Ashcroft surgery a success

WOKR13.TV ^ | March 9, 2004 | AP

[FairOpinion]

Washington-AP) -- Doctors in Washington say the surgery to remove Attorney General John Ashcroft's gall bladder was a success.

They say they were able to perform the operation without making a large incision.

Ashcroft is now listed in guarded condition, but doctors say that's normal after surgery. They say he's "recovering very nicely" from general anesthesia.

Doctor Bruce Abell says Ashcroft had a "pretty severe" case of pancreatitis, and that doctors had to wait for it to settle before they could operate.

He says it was caused by a gallstone that blocked the pancreatic duct.

Abell says patients normally remain in the hospital for four or five days after this type of surgery.

[FairOpinion]

Thank God, the surgery went well.

I hope he recovers soon -- but he is not out of the woods, because he most likely still has the pancreatitis.

[TheBigB]

Good, good.

Just out of curiosity, is there someone now acting as, well, "acting AG?" and making decisions?

[PeteFromMontana]

Godspeed John Ashcroft you are a true patriot.

[Publius]

The laparoscopy procedure is a walk in the park compared to the old crescent incision procedure of years ago.

[PeteFromMontana]

Just out of curiosity, is there someone now acting as, well, "acting AG?" and making decisions?

Alexander Haig....................... j/k

[TheBigB]

"I'M in charge here!" ;)

[MinuteGal]

At the risk of putting a hex on the AG, I say thank you Lord for the successful operation on Your servant and our country's servant.

Leni

[FairOpinion]

Ashcroft Deputy is in charge.

"Under department procedures, the deputy attorney general, James Comey, fills in as acting attorney general in Ashcroft's absence.

Comey, 43, became Ashcroft's top deputy in December. Before that he was U.S. attorney in Manhattan since January 2002. "

[quesera]

Hoping for a speedy recovery. We need you back on the job Sir.

[cubreporter]

Prayers for Attorney General John Ashcroft. A good, kind, honorable man who is a credit to our country. God bless and keep him well so he can continue to take care of the American people.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

This is one honorable and capable man who has been given more than his share of vicious abuse from the Democrats and conspiracy kooks. I'm thankful he is the AG at this critical time, and not some unqualified halfwit like Janet Reno. Godspeed.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

ASHCROFT's surgery took place in the new George Washaington University Hospital sitting right across the street from the now leveled old one that REAGAN was taken to after he was shot.

.

[EvaClement]

Glad to hear it's a success. Glad so many prayed for Ashcroft and that the Lord heard and answered those prayers.

Heavenly Father, please continue to watch over him and guard him. Pour healing into him. In Jesus' Name, amen.

[Dawgreg]

I'm with you cubreporter.........I'm thankful for his service and I pray for his continued healing. He truly is a decent man and I'm very proud he's our top cop!

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Excellent news! When do you think he may be up and around? Some press are saying a couple of months; I hope that doesn't prove true.

[Faith]

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for holding John Ashcroft close to You as he recovers from his surgery. We know You are the God who heals us, and we trust You with his complete restoration. We thank You also for helping Mr. Ashcroft to make our nation a safer place. Continue to guide and direct him as he tightens our national security so that our children and grandchildren may grow up in a country free of terrorist threats. He is Your servant, Lord. We know You take care of each son and daughter who call You Lord. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

[anncoulteriscool]

Bill O'Reilly said on his show tonight that he was wrong about Ashcroft and praised the job he's done.

[Paulie]

"This is one honorable and capable man who has been given more than his share of vicious abuse from the Democrats and conspiracy kooks. I'm thankful he is the AG at this critical time, and not some unqualified halfwit like Janet Reno. Godspeed"

Hope you don't mind, but this bears repeating at least once more...

[cubreporter]

Yes, he just presses on and does his job in spite of the whiners and babies out there. He quietly goes along and averts things that we don't even know about. Speedy Recovery.

[FairOpinion]

UPDATE:

FoxNews reported that the doctors expect that Ashcroft will be able to leave the hospital in about 5-7 days.

This is really good news.

I hope everything will go smoothly.

Once he is home, I think he will have to take it easy for another couple of weeks, but then he'll be fully recovered.