Arlen Specter hospitalized with a serious illness, friends confirm

[kpete]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Arlen Specter has been hospitalized with a serious illness, confirm friends of the longtime U.S. Senator. One asked that people keep him in thoughts and prayers.

Specter, 82, announced in 2005 that he had Hodgkin’s disease for which he underwent chemotherapy. His cancer returned and he was treated again in 2008.

Friends declined to comment Monday afternoon on the nature of his illness.

Specter had been scheduled to appear as a surprise guest and perform a comedy set at last Wednesday’s Stu Bykofsky Candidates Comedy Night but his secretary cancelled his long-booked appearance several days earlier, Bykofsky confirms, adding that Specter’s assistant referred to the cancellation as “personal.”




Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/Arlen-Specter-hospitalized-with-a-serious-illness-friends-confirm.html?cmpid=138887484#ixzz24nouzRoK

[glacierbay]

1. I had my differences with him

but I hope he gets well soon.

[CountAllVotes]

2. Get Well Soon Senator Spector

[gopiscrap]

3. What happens if he dies?

what is the proceedure for replacement in PA?

[madinmaryland]

4. He will be buried. BTW, he is no longer a Senator.

[gopiscrap]

6. I'm sorry thought he still was...

not up on PA politics..wasn't he also the guy who came up with the magic bullet theory re: Kennedy

[CatWoman]

13. he was also Ira Einhorn's (The Unicorn) first attorney

[Judi Lynn]

14. Yuck! Didn't know about that. Thanks for the info. So strange. n/t

[Myrina]

21. ... and author of 'the magic bullet theory' re: JFK

n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. He isn't a sitting Senator.

[TDale313]

7. Sad to hear this.

My thoughts are with him and his family.

[nolabear]

8. Hoping he recovers, and best to his family.

[CBHagman]

9. Very sad news.

I hadn't heard this yet. Sad though it is, thanks for posting.

And I hope he pulls through.

[Vidar]

10. I wish him well. He stood for something other than greed & hatred (cornerstones of today's GOP).

[The Wizard]

11. He saw the light

at the end of his career and became a Democrat. Get well Senator.

[Myrina]

22. He started out as a Dem, and switched, then went back to being a Dem when

... he knew he couldn't win as a Republican any longer.

He didn't see the light, he was a vote chaser.

[MrMickeysMom]

12. I would never wish him to suffer...

... but I really think he should come clean about the single bullet theory before he dies.

Nothing worse than going to the grave with that lie.

[Skittles]

15. I never wish suffering on anyone

well........OK I will admit when I heard the news Dick Cheney had a kidney stone, I wished for that kidney stone to have antlers

[xxqqqzme]

16. Damn, that got me

[JI7]

17. i hope he can beat this again

[RetroGamer1971]

18. Godess bless him!

He wasn't always my cup of tea, but I admired his testiness. I hope he gets well soon. :}

[Tx4obama]

19. Update: Arlen Specter Confirms He Is Fighting Cancer

Arlen Specter Confirms He Is Fighting Cancer

PHILADELPHIA -- Former Sen. Arlen Specter confirmed Tuesday that he is fighting cancer again, calling the latest diagnosis "another battle I intend to win."

The 82-year-old Specter issued a brief statement through his Philadelphia office. A family spokesman reached by The Associated Press declined to comment on the type of cancer or confirm news reports that he had been hospitalized.

Specter, who was Pennsylvania's longest-serving senator, has overcome two bouts with Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system, since 2005. He also has survived a brain tumor and cardiac arrest after bypass surgery.

In his statement, he said: "I'm battling cancer. It's another battle I intend to win. I'm grateful for all the well wishes I've received. I'm looking forward to getting back to work, to the comedy stage, to the squash court and to the ballpark."

-snip-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/28/arlen-specter-cancer_n_1837148.html

[bunnies]

20. Good thing he has his GOVERNMENT health care!

Just saying.