Dear Friend and Reader,
As dessert was being served at the inaugural lunch, Senator Robert Byrd, 91, became ill, pale and was clearly suffering. People called for medical staff, and he was slowly escorted out.
A minute later, 76-year-old Senator Ted Kennedy who is battling a brain tumor, began having convulsions. According to MSNBC, the sergeant of the capitol police called for medical attention immediately. Everyone in the room stood up, and medical staff rushed in and he was attended to. he was in a wheelchair anyway, and it was collapsed back and he was strapped in as a gurney.
He continued to have convulsions as he was escorted out, and no further information is available at this time.
Senator Orrin Hatch reports that it appeared to be a seizure. He and Senator Kerry followed Kennedy as he was wheeled out on the wheelchair/gurney. He appeared to be in pain but able to communicate, he was not unconscious.
UPDATE: It’s been reported that Ted Kennedy is feeling much better, and his seizure may have been provoked by being tired. Senator Byrd has also recovered.
-Rachel Asher
Rachel:
I wanna watch what you’re watchin’ . . you’re way ahead of what I heard. Last report (NBC) was that Sen. Byrd became ill after his long-time friend Sen. Kennedy became ill. I hope they both will be okay.