Sen. Johnson Continues to Show More Improvement

New York Times ^ | 25 January 2007 | Daphne Retter

[shrinkermd]

Senator Johnson is showing evidence of more functional, spontaneous speech and is indicating preferences. He is answering questions and following commands appropriately,” said Dr. Philip Marion, medical director of the hospital’s Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, where Johnson is being treated as an inpatient.

Johnson was moved from the intensive care unit Jan. 11.

According to a statement released by his office Thursday, Johnson’s has been watching movies with his family when he is not working with physical and speech therapists. He has asked that his television be tuned to CNN, and his wife Barbara said he is aware that President Bush mentioned him in the State of the Union address

[shrinkermd]

He apparently does have a right hemiparesis as well as an expressive aphasia.

[Patrick1]

Glad he is doing better, but if he were a Republican would the NYT be calling for the Schievo maneuver?

[Txsleuth]

It is so good to hear that he is making progress..continued prayers for Sen. Johnson.

[Conservateacher]

Doc
I have understandesis.
What does this mean? thanks

[Bahbah]

Since I took the trouble to look it up, I'll share it. a·pha·sia /əˈfeɪʒə/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-fey-zhuh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun Pathology. the loss of a previously held ability to speak or understand spoken or written language, due to disease or injury of the brain.

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

"...following commands appropriately..."

"Vote...the way...Ms. Pelosi...signals..."

[greyfoxx39]

"answering questions and following commands"...does this mean he can blink once for yes and twice for no? Grunt once when CNN is dialed? Wonder just what his real condition is.

[dirtboy]

It is so good to hear that he is making progress..continued prayers for Sen. Johnson.

I'd rather regain control of the Senate the old-fashioned way - by convincing Lieberman to switch and giving Cheney the tie-break vote.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Well, he's still got problems, if he actually ASKED to be subjected to CNN......

[GSlob]

"He apparently does have a right hemiparesis as well as an expressive aphasia."
Well, it is a republican brain they transplanted into him - give it some time to grow in!

[dc-zoo]

Maybe he'll be reborn as a republican when he gets his speech back.

[NonValueAdded]

"In fact," sources requesting to remain anonymous might have reported, "he has passed Senator Kennedy in coherency of speech, although we agree that is a mighty easy standard to beat."

[lexington minuteman 1775]

If he is watching CNN I would put him back into critical care. Sumthin' ain't right!

[Blogger]

If it is a Republican brain, do we get the Senate anyway????

[dc-zoo]

That's spooky. We had the same idea.

[NonValueAdded]

Neat trick for a Senator :) I thought Dingy Harry would sit at Tim's control console. but your sentiment is accurate.

[MattinNJ]

I really hope he gets better.

That being said, Ginsberg is on her last legs and Dubya may have another chance to appoint a SCOTUS Judge. I am hoping Johnson steps down while recovering and Mounds puts a Republican in his place. A large portion of the fate of our nation will be determined by the next 2 SCOTUS picks. It does no god to have only 4 conservative Justices (Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, and Alito) and constantly lose 5-4 battles.

[dc-zoo]

They're reprogramming him as a liberal by force-feeding him with CNN.

[NonValueAdded]

He has asked that his television be tuned to CNN

ROFL at the thought of the machinations that led to the insertion to that bit of copy.

[shrinkermd]

Hemiparesis=HERE

Expressive Aphasia=HERE