Upbeat Kennedy leaves Boston hospital

BOSTON, May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital Wednesday two days after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

The 46-year veteran U.S. senator left the hospital in Boston, where he was airlifted from Cape Cod after suffering seizures Saturday, accompanied by his wife and two Portuguese water dogs, The Boston Globe reported.

Kennedy waved to a small crowd outside the hospital and gave a thumbs up sign as he entered a blue SUV for the drive to the family compound at Hyannis Port. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., told NBC's "Today" Show that Kennedy wanted to go sailing this weekend.

Kennedy, 76, has a malignant brain tumor and faces radiation and chemotherapy.

"Senator Kennedy has recovered remarkably quickly from his Monday procedure and therefore will be released from the hospital today ahead of schedule," said a statement issued by his doctors Wednesday morning.