Senator Johnson Getting Ready to Come Back

South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson is getting ready to come back. Newsday has an AP story by Mary Clare Jalonick:

Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said Wednesday that the senator would be in the rehabilitation facility "for a while longer" and would undergo outpatient therapy before returning to the Senate. She would not speculate on how long that will take.

When he does return, Fisher said, Johnson is expected to use an electric scooter to get around. Staff and Capitol workers are widening aisles and doorways in his office, as well as the area around his desk, and Johnson's personal bathroom will be refurbished to make it easier for the senator to use.

There's a lot of work to do in Washington. Let's hope Johnson's recovery continues and that he's back soon.

Tim Johnson Improving, Wants to Do Some Work

The mind has an amazing power to heal and Senator Tim Johnson is the proof after a serious brain surgery in December. The Democratic senator from South Dakota is clearly improving. Here's the story from AP writer Mary Clare Jalonick on Yahoo News:

Sen. Tim Johnson (news, bio, voting record) is reading news clippings and starting to do some office work from the hospital, almost two months after suffering a life-threatening brain hemorrhage. "At this point, he has requested more contact with office and is looking for updates from staff," his office said in a statement Friday.

(snip)

"We do not anticipate him back (in the Senate) for several weeks," Fisher said. "We are bringing work to him rather than him coming to us. His first priority still is rehabilitation."

Johnson has been undergoing physical, occupational and speech therapy since he was transferred to rehabilitation from intensive care at George Washington University Hospital last month. He recently began to read and speak in full sentences, according to statements from his doctors.

We wish the senator continued progress in his recovery. I suspect part of Senator Johnson's recovery has to do with the excellent health care coverage provided to senators. I hope the Senate starts giving some thought soon to what it means to millions of Americans who worry about the rising costs of health care. And how decent health care can help hundreds of thousands of Americans return to productive lives.

Senator Tim Johnson Improving

Senator Tim Johnson continues to recover from his brain surgery; here's the story from Sarah Wheaton of The New York Times:

Senator Tim Johnson, the South Dakota Democrat who underwent emergency brain surgery in mid-December following a brain hemmorrhage, is making gradual improvement. His office announced today that his condition has been upgraded from “critical” to “stable.” Here’s what his office had to say in a press release:

“He is breathing independently and no longer requires the assistance of a ventilator,” said Vivek Deshmukh, M.D., neurosurgeon at the George Washington University Hospital.

A tracheotomy tube remains in his neck to guard his airway. It is anticipated that Senator Johnson will be moved from the intensive care unit to in-patient rehabilitation later this week.

Let's hope he can return to the Senate in a few weeks, though I suspect it may be months before he fully recovers.

Good News: Senator Johnson Is Improving

Senator Johnson is improving after his recent operation to repair bleeding and a congenital blood vessel problem in his brain. Here's the story from Kate Zernike of The New York Times:

Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota marked his 60th birthday Thursday in the intensive care unit at George Washington University Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition two weeks after surgery to stop bleeding in his brain.

“Senator Johnson’s overall general medical condition has improved, and he is gradually being weaned from the sedation,” Vivek Deshmukh, the neurosurgeon who performed the operation, said in a statement released by Mr. Johnson’s office. “He is opening his eyes and is responsive to his wife.”

Let's hope the senator's progress continues.