Neurologist: Johnson in for a long recovery

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/01/03/news/state/state04.txt ^ | 01/03/2006 | milwguy

[milwguy]

SIOUX FALLS (AP) - U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson may be in for a long recovery from brain surgery, according to a Sioux Falls neurologist.

Dr. William Rossing said he bases his belief on the length of time that Johnson has been sedated.

Doctors used prolonged sedation to minimize swelling after Johnson's emergency surgery for bleeding in the brain.

Recovery for someone who has been sedated as long as Johnson, 60, is likely to be "significant and lengthy," Rossing said.

It usually takes only a few days to wean a patient from sedation, Rossing said. Johnson has been sedated since Dec. 13 and is being weaned gradually

[milwguy]

Yep....Got to give Harry Reid some credit. He said Senator Johnson was looking great right after sugery, and now 3 weeks later, the Senator is still in intensive care, sedated, and had not yet spoken a word. I do hope for his recovery, but if 3 months from now, he has not recovered sufficiently to perform his duties, I think his resignation should be called for by the people of South Dakota.

[fieldmarshaldj]

He should resign as soon as he is coherent enough to sign the papers, he ought to consider what is more important, spending time with family and recovering or stroking Harry Reid's ego.

[JBR34]

I waiting for a few citizens of South Dakota to file a law suit claiming that they are not getting their "Right of representation as guaranteed by the Constitution."

The deposition of the Senator would be interesting.

[shrinkermd]

Yes, exactly. What shocks me is the article is by an outside neurologist opining on what the papers have told him. Actually, this is the best kept secret in Washington.

No one reports anything. You actually have no information to go on. He might be reading Shakespeare's sonnets to his wife or be virtually moribund; however, no one will indicate anything.

Poor Senator Allen. He had 15 plus stories in the Washington Post alone on "macaca" and we still have not really decided if that is calling someone a monkey or a racial slur.

We have had only a couple of brief mentions from the Washington Post (note lately) on a seriously ill Senator.

The big power the MSM has is not skewing the news but deciding what is news.

Spare me the usual "we pray for the best...our hearts go out...etc." Of course, but perhaps the incapacity and health of a US Senator is news above and beyond mere sympathy.

[Young Werther]

No resignation required. Once determined that he cannt fulfill his duties a replacement can be named.

I wonder if the Dimbulbs can remember "Schiavo". They crucified the Pubs, including that eminent surgeon Bill Frist, touting their ignorance and emotionalism over truth justice and the scientific way.

They'll follow the Pelosi way to cement their power!

Arrgh!

[meg88]

He could sit there for 2 years with no recourse to do anything about it.

[savedbygrace]

'Sedated' sounds so much better than 'being kept in a coma'.

[Old Professer]

If the monkeys had an advocacy group or a legal defense fund, we still be hearing about that.

[WesternPacific]

The Demo leaders are working alternating shifts keeping this guy alive. The are on stand-by in the event he needs to be resuscitated and to insure NO ONE unplugs the life support.

[Paleo Conservative]

No resignation required. Once determined that he cannt fulfill his duties a replacement can be named.

In fact it would violate the US Constitution to not allow a replacement to represent the state in the US Senate, because each state is guaranteed equal sufferage in the Senate.

Article V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

[PISANO]

The GOP will remain silent. Johnson will have to be incapacitated for at least a year before the GOP will think they have enough cover to pursue an appointment to replace him.

It is just not in their makeup to be crude & crass and driven for power the way the Dims are.....I wish they were!!

If this same scenario was playing out and the party was REVERSED, the DIMS AND their DBM cohorts would be screaming for the governor to appoint a replacement!! It would be the NUMBER ONE STORY in the nation!!

[Williams]

The real issue is whether the Senate will be reorganized with a clause allowing republicans to take control if the membership shifts. Republicans need to insist on it. Of course they will be called heartless, etc. I predict they don't do it, meaning we could control the Senate and not control the committees, etc. - meaning we wouldn't control the Senate.

[milwguy]

Sorry, but your premise is wrong. There is information on the senator here........
http://www.ksfy.com/Stories/Story.cfm?SID=9422

and here........from Dec. 30th
A spokeswoman for the South Dakota Democrat, who turned 60 today, says Johnson is responsive to directions from his wife but has not yet spoken. She says it's too early to tell how long recovery will take.

Johnson's doctors say he remains in intensive care. His overall condition is said to have improved. Johnson is being weaned off sedation to help his brain heal from the surgery which was done to stop bleeding

So you have information both from his doctors and his office saying he is still in intensive care, weak on the left side, responsive to his wife, but has not yet spoken a word. This is what the doctor in the article was referencing when he gave his EDUCATED prognosis based on the information the PUBLIC has from the SENATOR'S OFFICE which quotes his WIFE, and what the hospital has released which quotes HIS DOCTORS.

[joebuck]

"Republicans need to insist on it. Of course they will be called heartless, etc. I predict they don't do it, meaning we could control the Senate and not control the committees, etc. - meaning we wouldn't control the Senate."

The Pubs better not wimp out like that if this occurs. As I recall, the Dems didn't cut any slack when Jim Jeffords switched parties and turned the balance of power in the Senate.

[RexBeach]

Yup. You're right.

But the Post and the MSM is what it is and there's no changing it.

We have to work harder and smarter than the Post and the Democrats.

Senator Allen stuck his foot in his mouth and he paid the price.

Yup. Big double standard. But that's the lay of the land.

At some point, the Johnson question will have to be settled. That will be mighty interesting.

[knarf]

"Recovery for someone who has been sedated as long as Johnson, 60, is likely to be "significant and lengthy," Rossing said."

I'm no physician, but I have 'awakened' after a weekend with at least simular drugs ... if not 'better' .... and I can attest to an oftentimes 2 or 3 day recovery period ... just to bring reality back into focus.

I think Dr. Rossing is saying that Sen. Johnson may have to be re-taught a lot of things and likely may never completely recover.

JMO

[justshutupandtakeit]

Citizens of a state have no say over the matter after election. ONLY the Senate has a voice as per the Constitution.

[Paleo Conservative]

The GOP will remain silent. Johnson will have to be incapacitated for at least a year before the GOP will think they have enough cover to pursue an appointment to replace him.

Excuse me. Do you really support forcing a state to have only half its constitutionally required votes in the US Senate?

[Towed_Jumper]

"He should resign as soon as he is coherent enough to sign the papers, he ought to consider what is more important, spending time with family and recovering or stroking Harry Reid's ego."

Hey, maybe "stroking" was not the right adjective to use here...lol. However, I wish the Senator well.

[shrinkermd]

Sorry you feel that way Your information is from the 29th and maybe from the 28th since the papers and wire services seem to ping off each other.

You really have nothing. Just hints what might be. No one is talking and no one is reporting. A full fledged panel of experts could fill in a lot. One lonely neurologist has to be careful not to offend anyone in the family or in South Dakota where he practices.

If there is no news here why does not someone say that? Everything is fine and the Senator is talking would be a good start.