Breaking CNN: Johnson "underwent successful brain surgery for an arteriovenous malformation"

[Pale Blue Dot]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/14/johnson.ill/index.html

Adm. John Eisold, attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, told CNN that Johnson had "an intracerebral bleed caused by a congenital arteriovenous malformation. He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation."

"It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long term prognosis," Eisold said.

Barbara Johnson, wife of Sen. Johnson, said, "The Johnson family is encouraged and optimistic. They are grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans. They are especially grateful for the work of the doctors and all medical personnel and GWU hospital."

Sen. Harry Reid, speaking at the hospital, declined to answer specific questions about Johnson's condition, but did say he was "so happy to see him this morning. He looked very, very good."

Edited to add link to actual article and further details.

[babylonsister]

1. Good! The key word is 'successful'. Heal quickly, Senator. nt

[Teaser]

16. "successful" means the surgery was completed without incident

which is good. We still don't know whether the intervention will be successful or not, with respect to Johnson's faculties.

Keep him in those thoughts/prayers/sacrifices to Baal, folks.

[Radio_Lady]

27. I'm going to break out the Buddhist incense sticks from Thailand.

One for my ex-husband -- gone.
One for Peter Boyle -- gone.
One for the three mountain climbers on Mt. Hood in desparate weather -- situation unknown.
One for Tim Johnson -- hoping for his complete recovery.
One for our Senate -- please keep this from becoming a governmental crisis.

We are having a terrible December.. and take a look at your weather map at the Pacific Northwest.
We're getting inches and inches of rain and snow in the mountains.

[OhioChick]

2. Prayers for the Senator

for a speedy recovery.

[davepc]

3. arteriovenous malformations

What are arteriovenous malformations?

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects of the circulatory system that are generally believed to arise during embryonic or fetal development or soon after birth. Although AVMs can develop in many different sites, those located in the brain or spinal cord can have especially widespread effects on the body. Most people with neurological AVMs experience few, if any, significant symptoms. The malformations tend to be discovered only incidentally, usually either at autopsy or during treatment for an unrelated disorder. But for about 12 percent of the affected population (about 36,000 of the estimated 300,000 Americans with AVMs), these abnormalities cause symptoms that vary greatly in severity. Seizures and headaches are the most generalized symptoms. AVMs also can cause a wide range of more specific neurological symptoms that vary from person to person, depending primarily upon the location of the AVM. Such symptoms may include muscle weakness or paralysis, loss of coordination, difficulties carrying out tasks that require planning, dizziness, visual disturbances, problems using or understanding language, abnormal sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or spontaneous pain), memory deficits, mental confusion, hallucinations, or dementia.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm

[zanne]

6. Another good site for this is

http://www.avmsupport.org.uk/index.php

[Radio_Lady]

34. Excellent site. I learned quite a bit from that link. Thanks so much.

[Lasher]

36. Hmm, kinda like an aneurysm I guess (EOM)

[chaz4jazz]

70. My Wife has an AVM and has had it all of her life

We decided against surgery when she had the worst of her "episodes" in 1997. It's been 9 years since her seizure. The surgeon, one of the best in the nation, agreed with us to wait as it was less likely to cause a problem weighed against the potential disability the surgery might bring on (loss of use of leg, loss of personality, or worse, the loss of memory).

We sincerely hope that Sen. Johnson recovers fully from this operation though there's a good chance he will be impacted by it, hopefully not in a way that will cause him to resign from office.

Keep up the prayers and good thoughts.

Chaz

[No Exit]

4. Thank God!

And to all those repukes who were praying for his death... may karma deal with you.

[murray hill farm]

9. Imagine...

all the repug negative energy being sent out over this...we should all pray..all of us...or if we dont pray then send out all the positive healing energy that we can do..in order to counter the negative energy being that is coming from the other side.

[ponthedge]

94. Positive healing energy IS

Prayer!

The generic form:

4. something wished for: something that is wanted or hoped for very much

I think what everyone is trying to dance around is that Christian Prayer is frowned upon. It is becoming commonplace to criticize any PERCEIVED Christian reference.

