Gov. George Pataki Leaves Hospital

Gov. George Pataki was released Monday from the hospital, nearly three weeks after an appendectomy and its complications forced the potential presidential candidate to cancel political trips to New Hampshire and California.

"It's great to feel the fresh air and sunshine," the governor said as he walked out of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical School with his wife, Libby Pataki. "It's wonderful to be going back to work. ... I'm not 100 percent but I'm a lot better than I was a few days ago."

Facing a phalanx of reporters and cameras, a relaxed-looking Pataki — dressed in a blue blazer, brown corduroys and tennis shoes — said he would work "close to home the next week or so."

The 60-year-old governor added that he was excited about tackling the budget — a comment that drew laughter from the media. New York's budget, for the fiscal year that begins April 1, has been chronically late. The state had an on-time budget last year, the first time that had happened in 21 years.

The New York Republican, who is weighing a run for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, announced last July that he would not seek a fourth, four-year term this year.

On Feb. 17, the day after his appendix was removed, Pataki was to have attended two political events in New Hampshire, traditional site of the first presidential primary. On Feb. 25, Pataki was to have been the keynote speaker at the state convention of the California GOP in San Jose.

Pataki was initially hospitalized in Westchester County where his appendix removed. He was transferred to the Manhattan hospital on Feb. 21 and was operated on later that day to deal with an intestinal blockage.

The 6-foot-5 governor has been in generally good health as governor. In late 1999, he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that had bothered him for several years and, in 2003, he had eye surgery to repair a detached retina. He had a military deferment during the Vietnam War era because of poor eyesight.

Following the news conference, Pataki headed in a motorcade to his upstate home in Garrison.

"He will still require some intravenous antibiotics at home," said his surgeon, Dr. Spencer Amory. "There is still a small possibility ... of infection later."

The doctor said he felt Pataki could continue his treatment at home, but said he would require postoperative visits to the hospital.

Amory said it typically takes six weeks or more to get up to full speed.

"It could take up to that long to get all your energy back," said Amory.

Last Wednesday, at a hospital news conference, Pataki told reporters he was "chomping at the bit" to go home and have a pizza and a cold beer.

On Monday, he said: "I'm still waiting for that pizza and hamburger but it's still a few days off."

He may have to wait a little longer. Armory, without giving specifics, said the governor would have dietary restrictions.
By Adam Goldman