February 19, 2025
Letter

Kennedy’s prognosis

The BDN’s front page headline on May 21 was: “Kennedy has year to live, experts say.” I hope the Kennedy family and the good senator’s well-wishers toss the headline in the waste basket and concentrate on Sen. John Kerry’s comment: “This guy is one unbelievable fighter,” as well as the statement by neurologist Dr. Lee Schwamm and Dr. Larry Roman, Kennedy’s primary doctor, that Kennedy “remains in good overall condition and is up and walking around the hospital” and “remains in good spirits and full of energy.”

The attitude of many Sen. Ted Kennedy’s friends and associates, which appear from many media accounts to reflect a virtual write-off of this “unbelievable fighter,” are totally out of order. I couldn’t conceive of a better place for the senator to be than Massachusetts General Hospital.

Over 50 years ago I took my dad through the doors of the White Building for a similar reason. He lived for another productive 25 years following brain surgery and the care he was given then. In those 50-plus years, the hospital has persisted as nonpareil in the management of such cases.

No tears need be shed. This man could not be in more expert and caring hands. Those who are forecasting the worst of outcomes should park them outside Mass. General’s doors.

Robert C. Dick

Castine


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