I think (and I preface this statement strongly - I could be wrong) that what really boils peoples eggs is RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM of ANY kind.

I get awfully confused sometimes reading the illogical reasoning people use to justify their belief that they have a right to tell someone 'Dont preach your religion to me!' Just because the poster mentions...oh my! Prayer.

Ignorance is unconscionable.

:hide:

[No Exit]

141. Thanks! Great post.

I tried to balance out my reference to "God" with a reference to karma. Guess it wasn't enough.

Humanity will, it seems, perpetually vacillate among three things which I once saw summed up as "sorcery, sin, and the superego". The three things have in common the fact that they are all ways to keep human behavior in line just enough to keep the human community functioning (as opposed to randomly slaughtering each other until there are no humans left.)

We can go with "sin", and have a religion. (If we do, unfortunately we have to share space with the zealots/extremists you mentioned.)

We can go with "sorcery" and believe in stuff which has not been proved by science--such as "positive energy" (hey, I'm NOT knocking it!)--and believing that if we just achieve the exact correct balance of chemicals we put into our bodies, everything will be in harmony, etc.

We can go with "superego" and simply accept without question certain basics such as "murder is wrong... don't ask why, it's just wrong" (I am NOT knocking that, either.)

Or we can engage in some combination of two or three of the above, which is what I think most people do.

Anyway, thanks. I myself have in my head some combination of the three. My current disgust with organized religion is not enough to prevent me from habitually praying for the removal of Bush/Cheney--so I guess I must apologize to mexicopat for that.

[IndyOp]

5. A moment of levity from Johnson's staff:

Adm. John Eisold, attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, told CNN that Johnson had "an intracerebral bleed caused by a congenital arteriovenous malformation. He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation."

"It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long term prognosis," Eisold said.

Barbara Johnson, wife of Sen. Johnson, said, "The Johnson family is encouraged and optimistic. They are grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans. They are especially grateful for the work of the doctors and all medical personnel and GWU hospital."

<snip>

"It transpired very fast," she said, adding the senator's staff was shaken by the incident.

But, she said of the hospital, "we keep reminding ourselves, this is where they take Dick Cheney."

Laughter is healing - for everyone involved. :-)

[Radio_Lady]

28. Indy Op, that's funny! Thanks for posting! We needed it!

[Beelzebud]

7. Serious question. What is the difference between this and an aneurysm?

My father had an aneurysm for years, and this description sounds a lot like what he went through.

[zanne]

14. I agree, Beelzebud.

After reading about AVM's, I came to the same conclusion. Sounds like an aneurysm to me.

[Trouser Trout]

24. An Aneurysm involves an outpouching of a weak area

Of a blood vessel, unlike an AV Malformation that was described earlier.

[flying_wahini]

18. the difference between this and an aneurysm

is an aneurysm is like a balloon defect in the wall of the artery and this is an
abnormal growth of the blood vessels where they have spider like growth and get all tangled up
in themselves and can bleed out

[Beelzebud]

31. Ah ok, thanks for clearing that up for me. I understand now.

[ToolTex]

50. An aneurysm is usually half of an AVM. The other half is arteries that

feed it without any capillaries between the arteries and draining vein to restrict the arterial pressure. Since higher arterial pressure is dumped straight into a vein, which isn't designed for high pressure, the vein usually becomes aneurysmic, stretching thin.

Too early to panic. I had a severe AVM repaired in August this year, and left the hospital a week after surgery, with no deficit. Recovery took about a month.

[IndyOp]

66. Glad to hear about your recovery! Thanks ToolTex... (n/t)

:hi:

[goforit]

104. Wow.....Thanks for the explanation and experience. Glad you're OK.

[ToolTex]

110. Great avatar!

[rateyes]

82. An aneurysm is a weakness in a blood vessel...

Have you ever seen an innertube for a bicycle with a weakness, and a bubble occurs in that spot when you blow it up with air? One can have an aneurysm and not know it. Sometimes though, those weak spots "burst" and internal bleeding occurs. If the aneurysm that bursts is in a main artery, death can occur within just a few seconds. Many people know they have aneurysms, and as long as they are small, won't have surgery, but once it reaches a certain size (measured in centimeters) then surgery is a must. Most people with aneurysms don't know that they have them. People with high blood pressure really need to beware.

