John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer (Congress: appointed, to live, military)

[autism360]

If he is a true patriot he will step down as senator for the good of the country, but if he is only at the job because he loves the power then they will have to pry his hands from the senate podium.Time will tell

[jbgusa]

Both Ted Kennedy and John McCain have had long time exposure to the Senate floor and Senate Office Building. Both have exactly the same kind of cancer. Query, does anyone thing there's a connection? I don't know myself.

[CraigCreek]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

Both Ted Kennedy and John McCain have had long time exposure to the Senate floor and Senate Office Building. Both have exactly the same kind of cancer. Query, does anyone thing there's a connection? I don't know myself.

Unlikely.

There is no known cause for glioblastoma, but considering how many hundreds of others (not just elected officials, but their staffs, maintenance workers, security personnel, and so on) also have long-time exposure to these buildings, this seems more coincidental than anything else. I expect there are similar cases of multiple instances of other terminal illnesses that could be found - heart attacks, strokes, other cancers, accidents, and so on.

[Bayarea4]

McCain should get a medical marijuana card. Maybe if someone high up in the Federal government uses it and discovers its real benefits the publicity will help get it legalized nationally.

[Caves19]

My thoughts are with him and his family. You know his mom is still alive? She's 105.

[CraigCreek]

Originally Posted by Caves19

My thoughts are with him and his family. You know his mom is still alive? She's 105.

Wow! No, I had no idea - how sad for her to see a child faced with life-threatening illness at her age.
However - her longevity and McCain's otherwise good health may indicate that they share genes which lead to slow aging, which would be encouraging. I am sure that Mayo's is scrutinizing Mrs. McCain's age and conducting genetic testing to precisely tailor the senator's treatment.

Standard treatment for gioblastoma (aka gbm) is surgery, which McCain has undergone, immediate meds to prevent seizures caused by brain swelling due to pressure from the tumor, carefully targeted radiation over a six to eight week time span after a month or so to recover from surgery, a similar few weeks off to recover from radiation, then chemo. Typically, chemo is the hardest on the body and can have significant side-effects. It's likely that chemotherapy would be tailored to McCain's DNA - some people have a trait which makes treatment with certain drugs more successful and is associated with longer length of survival.

I think if McCain opts for this treatment, it will be hard for him to continue to serve in the Senate, particularly if he has chemotherapy and/or is treated solely in Arizona. Obviously good treatment is also available in the D.C. area.

Some gbm patients cannot tolerate chemo, so opt to only have surgery and radiation, followed by careful monitoring of their condition via MRIs - and can live pretty normal lives for a good while afterwards. My friend who's battling gbm is in this category ( the doctors agreed that the reaction to chemo was life-threatening) and is doing very well, almost 20 months out. Perhaps this also will be McCain's choice, or perhaps he will not be as adversely affected by chemo as are some. However, each case is unique and individual, and there are many factors to be taken into account. McCain's positive attitude is a huge asset.

I continue to send all good wishes to the senator and his family now and during the battle ahead.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by CraigCreek

Some pretty harsh comments here. Regardless of your political views of Senator McCain, he is facing a very difficult prognosis. He has also served our country faithfully in various ways for many years, although I have not always agreed with his views or his votes.

That should not be an issue now. Sending best wishes for the best possible outcome, and many good days ahead.

Edited to add that I hope this thread does not get shut down as did the similar one in "Politics", due to trollish and hateful comments and deservedly harsh replies (all of which were deleted).

I was about to post the same thing: I am not a huge lover of McCain, but some of these comments show how cruel people can be when their comments are anonymous. Why would he step down at this time? Heck, for all those who say "step down" would they resign their jobs if they were diagnosed with a disease, even if it was not curable. Let's see what happens in the next few weeks? I am guessing he will not survive much longer.

Right now, it seems only right to pray for him and his family and wish them the best as they face the next few months. His daughter made a very moving statement about him yesterday. Thanks, Megan.

[Finper]

Originally Posted by CraigCreek

Wow! No, I had no idea - how sad for her to see a child faced with life-threatening illness at her age.
However - her longevity and McCain's otherwise good health may indicate that they share genes which lead to slow aging, which would be encouraging. I am sure that Mayo's is scrutinizing Mrs. McCain's age and conducting genetic testing to precisely tailor the senator's treatment.

Standard treatment for gioblastoma (aka gbm) is surgery, which McCain has undergone, immediate meds to prevent seizures caused by brain swelling due to pressure from the tumor, carefully targeted radiation over a six to eight week time span after a month or so to recover from surgery, a similar few weeks off to recover from radiation, then chemo. Typically, chemo is the hardest on the body and can have significant side-effects. It's likely that chemotherapy would be tailored to McCain's DNA - some people have a trait which makes treatment with certain drugs more successful and is associated with longer length of survival.

I think if McCain opts for this treatment, it will be hard for him to continue to serve in the Senate, particularly if he has chemotherapy and/or is treated solely in Arizona. Obviously good treatment is also available in the D.C. area.

Some gbm patients cannot tolerate chemo, so opt to only have surgery and radiation, followed by careful monitoring of their condition via MRIs - and can live pretty normal lives for a good while afterwards. My friend who's battling gbm is in this category ( the doctors agreed that the reaction to chemo was life-threatening) and is doing very well, almost 20 months out. Perhaps this also will be McCain's choice, or perhaps he will not be as adversely affected by chemo as are some. However, each case is unique and individual, and there are many factors to be taken into account. McCain's positive attitude is a huge asset.

I continue to send all good wishes to the senator and his family now and during the battle ahead.

They tried radiation on my mother. On the rescan radiation didn't do anything the tumor was twice as big.

[Hrothgar]

Prayers and well wishes for Senator McCain, a great man and Patriot

[Finper]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I was about to post the same thing: I am not a huge lover of McCain, but some of these comments show how cruel people can be when their comments are anonymous. Why would he step down at this time? Heck, for all those who say "step down" would they resign their jobs if they were diagnosed with a disease, even if it was not curable. Let's see what happens in the next few weeks? I am guessing he will not survive much longer.

Right now, it seems only right to pray for him and his family and wish them the best as they face the next few months. His daughter made a very moving statement about him yesterday. Thanks, Megan.

I doubt he will be seen in public again. He has to have a huge incision line on his scalp and no hair. I think he should resign and focused on his family and friends