DISQUS

monkeypox · 1 year ago

This isn't good! I hope he's okay. I could imagine that the stress of campaigning isn't doing him any favors in this area.

gustavmahler · 1 year ago

Good grief!! A presidential candidate probably has a mini stroke on TV and he will not release his medical records??? WTF??
Can you image Obama doing this? This has gone on far enough, McCAin can't handle this!

grandma · 1 year ago

McCain is making no statement on the Senate floor tonite....just the vote.....Obama made a statement on the floor earlier........I was surprised at McCain not making a statement.....maybe he is scared to if what happened today was a TIA

John Aravosis · 1 year ago

Or maybe he's not feeling well.

Styve · 1 year ago

What would happen to the campaign? Caribou Barbie on her own, lookin' fer a new pardner?@!

Yee-haw!!

MNUSA · 1 year ago

Hopefully his family or his campaign staff will have him examined. There are medical procedures and medications that can help immensely and make it possible for him to lead a normal active life for many years. It's best if someone doesn't have a full-blown stroke. Some people survive and recover, but they can be devastating. By the way, people can have strokes at any age which is why everyone should have regular physicals and be sure their blood pressure isn't high.

snowbird42 · 1 year ago

My husband had a TIA recently and is on a new medication esp. for this.

WHYN0T · 1 year ago

"Somebody Get Me A Doctor"

(Words by Van Halen)

(One, two, three, four)
Ooh yeah! Ow-ow!
You better call me a doctor, baby, no pain
Overloaded, down the drain

Somebody get me a doctor

You better call up the ambulance I'm, deep in shock
Overloaded baby, I can hardly walk

Somebody get me a doctor (Ooh!)
Somebody get me a doctor

Yeah! I'm feelin' over fine
And I'm speedin', down that line

Woo, woo!

(Guitar Solo)

Ow! Ow! Ow!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Woo!
Oh, woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo!

Ow!
Ooo!

Ya better call up a doctor, feelin high
I'm overloaded baby, I say "Bye-bye!"

Somebody get me a doctor. Oh, yeah!
Somebody get me a doctor. Ooh, ooh!
Somebody get me a doctor. Ah, yeah!
Ooh!

Somebody give me a shot!

RainbowPhoenix · 1 year ago

My grandmother did things just like this when she was in her late eighties. The left side of her face either spasmed or in one case just fell. McCain needs to release his medical records immediately so the American people can know what we're getting into

EvoMan · 1 year ago

This sounds interesting, but if my family doc was watching TV while leaning over me, I'd be a little concerned.

mobius · 1 year ago

Thank you! That was where I stopped reading. What on EARTH?

Are we having dentists diagnose TIAs now?

John Aravosis · 1 year ago

I already wrote in the post that he's an MD. Good try, though.

EvoMan · 1 year ago

John,

I like your blog. It doesn't bother you that he was watching TV while leaning over a patient? Would it bother you if he or she were your doctor? If I were a medical practitioner, I definitely wouldn't admit to this. Why was it included in the response? You've confirmed he's an MD. Have you confirmed he's not yanking your chain?

You're an investigative reporter. Show a little curiosity. Why on earth would this TV watching while examining a patient information be volunteered?

These are pretty minor twitches. In a 70-something man, they may, I repeat, may indicate an underlying problem, as might his confusion about exiting the stage. But, I'm twenty years his junior and I forgot what floor I parked on in the local parking garage today. There's plenty to go after McCain on without this.

MommaKat · 1 year ago

Okay I wasn't going to comment on all this, but now I have to. If you've never worked in a hospital, you just wouldn't understand. I walk into my patients room for an assessment, even a consultation. They have the t.v. on, as most patients do because, damn it all, hospitals are boring for the patients! I see something I'm interested in, and naturally it captures my attention - even if just briefly. Hell, that's how I saw the first footage of the Iraq war aired on American networks. And, no, the patients do not mind. They actually like when we express interest in what they're watching and chit chat for a moment or two.

