December 5, 2007 12:44 PM
- Text
Sen. Johnson Working, Remains Hospitalized
(CBS/AP)
Sen. Tim Johnson 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.
Spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said the South Dakota Democrat is starting slowly.
"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."
Though Johnson's family and doctors have made frequent statements during his recovery, the senator has yet to appear on camera or release any personal remarks on his recovery, written or otherwise.
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.
Part of Johnson's therapy has been to deal with weakness on his right side. Doctors have said Johnson showed that weakness when he arrived at the hospital Dec. 13.
He was rushed to the hospital after becoming disoriented during a phone call with reporters and underwent emergency surgery hours later. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.
Johnson was sedated and on a ventilator for several weeks due to fluid that developed in his lungs as a result of the initial hemorrhage. He was upgraded from critical to fair condition on Jan. 9.
The senator is making decisions about his health care and expressing opinions on his daily activities, the hospital's chief of rehabilitation, Dr. Philip Marion, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.
"He continues to initiate more conversations and questions," Marion said. "His therapy now includes computer exercises and problem-solving activities."
Fisher said recovery is still expected to take some time, saying, "This is not going to be full speed yet."
Johnson's wife, Barbara, said the family is impressed with his progress: "Even though there is a long road ahead to complete recovery, we feel that we have gotten 'our Tim' back."
The senator's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the Senate. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.
"At this point, he has requested more contact with office and is looking for updates from staff," his office said in a statement Friday.
Spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said the South Dakota Democrat is starting slowly.
"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."
Though Johnson's family and doctors have made frequent statements during his recovery, the senator has yet to appear on camera or release any personal remarks on his recovery, written or otherwise.
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.
Part of Johnson's therapy has been to deal with weakness on his right side. Doctors have said Johnson showed that weakness when he arrived at the hospital Dec. 13.
He was rushed to the hospital after becoming disoriented during a phone call with reporters and underwent emergency surgery hours later. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.
Johnson was sedated and on a ventilator for several weeks due to fluid that developed in his lungs as a result of the initial hemorrhage. He was upgraded from critical to fair condition on Jan. 9.
The senator is making decisions about his health care and expressing opinions on his daily activities, the hospital's chief of rehabilitation, Dr. Philip Marion, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.
"He continues to initiate more conversations and questions," Marion said. "His therapy now includes computer exercises and problem-solving activities."
Fisher said recovery is still expected to take some time, saying, "This is not going to be full speed yet."
Johnson's wife, Barbara, said the family is impressed with his progress: "Even though there is a long road ahead to complete recovery, we feel that we have gotten 'our Tim' back."
The senator's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the Senate. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.
Popular Now in Politics
- CPAC: Will Sarah Palin spring a surprise?
- Romney takes on hecklers at Maine town hall
- Sarah Palin revs up CPAC faithful
- Ann Coulter riles up the CPAC crowd
- Mitt Romney wins Maine GOP caucuses
- CPAC: Anti-Obama beats pro-Romney
- Timothy Dolan: Birth control tweak a "first step"
- Occupy protestors kicked out of CPAC
- Romney on Obama: I will "knock him on his heels"
- After uproar, Obama tweaks birth control rule
- Mitt Romney wins CPAC straw poll
- Gov. Jindal prepping for national stage
- Gingrich: I'll undo Obama legacy on day one
- CPAC: Santorum rips Romney, rouses conservatives
- Santorum donor in the spotlight
- Santorum: Women could bring "emotions" to combat
- What Does 'GOP' Stand For?
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
- Deception at Duke
- Greek pols approve harsh austerity after riots
- Grammys to honor Houston, Hudson to pay tribute
- Whitney Houston never forgot New Jersey roots
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