An AVM is a malformation of blood vessels that form a "cluster." Think of getting an extension cord all "tangled up." This malformation sometimes leads to internal bleeding, which is what happened to Sen. Johnson. He did not have blood flow to the brain stopped by a clogged artery (plaque or clot), which would cause brain tissue to die. Rather, he had internal bleeding from the artery into the brain, causing pressure on the brain, giving him the same symptoms as if he had a stroke.

This morning, when I heard that he had had surgery, I thought to myself, having heard of his symptoms from yesterday...slurring of speech, and then getting better, and then having problems with his arm...(back and forth)...that he had a brain hemorraghe rather than a classic "stroke." Turns out I was correct, but did not know about the AVM.

If he survives (and it seems like he will...he is stable, they say) the next 48 to 72 hours, IMO, the prognosis for recovery is very good...although it might take some time with the physical therapy that he will no doubt have to go through.

It's good that they caught this when they did.

[CAcyclist]

115. The artery and vein actually fuse

and the higher pressure from the arterial blood causes the thinner - walled vein to "blow" out. It does get tangled, but the crucial element is that the artery and vein fuse together.

[rateyes]

123. Right....

because there are no capillaries in between.

[iconoclastic cat]

8. Breaking: Senator recovering; thousands of DUers experience chest pains

:evilgrin:

[Turbineguy]

15. I'd add to that

Freepers in deep depression.

[Kingshakabobo]

22. Breaking: Freepers NOW in favor of "pulling the plug" should Johnson...

........need life support.

[Donkeykick]

41. Good One.

:kick:

[tblue]

78. Egad, maybe we better set up a vigil in the hospital like Michael Corleone did for Vito

[GrantDem]

102. Maybe we could hook up a video camera...

and "Dr." Frist could offer a diagnosis via webcam.

[Jim Lane]

118. In defense of the Freepers (not my usual stance)

Quite a few of them expressed the hope that Johnson would recover, saying that his and his family's situation was more important than the political ramifications.

[Deep13]

10. See, God wants the Ds to be in charge.

Sorry, Freepers.

[bianca2001]

11. WONDERFUL NEWS

Thoughts and prayers still go to the Senator and his family. May

they all have a Merry Christmas together, and a blessed New Year.

[LynneSin]

12. AVM - that's what Nate Fisher Jr. had in the show "Six Feet Under"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Fisher

I thought I had heard of that condition.

[progressoid]

33. Oh yeah. Thanks for that.

So TV does have a redeeming value!

[originalpckelly]

13. Oh my, it was intracerebral:

Capitol physician says senator suffered from "an intracerebral bleed"
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/14/johnson.ill/index.html

"The damaging effects of a hemorrhage are related to lesion location. Bleeding from AVMs located deep inside the interior tissues, or parenchyma, of the brain typically causes more severe neurological damage than does hemorrhage by lesions that have formed in the dural or pial membranes or on the surface of the brain or spinal cord. (Deeply located bleeding is usually referred to as an intracerebral or parenchymal hemorrhage; bleeding within the membranes or on the surface of the brain is known as subdural or subarachnoid hemorrhage.) Thus, location is an important factor to consider when weighing the relative risks of surgical versus non-surgical treatment of AVMs."

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/detail_avms.htm#73233052

[Teaser]

17. unless you're trained in neurology

reading stuff like that online isn't really helpful. Because the excerpt is not specific enough to the case at hand. You need to know things like the effect of rapidity of treatment (very rapid) quality of care (very good), surgical complications (unknown).

So don't just go googling "intracerebral bleed". You'll wind up stressing yourself.

[mike6640]

21. don't attempt a self diagnosis online

Type in your symptoms, you are almost certain to come up with some horrifying conclusions.

Our prayers go out to the senator and his family.

Mike

[MidwestTransplant]

29. Schwew good advice. I had a headache this AM and diagnosed

myself with a tumor. ;)

[Lasher]

38. Quick, somebody send Catkiller a video.

I want a second opinion.

