A cancer update of the former president Jimmy Carter's recent diagnosis of malignancy in his liver was given by the 39th president at a press conference. He acknowledged his stage 4 melanoma and its spread to his brain. He said he will undergo radiation for the brain cancer immediately and receive a new type of immune therapy.
Speaking at a press conference, the 90-year-old diplomat radiated grace and a lack of "self pity," The Associated Press reported.
"I'm ready for anything and looking forward to a new adventure," the
president said in a report by AP. He added, he is at "ease with" what
happens during the course for the cancer treatment, updated Pres. Jimmy Carter.
He was speaking at a press conference for the first time since the
cancer diagnosis. Carter, who defeated Gerald Ford to the White House,
jokingly said he regreted he didn't send another chopper to Iran in recollection of his loss to Cal. governor Ronald Reagan on account of the hostage crisis.
He said he has not felt any pain or weakness so far but he will give his treatment top priority by cutting back work at the Carter center.
An initial report showed that an operation had removed the cancer
believed to be constrained to the liver and Carter was relieved to
hear the news. However, an MRI confirmed that the disease had spread
to the brain.
"I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at
ease," said the former president in a report by the Guardian. "I've had a wonderful life," he
added. "It's in God's hands. I'll be prepared for anything that
comes."
Despite the expected treatment for several months, Carter expressed
his desire to visit Nepal in November.
While the melanoma's in the brain, believed to have spread from the
skin, is about 2 millimeters, the actual point of origination has not
been found. President Carter will go through extensive scans to
determine if the cancer has spread elsewhere, which his oncologists
believe is a likely possibility.
Carter's family history shows his father and brother and two sisters
died of pancreatic cancer, though the president has not been diagnosed
with cancer in the pancreas. His mother also had cancer.
The 39th president said he had received calls from previous president
George W. Bush, his father, President Barack Obama and First Lady
Michelle and the Clintons.
He joked that he hadn't heard from them in a long time.