Jimmy Carter: I feel this is in the hands of God

“I get my first radiation treatment for the melanoma in my brain this afternoon”, Carter said.

Former President Jimmy Carter announced that his doctors have found four small melanoma lesions in his brain.

And in response to the new diagnosis, the 90 year-old former President Carter comments, “I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease”.

He says he underwent surgery to remove the tumor on his liver on August 3.

The former president told reporters that doctors found four small tumors on his brain.

So it was sad to hear Carter announce this week that he’s battling cancer that has spread to his brain and, at the same time, impressive to listen to him talk with such equanimity about his circumstances.

Even though 90-year-old Carter has a strong family history of cancer, experts say his chances of survival are surprisingly good thanks to new advanced treatments and his overall vibrant attitude.

“I am perfectly at ease with whatever comes”, Carter said, noting his deep Christian faith.

“I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence”. Carter said doctors haven’t yet detected cancer in his pancreas.

Carter is taking a step back from his duties at Emory University and his grandson, Jason Carter, will take over as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Carter Center.

The appearance reminded us that Carter, unlike most politicians who have crossed our national stage in the last 30 or 40 years, is at heart a decent man capable of exhibiting incredible grace.

Carter’s health has been closely watched this year.

Dr. Paul Hesketh, chairman of
Lahey Health Cancer Institute, said melanoma that has spread is generally considered incurable.

The Carter Center had said in a statement that Carter’s prognosis, when he underwent the surgery, was “excellent”. While Jonathan Allen of Vox said on Hardball just now that the one thing he faulted in Carter’s post-presidency was his statements about Israel. But now, “having spoken with the doctors, he understands that there’s a period of time and he’s going to be able to go catch some fish, and hopefully catch more of his grandkids’ baseball games”.

The 39th president, Carter served in the White House from 1977 to 1981. A spokeswoman said he did not feel well and Carter later said he had a bad cold. He said Plains has been a “haven” for him and his family. Carter, who had been tested for pancreatic cancer, said no cancer has been found there so far. He has also told the CEO of Habitat for Humanity he still hopes to travel to Nepal in November with the group, but that now depends on whether he can postpone the last of his radiation treatments.

“I wish I had sent more helicopters to rescue the hostages”, he said, referring to a failed military operation in 1980 to free 52 American hostages being held in Iran.