[MidwestTransplant]

49. Funny you should mention:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2916682

[Lasher]

57. Thanks for the link, that's pretty funny.

I guess the good Catkiller is begetting a good new career. Wonder what happened to that presidential bid? Maybe someone sent him a video of his approval ratings.

[semillama]

71. yeah, it does no good to Frist the case.

(why should Santorum be the only negative noun or verb to result from the idiocy of a Republican politician?)

[Time for change]

19. I think it's too early to get our hopes up too high

The article says he is in critical condition and may require additional brain surgery.

[jus_the_facts]

103. And damage to his brain every time they go in to try to *fix* it again....

....seems like they did a number on Clinton too when he had his heart problems...he's been so blatantly cozy with the Bushes ever since. :tinfoilhat:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

20. Hopefully he'll recover completely

I have no idea what the odds of that are, but for his and his family's sake, not to mention the sake of the nation, I wish him well.

[Missy M]

23. My husband had AVM's last year and underwent surgery...

successfully. His were in the area of the brain that took away his balance and he couldn't walk without falling over. After the surgeries, he had to have four surgeries because the area that was bleeding was large, he is doing OK. Most of his balance came back and he gets around just fine. Hopefully, they were able to get all of Senator Johnson's bleeding the first time. They go up through an artery in the groin and 'glue' the arteries and veins but sometimes have to cut. My thoughts are with Senator Johnson and I am happy he is on the road to recovery.

[Radio_Lady]

30. Thanks, Missy. CNN said this was in the region of brain that controls

speech... I hope he isn't incapacitated next month, but who can tell? It's only weeks away.

Brain surgery always amazes me. God bless the doctors -- may their hands be guided by superior knowledge and their gentle hands.

[MADem]

72. Missy, how is he doing cognitively? Any deficit? NT

[Missy M]

81. Yes, he has some problems besides his balance.....

but they are not too bad. I see some short term memory loss and problems trying to figure out simple things, such as how to put something together that should be easy. I know each individual is different and my husband's bleeding was massive. It came out of the blue, there was no warning.

[MADem]

84. I wish you both well, and I hope he continues to improve. NT

[Missy M]

90. Thank you so much MADem, I appreciate it..

I'm just thankful he made it through the ordeal.

[Casablanca]

106. He's doing better cognitively than Strom Thurmond did his last two years in office. nt

[debbierlus]

86. Wow - I am so glad that your husband is okay

Must have been really scary!

[Missy M]

92. It sure was because he had to go through four surgeries...

and each time we were scared.

[stillcool]

25. I'm trying to think...

how I would feel if my husband were in the same circumstance and all anyone talked about, repeatedly, and almost with glee... was his possible pending death or incapacitation. Fine example of the "media's" choice of content and emphasis, and how that transcends into common discussion.

[Radio_Lady]

32. Thanks for your post. I respectfully disagree. Journalists have a duty to explore

important decisions about our Congress if this person dies. This morning, they are awaiting a news conference on Senator Tim Johnson. People want to know.

It's just a roll of the dice -- this could have been a Republican with a congenital brain defect.

Last night, I watched or listened to news for hours. There was plenty of coverage of the lost mountain climbers on Mt. Hood, quite a few memorials on the death of the popular Peter Boyle, discussions about David Duke's anti-Semitic tirade and association with Iran.

And, you can always choose a movie or another channel where they fix your house, pray for/with you, or shop.

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[TankLV]

39. hey - all of the repukes with congenital brain defects are already in OUR White House.

and Congress, SOTU, etc...

That would be all of them...

And we are doing are damnest to make sure they don't do any further harm to our country than they already have done...

Sorry - that was just too easy...I can't help myself...

May he have a SPEEDY AND FULL RECOVERY...

[Radio_Lady]

46. Big laugh here! Thanks for that post.

[seaglass]

40. I respectfully disagree. Journalists have a duty to report news,

not speculate.

[Shakespeare]

44. No, analysis is part of it, too. n/t

[seaglass]

60. I wouldn't have a problem with "analysis" if there was some

fact that was presented. There was no fact that said Sen. Johnson would not be able to fulfill his duties in the Senate, thus it was speculation. Speculating about someone's death or incapacitation is gruesome and not the role of a real reporter.

