Posted on 01/19/2007 5:17:47 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Sen. Tim Johnson (news, bio, voting record) is taking part in three hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy every day, and his tracheotomy tube has been removed from his throat, doctors said Friday.
Johnson, who suffered a brain hemorrhage over a month ago, has been working with parallel bars and participating in speech therapy, including naming objects, his office said in a statement.
That includes strengthening exercises to gain mobility on his right side, said Dr. Philip Marion, head of rehabilitation at George Washington University Hospital. Johnson's right side was weak when he arrived at the hospital Dec. 13.
His recovery is expected to take several months.
The Democratic senator from South Dakota was rushed to the hospital after becoming disoriented during a phone call with reporters and underwent emergency surgery hours later. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition, often present from birth, that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.
He was sedated and on a ventilator for several weeks, due to fluid that developed in his lungs as a result of the initial hemorrhage. He was upgraded from critical to fair condition on Jan. 9 and has since been moved from intensive care to inpatient rehabilitation.
Johnson's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the Senate. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.
Johnson's wife, Barbara, said in a statement that her husband "develops more skills each day and typically exceeds the goals that others set for him."
My guess is that if the senate changes by one vote, Hagel will jump to the dems. He's just waiting for the opportunity.
Including naming objects. . .does not sound like he will back on the job soon. . .or before his term is up. Wish him well; wish he would take early retirement also.
Meantime, am wondering what is the 'general' prognosis here.
I wish Hagel would just DO it ... tired of hearing him referred to as a Republican.
I do wish Sen. Johnson well in his recovery. I doubt it was his family so much as his staff and Reid's staff who are building his campaign committee.
I'd be surprised if Hagel did that. He wouldn't be nearly so valuable to the press.
My best SWAG is that the prognosis is not good. No one's brain can take that kind of an injury and come back to much resembling normal.
OTOH, I wonder what he would name an image of Nancy Lugosi or Fat Teddy? Best not to try that - would probably set his rehab back weeks.
I called Hagel's office this week. Suggested it would be more honorable if just became a democrat.
Actually this sounds like the first real sign that he's coming back at all. The rest of it was just coverup.
No question the Dems will keep him in office forever, unless he recovers enough to want to resign on his own hook.
And as you look at Nancy and Ted it's pretty clear that full brain function is not a prerequisite to serving.
through Your loving kindness I Affirm in faith that You are
now placing Your hand of healing upon Sen. Johnson. You know
the great concern his family and friends have for him. Know
Also of our love for You and our faith that You will grant
restoration and recovery to this one who is so dear
to many people.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
If he is naming objects it sounds like he is having to relearn everything from the beginning. If he can't serve, the honorable thing would be to resign. When was the last time that a Dem (other than Lieberman and Zell Miller) was honorable?
Hey, we're talkin' 'bout a Dim here. Might take a good brain hemorrhage to clean up the old thought processes. He might be sharper comin' out than he was goin' in!
In the old days, both parties did. These days, it seems as if only the Democrats are willing to go to those political lengths. In a way, you have to respect them for it. It's as if the Republicans have forgotten how to fight.
I was mildly encouraged by the vote to amend the Democrat "reform" bill yesterday. Not a single Republican voted "no." We haven't seen that kind of party unity in a very long time. If they could have done it a few times before the last election, they might have gotten better treatment by the voters.
Reid will have him strapped in his seat with a ventriloquist behind him before he will Johnson resign.
They could roll Sen. Johnson out on the Senate floor right now and he'd still have more brain function than most of the Democrats there now.
Johnson's wife, Barbara, said in a statement that her husband "develops more skills each day and typically exceeds the goals that others set for him."
Aw why can't this be so for all Democrats!
He may not be capable of understanding he should resign and the Dhimmis are keeping his wife or other guardian from making that decision -- you can be sure.
"Johnson's wife, Barbara, said in a statement that her husband "develops more skills each day and typically exceeds the goals that others set for him."
From gorple:
"Barb Johnson continues her work today as a social worker in the public schools in Fairfax County, Virginia."
When I read the quote about his progress above, it sounded so much like the boiler plate report card blurbs that I had to look up her occupation just to satisfy my curiosity and, bingo! she's a card-carrying member of the NEA.
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