http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/politics/view.bg?articleid=1109217Wife reports Sen. Ted Kennedy completes chemo treatment
By Hillary Chabot
An upbeat U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy completed his last day of radiation and chemotherapy treatment yesterday, according to an e-mail to friends and family from wife Vicki Kennedy.
“He remained strong and was able to stay on schedule throughout this shock-and-awe phase of the treatment and his doctors - and we - are enormously pleased with his progress,” Vicki said in an e-mailed update sent yesterday.
The senior senator was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor after suffering a seizure at his Cape home on May 17. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor and has been treated at Massachusetts General Hospital since.
“As you can imagine, after six weeks, we’ve really come to know and respect the entire Mass. General treatment team - doctors, nurses and technicians - and, even in the midst of this very serious business, we’ve shared a lot of laughter. But that’s not surprising to those of us who love and know Teddy - there’s always laughter when he’s around,” Vicki wrote.
Longtime Kennedy friend Phil Johnston said the 76-year-old senator has been very upbeat throughout his treatment.
“He’s got considerable energy, he’s on the boat virtually every day and he’s enjoying himself as much as he can on the Cape in the summer,” Johnston said.
The final day of grueling chemo comes as Sen. John F. Kerry pledged to ride the Pan Mass challenge next week in honor of Kennedy. A cancer survivor himself, Kerry sent an e-mail saying the bike ride this year is “for Ted.”
“This year, it’s especially poignant and meaningful,” Kerry said in a written statement. “I’ll be thinking of him every mile of the ride across a state we both love.”