[Shakespeare]

89. You may not like it, but yes it IS analysis, and yes it is part of the role. n/t

[seaglass]

107. You are right. I didn't like it. I really don't even have a problem with

them talking about it today. But it bothered me yesterday when they were saying it in the same breath that they made the announcement. No respect.

[stillcool]

43. it's not about

my choice of entertainment. I do not watch news programming as a rule. I catch it on the fly when I'm in social situations. What I find offensive is not about relating information, it is about the choice of emphasis and content used to deliver it.

[seaglass]

37. Just as a person, not related at all to Sen. Johnson I agree with

you and it is why I didn't watch any on the news shows after I saw the first announcement...they could have maybe waited 30 seconds before bounding off into valueless speculation.

That wasn't reporting news, it was a bunch of vultures circling around someone in pain, trying to get their piece. Yeah, this is what the news has come to but it doesn't mean that I have to accept it or watch it.

Sickening really.

[knitter4democracy]

63. I've been thinking that, too.

I cannot imagine how terrified and angry his wife and family are right now. *shudder* Need to pray today . . .

[Botany]

26. Maybe his problem yesterday was a good thing?

It brought to attention an organic problem that he
had since birth .... hopefully it is now fixed and he
can get better over the holidays.

[Casablanca]

105. It was a message from God to Dems - "DON'T GET COMPLACENT!" nt

[droidamus2]

35. May he have a quick and complete recovery

Our good thoughts and hopes go out the Senator Johnson and his family for his complete recovery. Question, is somebody else i.e. The Governor of his state able to declare him unable to serve or does a vacancy have to be created from a death or resignation? If it is death/resignation then even if Senator Johnson is incapacitated if he cannot officially resign then he would hold the office until 2008 even though he would not be able to actually do anything.

[sonias]

42. Wishes for a complete and speedy recovery

He is so lucky that he had good medical treatment and that the condition was caught early. I wish that every American would have the same opportunity and I'm sure Senator Johnson and the Democrats would support that.

Prayers for him and his family.

Sonia

[wryter2000]

45. All positive thoughts for Senator Johnson and his family

Get better fast, sir. I hope we have good news in the next day or two. :hug:

[Limelight]

47. I've met someone who had the same problem...

A pastor that came to our church gave his testimony about how he went through dealing with the very same thing. Happy to say despite some effects on his periphrial vision he fully recovered.

Proof prayer does work so I'll be praying for the senator and his family.

[ToolTex]

56. I had an AVM repaired in August, and recovered without any prayer,

thank you Limelight. Proof that prayer adds no value to a successful surgical outcome.

But pray all you want, delusion is your option. Just don't push it at me.

[Cameron27]

65. Good for you ToolTex,

glad you had no complications from the AVM repair. I've read studies about prayer and healing and you're right, no effect, but it does comfort the prayee so there's some good to it.

I have to hold my breath however, when cancer patients continue to cling to their magic crystals while debating the benefit of chemotherapy.

As long as no harm is done....

[brentspeak]

77. Prayer definitely does help the ill person praying

as you pointed out. Received prayer is another matter, but no one can say for sure it does or doesn't always work, and we'll never really know. But I do it anyway.

[ponthedge]

97. Is there harm

In positive thought? As long as no harm is done...like there could be if they what? Thought harder? Furrowed their brows whilst holding the crystal? :wtf:

Positive thought is what the crystal symbolize.

Do not dwell on the bad. Think about the postive. Dwell on it. Wishing for a good outcome (that is what the generic prayer is) is not a wrong.

Hyper-sensitivity to Christian Prayer or any other form of prayer is...fill in whatever you want...I am tired...it is all just :silly:

[Cameron27]

111. I've encountered patients who were so besotted by

the "healing power" of crystals that they actually delayed receiving chemo treatments, and yes, it caused serious harm.

[Cameron27]

112. As far as positive thinking,

I believe there are studies that show an improvement in certain immune responses. Norman Cousins was able to speed his recovery from an MI by using laughter, so yes, I'm definitely positive about positive thinking, but it's not going to help patients with metastatic cancer without chemotherapy, except of course, to make them feel emotionally secure for a very short time.