When something out of the ordinary comes on, particularly medically so, I notice and pay even closer attention. If I'm in a situation where I can't, I ask around to see if anyone else has noted the same thing. After the time I spent working as an ICU nurse and in hospice, I have on several occasions caught things on the screen regarding Mr. McCain that scream TIA, confusion, etc. It's very concerning, and honestly, there's not much wrong with a doc saying as much.

Jim Olson · 1 year ago

In all seriousness, what does the Republican party do if McCain is incapacitated before the election? Is there any rule that states that the VP nominee is automatically the Presidential candidate? Or do they go for the second place finisher in the primaries to be the candidate?

Monkei · 1 year ago

we don't need to go down this "GOP" style path to win this election. LET IT GO.

TheAngryFag · 1 year ago

So what happens should "the big one" come? Personally, Im not hoping to find out. I would like to see McCain soundly defeated in November than the mess that would ensue if something happens to McCain. I am sure the Republicans would throw a hissy fit.

csburdell · 1 year ago

Two words: sympathy vote.

TheAngryFag · 1 year ago

I don't think the sympathy vote would work here though. They know that a man with major neurological problems has no business leading the country.

blueoysterjoe · 1 year ago

I am a big fan of you guys, and I have to admit that I really struggled to see the tick, even in slo-mo. I mean, I saw him wink with one eye, but gosh ... I feel like this is a little alarmist. I can appreciate that I don't know as much as a doctor, but I also think we should really emphasize the last bit he said, about not jumping to conclusions.

Anyway, I could be completely wrong, and McCain could have a stroke tomorrow, which would be very sad. I think he would make a truly horrible president, possibly even worse than the current one, but man, I hope he makes it through OK and loses this thing on the merits as opposed to keeling over.

So I dunno ... I am still a big fan of you guys, and this is just one area where I am going to have to disagree.

John Aravosis · 1 year ago

Sorry, but on this one I have to vigorously disagree. If you watch the real time video, and then the slow video, and then look at the photos, the facial spasm is obvious. And it was obvious the other time it happened a week or so ago. Sorry, but this isn't really debatable as to whether it happened - it's only a question of what is causing it.

blueoysterjoe · 1 year ago

Well, I will definitely look forward to what else you guys find out.

Thanks for the update.

Dave of the Jungle · 1 year ago

And, to these apparent neuro muscular expressions, add an apparent trend over the last year, at least, of confused answers rife with speech errors and semantic anomalies - indicative of worsening cognitive dysfunction.

yesh · 1 year ago

you watch tv while leaning over patients? cool. sign me up, doc.

Hurrycane · 1 year ago

He may have been treating a stable patient in the emergency room, and the patient had his/her TV on. Sometimes things grab your attention like that. But I have no way of knowing... I found the remark odd, too.

ShirleyGoodnessanMercy · 1 year ago

Damn it. Now I am feeling SORRY for that dumbfuck McCain.

Please remind me of how he and Palin have worked to keep me a second class citizen and how he will surely destroy what's left of our country so I won't feel sorry for him. God knows he has never felt sorry for any gay person suffering from injustice. Why is it that we always feel empathy for them even tho they never have empathy for us?

HereinDC · 1 year ago

I am satisfied with that comment from that person.
Let's keep our eye on McCain from now on.


>>>>> So McCain IS NOT going to speak tonight like Obama did. I'd say that could....could raise some suspicion for McCain NOT speaking this evening.

Bush_Bites · 1 year ago

Let's be honest.

The guy shouldn't even be in the senate much less running for president.

He should be retired and taking it easy.

All branches of the government really need to have a mandatory retirement age.

I mean, what the hell?

They got great benefits, it's not like they need to work after 65 or 70 like the rest of us.

leftrightwhocares · 1 year ago

Man you lefties are some pretty mean people. Not that righties are angels. This reminds of that recent radical left shameful ad showing McCain's surgery scars. Next Olberman and Maddow will be asking if McCain has erectile disfunction and how this would affect him as president. You people who are so hardcore tied to the left or the right lack any sort of objectivity and this makes you incapable of anything but demagoguery...ie. rush limbaugh, hannity, olberman, maddow. Those people have no interest in the truth or objectivity. They only seek to sway people by whatever means to agree with them.

