The former US president says he is «perfectly with ease with whatever comes next» as he begins radiation treatment
Jimmy Carter said he is «perfectly with ease with whatever comes next» as he revealed on Thursday that cancer had been found on his brain.
The 90-year-old received the diagnosis after having surgery to remove a tumour on his liver.
«I’ve had a wonderful life,» he said in a press conference. «I had thousands of friends and an exciting and adventurous, gratifying existence. But now I feel it’s in the hands of God whom I worship, and I’ll be prepared for anything that comes.»
Mr Carter said he had experienced only slight pain, and would begin radiation therapy on Thursday on the four «very small spots» of melanoma on his brain.
Mr Carter, a Democrat from Georgia, was elected president in 1976 following the Watergate crisis and the Vietnam War.
His one term in office largely imploded after supporters of the Iranian revolution took control of the American embassy in Tehran in 1979, keeping 52 Americans hostage for 14 months.
Asked yesterday if he had any regrets, Mr Carter said: «I wish I had sent one more helicopter to get the hostages [in Iran], and we would have rescued them, and I would have been re-elected.”
He was defeated by Ronald Reagan in 1980.
Mr Carter has since spent more than three decades negotiating peace settlements and fighting disease in the third world. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Mr Carter was cheerful yesterday as he reflected on his life and discussed the «new adventure» ahead.
«I think I have been as blessed as any human being in the world,» he said as he listed off his accomplishments — governor of Georgia, president of the United States, and patriarch of a large and harmonious family.
«The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn,» he said of his wife and the former first lady. «That’s the pinnacle of my life and we’ve had 69 years together.»
He thanked the many people who had sent well wishes, including former presidents Bill Clinton, George W and George HW Bush, as well as president Barack Obama and members of his administration. In a moment of humour, he laughed and said it was the «first time they have called in a long time.»
«OK I’m leaving,» Mr Carter said with a smile after the 40 minute press conference. The room burst into spontaneous and sustained applause.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11815113/Jimmy-Carter-reveals-brain-cancer-diagnosis.html
