Sen. Johnson able to talk, begins therapy
Reuters, Washington Post
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, whose brain surgery last month raised speculation that Democrats could lose control of the Senate, is able to talk and has been transferred to a rehabilitation unit to begin "aggressive therapy," his office said on Thursday.
"Yesterday, Senator Johnson underwent an MRI which showed that his speech centers were spared of injury. This is confirmed by the fact that he is following commands and has started to say words," neurosurgeon Dr. Vivek Deshmukh said.
His office said Johnson was transferred from an intensive care unit to the in-patient rehabilitation unit at the George Washington University Hospital for "aggressive therapy" that could last several months.
Johnson is currently being weaned off the tracheostomy tube that remains in his neck, his office said.
"The fact that Tim is beginning to use words is remarkable, as is his strength and determination," his wife, Barb Johnson, said in a statement. "He even maintains his sense of humor when I share e-mails about his grandsons' adventures."
After the senator suffered what were described as stroke-like symptoms, doctors at the hospital performed emergency surgery on December 13 to stop a brain hemorrhage caused by malformed blood vessels.
Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 majority in Senate. If Johnson were to leave Congress, South Dakota's Republican governor would likely appoint a Republican to finish the last two years of his term.
That would create an evenly split chamber, with Vice President Dick Cheney able to cast tie-breaking votes in his role as president of the Senate.
Johnson still holds his seat, though he could be out for months. A Senate seat becomes vacant through death or resignation.
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, whose brain surgery last month raised speculation that Democrats could lose control of the Senate, is able to talk and has been transferred to a rehabilitation unit to begin "aggressive therapy," his office said on Thursday.
"Yesterday, Senator Johnson underwent an MRI which showed that his speech centers were spared of injury. This is confirmed by the fact that he is following commands and has started to say words," neurosurgeon Dr. Vivek Deshmukh said.
His office said Johnson was transferred from an intensive care unit to the in-patient rehabilitation unit at the George Washington University Hospital for "aggressive therapy" that could last several months.
Johnson is currently being weaned off the tracheostomy tube that remains in his neck, his office said.
"The fact that Tim is beginning to use words is remarkable, as is his strength and determination," his wife, Barb Johnson, said in a statement. "He even maintains his sense of humor when I share e-mails about his grandsons' adventures."
After the senator suffered what were described as stroke-like symptoms, doctors at the hospital performed emergency surgery on December 13 to stop a brain hemorrhage caused by malformed blood vessels.
Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 majority in Senate. If Johnson were to leave Congress, South Dakota's Republican governor would likely appoint a Republican to finish the last two years of his term.
That would create an evenly split chamber, with Vice President Dick Cheney able to cast tie-breaking votes in his role as president of the Senate.
Johnson still holds his seat, though he could be out for months. A Senate seat becomes vacant through death or resignation.
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