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Doctors Seek Cause of Kennedy's Seizure

CNN
Posted: 2008-05-19 10:23:49
BOSTON (May 19) -- Sen. Ted Kennedy was undergoing more tests Monday as doctors tried to figure out what caused his seizure.

"[It's] unclear if we'll know anything conclusive later today or tomorrow," spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said Monday. "As of right now, I expect him to stay again tonight."

The 76-year-old Democratic icon was flown to the hospital after having a seizure Saturday.

Medical officials this weekend said he seemed to be out of any "immediate danger."

Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital offered no update Sunday or Monday morning.

Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy's primary care physician, said Saturday that the senator was "resting comfortably and watching the Red Sox game with his family."

He said Kennedy will undergo further evaluation to figure out what caused the seizure, and "a course of treatment will be determined at that time."

Kennedy: An Able Legislator

Kennedy's family was with him at the hospital, and he received a call from Democratic president contender Barack Obama on Sunday, Cutter said.

Obama told reporters at a campaign stop in Milwaukie, Oregon, that Kennedy "sounded great, he sounded like his usual old self."

"I am just thrilled that Teddy is back on the mend," Obama said. "And I suspect he will be on the floor of the Senate immediately, doing the people's business. And there's not a better senator, or better friend, or better supporter for me than Ted Kennedy."

Kennedy, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1980, has endorsed Obama.

Obama's presidential rivals, Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, also expressed thoughts and prayers for Kennedy.

Well-wishers across the country sent messages to Kennedy and his family.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Saturday he spoke to the wife of the Massachusetts Democrat, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, and she told him her husband is going to be fine.

"Everyone knows he is a strong fighter," Reid said Saturday, speaking at the Nevada state Democratic Party convention.

Initially, a well-informed, prominent Democratic source in Massachusetts had told CNN that Kennedy seemed to have "symptoms of a stroke."

Someone in the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport called 911 Saturday morning, and an ambulance soon rushed Kennedy to Cape Cod hospital.

He was then flown to Massachusetts General, where he had undergone surgery to remove a blockage in his left carotid artery in October. Kennedy's office said that blockage was discovered "as part of a routine evaluation of Sen. Kennedy's back and spine."

He suffers chronic back pain from injuries suffered in a plane crash in 1964.

In recent days Kennedy has appeared to be in fine health. On Friday, he took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new maritime learning center in New Bedford.

Family members reported that Kennedy was well enough later in the morning Saturday to call to say he would not be able to join them for lunch.

Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 1962. He is one of only six senators in U.S. history to serve more than 40 years. He is known as a liberal champion of social issues such as health care, family leave and the minimum wage.

Kennedy is the youngest of nine children in the famous family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy. His oldest brother, Joe, died in World War II; two other brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert Kennedy, were assassinated in 1963 and 1968, respectively.

CNN's Deb Feyerick contributed to this story.

2008-05-17 12:00:29
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Recent Comments

1 - 10 of 10457
10457 comments

shannathew 09:04:32 PM May 25 2008

bjshep God is a bottle of booze thats about all i think Teddy the swimmers made ammends to.
bjshep86 05:23:46 AM May 25 2008

Report This! So sorry to hear about Sen.Kennedys troubles, he has been there for all the family sincen President Kennedy was shot. then his brother Robert and young JohnJohn died the man has really come a long way since Chappaquiddick, with no one has forgotten so he has made his amends with God and the public so blessTed and wife Vickie and the rest of his family.

jonraycar 01:23:05 AM May 25 2008

Ted Kennedy's Toast:
To the insignificant little people posting their diatribes of hate. Tis
glad I am and glad I'll be that you like knowin the likes of me.

thomasecw 02:09:21 PM May 24 2008

Senator Kennedy is obviously suffering from the long term effects of swallowing too much lake water.

ellajeanm 01:23:17 PM May 23 2008

Best of prayers to the Kennedy's. They have had a lot of misfortunes but...we all have, we are not famous and we don't get publicity.

shannathew 12:27:52 AM May 23 2008

MaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJo
MaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJo
MaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJo
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MaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJoMaryJo
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f14dbombcat2006 10:47:51 PM May 22 2008

Fools it is God punishing Ted for endorsing that liberal bigot Obama, god and Mary Jo waited and now they get him. too bad it didn't happen sooner. while the liberal scum mourn his loss including some republicans.
Satan is dancing for joy saying "at last at last! I can now collect the whole Kennedy Brothers set"

shannathew 09:00:47 PM May 22 2008

Give Me a break His punishment for Murdering MaryJo was not to be president what drug are you on, sheesh.
bcknanc 04:52:26 PM May 22 2008

Report This! suziehal-I could not have put it better myself. Looking at all of those photo's, especially of the late JFK, make me sad. It makes me yearn for the days when it was OK to play outside with your friends, and have mom call you in before it got dark. When gay marriage was not an issue. When we didn't have PC's and Ipod's and cell phones. Yes, the male Kennedy's had their sins, but they paid their debts. Ted's punishment was never to be elected President, and having the whole world watch, not only as he buried JFK, but Bobby and JFK. Jr. My heart goes out to all of the Kennedy family. At least Ted was able to comb gray hair, unlike his brothers and nephew.

shannathew 08:59:42 PM May 22 2008

Give Me a break His punishment for Murdering MaryJo was not to be president what drug are you on, sheesh.
bcknanc 04:52:26 PM May 22 2008

Report This! suziehal-I could not have put it better myself. Looking at all of those photo's, especially of the late JFK, make me sad. It makes me yearn for the days when it was OK to play outside with your friends, and have mom call you in before it got dark. When gay marriage was not an issue. When we didn't have PC's and Ipod's and cell phones. Yes, the male Kennedy's had their sins, but they paid their debts. Ted's punishment was never to be elected President, and having the whole world watch, not only as he buried JFK, but Bobby and JFK. Jr. My heart goes out to all of the Kennedy family. At least Ted was able to comb gray hair, unlike his brothers and nephew.

russpoor 08:35:49 PM May 22 2008

gee sad what do you think mary jo is thinking right now loser....................................

windyshe 07:21:20 PM May 22 2008

G-d Bless Ted Kennedy and his entire family.
They have done so much for this country.
And had too much tradgedy.

I love and pray for this family.
Thanks for all you all do.

1 - 10 of 10457
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