WASHINGTON (AP) — Arizona Sen. John McCain has been diagnosed with a brain tumor after doctors removed a blood clot above his left eye last week, his office said in a statement Wednesday.
The 80-year-old Republican has glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. The senator and his family are reviewing further treatment, including a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
“On Friday, July 14, Sen. John McCain underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from above his left eye at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Subsequent tissue pathology revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot,” his office said in a statement.
The senator and chairman of the Armed Services Committee had been recovering at his Arizona home. His absence had forced Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, to delay action on health care legislation.
In a statement, McConnell said:
John McCain is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country. He has never shied from a fight and I know that he will face this challenge with the same extraordinary courage that has characterized his life. The entire Senate family’s prayers are with John, Cindy and his family, his staff, and the people of Arizona he represents so well.
Doctors say McCain is recovering from his surgery amazingly well and his underlying health is excellent, according to the statement.
Meghan McCain, the senator’s daughter, shared a statement over social media concerning her father’s condition.
“The news of my father’s illness has affected every one of us in the McCain family. My grandmother, mother, brothers, sister, and I have all endured the shock of the news.”
Statement regarding my father @SenJohnMcCain: pic.twitter.com/SMte9Hkwkq
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 20, 2017
Meghan McCain continues, calling her father “the toughest person I know…My love for him is boundless.”
“He is a warrior at dusk, one of the greatest Americans of our age, and the worthy heir to his father’s and grandfather’s name,” she said. “But to me, he is something more, he is my strength, my example, my refuge, my confidante, my teacher, my rock, my hero – my dad.”
McCain was the GOP’s presidential nominee in 2008, when he and running mate Sarah Palin lost to Barack Obama. A Navy pilot, he was shot down over Vietnam and held as a prisoner for five and a half years.
Members of Utah’s congressional delegation, as well as many, many others, have taken to social media to express their support for McCain during this time.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
“Few have served our nation more admirably than John McCain,” Hatch said. “He’s an American hero in every sense of the word, and Elaine and I will be praying for John, Cindy and the McCain family as they process this devastating news.”
Hatch statement on @SenJohnMcCain. pic.twitter.com/yG7vi0IGfi
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) July 20, 2017
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah
“Sen. McCain is a true American hero,” he said. “He and his family will be in my prayers and I hope to see him again soon.
Sen. McCain is a true American hero. He and his family will be in my prayers and I hope to see him again soon.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) July 20, 2017
Rep. Chris Stewert, R-Utah
“I’m saddened to hear of John McCain’s cancer,” Stewart said. “Life is precious and always unpredictable and I wish he and his family the very best. “
I’m saddened to hear of John McCain’s cancer. Life is precious and always unpredictable and I wish he and his family the very best.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) July 20, 2017
Former President Barack Obama also chimed in.
“John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I’ve ever known,” he said. “Cancer doesn’t know what it’s up against. Give it hell, John.”
John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I’ve ever known. Cancer doesn’t know what it’s up against. Give it hell, John.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2017
Story by Donna Cassata, Associated Press | St. George News senior reporter Mori Kessler contributed to this report.
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St. George News contributed content: Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.
Perhaps it is time for Arizona to consider replacing their senior senator, so he and his family can deal with these issues in private.
The Senate is filled with old guys, mainly guys, who are occupying important positions of power, well past their prime time ability to work constructively on legislation.
John Mc Cain is one of the few guys who took a pragmatic approach to legislative measures, and was criticized for this. Placing common sense, above strict partisan politics, will be remembered.
Utah voters need to ask themselves if Orrin Hatch has overstayed his welcome. I may be wrong, but he appears more interested in representing his special interest campaign contributors, than the good folks of the state of Utah.
Successful leaders in business tend to move on, when they have accomplished their objectives, and turn over the reins to worthy successors. Is it wrong to expect these Senators to get out of the way before they expire in office?