Sen. Tim Johnson Returns Home

More Than 4 Months After Brain Hemorrhage, South Dakota Democrat Returns To D.C. Residence

(AP)  Sen. Tim Johnson has returned to his residence outside Washington, more than four months after he suffered a brain hemorrhage, his office said Monday.

"It is wonderful to take this next step with family and friends," Johnson's office quoted the South Dakota Democrat as saying. "As I continue with my therapy, I also get more and more work from the office."

Johnson since February has been receiving treatment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington. The attending physician at the hospital, Dr. Michael Yochelson, said Johnson continues to show significant progress, with gait training playing a more central role in his rehabilitation.

The statement described that as a form of robotic treadmill training where the weight is shared proportionately between the senator and the machine. It said the senator will bear a larger share of the weight as his therapy progresses. It is not uncommon for patients with his condition to see improvement for up to two years, the statement said.

Johnson was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, a condition that causes the arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.

The senator's spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher, said Johnson is still using a wheelchair but can walk with assistance. She said he might start using a motorized scooter soon. Use of his legs has been limited both by the attack, which affected his right side, and the prolonged stay in bed.

She noted that Johnson was in a medically sedated condition for a month after the hemorrhage, and that his therapy did not begin until January. He is able to speak, she said, but continues to undergo speech therapy.

Johnson was stricken a month after elections that gave the Democrats a one-seat majority in the Senate, and his ailment raised the possibility that, were he to be incapacitated, South Dakota's Republican governor would appoint a Republican successor and return the Senate to GOP control.

Johnson, 60, is up for re-election in 2008. He has not said whether he will run, but several of his Senate colleagues have been helping him raise money for the election.

"The doctors tell me to pace myself and prepare for the long road, but I am determined to get back in the saddle," Johnson was quoted as saying. There was no word on when he might be able to return to the Senate.

[toldyouso21]

Get an alternative Democrat ready and introduce him to the public NOW. I wish Johnson the best , but a wise person plans for all contingencies. In the event that Johnson cannot run--it would be best if voters were already familiar with an alternative candidate--don't make the GOP mistake of replacing their Foley in the final months before the election or having a write in candidate for DeLay so late in the game--odds are, people will not be voting GOP anytime soon if they have a reasonable alternative--but if Johnson waits too long--people tend to pick the devil they know over an unknown. Good luck Senator Johnson.

[opfor311]

I'm glad to see that both Tony Snow and Senator Johnson are recovering. Senator Johnson, our thought and prayers are with you.

[joanpz]

Nice to have you back, Tim Johnson - it is truly marvelous that MEDICAL SCIENCE enables persons such as you to have such a speedy recovery.
Don't rush it - just welcome back!