Bush_Bites · 1 year ago

You know.

If McCain didn't pick a knucklehead as his veep, it probably wouldn't be an issue.

John Aravosis · 1 year ago

Funny, but I've never had my eyes blink separately, or my mouth rise up on one side while blinking irregularly. I suspect it hasn't happened to you either. This isn't normal behavior.

leftrightwhocares · 1 year ago

wow, BUSH BITES, a little agism. I thought liberals were against all sorts of "isms" and were open minded and kind. You saying that is no different than saying O'drama' shouldnt be elected due to his color. C'mon lets be objective and open minded. You liberals are every bit as narrow minded as righties. Again, I say...demagogues.

Bush_Bites · 1 year ago

Mandatory retirement based on age is permitted for only one reason: Executives over age 65 in high policy-making positions who are entitled to a pension over a minimum yearly amount.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_Discrimination...

Sounds applicable to me.

Ann_in_KC · 1 year ago

My mom had a TIA (mini stroke) but didn't have tics or droopy eye. She couldn't talk.

Something is wrong but that's probably not it. The swollen part of his jaw is due to his surgery and the glands of the face. It might be about the glands and nerves to cause a muscle contraction (tic) and could be related to the droopy eye, that seems to be intermittent.

Bush_Bites · 1 year ago

Yeah, my Mom had one and she just sort of blanked out for a while.

No tics or anything.

But there are probably different types, I guess.

Butch1 · 1 year ago

McCain's multiple surgeries to remove his melanoma were extensive where many lymph nodes had to be removed along with the lesion. This creates a problem with fluid drainage from that area, hence, the swollen jaw.( I thought he had a problem with his parotid gland in the beginning before I found out he had surgery for his melanoma.) I understand that lymph chains running from the surgical site down into his neck were removed. That was a radical surgery and then to add radiation therapy to the same area would adversely affect the remaining tissue and nervous system. Improper innervation can cause many side effects from a ptosis of the eyelid to complete paralysis. He also looks at times to have Bell's Palsy on top of it all.

I think he is hiding something and I have a suspicion the reporters and the doctor did not get all of his medical records. I am reminded of Bush and his service records mysteriously disappearing or being lost. This seems to be the M.O. on the right of taking care of paper-trail problems;They just get lost or disappear.

hopelesspedant · 1 year ago

Pedantic note:

It's "tic" not "tick". Ticks are insects or what a clock does.

Bush_Bites · 1 year ago

Don't tick me off!

LOL.

Butch1 · 1 year ago

One can't have a tick without a tock. ;-)

tardigrade · 1 year ago

...oh, I can't help it....Ticks are not insects. They are Arthropods in the Family of Ixodidae in the Order, Acari... the same group as spiders, mites,

But, then again.... McCain is a 'ticking' time bomb.....

Hawkmistress · 1 year ago

A minor voice of caution: not that there isn't a mean little part of me that would be jumping up and down if McCain had some horrible illness (after all, if he were out of the running, odds are Palin would be out as well, and she scares the crap out of me) - but the confusion in trying to get off the stage may be completely benign.

If McCain is keeping a campaign schedule like most presidential candidates, that means you're sleep deprived, jet-lagged, and in a different state almost every day (if not multiple times daily). By this point in the campaign, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he's been on so many stages, he's tired, and once he finishes speaking (which he can probably do in his sleep now; heck, most of the republican talking points don't require a whole lot of higher brain functions) he blanks out and isn't sure how he's supposed to exit.

I DO still think that McCain should release his medical records. All of them. Most importantly, his MENTAL HEALTH records. Torture does funny things to the psyche, and I'd feel better if I knew he'd undergone extensive counseling. He was a hotheaded, authority-hating risk-taker BEFORE that happened; god knows what his personality would be AFTER, you know?

