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Dr. Kelli Ward concedes to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Scottsdale, Arizona on August 30, 2016. David Kadlubowski / AP file

McCain, 80, revealed on Wednesday that doctors had diagnosed him with

Ward shared on Twitter Wednesday immediately after McCains office announced the senator was suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer that she was Wishing Mr. McCain comfort and peace. Two days later, she went on the Indiana radio show to announce that his absence from the Senate cant stand.

In a statement shared with NBC News on Friday, Ward said she was praying for McCain and his family and called the diagnosis "grim."

"Senator McCain has an aggressive brain cancer that is both devastating and debilitating," Ward said. "When the time comes that Senator McCain can no longer perform his duties in the Senate at full capacity, he owes it to the people of Arizona to step aside."

Ward then cited her experience as a physician.

"Senator McCain and his family have a lot of hard decisions to make," she added in the statement. "As a doctor, Ive counseled patients in similar situations and these end-of-life choices are never easy. I usually advise terminal patients to reduce stress, relax, and spend time laughing with loved ones."

Ward is an osteopathic physician and former Arizona state senator. She said during the Indiana interview that she could not presume to understand McCains prognosis and added that she is a Christian who believes in miracles.

Nevertheless, she concluded that McCains full force return to the Senate was unlikely.

After listing a few vague items on President Donald Trumps agenda secure the border and stop illegal immigration and repeal Obamacare and fix the economy and fix the Veterans Administration Ward said that Arizonans cant be at a standstill while we wait for John McCain to determine what hes going to do.

Julie Tarallo, McCains spokeswoman, declined to respond to Wards statements.

McCain, for his part,

Ward said in the radio interview that she would be a strong choice to replace him.

"I have a proven track record in the Arizona state senate of being extremely effective and of listening to the people I represent," she said. "I made an extremely good showing against Sen. McCain against all odds. He outspent me nearly 10 to 1."

Ward lost to McCain by 12.5 points in 2016.

Flake, who Ward is challenging in the 2018 Republican primary, said he was taken aback by Wards radio appearance.

"John McCain is a fighter and an American hero, Flake said in a statement. I fully expect to see him back in the senate soon. Im dumbstruck by Kelli Wards comments.

McCains congressional colleagues

"He has never shied from a fight and I know that he will face this challenge with the same extraordinary courage that has characterized his life," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement. "We all look forward to seeing this American hero again soon."

More here:
Arizona Republican Says McCain Should Resign, Adds She'd Be Strong Replacement - NBCNews.com