BREAKING Sen Edward Kennedy undergoes Surgery for blocked artery in neck...LINK

[Blackhatjack]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/rapidreport/2007/10/senator-kennedy.html

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I'm glad it was successful

I wish him a quick and full recovery.

[kwyjibo]

2. Good luck, Senator

get well soon!

[Blackhatjack]

3. Excerpts .... statement from Kennedy's Office

Senator Kennedy Undergoes Surgery
October 12, 2007 11:48 AM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., underwent surgery in Massachussetts today to clear his carotid artery. His office says the procedure was preventive and non invasive. The blockage was discovered during an evaluation of his back and spine.

Kennedy has had back problems since he was in a plane crash in 1964 and never spends too much time standing. He will apparently be out of the hospital in a few days.

STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

"As part of a routine evaluation of Senator Kennedy's back and spine, MRI studies picked up an unrelated, asymptomatic blockage in the Senator's left carotid artery. This morning, Senator Kennedy underwent preventive surgery at

Massachusetts General Hospital to remove the blockage. The surgery, which was performed by Doctor Richard Cambria, was routine and successful. After a very brief recovery period, Senator Kennedy will resume his normal schedule in Washington and in Massachusetts."

[napi21]

4. God bless you Senator! I'm so glad they found this problem.

All I can think of is Teddy getting upset and screaming, all red faced, on the Senate floor, and what COULD have happened!

[Warpy]

8. That would only have happened had he not taken

the daily aspirin he's probably been on for a long time.

Narrowed arteries aren't a big problem until a little clot comes along.

The surgery generally isn't done until the blockage is over 90% because of the risk of intra operative stroke.

The operation is one of spectacular success or spectacular failure and nothing in between. I'm glad Kennedy went with the statistics and will now have a rapid recovery.

[Blackhatjack]

9. Another object lesson that points out how important healthcare access is to all Americans...

... not just to those who have insurance coverage.

[blondeatlast]

15. I'm a spectacular success from it. Glad to be here. Good luck, Senator! nt

[madrchsod]

5. good thing they caught that

blocked artery in the neck is very serious

[bobbolink]

6. Best wishes to the Lion of the Senate!

We need you, Teddy... thanks for taking good care of yourself!

:hug:

[applegrove]

7. I hope he is okay.

[wicket]

10. Get well soon Uncle Teddy!!!!

:hi:

[Pachamama]

11. My father had this surgery about a year ago...The theory goes that if you can get the blockage out

now, in advance, then it will help prevent a stroke and imminent death. There are dangers/risks associated with the surgery, but if its successful, then one may have prolonged their life. But, if one doesn't do the surgery, the risk of the artery blocking up and then being too late happens. And once it blocks up, its too late.....

[Didereaux]

12. Quite a challenge for the doctors...finding his neck! couldn't resist n/t

[flashl]

13. Speedy recovery. n/t

[JNelson6563]

14. Speedy recovery Senator!

:patriot:

[Ilsa]

16. Carotid endarterectomy isn't too bad of a surgery, if you have

to have it. I'm glad they've restored his optimum circulation and without incident. Get well quickly, Sen. Kennedy!