Posted on 01/09/2007 11:48:56 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Sen. Tim Johnson (news, bio, voting record)'s condition has been upgraded from critical to fair, four weeks after he was hospitalized for a brain hemorrhage, his office said Tuesday.
The South Dakota Democrat, who was rushed to the hospital on Dec. 13 and underwent emergency surgery, remains in intensive care, said his spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.
"The senator continues to make progress," Fisher said. "The next step would be rehabilitation and we hope that would happen within the week."
Johnson's office has said that his recovery is expected to take several months. He underwent surgery to correct a condition called arteriovenous malformation, involving tangled arteries in his brain.
The senator's doctors said last week that Johnson was improving but still needed a ventilator at night to help him breathe. The ventilator has required a tube to be placed down Johnson's throat, making it impossible for him to talk.
His long-term prognosis is unclear. He has been responsive to his family and physicians, following commands, squeezing his wife's hand and understanding speech.
The senator's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the upcoming Senate session. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.
A Republican appointee would create a 50-50 tie and could effectively allow the GOP to retain Senate control because of Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking vote.
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) makes a stop on a drought tour at the Oahe Grain Elevator in Onida, South Dakota, in this August 9, 2006 file photo. Johnson, whose brain surgery fueled speculation about upcoming Democratic control of the U.S. Senate, has improved and is being taken off sedatives, aides said on Thursday. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
"His long-term prognosis is unclear. He has been responsive to his family and physicians, following commands, squeezing his wife's hand and understanding speech."
good news - prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
Ditto.
Do fair condition and intensive care jibe?
Any response is a good sign at this point, that was a major event brain-wise. It may take some time to see the full extent of the damage he may have sustained. He likely faces a long tough road to recovery in any case.
...ventilator?
Hey, considering what he went thru, in this case, probably not. I hear what you're saying.
He is still very much in a guarded condition any way ya cut it. He uses a respirator at night and still needs close monitoring.
In other words, the Senator's condition is unchanged from last week, but he is in no immediate threat of death. I hope life gets better for him. They still haven't said whether he has opened his eyes.
Right.
I wish his brush with death will help him see the light and become a republican and help stop the twisted party he is a member of.
Thanks onyx...
Prayers for further recuperation...
Oh, no! He's already better than Robert Byrd.
God bless Senator Johnson and his family.
The (endotracheal) tube would have been placed prior to surgery, and not removed since. Patients cannot well tolerate an endotracheal tube through their mouth or nose for four weeks, and so within the last four weeks Johnson likely has had a tracheostomy placed. Patient's can talk with a fensestrated tracheostomy tube, which allows air movement. Even if the tracheostomy did not allow air movement, if his cognitive condition allowed him to talk, he could mouth words.
Since any positive Johnson developments appear to make news right away, that we have not heard that he is mouthing words, or writing notes, etc. would likely indicate that he is medically stable, on a trach, and largely uncommunicative. Four weeks after a brain hemorrhage, this doesn't sound particularly promising for a full or rapid recovery.
Good news for him and his family.
Apparently all those FReeper prayers for his health are paying off!
Thanks for that assessment. That is pretty much how I am reading this.
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