine, which was injured in a 1964 plane crash.

Patients with a neck artery blockage may have similar buildups of fat and cholesterol in other blood vessels, but Kennedy's doctors said there was no need for any treatment on his right carotid artery, and said he had passed a cardiac stress test prior to the surgery.

At the time, his personal physician deemed his overall health excellent and said he exercised daily and ate well. After a short period of rest, Kennedy returned to the Senate floor Oct. 30.
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

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- Klaus, 4/29/18
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
I wish him a speedy recovery.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Ditto.
___.___
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o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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jon-nyc
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Cheers
Saw that. I hope he's ok.
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
At least he's in an excellent hospital.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
Quote:
 
At the time, his personal physician deemed his overall health excellent...


:blink: You've got to be kidding. If that's true, I don't want that doctor anywhere near me.

Quote:
 
...and said he exercised daily and ate well.


Well, I don't know about the exercise, but it's obvious he eats pretty well. ^_^
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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George K
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Finally
They're saying it was not a stroke.

Quote:
 
(CBS/AP) Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was airlifted to a hospital Saturday after suffering a seizure at his home, and did not appear to have had a stroke as initially suspected, his spokeswoman said.

The 76-year-old Kennedy, a liberal Democratic icon and the lone surviving son in a famed political family, was undergoing tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure, spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said.

"Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours," she said. Kennedy's wife, Victoria, was with him at the hospital, Cutter said.


I remember being told, back in 1974, that a seizure in an adult is a brain tumor until proven otherwise. But, there's a list of other possibilities:

Alcohol Abuse. Alcohol abuse is one of the most common causes of adolescent- and adult-onset seizures. Seizures, nearly always generalized tonic-clonic, occur in about 10% of adults during withdrawal, and in about 60% of these patients, the seizures are multiple. The first seizure occurs between seven and 48 hours after the last drink, and the time between the first and last seizure is usually six hours or less. [For more information, seeWell-Connected Report #56, Alcoholism.]

Head Injuries in Adults. Head injuries to adults can cause seizures, with the risk highest in severe head trauma. A first seizure related to the injury can occur years later. People with mild head injuries, which involve loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, have only a slight risk that lasts up to five years after the injury.

Sleep Disorders. Some sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy, have been associated with seizures, although a causal relationship is unclear. In fact, sleep apnea and the hereditary nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy have very similar symptoms (feeling of choking, abnormal motor activity during sleep, and excessive sleepiness during the day). In one 2000 study, one-third of patients with epilepsy that did not respond to medications were later diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Some studies have found that when sleep apnea is treated in patients with both epilepsy and the sleep disorder, seizure activity decreases. More research is warranted on this subject.

Stroke. Seizure is also a symptom of a major stroke. In some cases, injury to the brain from small strokes may cause seizures. Studies report that between 15% and 23% of stroke patients consequently have seizures.

Other Causes in Adults. Other known or possible causes of epilepsy in teenage or adult years include the following:

* Drug abuse or withdrawal from drugs.
* Sudden withdrawal from certain antianxiety or antidepressant drugs.
* Occupational exposure to environmental triggers. High exposure to certain chemicals has been linked with seizures. A 2000 study of utility company employees in Denmark revealed an association between high exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and an increased risk of epilepsy and neurologic diseases that affected motor control.
* Alzheimer's or other degenerative brain diseases in the elderly may cause seizures.
* In developing nations, nervous system infection by tapeworm larvae is an important cause of epilepsy.

A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Maybe we should stand up and turn our backs to him....
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Copper
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Shortstop
Jolly
May 17 2008, 09:25 PM
Maybe we should stand up and turn our backs to him....


That could disrupt his treatment.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Jolly
May 17 2008, 08:25 PM
Maybe we should stand up and turn our backs to him....

Quote:
 
Both the ethical opinions and legal precedents agree that a physician may not intentionally and unilaterally sever an existing relationship with any patient, unless the physician provides reasonable notice to the patient, in writing, and sufficient time to locate another physician. Failure of the physician to continue to provide care when the patient remains in need of care or failure to provide notice and an adequate opportunity for the patient to find another physician before the physician terminates the physician/patient relationship can be construed as the physician’s abandonment of the patient or dereliction of the physician’s duty if injury results. In addition to being exposed to liability for any damages that are caused by the abandonment or the breach of duty, the physician may be subject to disciplinary action under the state’s medical practice act.


http://www.physiciansnews.com/law/202.html
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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George K
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Finally
I know a family practice doc who gives himself a "Christmas present" every year. He picks the most obnoxious patient in his practice, and at the end of the year, he sends them a letter:

"Dear Joe Schmoe,

I am informing you that as of (date 90 days hence) I will no longer be able to be your primary physician. Enclosed please find a list of physicians in your area who may be able...

