After Diagnosis, Determined to Make a ‘Good Ending’

[BurtWorm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27year.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print

August 27, 2009

By MARK LEIBOVICH
WASHINGTON — The once-indefatigable Ted Kennedy was in a wheelchair at the end, struggling to speak and sapped of his energy. But from the time his brain cancer was diagnosed 15 months ago, he spoke of having a “good ending for myself,” in whatever time he had left, and by every account, he did.

As recently as a few days ago, Mr. Kennedy was still digging into big bowls of mocha chip and butter crunch ice creams, all smushed together (as he liked it). He and his wife, Vicki, had been watching every James Bond movie and episode of “24” on DVD.

He began each morning with a sacred rite of reading his newspapers, drinking coffee and scratching the bellies of his beloved Portuguese water dogs, Sunny and Splash, on the front porch of his Cape Cod house overlooking Nantucket Sound.

If he was feeling up to it, he would end his evenings with family dinner parties around the same mahogany table where he used to eat lobster with his brothers.

He took phone calls from President Obama, house calls from his priest and — just a few weeks ago — crooned after-dinner duets of “You Are My Sunshine” (with his son Patrick) and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” (with Vicki).

“There were a lot of joyous moments at the end,” said Dr. Lawrence C. Horowitz, Mr. Kennedy’s former Senate chief of staff, who oversaw his medical care. “There was a lot of frankness, a lot of hugging, a lot of emotion.”

Obviously, Dr. Horowitz added, there were difficult times. By this spring, according to friends, it was clear that the tumor had not been contained; new treatments proved ineffective and Mr. Kennedy’s comfort became the priority.

But interviews with close friends and family members yield a portrait of a man who in his final months was at peace with the end of his life and grateful for the chance to savor the salty air and the company of loved ones.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. May we all face the end of our days on earth

in the same way--with appreciation and love for what we have.

Rest in the arms of the Beloved, Ted. You have earned it.

[hlthe2b]

2. It would be hard to call him a fortunate man, given all the tragedy...

but, in the end, I'm sure he'd agree that he was. He had the best death possible and undoubtedly left this realm in peace. A very much deserved peace. Bless you, Ted. You epitomized what is truly human. You performed the work for public good on behalf of all four of the Kennedy brothers.... Quite a legacy

[nuxvomica]

3. I would have loved to have heard his impressions of "24"

Imagine watching that series on DVD with Ted Kennedy.

Thanks for posting this.