John McCain has chosen to discontinue medical treatment for brain cancer, family says

Authored by thedenverchannel.com and submitted by Zack

Sen. John McCain, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, has made the decision to discontinue medical treatment, his family said in a statement on Friday.

"Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment," the family of the Arizona Republican said in a statement.

McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, is a key voice in the Republican Party and an icon of the Senate.

The statement went on to say, "Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John's many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers. God bless and thank you all."

McCain's wife and daughter both put out additional statements on Twitter.

Cindy McCain, the senator's wife, wrote in a tweet, "I love my husband with all of my heart. God bless everyone who has cared for my husband along this journey."

The senator's daughter, Meghan McCain, said in a tweet, "My family is deeply appreciative of all the love and generosity you have shown us during this past year. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. We could not have made it this far without you - you've given us strength to carry on."

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the news "very sad," and said on Twitter that "John, Cindy, and the entire McCain family are in our prayers at this incredibly difficult hour."

"Very sad to hear this morning's update from the family of our dear friend @SenJohnMcCain. We are so fortunate to call him our friend and colleague. John, Cindy, and the entire McCain family are in our prayers at this incredibly difficult hour," McConnell tweeted.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted, "My thoughts and prayers are with Senator McCain and his family."

Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey said in a statement, "John McCain is an American hero, always putting country before self. From Vietnam to the halls of the U.S. Senate, the spirit of service and civility that has guided Senator McCain's life stands as a model for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation." The governor said that he and his wife Angela "had the great privilege of visiting with Senator McCain and Cindy in May. Then and now, our prayers and our hearts are with them and their entire family."

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antiMATTer724 on August 24th, 2018 at 17:06 UTC »

I remember watching the election coverage when Obama won the first time. They went over to McCain's side and it showed the crowd booing, and he hushed them. Something along the linrs of how Obama won a fair race, and that they should respect the decision. I may not agree with him, but that's an honorable person.

And then 30mins later, South Park showed us how it was all a ruse to infilitrate and pull a heist in the white house.

Edit: Apparently I have to spell this out for some of you. I find "losing gracefully" to be an honorable trait.

purpleleopardprint on August 24th, 2018 at 16:08 UTC »

80+ years with a relatively good quality of life is all anyone can ask for. He hasn’t suffered from dementia, he hasn’t had to be put in a facility. That’s luckier than some. I’m a nurse and every day I see families trying to flog the last little bit of life out of their elderly family members. Full codes, intubation, aggressive cancer treatment. At his age and with his diagnosis, his seems like the right decision. Hopefully good hospice care can help him and his family focus on making the best of the time that is left. I also hope that this encourages other seniors and their families to have the difficult conversations about end of life planning and stopping futile treatments. It’s such an emotional topic, but an important one.

Edit: Obligatory thank you for the gold!!

alittlebrainmustfall on August 24th, 2018 at 15:35 UTC »

Cancer is this hungry, inexorable machine--it just chews through us. I have a rare blood cancer, although it probably won't kill me, at least anytime soon. Probably.

We are going to visit my sister in California next week; she's never met my stepdaughters. Her lung cancer came out of remission a few weeks ago.

There was my old girlfriend Anita. Wonderful woman--cute, funny, smart, compassionate. She didn't make it to 50 (also lung cancer). And Pat, my old buddy--biker, great sense of humor, a wise man. Liver cancer. And Nate, my roommate in the 80s. Pancreas. Jane succumbed to breast cancer a few months ago. Two close family friends in the 90s. On and on and on...

And Dad, when I was nine years old. Renal cell carcinoma. Totally fucked me up. And Mom fell apart, started drinking.

May Senator McCain spend his remaining days as comfortable as possible.

Fuck cancer!