Ted Kennedy’s surgery this morning lasted 3 1/2 hours and left the Senator feeling “like a million bucks,” he told his wife. Dr Allen Friedman, chief of neurosurgery, performed brain surgery on Kennedy at the Duke University Medical Center. Kennedy is fighting his cancer with the same strength and conviction with which he fights his political battles. In fact, this fighting spirit seems to run in the family; Kennedy’s daughter Kara, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003, and told the tumor was inoperable by doctors at Johns Hopkins University. But she was operated on anyway. In light of Kennedy’s continued optimism and refusal to stop fighting for what he believes, it is fitting that the motto of the Medical Center is “There is Hope.” In a statement released from his office, the longest serving senator announced his plans to undergo surgery, follow up with radiation and chemotherapy, and keep fighting for what he believes:

I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness... After completing treatment, 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.

Sadly, as Kennedy himself points out, many Americans lack the access to the exceptional health care treatment Kennedy receives: “I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President and the Congress of the United States, then it is good enough for you and every family in America.” So takepart for health care for all and check out the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), a non-profit research and education organization of 15,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals who support single-payer national health insurance. And check out this great video about the Insur-animals.

Related

• Ted Kennedy’s America
• Kennedy’s brain tumor surgery deemed a success
• Doctor says Kennedy brain surgery was successful

Previously:

• Ted Kennedy’s Malignant Tumor: Sad News, But “The Work Goes On”
• Obama Spoke To Me (At Wesleyan, My Alma Mater)
• Senator Ted Kennedy Diagnosed With Malignant Brain Tumor
• Obama Commences Wesleyan Commencement Praising Kennedy