Democratic Senator Hospitalized

[Regis Philbin]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061214/D8M09U4G3.html

South Dakota Senator Hospitalized

Dec 13, 7:46 PM (ET)

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was hospitalized after becoming disoriented Wednesday, weeks before his party is to take control of the Senate by a one-vote margin.

Johnson, who turns 60 on Dec. 28, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital with an undiagnosed illness, said a spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.

She said, however, the senator did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. His office had said earlier it was a possible stroke.

Johnson became disoriented during a conference call with reporters at midday Wednesday, stuttering in response to a question. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors were evaluating his condition.

Democrats won a 51-49 majority in the November election. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement to serve until the 2008 election should Johnson die or resign.

Before he ended the call, Johnson appeared to recover and asked if there were any additional questions.

Spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he then walked back to his Capitol office but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician came to his office and examined him, and it was decided he should go to the hospital.

[Annoyedlistner]

CNN.com is saying that he had a brain hemorrhage, lets hope the Senator will be ok.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Oh, that's not good. CNN is reporting that he is in critical condition following brain surgery. That sounds perhaps worse than it may be. If the surgeons were able to evacuate the clot, then he will be monitored closely in an intenisve care unit. The next 48 hours will tell if he has any pronounced or lasting neurological deficits.

[Venisenvy]

damn, so close to the holidays too, hopefully everything will be ok.

[db44]

I've been seeing headlines of "resting comfortably" and about the road to recovery, so hopefully all is okay.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

I hope he's okay.

Funny, do you know how many times a night I write "resting comfortably?" A gazillion. lol It's code for, "Yep. He's breathing, not bleeding on the floor and hasn't punched a nurse."

[~Aquarian86~]

That's a scary thing to have. I hope he gets better.

[db44]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16224094/

WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson has opened his eyes and shown other small signs of recovery from brain surgery that are encouraging to his family, a spokeswoman said Friday.

Congressional visitors continued to come to the hospital and comfort family members as the South Dakota senator’s progress was closely watched across Washington. His sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats’ one-vote majority in the upcoming Senate session.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid visited Johnson, 59, at George Washington University Hospital again Friday and said he looked “good, fine.” Senate Chaplain Barry Black also came by.

Johnson suffered a brain hemorrhage Wednesday that was caused by an uncommon and sometimes fatal condition, and underwent surgery late into the night.

He was responding to the voice of his wife, Barbara, and following directions a few hours after the surgery. When she asked him to open his eyes, he did, and then reached out to hold her hand, said Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher.