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WASHINGTON – Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson was recovering without complications from emergency brain surgery to repair bleeding in his brain.
Johnson was in critical condition at George Washington University Hospital but was described as recovering. The South Dakota lawmaker, 59, was on “an uncomplicated postoperative course,” the U.S. Capitol physician said after visiting him Thursday afternoon.
“He has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required,” said the physician, Adm. John Eisold.
Johnson was responding to the voice of his wife, Barbara, and following directions after the surgery, the senator’s office said in a statement. “He was reaching for and holding her hand,” the statement read. The family “is encouraged and optimistic,” Barbara Johnson said.
That is great news! I know it was touch and go, but this is great news.
Thanks Oui, great news.
This is my favorite part: “No further surgical intervention has been required,” because it seemed like the media were holding onto that possibility a little too desperately.
The media and the GOP wingnuts, so uncaring, are on death watch.
Josh Marshall links to a USnews report listing all Democratic Senators with Republican governors and comments, ” next they’ll be cross referencing the LDL HDL chloestrol levels.”
Professor Juan Cole, wishing the Senator and his family well, notes the Republicans are eager to steal the November elections and alerts us to a potential Michael Rounds Coup If it does, ‘the blogosphere should mobilize to see that [Rounds] never wins another election.’
Senator Johnson continues to improve is plenty great news.
I am ever fascinated by the new leaps in medicine these past few years. I have experienced more than just a couple where my son is concerned. I know that with quick intervention and the new drug therapies available that some people have had strokes and made full recoveries. I have no idea what Tim Johnson’s recovery could involve since it was not an actual stroke that he suffered, but it is my wish that it be full and that robust health finds it’s way back to him soon.
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Eisold said later in a statement: “Senator Tim Johnson has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. … He has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required.”
Eisold’s announcement for the moment calmed the atmosphere in Congress where Johnson’s condition had set off speculation over Democrats’ hold on the new Senate coming into power in January.
Dr. Richard Sullivan, a neurologist in Scarborough, Maine, said, “Often times the outcome is good.”
“If you survive the hemorrhage within the first day or two, that’s great,” added Dr. Richard Harvey of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Johnson’s surgery involved a congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which means he was born with a tangle of malformed blood vessels, in this case in his brain.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."The thought of neurosurgery is understandably frightening. Fortunately, I did not require any after my traumatic brain injury (tbi), but my records say it was a definite possibility if I did not improve. Also, I’ve known other tbi survivors who have been to RIC. (My medical knowledge is limited, but I am under the impression that there are similarities between avm and a tbi.)
The following statement was not made lightly.
Senator Johnson needs time to recover. His family also needs some privacy, as this is a frightening time for them as well.
UPDATE on Johnson’s condition –“Ailing senator shows significant progress”
Sen. Tim Johnson has shown significant improvement after brain surgery and doctors say “everything is going to be just fine,” Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said Sunday.