US Senator Edward M. Kennedy has been diagnosed with malignant brain tumor. According to his doctors, who released the results of the tests performed over the weekend at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to the media, the veteran Massachusetts lawmaker might have only a limited time to live.

Other experts around the United States confirmed the statement made by Kennedy’s doctors by saying that the days of the last surviving brother in the legendary Kennedy family are numbered.

The reactions to the terrible news could be described as silent astonishment.

When the attendants of a weekly lunch conference for Senate Democrats were announced of Kennedy’s diagnosis the rest of the day was marked by silence, said Senator Ben Nelson, of Nebraska.

The announcement was also made at a Republicans’ weekly meeting, according to Virginia Senator John Warner, who added that all those present stopped from what they were doing and prayed together for Sen. Kennedy.

“Ted Kennedy has spent his life caring for those in need," said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.

“Now it’s time for those who love Ted and his family to care for them and join in prayer to give them strength,” he added.

Presidential hopeful and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, for whom Kennedy has campaigned so far, described him in an interview with CNN as “a great model of what a senator can and should be.” Obama added that he expects Mr. Kennedy “to fight as hard as he can.”

US President George W. Bush called Sen. Kennedy “a man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength, and powerful spirit.”

Sen. Kennedy’s wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, his son Edward M. Kennedy Jr. and Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island visited their ailing relative at the Mass. General, but none of them would talk to the media.

Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Democratic leader said he had talked to Kennedy's wife and according to what she said the senator’s morale is up.
 
"The Senate really is a family," Reid said. "We, as a family, are tremendously concerned about Senator Kennedy."

Reid also talked about what a big heart “this fellow” (Kennedy) has and called Mr. Kennedy a "living legend."

"This guy is one unbelievable fighter ... He's in a fighting mood."