Wishes, prayers for fighter
Residents cheer Kennedy as he returns home after surgery
HYANNIS PORT - US Senator Edward M. Kennedy returned to his family's Cape Cod compound yesterday, a week after undergoing surgery at Duke University Medical Center, and headed straight to sea with his wife and two dogs, as locals wished the senator their best in the next stage of treatment for a malignant brain tumor.
"It's good to be home," Kennedy said after arriving at Barnstable Municipal Airport just before noon in a private jet. He was driven to the Kennedy compound and later emerged to board his beloved sailboat, Mya.
Residents cheered Kennedy as he was taken by a golf cart to the end of the dock at the private Hyannis Port Yacht Club and shuttled by a small boat to his vessel.
"You're in our prayers," someone shouted.
"Wasn't it wonderful to see the senator out there?" said Tom Swift of New Bedford, who had just docked a boat for Joseph P. Kennedy II, the senator's nephew. Swift said he has not seen the senator in some 20 years and was surprised to find him boarding a boat the day he returned home.
Kennedy, 76, underwent what his doctors called a successful, three-hour surgery June 2 by a hand-picked surgeon, Dr. Allan H. Friedman.
Friedman, deputy director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at the Duke University Medical Center, said in a statement that Kennedy's recovery is going well and that he can continue recuperating at home, under the supervision of his doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital.
"The senator and his wife, Vicki, are wonderful people, and I hope you will join me in wishing them the best as they continue their difficult journey to fight this disease," Friedman said. "Their courageous and positive attitude is a lesson for us all."
Surgery is considered the most aggressive form of treatment for the senator, who was diagnosed with the brain tumor on May 20 after suffering a seizure. He is expected to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment at Mass. General.
Kennedy's office released a statement yesterday saying the senator "is thankful for the extraordinary care of the doctors and nurses at Duke and also for the continued prayers and well wishes from the people of Massachusetts and all over the country."
The senator returned home to a community where he has been known to mix with neighbors at parties and town events, enjoy a sail around Nantucket Bay, and join in local gossip.
Residents expressed hope for a quick recovery.
"Everyone's happy he's doing well, doing better than expected," said Irene Griffin, as she had lunch yesterday in downtown Hyannis. She said Kennedy has attended Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville.
"I think the local people, whether they agree with him or not politically, they're still concerned, they're passionate," Griffin said. "Everyone wishes him well."
Kennedy's return inspired others.
"It was inspirational to see him doing well, doing well enough to get out," said Laura Deoras of Framingham, who was walking with her mother during a day-trip to the beach when they noticed Kennedy making his way along the dock.
"It was exciting," Deoras said. "We're glad to see he's doing well, glad he's out and about."
Patricia and Paul Fariss, on vacation with their son from Virginia, never thought they would see the senator when they decided to take a stroll by the Kennedy compound.
But he was there, only hours after returning from the hospital, making preparations to head out for a sail.
"I would have liked to have shook his hand," Patricia Fariss said. "To just touch him and wish him well."
Globe correspondent Vincent DeWitt contributed to this report. Milton Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com.
