Ted Kennedy expected to leave hospital Wednesday

[ProSense]

Ted Kennedy expected to leave hospital Wednesday

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Edward Kennedy is expected to stay overnight at a Washington hospital after suffering a seizure Tuesday afternoon during a luncheon for President Obama.

After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue," said Dr. Edward Aulisi, chairman of Neurosurgery at Washington Hospital Center, in a statement.

"Sen. Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning," said the statement.

Paramedics were called to the Capitol's Statuary Hall at 2:35 p.m. Kennedy, 76, was taken by ambulance to Washington Hospital Center.

At the hospital, Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, said Kennedy was alert and in good spirits .

"He has his Irish up," Kerry said. "Ted Kennedy is going to be back in the Senate fighting for the things he cares about."

Kerry said Kennedy had a mild seizure, and quoted Kennedy's wife Vicki Kennedy as saying, "It just goes with the territory."


more

Sen. Chris Dodd, who was talking to Kennedy when he got into the ambulance, suggested the senator would be OK.

"He's fine, he's talking," Dodd said.

"He sounded good and strong as he got into that ambulance," Dodd told CBS News' Jeff Greenfield. He predicted that Kennedy would soon be back on the Hill fighting for health care.

In his statement, Aulisi said Kennedy "is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well."

Kennedy's wife Vicky and son Patrick are with him, reports CBS News' Kimberly Dozier, who spoke to a hospital spokesperson.

President Obama has called to check in on the senator, though it is unclear if the two spoke.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller told reporters that Mr. Obama noticed Kennedy becoming ill and rushed over to his table at the luncheon, according to the Associated Press.

Teresa Heinz Kerry reportedly assisted Kennedy during the convulsions. The senator was wheeled out of the Hall for medical attention on a stretcher. Sens. Orrin Hatch and John Kerry accompanied Kennedy to the ambulance.

link

[Political Tiger]

1. Here's to a speedy recovery! n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. So what's the deal about Robert Byrd?

Was he ill too? Or was that some kind of mix up?

[ProSense]

5. Byrd is fine.

He became emotional when Kennedy collapse.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. Ah yeah, that can happen.

In a Rose Parade in Portland many years ago, an elderly Shriner, or some such, collapsed of a stroke and several dozen parade watchers fainted as well.

[ThatsMyBarack]

3. Thanks for coming today, Teddy!

:loveya: :patriot:

[ronnykmarshall]

4. Thank god.

Best wishes to you Uncle Teddy.

We love you!

[sarge43]

7. Thank goodness.

The old lion needs to have some fun growling at the cubs.

[Natalya Slosky]

8. God bless you, Teddy.

You will be in my prayers. I hope for a full and speedy recovery!:patriot:

[PDittie]

9. Brought on by fatigue

Chris Matthews just said.

God bless him, he didn't want to miss a thing. Don't blame him one bit.

[blonndee]

10. Good news. By the way, you can send him a get well message via his website.

I did so back when he was first diagnosed, and I got an email back from him and his wife a couple of weeks later. I think it was a personal one, but of course I can't be sure.

Anyway, here is the link if anyone wants to send him some love. It's on the right hand side of the page.

http://kennedy.senate.gov/

[ProSense]

11. Thanks. n/t

[ProSense]

12. Video:

Senator Kennedy resting comfortably after seizure