Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) spoke to reporters Wednesday evening following the news that his longtime friend and fellow senator, John McCain (R-A.Z.), is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.
After visiting Sen. McCain at the hospital, Graham shared some encouraging words from his beloved colleague.
“I talked to John, and he said ‘I’m gonna have to stay here a little bit longer, take some treatments, and I will be back,'” Graham said outside of a closed-door meeting of Senate Republicans on healthcare reform, the Washington Examiner reported.
Lindsey Graham responds to news of John McCain's brain cancer diagnosis.
"This disease has never had a more worthy opponent." pic.twitter.com/4S6cssfJCv
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) July 20, 2017
McCain’s office released a statement late Wednesday that revealed the Republican senator was diagnosed with brain cancer following a recent operation to remove a blood clot from above his left eye. The 80-year-old politician and his family are exploring chemotherapy and radiation as possible treatments.
Graham’s conversation with McCain was telling of his friend’s resilient personality and dedication to his work as a senator. After the two talked about the diagnosis for about five minutes, McCain wanted to move on to other issues like healthcare reform.
“Literally, it went five minutes until he turned away from what I think most people have a hard time absorbing, and focused on what he loves the best,” Graham said.
“So, pray,” he added. “God knows how this ends, not me.”
“I do know this,” Graham said before walking away. “This disease has never had a more worthy opponent.”
Please keep Sen. McCain and his family in your prayers.