Kennedy Surgery Successful

[katerinasmommy]

Source: MSNBC

Doctors say surgery was successful and that they accomplished their goals

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24927252/

---

Thank God!

[bdamomma]

1. Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably,

now let's see if they got part of the tumor.

[truthisfreedom]

2. Excellent!

[aquart]

3. And those goals are...?

[mikelgb]

5. victory

[Narkos]

41. LOL!

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. Removing the tumor?

:shrug:

[Carolina]

39. removing as much tumor without causing

neurological damage (debulking). Since gliomas by nature are invasive, the rest will be up to chemo and radiation.

Godspeed to EMK.

BTW, had a nephew who had brain surgery at Duke and did jus fine. Of course he's young and it was a different diagnosis (not a malignant tumor) but the neurosurgery team at Duke is truly great.

[aquart]

100. Thank you for a sensible answer.

I, too, have someone who went to Duke for treatment and is doing so beautifully, wonderfully well. Also much younger than Kennedy, though. Still, I was so pleased when I heard he was doing the surgery at Duke.

[BlooInBloo]

4. :)))))

[Bill219]

6. front page of the Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/

[Warpy]

7. Surgery in this case is not a cure

and only removes the solid section of the tumor. There is also a good chance of damage to adjacent tissues, meaning they'll have to wait and see if his movement is intact.

Debulking the tumor is what they do prior to chemo and/or radiation.

Kennedy has decided to fight this. I wish him the very best because he's always done his best for me, but the prognosis is still not good.

[katerinasmommy]

10. The surgery itself was very risky

As someone who has had several surgeries and been scared to death, I can tell you that just waking up can feel like a blessing. Until it starts hurting like a bitch anyway! Hang in there Ted. One step at a time

[Warpy]

14. He's going to have a headache and a lot of bad hair days

but my guess is that he's still gorked and on a vent. They'll know what to expect in a couple of days when they taper the drugs and start weaning him off the vent.

[Crunchy Frog]

26. He apparently spoke immediately after the surgery.

A Kennedy spokeswoman said the senator spoke with his wife, Vicki, right after surgery, telling her: “I feel like a million bucks. I think I’ll do that again tomorrow.”

[bdamomma]

29. it was mentioned that he was awake for the procedure.

[lumberjack_jeff]

88. They do that to verify that they're not cutting anything important

Seriously. Dad was shot in the head in Belgium. He remembers the surgery and the doctors asking him strange questions during it. "Do you smell anything?" "Say your ABC's". "What is your name?".

[tabasco]

83. He's a tough old dog.

He might just make it through all this.

[SammyWinstonJack]

90. awesome!

:bounce:

[hlthe2b]

28. No, they do it awake.... Mild sedation only.

That way they can tell when they are about to go "too far."

[Warpy]

33. They keep them sedated and on a vent afterwards

to reduce the amount of postoperative swelling within the brain.

[hlthe2b]

72. Not necessarily:

Awake craniotomy with propofol infusion has become increasingly popular for the optimal excision of brain tumours located in eloquent areas. During awake craniotomy, tracheal intubation is not performed and propofol infusion is limited to within doses which render the patient just sedated. This asleep-awake procedure is occasionally associated with difficulty in controlling brain volume, especially in patients with a significant mass effect of their brain tumours, since sufficient sedation with propofol tends to cause hypercapnea. We report an intraoperative wake-up procedure employing a laryngeal mask, which enables general anaesthesia to be performed at a sufficient dose of propofol and with control of the brain volume under mechanically assisted ventilation. Before the beginning of cortical mapping, propofol infusion is completely terminated, so allowing the patient to wake up within 5–15 min. Following completion of the tumour excision, general anaesthesia is re-induced at a sufficient dose of propofol. The laryngeal mask can be temporarily removed and repositioned with ease, if necessary. In our experience, this technique is applicable for the optimal excision of brain tumours, especially in patients who are very obese or those who have very large lesions.



Journal of Clinical Neuroscience
Volume 8, Issue 3, May 2001, Pages 253-255

[Warpy]

74. This covers the intraoperative period

with anesthesia re administration (which requires intubation) at the end.

My comment covered the post operative period. Intubation and mechanical ventilation could be overnight if the mass were small, for a few days if it were very large.

I would expect Kennedy's tumor to have caused a significant mass effect since it was causing his seizures.

This is still guesswork on my part but it is educated guesswork.

[Narkos]

82. General anesthesia does not require endotracheal intubation

The study cited shows why...general anesthetics are administered all the time with Laryngeal Mask Airways, and sometimes with nothing more than an oral airway. Even propofol sedation with no airway support can be considered a general anesthetic by most definitions. Large mass lesions, if significantly debulked, actually reduce cranial vault volume, and can potentially reduce the incidence of seizures (absent any swelling from tissue manipulation). As I said before, most neurosurgeons prefer an awake patient in the postoperative period after any cranial surgery if possible as a means of assessing any neurologic deterioration.

