John McCain says brain cancer treatment going well, health fine

PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said his health was fine on Tuesday even as he underwent treatment for glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“My health is fine. I’m working hard,” he said of his treatments during an interview with KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos on Tuesday.

McCain began cancer treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale last week after the Senate left Washington, D.C. for the August recess. He has promised to return to the nation’s capital after Labor Day when the legislative body reconvenes.

The senator said his doctors were pleased with his treatments thus far and his only complaint has been his new diet.

“A very strict diet of nothing that tastes good,” he said with a laugh.

McCain announced in July that surgery revealed he had brain cancer. He said he took the news in stride and viewed it as one more obstacle that he, a former prisoner of war, could overcome.

“I reacted as if we have another challenge, that’s all,” he said.

His daughter, Meghan, said her father has maintained an active lifestyle since his diagnosis, including daily hikes.

McCain made his first appearance in the Senate about a week after his cancer announcement. He used his return to call for a bipartisan effort toward health care reform.

He said, for the first time in his Senate career, no one talked during the speech. McCain said every senator listened and, after, came up to wish him well — even the ones with whom he had past differences.

“Some of my worst enemies came up and put their arm around me and it was very, very touching,” he said.

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