U.S. Former
President Jimmy Carter said on Wednesday that recent liver surgery revealed he
had cancer that had spread to other parts of his body.
"I will be
rearranging my schedule as necessary so I can undergo treatment by physicians
at Emory Healthcare," Carter said. "A more complete public statement
will be made when facts are known, possibly next week."
Carter, a
Democrat, served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981 after defeating
Republican incumbent Gerald Ford. He was defeated for re-election in 1980 by
Republican Ronald Reagan.
The Carter Center
in Atlanta said last week that he had undergone elective surgery at Emory
University Hospital to remove a small mass in his liver.
It added that the
operation had proceeded without issues and that the prognosis was excellent for
a full recovery.
Carter cut short a trip to Guyana in May after feeling
unwell and returned to Georgia, where he served as governor and a state
senator. He had traveled to the South American country to observe national
elections. At the time, the center said only that Carter had departed after
"not feeling well."
In
a statement, President Barack Obama said he and first lady Michelle Obama
"send our best wishes to President Carter for a fast and full
recovery."
"Our
thoughts and prayers are with Rosalynn and the entire Carter family as they
face this challenge with the same grace and determination that they have shown
so many times before. Jimmy, you're as resilient as they come, and along with
the rest of America, we are rooting for you," Obama said.
Republican Georgia
Governor Nathan Deal and his wife issued a statement saying Carter was "in
their prayers as he goes through treatment."
Carter received
words of sympathy and encouragement via Twitter from former CNN host Larry
King: "We go back many years. Stay strong Mr. President."
memorable photos of carter
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