Jimmy Carter Reflected On Personal, Presidential Accomplishments In Moving Press Conference

Former President Jimmy Carter, who announced Thursday that melanoma initially discovered in his liver had spread to his brain , also reflected on his long, full life during that day's press conference.

A live so full, in fact, that he and his wife, Rosalynn, have been prolonging his "cut back" in work for a decade.

"We thought about [cutting back] when I was 80," Carter said. "We thought about it again when I was 85. We thought about it again when I was 90. So this is a propitious time, I think, for us to carry out our long-delayed plans.

The 90-year-old has been recognized for contributions that have continued long since his departure from the White House in 1981. Even now, he doesn't think his work is done .

"I would like to see Guinea worm completely eradicated before I die," Carter said. "I'd like for the last Guinea worm to die before I do."

Among those tweeting well-wishes to Carter on Thursday were President Barack Obama and former President George H.W. Bush.

President Carter is as good a man as they come. Michelle and I are praying for him and Rosalynn. We're all pulling for you, Jimmy.

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President Carter is as good a man as they come. Michelle and I are praying for him and Rosalynn. We're all pulling for you, Jimmy.
President Obama (@POTUS) August 20, 2015

I spoke with President Carter to wish him well, and he sounded strong. Bar and I are wishing him the very best as he fights the good fight.

George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) August 20, 2015","type":"rich","meta":{"author_url":"https://twitter.com/GeorgeHWBush","cache_age":604800,"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"George Bush on : \"I spoke with President Carter to wish him well, and he sounded strong. 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I spoke with President Carter to wish him well, and he sounded strong. Bar and I are wishing him the very best as he fights the good fight.
George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) August 20, 2015

Carter spoke openly and honestly about his diagnosis Thursday, but also answered a question about his regrets.

When asked if he wished he could change anything, Carter joked he wished he had sent "one more helicopter" to save the Iran hostages. If he had, he said, he would have been re-elected. Carter drew laughs from his audience and offered a grin.

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"I think I have been as blessed as any human being in the world," Carter said.

He referred to his marriage to Rosalynn as "the pinnacle of [his] life. " He told reporters they planned to celebrate her 88th birthday this weekend.

Take a look at these and other accomplishments in the photos below: