John McCain returns to hospital with side effects of cancer treatment

PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain has returned to a hospital in Washington, D.C. suffering from the side effects of cancer treatment, his office said Wednesday.

The senator was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital.

“As ever, he remains grateful to his physicians for their excellent care, and his friends and supporters for their encouragement and good wishes. Senator McCain looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible,” the statement read.

McCain (R-Ariz.) was diagnosed with brain cancer in July after discovery of a tumor. Doctors subsequently found a second tumor in the 81-year-old’s brain, in nearly the same spot as the previous malignancy.

His office did not say when McCain would return to work, but he missed all Senate votes this week.

The senator’s presence will be crucial early next week as the GOP tries to pass the tax bill in the Senate with a razor-thin Republican majority of 52-48 — and all Democrats opposed to the legislation.

According to CNN, a source described McCain as “looking increasingly frail” and said he has not “spoken up in recent meetings the way he had before.”

McCain’s closest friend on Capitol Hill, Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), told reporters that he spoke with McCain’s wife, Cindy, earlier in the week and was optimistic McCain would be back to work soon.

Graham dismissed the idea McCain should rush his recovery to vote on the GOP tax bill even though the margin for Senate passage is expected to be slim.

“John, take a little time, rest up. It’s OK to take a day or two off,” Graham said.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said he “definitely” expected McCain to be back for next week’s tax vote.

“He’s just saving his energy and resting up for the big vote next week,” he said.

Other members of the Armed Services panel said they hadn’t talked to McCain recently and didn’t know when he’d be back. But they described him as a fighter who’d be able to beat the odds.

“With Senator McCain, he could show up at any time and just say, ‘If we’ve got work to do I’m going to be there,'” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. “That’s his style.”

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., called McCain “a brave guy,” adding that the former Navy pilot “will do his duty to the best of his ability. And on this tax bill, that means to get here if you can, and I think he will.”

But McCain’s condition has appeared to worsen lately. He suffered a minor tear in his right Achilles tendon, forcing him to wear a walking brace. He eventually began using a wheelchair with members of his staff assisting him.

Brain tumors and their treatments can cause an array of side effects, including fatigue, cognitive changes, and mood changes, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.

McCain has addressed his health on numerous occasions, acknowledging its severity. In September, he told TV news show “60 Minutes” the prognosis for his type of cancer — glioblastoma — was “very poor.”

The same day he was in the hospital, his daughter, Meghan McCain got a pep talk from former Vice President Joe Biden on the morning show, “The View.”

The younger McCain broke down in tears as Biden comforted her about her father’s condition and the same aggressive form of the disease that claimed the life of his son, Beau Biden.

“If anybody can make it, your dad (can),” the former vice president said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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