[Narkos]

44. It's rare to keep neuro patients intubated

most surgeons almost demand that they be extubated immediately in the OR to assess their neuro status. Unless the tumor was huge or in a critical area, I'd bet he's awake and conversant.

[NWPatriot]

47. Bad hair days?

If he's on chemo, it's likely to be NO hair days!

Still, it's nice that he can HAVE a day! Like a friend of mine said, "It's always a good day when you wake up on THIS side of the dirt"!

[melody]

62. Actually, I'd think it would be an even worse day if you woke up on THAT side of the dirt

lol

Welcome to DU, btw.

[NWPatriot]

67. Thank you!

[uppityperson]

57. Glad he's keeping an open mind about the treatments.

Line from a friend after having brain surgery for a glioma. Best of luck to Sen. Kennedy.

[keroro gunsou]

87. pardon the pun

i assume...

open mind... sheesh... next thing you'll tell me is that whole neurosurgery thing is all in his head...

well at least he's still got his sense of humor in tact, hopefully he'll be alright.

[PaDUer]

79. check this article out...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/washington/02cnd-kennedy.html?_r=1&8au&emc=au&oref=slogin

Dr. Friedman at Duke did not report what percentage of the tumor he removed.

Doctors are rarely able to remove 100 percent of tumors when they are aggressive, quickly spreading cancers embedded in such crucial, functional areas, experts said. Gliomas in particular “migrate quite extensively away from the bulk tumor,” said Alain Charest, an assistant professor of neurosurgery at Tufts Medical Center. “Single tumor cells take off and go a certain distance away from the main mass, and these are the ones that are hard to get at.”

[CountAllVotes]

9. YEAH!!!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

I knew you'd make it Ted!

See you back in the Senate soon! :D

:loveya:

:kick:

[Lex]

11. Just down the road from me he recovers from surgery.

Seems so odd somehow. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with him today.

Lex

[Blaq Dem]

12. Great news but let's wait and see

He was awoke the entire time. How brave.

[Texifornia]

15. All brain surgury...

is done with the patient concious. Only a local is required for the skin incision, the rest (bone and brain)has no sense of touch.

Goos luck Ted

[DainBramaged]

24. No it isn't (with the patient concious)

they put me to sleep for BOTH of my brain surgeries (frontal lobe and pituitary) to remove my tumors.

[hlthe2b]

30. No, not all, but Kennedy's was done awake....

[bicentennial_baby]

63. Yes, my Mom was under for her shunt insertion surgery as well

[JeanGrey]

68. That is odd. My friend had two brain tumors removed and I

can assure you she was knocked out for both, general anesthesia.

[maddezmom]

13. Good news

:)

[slackmaster]

16. w00T!

:hi:

[CountAllVotes]

17. kick!!! :)

[butterfly77]

18. K&R...

[sakabatou]

19. Stay strong, Senator.

[FemaleDemfromMass]

20. Great news!

Get well soon Senator Kennedy.

[DainBramaged]

21. This is the quote that gives me hope and tells me he has the strength to beat this.

“I look forward to returning to the United States Senate and to doing everything I can to help elect Barack Obama as our next president.”

I am crying like a baby (tears of relief and joy) as I type this, knowing he survived the surgery.

[sellitman]

53. You and me both.

Bless him and his family.

:hug:

[pnwmom]

69. Unfortunately, it's not just a question of strength or will or there would be many

millions more cancer survivors.

This type of cancer, in particular, and at his age, is particularly grim. All they did today was take as much of the "main" tumor out as they could safely do, but it has already seeded itself throughout his brain.

[graywarrior]

22. Day at a time, Senator.

We're all with ya, man.

[dave29]

23. wonderful news.

rest, and heal, Senator.

[JBoris]

25. “I feel like a million bucks. I think I’ll do that again tomorrow.” lol

This is GREAT news!!!

[bdamomma]

27. I think I heard a sigh of relief from all of us on this surgery.

[jennied]

31. Awesome news!

[AFSCME girl]

32. Yay! This is great news! n/t

[shadowknows69]

34. Great great news, man is he strong.

[RoccoR5955]

35. Like I said...

:kick:
He's a fighter, and he'll be back in no time, to kick the butts of the Cons once again. He's not going down. It's just a bump in the road!

[BunkerHill24]

36. Wonderful News...My prayers are answered

Thanks you. K&R

[politicasista]

37. Hang in there, Uncle Ted

:patriot:

[asthmaticeog]

38. EXCELLENT NEWS!

Add my voice to the chorus of well-wishers to the Senator and his family.

