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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWow! - A President's Secret Operation: How Grover Cleveland Hid His Cancer Surgery From Everyone
I found this rather intriguing, it's quite a story, how his cancer operation was performed and hidened in the 1890's. It's really an interesting read. Nothing could be kept this secret IMO today.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/30/1367390/-A-President-s-Secret-Operation-How-Grover-Cleveland-Hid-His-Cancer-Surgery-From-Everyone
That night, as he settled into the White House for the second time, Cleveland noticed something odd--a rough patch on the left side of the roof of his mouth. Over the next four weeks, whatever it was seemed to get bigger and bigger, and by the middle of June the President was worried about it.
Because the surgery was so extensive, it left a large gap in his upper jaw that prevented him from speaking. To hide that fact, Cleveland stayed at his house in Cape Cod and carefully avoided all public appearances for the next three weeks. When he had healed sufficiently, the doctors returned to see him again. It was explained to the press that the President had a toothache and was just having a tooth pulled. In reality, the doctors were removing the last bits of the tumor and making a rubber plug to fit into the gaping hole in the roof of his mouth, as well as a removable set of artificial teeth that fit into the gap of his jaw to give his face a natural appearance and allow him to once again speak normally. Finally, four weeks after the surgery, President Cleveland was able to return to Washington again. No one was the wiser.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)The White House press corps knew, of course -- how could they not? -- but they played along. It was not until shortly before his death that he "outed" himself, saying that sitting down "makes it a lot easier for me not to have to carry about ten pounds of steel around on the bottom of my legs".
There was even a debate about whether he should have been portrayed in a wheelchair on his memorial, because that was not how the public knew him!
merrily
(45,251 posts)commented that she'd never seen anyone look that bad and still be alive.
I think his inaugural speech that time was the shortest in history.
Tsongas comes to mind as well.
RKP5637
(67,030 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)Thanks. K&R
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)Weeks and weeks of agony, how did he even eat?
RKP5637
(67,030 posts)He must have been a very strong person mentally to have handled all of that, and especially when the US was not doing well. Some stories from the past are so incredible and intriguing. I'm amazed he survived it all, so wonderful the cancer did not return.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)RKP5637
(67,030 posts)then I looked it up on the net today. Just an amazing story/times.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Couldn't even hide a sneeze.
RKP5637
(67,030 posts)easier that way to get him isolated from everyone.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)They went to great lengths to hide FDR's polio...
RKP5637
(67,030 posts)CajunBlazer
(5,648 posts)From a New York times article entitled: In J.F.K. File, Hidden Illness, Pain and Pills
"As president, he was famous for having a bad back, and since his death, biographers have pieced together details of other illnesses, including persistent digestive problems and Addison's disease, a life-threatening lack of adrenal function.
But newly disclosed medical files covering the last eight years of Kennedy's life, including X-rays and prescription records, show that he took painkillers, antianxiety agents, stimulants and sleeping pills, as well as hormones to keep him alive, with extra doses in times of stress."
here is the link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/17/us/in-jfk-file-hidden-illness-pain-and-pills.html