Posted on 05/17/2008 9:02:55 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
HYANNIS -- U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy was rushed by ambulance to Cape Cod Hospital this morning after falling ill at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport.
Hyannis fire responded to the compound after a call was made around 8:30 a.m. It's unclear what Kennedy's medical condition is, but after he spent almost two hours in the emergency room a decision was made to transfer him to Mass General Hospital in Boston.
Kennedy, 76, was placed on a stretcher and wheeled out to the MedFlight helicopter around 10:15 a.m. where it took off from Barnstable Municipal Airport.
The Kennedy family is preparing to host the annual Best Buddies Challenge event in Hyannisport this afternoon, which is a fund-raiser for the organization. Best Buddies was founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver and helps people with intellectual disabilities.
Hundreds are expected to participate in the event, which kicked off this morning with a 100-mile bicycle ride from the Kennedy Library in Boston to Hyannisport.
A concert at the Kennedy compound is scheduled for tonight.
Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate for forty-three years.
He was elected in 1962 to finish the final two years of the Senate term of his brother, Senator John F. Kennedy, who was elected president in 1960.
Since then, Kennedy has been re-elected to seven full terms, and is now the second most senior member of the Senate.
Mod Note: We're watching this thread and are more than happy to hand out suspensions
I appreciate the ping
See the above discussion, makes you wonder about alcohol withdrawal. I certainly hope it was just seizures, they can be treated with medications and are not in and of themselves life threatening.
In fact, DU has at least two threads of Freepers worst comments going on right now.
I thought we prided ourselves on our manners.
She's apologized and so have I. Just a moment of getting flustered on a fast-moving thread.
“There is not a damn thing to joke about with a stroke.”
Amen! My husband suffered a stroke last weekend which, at least with the information available now, appears to have been far less serious than the one Sen. Kennedy seems to have had. It’s very stressful for the patient and his/her family. Mass General is one of the premier hospitals in the country, and we know the Senator is in good hands.
I don’t like a thing he’s done in the Senate, but do pray for a full recovery for him.
Just heard on WBZ that Kerry has arrived at Mass General
http://www.wbz.com/
We have manners at The free republic.
I wonder what they would be saying at DU if this happened to George W?
Doesn't sound good. Interestingly, his appearance has improved considerably over the past six months. Methinks he was told last October (when he had the artery clearing surgery) "quit the booze or you'll be dead within the year" and he took heed. Weight down, face cleared up. But there's no quick fix for decades of abuse.
Actually, I’m heading out in a sec...:)
Thanks, Admin. I am weary of classless conservatives making the rest of us look bad.
Prayers for the Senator and his family at this time of crisis.
You have the freedom to visits all the unmonitored, censored sites you wish. We have decided that we want to be part of a respected site - not a garbage dump.
Besides, what makes you think people enjoy reading hateful, trash statements using lots of potty language? Huh?
I expect he will pick another Massachusetts liberal, Romney fits the bill.
My uncle died following a massive stroke 2 years ago. His brain was gone but his body lingered almost 10 days. It was dreadful.
I pray for recovery for the Senator and strength for his family.
BTW he doesn't need a full recovery to be in the senate. Look at sheets Byrd and I do believe Strom's mummy is still on one of the committees.
My apology!
..we're all a bit emotional today.
Mushroom and black olive, thanks!
Did Fox just say that having a seizure could be far more serious than a stroke??????
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