Posted on 04/15/2008 3:48:28 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter said on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with an early recurrence of Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph system.
Specter, R-Pa., was originally diagnosed with the disease in 2005. At that time, he was treated with six months of chemotherapy. The disease went into remission, which lasted three years.
Specter's recurrence was diagnosed based on a routine follow-up scan, which showed small lymph nodes in his chest and abdomen. A follow-up biopsy of one of the chest lymph nodes tested positive for recurrence. A bone marrow biopsy came back negative.
Now, Specter will receive chemotherapy weekly over the next 12 weeks.
Specter said he was surprised the disease returned, because he had been feeling fine.
"I consider this just another bump on the road to a successful recovery from Hodgkin's, from which I've been symptom-free for three years," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
I’m still upset that Toomey isn’t in that seat after coming so close to winning the GOP primary for that seat.
Prayers for his recovery. Cancer is an awful disease.
Comment withheld due to banning policy on the FR.
Sorry to hear this ... prayers for Senator Specter.
While I have huge political differences with the Senator, all that is moot point... I wish him and his family a speedy recovery.
May he be replaced by a conservative.
A doctor was once asked what he would wish for if he could have just one wish granted. He responded, "I wish that cancer hurt."
Unfortunately, feeling fine doesn't mean much in the world of cancer.
May Senator Specter benefit from his treatment and lead out the rest of his life with his cancer in remission.
Dittos to your comment!
I agree and will wait and pray for a full recovery... then I'm back on his arse for being ted kennedy lite.
LLS
Not good. I went through chemotherapy for Hodgkins about 20 years ago, and I was told that it would be much harder to treat if it recurred. If he has it in the chest and abdomen, that means at least Stage 3, and possibly worse.
That seems to mirror an in-law’s experience...he got it into remission a couple of times, but the cancer-free period lessened each time, and he died after the third round.
I just mentioned to my husband the other day that Senator Spector is looking pretty good these days. Prayers up for him, with cancer there is no politics.
It’s to bad the cancer has returned.
He was on Rush a couple of weeks ago talking about his book and his surgeries and cancer he had. The Senators not conservative enough for me but his story was really incredible and was a very insightful interview on how the disease/chemo knocks you down but you just have to keep getting back up.
Prayers for his full and speedy recovery.
Just retire Senator and enjoy your sunset years. Best wishes for healthy recovery...
I disagree with broad areas of his politics and dislike what he stands for, but I certainly don’t wish him ill like this. I hope he has a speedy and complete recovery.
Prayers for the full recovery of a bad Senator.
Yes, prayers for his recovery. While I have not always agreed with Sen. Specter, I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
Woo! I just read the article and learned of his past medical history. Brain tumors (twice), open heart surgery, cardiac arrest and now a recurrence of Hodgkin’s. Depending on how you look at it, up until this last diagnosis, he’s either been incredibly unlucky, or incredibly lucky. It’s a glass half full half empty situation. Despite his politics, I hope that he beats it this time too.
Prayers for his recovery, and also for his immediate retirement.
Since I don't really believe in coincidences, isnt though "coincidental", that on the Colbert Report last night Chris Matthews was discussing a possible run for Spectors senate seat in 2010.
Hmmm makes you wonder at the timimg.
Not good news when this type of cancer reoccurs. I hope for him and his family that it really is just a bump in the road.
I generally disagree with him but wish him the best in this miserable fight.
Best hopes for the Senator.
He was instrumental in getting Clarence Thomas confirmed to the SCOTUS.
Best wishes to the senator. He’s got a big fight ahead of him now.
Thoughts and prayers for Senator Specter.
Wait’ll we get Chrissy Matthews in ‘10. Then you’ll REALLY be upset that Toomey didn’t win the primary.
prisoner6
Ditto. I’m just saying that Toomey would of won that GOP primary if it wasn’t also for the campaigning from and the endorsements from both President Bush and Laura Bush for Specter, and then, Specter could deal with his cancer without still also being a U.S. Senator.
I've always said the day I retire is the day I die.
prisoner6
He’ll be 80 in ‘10. I would think it quite likely he would retire....although I’ll admit that a Dem might have an advantage....
Until yesterday, he was planning to run in ‘10, but perhaps the recurrence of the Hodgkins will force him to reconsider the decision. If it’s an open seat without Specter running, I doubt the Republicans, even a RINO will be able to hold it in the current atmosphere. Specter had said he was worried about the overwhelming switch to Democrat in the Philly ‘burbs where he gets most of his support, and how that would impact his political survival in ‘10, so maybe he will pack it in.
Not if you truly make your retirement a very active one, which is a very important thing to do.
Yes...we must be better than the DUM people who revel in other peoples misery.
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