Carter likely to begin radiation next week
Gary Carter is set to begin radiation and chemotherapy to treat his Grade 4 glioblastoma. (April 3, 2006) Credit: Paul J. Bereswill
Gary Carter soon will begin a 61/2-week treatment of radiation before undergoing chemotherapy for a year.
His treatment likely will begin Monday, according to the family's private website. Carter's daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, said his doctors plan to go after the tumors "aggressively."
"Dad is ready to battle," she wrote yesterday.
The Hall of Famer revealed May 21 that he has four small tumors on his brain. On Tuesday, doctors confirmed that Carter, 57, who just completed his second season as head coach of Palm Beach Atlantic University's baseball team, has a Grade 4 glioblastoma.
Grade 4 tumors are the most severe and tend to grow rapidly and spread faster than tumors with a lower grade. Given the location of the tumors, his doctors said surgery is not an option.
Affectionately nicknamed "Kid,'' Carter was inducted into Cooperstown in 2003. He was an 11-time All-Star during his 19-year career with the Montreal Expos, Mets, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished his career batting .262 with 324 home runs and 1,225 RBIs.
"I just spoke to Dad and he sounds like a completely different person," Bloemers posted. "He is in fantastic spirits and got some needed rest last night. Prayers are working. Dad is happy and motivated."
