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American Morning
McCain Undergoes Surgery in Phoenix; Mother and Son Recovering from Liver Transplant
Aired August 29, 2001 - 11:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Not just the last day of President Bush's vacation, it also happens to be the 65th birthday for Senator John McCain. The senator is spending that birthday in the hospital. The Arizona Republican underwent prostate surgery a short time ago at the Mayo clinic in Phoenix. The procedure is expected to be completed a short time from now.
The former presidential candidate says the prostate problem is not related to his history of skin cancer, but it was uncovered during a cancer checkup about two weeks ago.
As Senator McCain undergoes surgery in Phoenix, a son and his mother are recovering in Washington from a so-called "living liver" transplant.
Our medical correspondent Dr.Sanjay Gupta is keeping an eye on both of those stories and he joins us from Washington.
Sanjay, good to see you again.
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
KAGAN: First can you explain somewhat what Senator McCain is having done today?
GUPTA: Yes. Well, first of all, I just heard the operation was over and it went well. He had operation basically to resect part of his prostate that was actually causing him some difficulties with his bladder and processes like urination.
A very common problem, a very common operation. In fact, they say about half the men, once they get into their 60s, have this sort of problem, but maybe up to 90 percent when you get into your 70s and 80s. Something to look forward to. And they say all men, if they live long enough, probably would get this sort of problem.
So again, a common problem, a common operation. Sounds like he's doing well, recovering well after this having it done.
KAGAN: And once again, no connection to his melanoma?
GUPTA: That's correct. This is not cancer. From talking to the source close to McCain, he had this procedure done at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, and again, without a hitch, from what we hear.
KAGAN: All right. Now to a medical advance that we saw you reporting on yesterday from just outside of an operating room.
GUPTA: Right.
KAGAN: The son who donated I think it was 60 percent of his liver to his mother, who was waiting for a liver transplant. How are they doing today?
GUPTA: They're also doing well, I'm happy to report. The son is actually already off the breathing machine, which is the machine that sort of helped him breathe overnight after the 14-hour operation.
the mother's operation also took about 14 hours; it started about three to four hours after the son's operation. She's still on the breathing machine, but from what we have -- from talking to doctors this morning, she's recovering well and expected to be off that breathing machine later on today.
They're both in the intensive care unit now, which is completely expected and a good place for them to be, but certainly, within the next few days, they expect at least the son to be out of the ICU.
KAGAN: Very good. Dr. Sanjay Gupta in Washington DC.
Sanjay, Thank you.
GUPTA: Thank you, Daryn.
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