Senator Tim Johnson in Critical Condition After Surgery
by Pamela LeaveySenator Tim Johnson’s condition has been updated today after he underwent emergency surgery last night to “repair bleeding inside his brain and was “recovering without complication” this morning, according to the U.S. Capitol physician.”
Johnson “was found to have had an intracerebral bleed caused by a congenital arteriovenous malformation,” Adm. John Eisold, attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, said in a statement issued by the senator’s office shortly after 9 a.m. today. “He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation.” Eisold said it was too early to offer a long-term prognosis.
Senator Harry M. Reid, the incoming Senate majority leader Congress convenes in January, is optimistic and he told reporters “that Johnson “really looks good” and that nothing has changed as far as Democratic control of the new Senate is concerned.”
In a brief news conference at the Capitol, Reid said he had spent much of last night with Johnson at the hospital and was “very impressed” with his care.
“We’re all praying for a full recovery,” he said. “We’re confident that will be the case.” However, he declined to say whether Johnson was conscious during his visit or provide any other details of his medical condition.
“I saw him; he looked great,” Reid said. “To me, he looked very good.”
Asked whether Johnson would be able to serve in the Senate, Reid said, “There isn’t a thing that’s changed.
Think Progress reports today that “Fox News is speculating how the balance of power could shift in the Senate, even if Sen. Johnson survived.”
The rampant specualtion over Johnson’s condition and how it plays out for the Senate is disgusting. Another fine example of the hype and hyperbole from MSM.
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The amount of misinformation on the Senate changes is really sad. News shows should be able to look into this and come up with realistic scenarios, not ridiculous fantasies.
On AV malformation:
It is a congenital disorder that can become a problem at any age. Ususally it is not manifested before adolescence and that is important for parents of teens to realize. I have seen as many teens with AVM as all other ages combined.
Recovery depends on early identification and intervention, the location and the complexity of the malformation, complications and rehab.
We now better understand the capacity to retrain some unused areas of the brain (eg, how to play the trombone you haven’t picked up in years) to carry out essential lost functions. There are limits to that but it can increase the level of function to a higher level and the capacity to return to work, etc. What it also brings to attention is that maximum recovery may take two years. The last year may only be 5 % of the recovery but if that is the difference between 90 and 95%, or even less, it can still be a phenomenal psychological boost to the individual.
One area that is not used enough is nutrition. There are recognized nutrients known as ‘brain foods’ that should be used more in the dietary supplements for brain injured patients.
The information I have gleaned so far from the interview Johnson did yesterday, CNN’s neurosurgeon, official reports as well as Reid, suggest that Johnson is already at a point that indicates he can recover enough to resume his job within the year and probably well within it. The first 24 to 48 hours is critical in terms of how much recovery is apparent in that time frame, as well as whether there are major complications or set backs (rebleed). If the person comes out of anesthesia and is responding appropriately, can be taken off life support (ventilator), and is moving well, the next 1 to 2 days as the swelling goes down and initial healing occurs, can definitely give good reason to expect a high level recovery.
It is always a great thing to see in a patient like this.
Again with the Fox reporting. You should also mention that CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS all reported the same thing as did the NY Times, the WaPo, the Boston Globe, etc.
So did Joy Behar of The View. The transcript of her comments on the subject are on the internet.
Of course the liberal blogs are also asking this question and the conservative blogs are all sending their best wishes and prayers to the Johnson family in hopes that the senator recovers fully. I have not seen any conservative comment as the Huffington blog did last month when they thought it would be good if VP Cheney had a heart attack and died. Such wonderful people on the left at times, so caring. The right is not perfect but in this case I have seen nothing but good wishes to Sen Johnson as he recovers.
Dick
It’s nice to know we agree that the media perpetuation of hype and lies is wrongminded, but I see you fall into the trap of being one who easily spreads that stuff yourself. Your other comment here is full of it – literally. Thanks for sharing.