Maybe it could be sold to his campaign that if he releases his medical records dating back to his POW time, he'll get sympathy for what all was done to him?

petefitSD · 1 year ago

as an ardent McCain non-supporter, I do have some empathy for the schedule that a pres candidate keeps and it would not be out of the realm of reason to think that anyone might get a little turned around about which side of the stage to exit;
that said, the doctor's comments and observations in light of the facial tic AND confusion is downright freaking scary; the campaign out to release relevant medical records ASAP. As he is so fond of reminding us he was a POW for 5 years--wouldn't that carrry some sort of long-term residual effects? If he was vying for a ceo position you better dang well believe he would go through a battery of physical tests to prove worthy and to receive the insurance and full support of the board of directors

The people of the US deserve no less; he is running for our ceo (as a rough analogy) we have every right to know his physical and mental capacites before electing him to the office

woodroad34 · 1 year ago

I'm also a little concerned about observing someone on TV and making a diagnosis. The reason I say that is because of that Republican senator who was a doctor and made the diagnosis of Terry Schiavo after viewing her on a videotape. It was kind of disgusting and he was, more importantly, wrong.

anarchy · 1 year ago

Grandpa does an Ariel Sharon, and there's your October surprise.

McCain's mother is still alive and she's, what, 96?

who knows what's going to happen next in this crazy world.

all I know is that Caribou Barbie creeps me out completely
and she's cunning as a fox and dumb as a bag of hammers
all at the same time.

phxpaul · 1 year ago

Yes McCain's mother is 96. But he only has 50% of her genes. What is his fathers history?

ivyfree · 1 year ago

I'm surprised by the number of people who are shocked at the thought of a doctor actually noticing what's on TV when he's seeing a patient in the hospital. Most doctors are quite bright and are capable of assessing the patient's condition and answering any questions and discussing any changes in plan AND noticing what's on the TV at the patient's bedside. In fact, quite often the patients like having the doctor treat them like an intelligent adult and exchanging comments about what's on. Geeze. People are acting like the doctor's sprawled in a chair with a beer, instead of pausing for a moment or two in her daily round. Remember that the twitching and wandering around on the stage lasted for maybe a minute at most.

kajc · 1 year ago

I have nerve problem on the left side of my face that has caused some twitching like that. It's transitory and annoying and I can't do anything about it. Doctor says it's caused by that facial nerve passing though that small space in the jaw getting irritated by pressure from blood vessels that enlargen as you get older. (I'm only 39 by the way!)

It can get worse from florescent lights, sunlight, and sometimes stress. Because when I'm talking to someone and hoping my face won't twitch out it ALWAYS does! It mainly affects my eye, but when it really spasms badly It will affect the jaw like I saw in the video with McCain.

With all of the trauma from sugery and cancer on that side on his face I'd be surprised if he DIDN'T have some nerve damage.

I'm more concerned with his forgetfulness though. I knew Reagan had Alzheimers in the 80's when I was a teenager! It just took them several more years to admit that he did.

rbux · 1 year ago

I'm a palliative care physician and I see lots of patients with end stage disease, including metastatic melanoma. What's going on could represent a metastatic brain lesion or (as conjectured) a vascular problem. None of this will be solved until and unless he submits to an MRI and and MRA (angiogram). There should be pressure from the community for such testing -- immediately,

TrappedinaRedState · 1 year ago

My mother had TIA's for about a year or so before she had a massive stroke that debilitated her right side. Tests proved that she was having the mini strokes but doctors could not do anything about the major stroke because there were no blockages. Later it turned out that it was caused by an undiscovered brain aneurysm. She was about the same age as McCain when it occurred and she was very lucky - most people do not survive what she went through.

Her speech was not affected by the TIA's every time. Confusion was not always present either. Sometimes her right side became numb for a few moments or longer sometimes not. She always knew when it was happening though and we quckly learned to recognize the signs.

Chances are that Senator McCain has already had an evaluation and knows what is going on. He's just not sharing it with the American public to preserve his run at the White House.

LeesiD · 1 year ago

I think it is a metastatic brain tumor due to his melanoma......juts a guess. it reminds me of my stepdaughter's primary brain tumor she had, and her vision was also affected. That's the first thing I thought of when I saw John McCain.