It’s sad that one of the politicians with integrity is facing this devastating diagnosis. I also don’t agree with him politically, but I respect him and his service to this country.
The maverick senator used to be a democrat. I always felt that he was a true moderate, more interested in pursuing the best course as opposed to blindly supporting any one “team.”
Imagine a Washington full of such Americans.
I have a neighbor who’s SIL has gliobastoma. Do you know how hard that is to type with stupid spellcheck :(( It’s heartbreaking, he was in a clinical trial that he just got kicked out. I think those who beat the odds with this are miracles TBH.
I wish the best for Senator McCain. He’s the true American hero.
D had a friend who died of glioblastoma at age 21. Toward the end she lost her ability to find words, she had seizures, she had a stroke. She lasted about 2 years from diagnosis. Horrifically sad.
I met Senator McCain a few times. Very gracious. After going through torture 40 years ago, now the poor man will have to go through this.
I disagree with Senator McCain on most political issues, but I think he’s an honorable, well-meaning man who loves this country and wants the best for it. I hope for the best, and if the worst happens I hope that he is in no pain. It’s just awful.
He is a true Officer and Gentleman.
I just heard that Ted Kennedy and Beau Biden also had glioblastoma. So sad…
I remembered that Ted Kennedy did, but forgot that was the same cancer Beau Biden had.
I just hope he doesn’t suffer, he suffered enough for all of us already.
Yeah, I wonder about “aggressive treatment” in an 80-year old.
My coworker, in his early 40’s, was diagnosed with the same thing last month. Talk about a huge shock. He went to the ER with a horrible headache on Sunday, went for an MRI on Wednesday, found out he had a golf-ball sized tumor (glioblastoma) on Thursday, and was unable to use his left side by Friday. He has two boys in middle school - was a SAHD who returned to work less than a year ago. He is an awesome guy. I can’t stress enough how unbelievably quickly his life changed … his family’s lives changed … and our work life changed (not only do we love & miss him, but we have a shoestring staff, and his sudden absence has wreaked havoc).
We went to see him in the rehab facility a couple weeks after his diagnosis, and it just was not the same person sitting in that room. His executive function was affected, and I could see some of the same responses/behaviors my mom exhibited when her exec function was impaired by dementia. And he was SO … TIRED. It broke my heart, let me tell you. None of us at work have gotten over it yet. He is starting his treatment protocol, and I know it will get worse.
My good friends know Senator McCain because their sons went to high school with his son - they think he is a great guy. My heart goes out to his family - and to any family that is experiencing this diagnosis.
As for “aggressive treatment” at 80, my dad said no when he had kidney cancer in his 80’s. The initial hack-out-the-tumor stuff was fine, but he said no to radiation/chemo. But his wife of 55 years had died a couple years before, his kids were grown and he got to watch his first grandchild get married. Senator McCain has a younger family, so I imagine he will choose as aggressive a treatment as possible (and he DID survive captivity …).
My friend’s D died of glioblastoma two years ago after 11 months of aggressive treatment, much courage, and fighting it to her last breath. She left behind a devastated Mama and Dad, a loving husband, an identical twin, and a close brother. Very tragic; everyone is still hurting as though it just happened. That cancer is brutal.
As I understand it, there is no positive long term prognosis.
I’m sorry, for him, his family, and those who counted on him being fair and square. Life’s a B.
I’m back at “He’s 80???” He looks wonderful for 80.
You don’t “beat” glioblastoma, and maybe at 80, “beating” cancer isn’t all that relevant, anyway.
What you’re aiming for with treatment is as long a period as possible with a good quality of life. And that’s the same thing all 80-year-olds want, isn’t it?
We, too, are across the aisle from Senator McCain, but have the greatest respect for his integrity. As Arizonans, we have always felt that we are in good, honest hands despite our political differences. Senator McCain’s service academy panel awarded our son three nominations during his application round two years ago; politics did not enter into those decisions.
God bless you and your family, Senator McCain. We wish you fair winds and following seas.
As a former Arizonan, I do remember him coming into the state and being called a carpetbagger, as he ran for office immediately after moving to Arizona. However he has gone on to serve in the Senate with great integrity and been a moderate and reasonable voice from a state that does not always exemplify political moderation. Though I certainly am on the other side of the political spectrum as well.
Yesterday I read his Wikipedia page, and was humbled by the description of his time in Hanoi as well as the after effects.
My dad is a vibrant 80 - he doesn’t look his age, either. He has chronic leukemia, but we’re thankful that it’s managed well with medicine. He’s taking us on another safari next year. I can’t even imagine what the Senator’s family is going through. 
Senator McCain’s mother is still alive!
His mom is 105. Can you imagine living that long and then of a sudden getting hit by news that you might outlive your child?!