[Tippy]

40. Thanks for posting the news

Thank You God , you showered blessing upon Ted Kennedy, his family and the DU family,,,I am sure you already know but in case you didn't get this off the inside track...Clinton and Obama are coming together. God Bless

[LeftishBrit]

42. Wishing him all the best!

[lisa58]

43. good news

[Liberty Belle]

45. I'm pleased, and hope he will use this to speak out for our vets with brain injuries;

How many of them could recover with proper care, which they are not receiving?

[NWPatriot]

46. Excellent!

Here is to a speedy recovery!

[Zorra]

48. Healing blessings to an American hero. We need you, Seanator.

Get well soon, we love you!

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

49. All right!

Good news for a change. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for continued good news about Senator Kennedy.

[OhioChick]

50. Good to Hear!

:thumbsup:

[whistle]

51. That is great news!

[road2000]

52. So glad he's made it

through this first step. All the best in months to come, Senator.

[Mad_Dem_X]

54. Wonderful news

I will keep him and his family in my prayers.

[Politicub]

55. Thank goodness!!

I'm not the praying type, but I'm so grateful that the surgery was successful.

[Lugnut]

56. Great news!

Best wishes to Sen Kennedy.

[cui bono]

58. Sweet! Here's to a speedy recovery.

:bounce:

[Scout]

59. good news n/t

[klook]

60. Great news

I think we can all agree on that.

[CaptJasHook]

61. K&R for a Progressive Work Horse.

[BlueIris]

64. Hey, cool beans. Continued best to the Senator and his family. nt

[defendandprotect]

65. Kennedy was awake for the 3 1/2-hour procedure at Duke University Medical Center, his doctor said.

Kennedy was awake for the 3 1/2-hour procedure at Duke University Medical Center, his doctor said.

Wow . . .

[defendandprotect]

66. ...and daughter Kara had lung cancer 5 years ago . . . ??? !!!!

[pleah]

70. I am so glad to hear this.

I wish him well.

[mdmc]

71. Thank God

:patriot:

[ekwhite]

73. That is excellent news.

It appears that he will go on chemotherapy in a few weeks. It will be a shame to lose that white lion's mane of his.

[Laurier]

75. That's terrific news!

[Dinger]

76. K & R!

[Kajsa]

77. Quote from Senator Kennedy,

"“I feel like a million bucks. I think I’ll do that again tomorrow,”

-- the 76-year-old Massachusetts Democrat was quoted by a family spokeswoman as telling his wife immediately afterward.

I love that man!

Rock on, Senator Kennedy, Rock on!

:loveya:

[Sunnyshine]

78. Stay strong Sen. Kennedy. Glad your surgery went well. n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

80. Great News!!!

Healing vibes for Senator Kennedy :hug: :loveya:

[Grateful for Hope]

81. He is a fighter

and, it is apparent that he did his homework on the best course of treatment for the type of cancer he has.

His fighting spirit alone, however, may well be the factor that will push that cancer into remission.

He is an amazing man.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

84. That headline is 45 years too late.

AND 40 years too late. :(

[blonndee]

92. ...

:cry:

[proud patriot]

85. Great News

:thumbsup:

[lonestarnot]

86. More more more

prayers!

[Darth_Kitten]

89. Wishing him the best!

:D

[liberaltrucker]

91. Speedy recovery, Dear Senator

The prognosis may not be great, but you've dedicated your life
to fighting for the underdog. Your mortal body is the underdog
now. Fight like hell. YES YOU CAN!!!!!

:patriot:

[demdiva]

93. Soooo good nt

[izzybeans]

94. Good beginning...here's to a hopeful recovery.

:toast:

[Highway61]

95. God Speed

Prayers for a speedy recovery.

[JimboDem]

96. Rest Up, Teddy!

I wish you well with uncomplicated chemo and rads. You are a great Senator for we Bay Staters. Kick some ahhhss, only when you're stronger...we'll wait. :dem:

[brit54]

97. Did he make much use of a cell phone?

· A 2007 study conducted in five Northern European countries found a significantly increased risk of developing glioma after using a cell phone for more than 10 years. Glioma is a cancer of central nervous system cells, usually the brain.


full report > http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/cell-phone-cancer-47060204?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist

I avoid holding the cell phone to my head - use speaker phone or and air tube head set - not wired which can make it worse.

[Stinky The Clown]

98. "They accomplished their goals"

Were I the patient and had I heard that about my own brain surgery, I would not be terribly hopeful.

I hope he makes it to a complete recovery and many more years leading the Senate. But I'm a realist.

God Bless, Senator Ted. God Bless.

[SlipperySlope]

99. I take a moment away from the stress of GD:P to wish Teddy the best.