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Dana Reeve Diagnosed with Lung Cancer; Bush and Economic Team Gather at Texas Ranch for Brainstorming; Senior Army General Relieved of Duties

Aired August 09, 2005 - 10:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go live now to Edwards Air Force Base. Here's Shuttle Discovery Commander Eileen Collins.
EILEEN COLLINS, DISCOVERY COMMANDER: ... STS-114. And this is a wonderful moment for all of us to experience. And thank you for sharing that with us, and we'll be talking to you again in a couple of hours.

KAGAN: Well, that was just a quick hello. You can tell they're excited to be home, the seven crew members of the Space Shuttle Discovery. A beautiful landing. Had to land in California earlier today because the weather just not cooperating in Florida. Much more ahead. Our Miles O'Brien is at Kennedy Space center in Florida. We've been talking and enjoying his coverage all morning long.

Meanwhile, getting a to a story that's catching a lot of people's attention and concern and heartfelt best wishes. The widow of actor Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, making an announcement this morning that she has been diagnosed and is being treated for lung cancer. She's 44 years old. Just a little less than a year ago, in October, lost her husband, Christopher Reeve, who fought his own nine-year battle with paralysis in a wheelchair and trying to fight to find a cure for spinal cord research.

With more on this and Dana Reeve's battle that she faces now, let's bring in our Deborah Feyerick who's standing by in New York City -- Deb.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, one of the reasons that Dana Reeve went public at the time she did is because last night "The National Enquirer" broke this story and she said she wanted to put out her own statement, because she knew that it would get a lot of attention. She says that she and her physicians are quite optimistic about the prognosis.

But in a statement she released this morning, she says, quote -- and let me that statement -- "Based on the imminent release of the tabloid article regarding my personal health, my family and I have decided to release our own statement. I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and am currently undergoing treatment. I have an excellent team of physicians. We're optimistic about my prognosis. My family and I deeply appreciate the care and concern of our friends and supporters and trust that everyone understands our need and desire for privacy during this time. I hope before too long to be sharing news of my good health and recovery. Now more than ever, I feel Chris with me as I face this challenge. As always, I look to him as the ultimate example of defying the odds with strength, courage and hope in the face of life's adversities."

Now, Dana Reeve was just 35 years old when her husband Christopher Reeve, an actor most famous for his role at Superman, was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident. She was by his side throughout the entire duration of his fight, both of them tirelessly advocating for stem cell research. She is now head of that foundation. He died last year following complications. And according to a report, Dana Reeve just lost her own mother this past year because of ovarian cancer, complications following surgery.

But right now, Dana Reeve is receiving treatment for lung cancer. We do not know when she was diagnosed with that. She is 44 years old, but she does believe her prognosis is good. She has not been a smoker, according to reports. Now, her foundation released a statement. And in that statement, they say, "We are certain that Dana will tackle this challenge with the grace, courage and determination that have become her hallmark." She and Chris Reeve had a 13-year-old son -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, for somebody who has her battle stripes of fighting things and looking the odds in the face, it is certainly Dana Reeve. Thank you for that, Deborah Feyerick.

Let's give you some statistics, though, on lung cancer, that we're becoming more aware of, especially with the news of Peter Jennings dying this week. Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer. The federal government says 172,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year. Of every ten lung cancer patients, just one will be alive after five years. The American Lung Association says lung cancer is the most common form of the disease in the U.S. It accounts for 14 percent of all cancers and 28 percent of cancer deaths. Almost nine out of ten deaths from lung cancer can be linked to cigarette smoking.

We're going to have much more on the battle of Dana Reeve's fight just ahead. Also at 35 minutes past the hour, we're going to talk about gas prices. They're up. You know that. Oil prices are up. Interest rates -- they're expected to edge a little bit higher today.

Still to come, President Bush and his top advisers map how -- plans for what looks like a growing economy.

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KAGAN: The market's been open just over an hour. Let's go ahead and check and see how they're doing. Looking pretty good. The Dow is up 63 points. The Nasdaq also in positive territory. It is up 11 points.

At President Bush's Texas ranch today, a brainstorming session is set with the focus on the economy. Mr. Bush is meeting with his team of economic advisers.

We get more now on the story from our White House correspondent Dana Bash. Dana, good morning.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. And you know, last month, the economy gained more than 200,000 jobs. Inflation is low, wages are up. So one of the main things that the president and his economic team are going to try to figure out today is how, perhaps, the president can get more credit for what they really do view as a pretty good economy right now.

Historically, when the economy has gone up, the president's approval rating has gone up along with it. But that is not so at this point for George W. Bush. Take a look at these numbers. The president's approval rating right now is at 45 percent. That's among the lowest of his presidency. Now, that same poll shows a big drag. Remains concerns about Iraq. A wider majority of Americans do believe that perhaps they're more vulnerable to terrorism, not less, because of Iraq.

But when it comes to the economy, the White House insists that there is a multiple -- there are multiple factors that are sort of dragging down American's perception of how the economy is doing. Daryn, you've been talking all morning the sky-high gas prices. The White House understands that is certainly a key factor.

But we all remember there is something else that the president wants to talk about and has been talking about really since January, and that is his top domestic agenda, Social Security reform. That -- Congress left town, really without doing anything at all. It is totally stalled. The president had almost 40 events this winter and spring trying to sell it, but essentially, Republicans are not hearing any enthusiasm, probably just the opposite from their constituents. So a big part of what the president and his economic team are going to try to do in Crawford, Texas, try to regroup, try to figure out how to revive the president's top agenda item, Social Security.

KAGAN: All right, Dana Bash, we'll be watching it from Texas, and also from the White House. Thank you.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, a big decision on interest rates is coming later today. Up next, we'll tell what you to expect, and what it means for your bottom line.

