Progress “Encouraging” For Senator Johnson

Doctors are saying that South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson is making encouraging progress in his recovery. And for once, the article talks about Johnson first and foremost - then discusses any political repercussions. That has been my biggest complaint about the coverage up until now. The first, and most important thing here is that a man is fighting for his life. The politics comes in very last place compared to that.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Tim Johnson was experiencing post-surgery swelling in his brain Friday, but his doctors said his recovery was still encouraging. They said he would remain hospitalized until the swelling went down.

The South Dakota Democrat, who suffered a brain hemorrhage Wednesday, remained in critical but stable condition Friday, just short of three weeks before the new Senate is to convene with his party holding control by a single vote.

The timing of his return is uncertain, but Democrats would still be in control of the Senate if his recovery period extends into the new session.

The surgery has been described as successful, relieving pressure on the 59-year-old senator's brain and stopping the bleeding.

"Considering his initial presentation, his progress is encouraging," Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the George Washington University Hospital department of neurosurgery, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.

As a precaution, physicians placed a removable MRI-compatible filter in Johnson's vena cava, a large vein leading into his heart, to reduce the risk of a blood clot going to his lungs, said Dr. Anthony Venbrux, a cardiovascular specialist who participated in the surgery.

Johnson's doctors also disclosed that when he arrived at the hospital, he was feeling weakness on his right side. They said Friday that condition probably will require physical therapy as part of his recovery.

Johnson was rushed to the hospital at midday Wednesday after becoming disoriented and stammering during a conference call with reporters. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst. The condition often is present from birth.

I sincerely wish for a speedy recovery and ask that people either say a prayer for Senator Johnson and his family, if you have religious beliefs, to or keep him in your thoughts.  This is a very hard time for all of them.