Kennedy makes dramatic entrance
By Susan Milligan and Stephen Smith, Globe Staff
DENVER -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy is in Denver for a dramatic, unexpected appearance at the Democratic National Convention.
While excited delegates are hoping he will speak to them, it is unclear whether he will, because of his health.
Delegates will see a video tribute to the long-serving Massachusetts political icon, who is battling brain cancer.
UPDATE: Caroline Kennedy, in her introduction of the video, again plans to compare Obama to her father, President John F. Kennedy, as well as paying tribute to her uncle.
“I am here tonight to pay tribute to two men who have changed my life, and the life of this country -- Barack Obama, and Edward M. Kennedy," she plans to say, according to excerpts released by the party. "Their stories are very different, but they share a commitment to the timeless American ideals of justice and fairness, service and sacrifice, faith and family. Leaders like them come along rarely. But once or twice in a lifetime, they come along just when we need them the most.
"I have never had someone inspire me the way people tell me my father inspired them -- but I do now. And I know someone else who’s been inspired all over again by Senator Obama.
"In our family, he’ll always be known as Uncle Teddy. More than any senator of his generation, or perhaps any generation, Teddy has made life better for people in this country and around the world. For 46 years, he has been so much more than just a senator for the people of Massachusetts, he’s been a senator for all who believe in a dream that’s never died."
Kennedy arrived Sunday night and had a precautionary checkup at a local hospital. Kennedy had planned to stay home in Hyannis Port and watch from there, but decided he couldn't miss the event.
"Senator Kennedy is in Denver and plans to attend tonight’s tribute to him," his office said in a statement. "He’s truly humbled by the outpouring of support, and wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he's not surprised that his uncle made it to Denver.
“He seems great…he is lucid, he is sharp, he seems completely unchanged by the surgery, by the illness…all of us are happy; his mind is completely unaffected,” Kennedy told Chris Wallace on Fox News Network.
Kennedy said he believes the country is ready to hear Senator Kennedy's message again.
“The American people have really come around to believe that the things that he’s been fighting for, for the past fourty-four years as a Senator, are things that most Americans want.”
Travel to high-altitude cities such as Denver can pose at least a theoretical risk to the health of brain cancer patients, a leading cancer doctor said today.
Anyone venturing from a lower to a higher altitude can experience swelling in the brain because of the drop in atmospheric pressure, said Dr. Deepa Subramaniam, director of the Brain Tumor Center at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
And, potentially, that could prove more problematic for brain cancer patients. That's because they may already be coping with swelling caused by a tumor or by surgery to remove a cancerous growth.
Still, Subramaniam said in an interview, she is not aware of any of her patients experiencing such problems, including a patient who traveled to Denver a few weeks ago.
"While theoretically we worry about the increase in the brain swelling, most patients actually do quite fine and should not have any significant trouble," she said.
If patients do experience swelling and a headache results, doctors typically prescribe steroids or other medications to ease swelling, said Subramaniam, who is not involved in treating the Massachusetts senator.
Cancer patients may also be at elevated risk compared to other people for developing blood clots during an airplane flight, the Washington, D.C., oncologist said. Doctors aren't sure why, but brain cancer patients appear to have an especially heightened propensity for clots.
Still, if cancer patients -- just like any passenger -- move their toes and walk through the cabin during a flight, that can reduce the prospects of a clot forming.
Kennedy's doctors have said they are treating him with radiation and chemotherapy. The chemo drug most commonly used to treat brain tumors is called temozolomide. Unlike some other cancer medications, it does not deplete red blood cells, which ferry oxygen through the body. The drug, though, can deplete white blood cells, which help fight infections.
Subramaniam said she urges her brain cancer patients to continue leading active, productive lives, including traveling.
"I don't limit my patients at all," she said. "If patients want to travel, I never tell them to hold off just because they have a tumor or they're on treatment. Life is precious."
These guys are hard to believe -- they are so into themselves that they are beyond description. Teddy, stay home, the world will exist without you!!
Dan
DUh...Who'd a thunk the Dems were going to pull the dying Kennedy tear jerker card?
I'll believe it when I DON'T see it! No way that he risked traveling to a high altitude, which is difficult for your average human, NOT to address the crowd.
Senator Ted Kennedy's distinguished presence assures success of the Denver
Democratic Convention. He epitmizes strength and courage and dellghtful will.
wasn't there a tribute for him at the 2004 convention? It's a bit much. They should honor the Snorg Tees girl!
It's quite discouraging to see that the top posts on this subject are negative in nature.
Senator Kennedy has had a long career representing, communicating with, and providing assistance to his constituents in Massachusetts. His ideals on healthcare and education have been established for decades and earnestly fought for and negotiated within the Senate.
Whether he lives another day or another 100 years, I believe his family and he have treated his health situation with dignity, optimism and courage. Courtesy in those regards would suit well with those that post their opinions here regarding his health, immediate and future plans.
This is likely, given his disease, his last waltz. Cue the music ...
Wher are the clowns, Send in the clowns, There ought to be clowns, oh don't bother there here.
Good for him that he traveled to Denver. He deserves the honor placed on him by the party, and the US should appreciate his service, even if they disagree with his positions. The only problem here is that this is going to steal the spotlight from Mrs. O, or is that the idea a little distraction?
some of these comments are very disappointing; the political world is so mean-spirited and cynical that people lose their sense of compassion and humanity.
Please, the Grand Old Party digs up Reagan every chance they get.
You people are crazy.
Why is it so painful for you clowns to see Kennedy living his life?
Wow, Quincy. He also epitomizes a rich boy who got away with murder because of his money and family name. Pathetic. The man should be in jail.