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(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Coming up, if you are looking to rev up the romance in your love life, look no further. Dr. Ruth joining me next to answer your questions, especially we're focusing on sex after 50.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Some developing news coming to us out of the Pentagon. Let's go to our Barbara Starr.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the U.S. Army has confirmed it has taken an extraordinary disciplinary step against one of its four-star generals. General Kevin Byrnes last night was relieved of command, relieved of duty by the Army chief of staff, General Peter Schoomaker, for what the Pentagon is saying matters of personal conduct by this four-star general, General Byrnes.

General Byrnes currently serves as the commanding four-star general of the U.S. Army's training and doctor in command. Now most of us may not have heard of it, but it's an extraordinary important job in the Army right now. He is in charge of really analyzing all of the lessons learned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and putting that into the U.S. Army as it stands today.

General Byrnes, relieved of duty. A criminal investigation continues, we are told, and he will be out of a job until that investigation is completed -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara, a lot more to learn on that story. We'll cut you loose and bring you back in a little bit to learn a lot more. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Thank you for that breaking news.

Now we're going to talk about your "Daily Dose" of health news. And frankly, we're talking sex. How about keeping the passion alive in your golden years?

Our guests address that in their books "Sex After 50" and "A Woman's Guide to Menopause and Perimenopause." You're going to recognize one of our guests. World-renown sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Also joining me, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor of obstetrics at gynecology at Yale's University of Medicine. Ladies, good morning.

DR. RUTH WESTHEIMER, SEX EXPERT: I like the way you said "passion."

KAGAN: Passion? Did I say...

WESTHEIMER: Because that's what's important. Even in your reading the news, and certainly the topic that we are talking about.

KAGAN: We're not just talking about sex, Dr. Ruth. Because I think a lot women over 50 might go why, but you're talking about passion?

WESTHEIMER: Daryn...

KAGAN: Yes.

WESTHEIMER: ... and all of your viewers that -- sex, if people are sexually intimate, if they know about some of the changes that Mary Jane is going to talk about, sex can go on until the age of 99.

KAGAN: What happens as 99? Does everything fall apart?

WESTHEIMER: I worry about that.

KAGAN: That's another book! WESTHEIMER: That's the next book. But the main thing is that the brain has to tell women and men that especially now, that after menopause, after 50, that they are going to have more time. The kids are out of the house. That they should go right after watching you, get into bed and having some good sex, if they know to use...

DR. MARY JANE MINKIN, YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: Well, one of the problems that Dr. Ruth is alluding to is that many women postmenopausely do suffer from dryness. Vaginal dryness.

KAGAN: A lot of women might lose interest because of physical changes that are happening in their body...

MINKIN: Absolutely.

KAGAN: ... which can be addressed.

MINKIN: Absolutely. And the most important message that we're trying to get across is Dr. Ruth saying, you know, it's great to have sex. And I'm trying to get across the fact that women can have sex, because there are very simple things that we can do to help take care of vaginal dryness, which are totally safe, which will make women responsive and have a great time.

KAGAN: OK. So let me ask the question I think maybe a lot women out there are asking. Why? Why do you need to be doing it after you're 50?

WESTHEIMER: Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! Daryn, tell them...

KAGAN: You tell them, Dr. Ruth.

WESTHEIMER: ... to absolutely come to the seminar. Look, first of all, anybody who keeps on being sexually active, any men who knows that he needs to be touched in order to obtain and maintain erection, any woman that knows to continue to make sure that she has orgasms. On CNN it's permissible to say that word, orgasm.

KAGAN: Knock yourself out, Dr. Ruth.

WESTHEIMER: But it is very important to change the stereotype, exactly what you talked about, that people think that after 50, they are not as attractive anymore, that they are not as sex arousing anymore. And we are here to say nonsense! Get up in the morning, watch a little bit television, and go back in to your beds and have some good sex! The whole day you're going to smile. Look how you smile just by thinking about it.

MINKIN: And a recent survey actually showed that, almost 100 percent of women who report having sexual intercourse once a week say they have a happy relationship. And a happy relationship is what you're looking for.

KAGAN: At the end of the day, you want to be happy. So you ladies are going around the country, you're having these seminars, these women come. You're doing it tonight in Atlanta. You close the door, you have this girlfriend-to-girlfriend talk.

MINKIN: You bet you.

KAGAN: What are you finding the women are telling you?

MINKIN: Well, what, really...

WESTHEIMER: Many of our findings -- you talk about that.

MINKIN: Well, the women are telling us that, you know, what happened back a few years back is that Viagra and things like that got introduced. And, like, guys have all the activity they wanted to have. But, unfortunately, many women weren't ready for that. And what they're asking us is how do we be able to be ready for that? How do we stay comfortable and things like that?

WESTHEIMER: So that it doesn't hurt.

KAGAN: Very good. And you want it to feel good. The answers are in the book. You say -- our time is short. So let's -- once again, Dr. Ruth's book, "Sex After 50," and Dr. Minkin's book on menopause. Ladies, thank you.

WESTHEIMER: Thank you for having us.

KAGAN: And good luck with the seminars. Keep smiling.

WESTHEIMER: You can come tonight.

KAGAN: I'm not over 50.

(CROSSTALK)

MINKIN: You can come and get advanced knowledge.

KAGAN: So I'll be ready! OK. Thank you. OK.

And we'll take a break. We are back after this.

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(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: We do have a lot more ahead in our next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY.

You're going to meet Alan Luskie (ph). He is a cancer patient fighting for his life. He's using a revolutionary new treatment called the smart bomb in his battle. We'll tell you all about it.

Plus, terrorists are using the Internet to their advantage. How the Web is making insurgents easier to train and harder to catch.

The second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

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