Should you encounter an emergency in the next 90 days, I will be able to care...

blah..blah..blah..

Sincerely,

Fed up Doc."


A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Frank_W
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Resident Misanthrope
George K
May 17 2008, 08:41 PM
I know a family practice doc who gives himself a "Christmas present" every year. He picks the most obnoxious patient in his practice, and at the end of the year, he sends them a letter:

"Dear Joe Schmoe,

I am informing you that as of (date 90 days hence) I will no longer be able to be your primary physician. Enclosed please find a list of physicians in your area who may be able...

Should you encounter an emergency in the next 90 days, I will be able to care...

blah..blah..blah..

Sincerely,

Fed up Doc."

HAHAHAHA.... That rocks!! You should be able to sue patients for malpractice, I swear... But that's almost as good!! pwn3d!! LOL
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
I love the expression "resting comfortably". What does that mean exactly? Pumped up with a lot of drugs? :lol2:
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Copper
May 17 2008, 07:30 PM
Jolly
May 17 2008, 09:25 PM
Maybe we should stand up and turn our backs to him....


That could disrupt his treatment.

I dunno....first, we must define "disrupt".

Then we must synthesize our multiple sources into one amalgam of group understanding, so as not to impinge or obfuscate the true meaning of the aforementioned agreed upon definition.

And until we arrive at that agreement between the parties of the first part, second part and all parties germaine to the discussion, pay no attention to the Senator on the gurney.

(I confess, I like the current commercial for the bank with the approximate tag line of "Just shut up, and do it.")
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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OperaTenor
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Pisa-Carp
It's a brain tumor. - hat tip to BeeLady.

I think we might lay off the insults from now on, okay?


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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
OperaTenor
May 20 2008, 10:43 AM
It's a brain tumor. - hat tip to BeeLady.

I think we might lay off the insults from now on, okay?

That explains a lot of his politics as well.

(only said since there weren't any real insults before).
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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George K
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Finally
George K
May 17 2008, 08:04 PM
I remember being told, back in 1974, that a seizure in an adult is a brain tumor until proven otherwise.

In 1993-4, a surgeon while working to put a pacemaker into a old lady had a seizure right at the table. He lost consciousness, convulsed for several minutes. The case was finished by his partner who happened to be in the hospital. It was a malignant glioma - the same type of tumor that Kennedy has. He died within 9 months.

I hope that Kennedy's tumor is not as aggressive, and may be amenable to surgery or radiation, but I am not optimistic for his long-term survival. :(
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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LadyElton
Fulla-Carp
:sad:

I wish him the best. My thoughts and prayers are with him and the Kennedy family.

Regardless of one's political views, no one would wish this on someone.
Hilary aka LadyElton
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
OperaTenor
May 20 2008, 11:43 AM
It's a brain tumor. - hat tip to BeeLady.

I think we might lay off the insults from now on, okay?

Piss on the campfire and call the dogs.

I hope the Senator has his affairs in order.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Jolly
May 20 2008, 01:07 PM
OperaTenor
May 20 2008, 11:43 AM
It's a brain tumor. - hat tip to BeeLady.

I think we might lay off the insults from now on, okay?

Piss on the campfire and call the dogs.

I hope the Senator has his affairs in order.

He ain't dyin' tomorrow.

He'll have time to get his affairs in order.

Prognosis: negative, though.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Frank_W
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Resident Misanthrope
Yep. The brain is so vascular, I would imagine that such tumors metastize quickly and grow at a frightening rate...
Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin."
Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!"
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
At least he got a wake up call to prepare himself - neither Jack nor Bobby got that chance.

Hope he gets squared away, is surrounded by family and friends and doesn't have too difficult of an end.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Copper
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Shortstop

He'll be at the convention and Ms. Clinton's inauguration.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Copper
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Shortstop
ivorythumper
May 20 2008, 01:49 PM
OperaTenor
May 20 2008, 10:43 AM
It's a brain tumor. - hat tip to BeeLady.

I think we might lay off the insults from now on, okay?

That explains a lot of his politics as well.

(only said since there weren't any real insults before).


You got the wrong guy.

Ted definitely comes from the time before dems encouraged victim-hood.

He will ride this out, one way or the other, in good humor.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Rick
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Senior Carp
Gliomas do not metastasize by the bloodstream, but they can spread via the cerebrospinal fluid and cause "drop metastases" to the spinal cord.



High-grade gliomas are highly-vascular tumors and have a tendency to infiltrate. They have extensive areas of necrosis and hypoxia. Often tumor growth causes a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier in the vicinity of the tumor. As a rule, high-grade gliomas almost always grow back even after complete surgical excision.

On the other hand, low-grade gliomas grow slowly, often over many years, and can be followed without treatment unless they grow and cause symptoms.
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