Way to go Ted!!! You're courage and conviction, not just in dealing with your fight against cancer but also in your political life, should be an example to all.
Unsympathetic and inhumane posts. Clearly you don't know the battle brain tumor patients face everyday. This is far from a "woe is me" tour. This is a continuation of what Senator Kennedy has always stood for: speaking on behalf of those without a voice. His efforts to do so, should be commended. His fight against this horrible disease is one that shows tremendous courage against extraordinarily bleak odds. He has handled the diagnosis with class and dignity. Fight on Senator.
Just a bunch of uneducated (or just selfish) red necks. Every state has them.
Just think of the day the corrupt and racist Republican(s) will honor Bush & Cheney. I think we will all puke in our mouths...
Kennedy gave his life for local guys like me
he didnt have to but he did and that kind of selflessness is unheard of ...I dont like Obama but if our Senator likes him then he is the MAN
Given the nature and tone of many of these pathetic posts, the country is indeed spiraling downward. Fortunately I have the ability and the inclination to leave the country and live elsewhere--as for you "America--Love it or Leave It" reactionaries, this polarized, reality-show loving, tabloid-thinking, Jerry Springer place is no longer a fine place to live.
Both the Kennedys and the Bushes have enough skeletons in their closets to cast a monster movie--get over it. This is what the wealthy have always been like throughout the world--yet we somehow selectively point fingers for some imagined political advantage. Geesh--enough already.
The negative comments posted here are obviously from people that have not lost a loved one to a brain tumor. You haven't had the opportunity to see otherwise healthy people have their body shut down bit by bit.....If you want to know what a brain tumor patient faces....go home and turn on every overhead light in your house.....then go back to where you started and walk backwards through the house and turn off one light at a time until the house is dark. When yo walk backwards you can see house begin to darken until finally it is completely dark. If you do this.....then you will have about 1/10th of 1% of the reality that a brain tumor patient goes through. This is what happened to my father twelve years ago.....first he lost the use of one leg, then the other, then this great man who prided himself on being self educated AND the fact that he maintained his membership in MENSA throughout his last twenty years of life could no longer hold his ink pen to do his two daily crossword puzzles......then finally loss of control of his bowels and then his kidneys shut down.
So don't knock someone who absolutely refuses to give up and go quietly, we shold cheer them on for their inspiration, not just to us, but to the many that you and I don't know who are facing end of life diseases. And to refer to an earlier comment posted here.....Ted Kennedy will be doing tonite what he always done....giving voice to those that won't be heard. Sign me a life long 53 year old white middle american former Republican living in the heart of the south!
He's paid his dues and deserves some R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Ted has been a tireless servant to the people of Massachusetts. I look forward to seeing him tonite. He's made mistakes in his life no doubt, but unlike many other people of privilege, he got up every morning to serve others. This tribute is long overdue.
Writing as an outsider - I am not American - I am continually amazed by the lack of intelligence and decorum displayed by many Republican supporters. What is the reason for this? Poor education or bad parenting, or what?
As a cancer survivor I can empathize with Ted Kennedy, and respect his courage.
God Bless Him and Wishing him a complete recovery
Best wishes to you, Senator Kennedy...and thank you for attending the convention.
I don't always agree with your politics...but I admire you greatly for fighting for what you think is right.
Several months ago, i snapped some shots of you and your wife and friends as you were walking down the Hyannisport pier following a sailboat cruise...and we exchanged a few words.
And I certainly wish you the very best, Senator.
All the best,
Jeff Howlett
You are a very good man.
God Bless you, Mr. Kennedy.
Jeff Howlett
Rochester, NY (formerly of Hingham)
Go Teddy!
regarding the first remark by daniel busse, you are a total moron. you think they plan these things out? the guy wants to go. period. he is sick with a brain tumor. don't you think a guy devoted to politics and who may not see another conventio (i hope not) deserves a standing ovation. you truly are a very mean spirited person.
Unlike the zeros of the GOP wrong -- Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, and now John McSame -- Edward M. Kennedy has never forgotten that he was elected to represent the best interests of the millions of Bay State citizens -- and the hundreds of millions of Americans -- who have life far far worse than he has ever had. And he has done his utmost to do so.
Of course, he has done some things that he should not have, and that no one should have. But taking his whole life into consideration, ESPECIALLY the last decades, he deserves the honor and respect that he has earned.
All the Kennedy bashers are following the Rush Limberger line. (that's how his name should be spelled).. You know, the guy who doctor shops for his meds. If you or I did that, we would be spending time in jail.
Keep plugging, Senator Ted!
My father died just before Christmas 2003 from the same type of tumor that Senator Kennedy has. It is a very traumatic experience for patients to know that they have an incurable condition such as this. I have admired the Kennedy family, and particularly Senator Kennedy for his dedication to fighting for adequate health care for all Americans, not just the privileged (as he obviously has been throughout his lifetime). The lack of basic human RESPECT shown among many who post their "thoughts" here is utterly appalling. May your ignorance catch up with you! I personally hope that Senator Kennedy manages to somehow, by the grace of God, beat his illness, and that he continues to live a full and prosperous life. My Dad beat his initial prognosis of 6 months (tops) by a factor of 3, but the final 2 months were pretty bad; somewhat akin to a patient with advanced Aalzheimer's disease. Fight on, Ted. And may God Bless You.
It is a shame that another human being cannot be moved by the courage Ted Kennedy had in traveling to Denver. Obviously those insensitive individuals have never been seriously ill or have never had a loved one terminally ill. Ted could die by flying to the convention. He is pasionate about politics and serving the country. Also this will probably be his last convention. So he is living the remainder of his life fully. He is remarkable and I pray he will be at peace and do the things he is pasionate.
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