[OzarkDem]

121. Agree,

Crystals, prayer, etc. are fine for helping you relax and cope, but nothing beats evidence based medicine.

[brentspeak]

76. What were your symptoms?

If you don't mind me asking. How did they determine it was an AVM and not, say, an aneurysm? (glad you're doing better, btw).

[ToolTex]

88. Symptoms were a feeling of pressure in my head when I coughed or strained

and some numbness on my side. Two MRI's and a CT scan found a spot that was then followed with an angiogram which confirmed the AVM. I'm so fortunate to have found it before it ruptured. Most people don't, and they have usually ruptured by age 50 the stats show.

Mine was fixed by internally blocking some of the supplying arteries with coil embolisms, surgery to clip off most of the remaining supply arteries, and then cauterizing the last remaining tenacious little artery. I even got a bit of a face lift out of it as a side effect, and no visible scar.

I feel like I won the lottery. And with Medicare and my supplement it only cost me $16 dollars for valet parking.

[ponthedge]

93. Do you believe...

In the power of positive thought?

Also, the generic form prayer means;

4. something wished for: something that is wanted or hoped for very much

I do believe in the power of thinking positively. To think in the negative promotes bad energy.

Forgive me, I am not trying to preach. It just sounds like you are ready to pounce on anyone who prays. Muslims, Jews, Witches, Ebionites, Wiccans...all delusional in your eyes.

I bid you adieu...oh wait, that is french for "I commend you to God".

Perhaps, Later Gator would be better here.

L8r G8r ;-)

[ToolTex]

109. Exactly, positive thought is good. Commending me to God offends.

Saying to me, "God bless you," or Jesus loves you," or I'll pray for you," just makes me think the speaker has a screw loose. But I live in East Texas so I hear all that crap every time I leave my house; probably five times already today and I only bought gas and did a little grocery shopping. Do the Fundy's actually think we like to be told that dead and made-up beings love us or the lie that they themselves are going to take time to drop to a knee and beg some spirit to drop good fortune on us. And as I think about it why all the proselytizing? Do the xians actually think that anyone in the US of A could have spent one day in this country and not have already had the "good news" pushed in their face so many time that they want to vomit? Just waiting and hoping that someone is at rock bottom, and then God will strike their heart? That really smacks of abuse or at the least taking advantage of human weakness. And why all the made-up witnessing for your gods? Are all your gods not powerful enough to get by on real accomplishments?

Goodbye works. Later Gator is fine too.

[Maat]

124. Eh ... I sympathize ... suffering from exposure to

Rabid Rightwing Fundamentalism; however, just as an aside, in my faith, postive thought and prayer are equivalents. I'm a Religious Scientist, and we honor all paths (e.g. Christian, Muslim, the Jewish path, the secular humanist path, etc.). So, not all faith is horrifying. I know of what you speak, however, since my relatives moved back to the Bible Belt and became rabid Southern Baptists, and some of their conversation drives me batty (I have to constantly remind myself that is their trip, and limit my kid's exposure to it).

Edited to add that I'm SO glad you recovered, and thanks for your information.

Positive thoughts sent the Senator's way!

[PegDAC]

125. I usually tell 'em

"If it makes you feel better, go ahead. Just don't expect that it will have any effect."

[Limelight]

140. Didn't push anything on you...

Simple comment, so what's there to be so offended about?

However, if you think it was a luck/skill and no grace/mercy that's your delusion. Don't push that on me.

[northofdenali]

48. NY Times also had an encouraging 'graph in their story -

"A National Institutes of Health website defined the condition as the abnormal direct connection of arteries and veins without the usual web of capillaries.

The website said that most people with the condition never suffer any ill effects, but for some the first symptom is sudden bleeding in the brain. Among those who suffer such hemorrhages, the outcome can vary widely: a small number die, while some others continue to suffer seizures or other neurological problems as a result. The extent of damage depends in large measure on the location of bleeding within the brain."

Keep that good DU karma going, friends - Sen. Johnson WILL recover!

[Bumblebee]

51. Randi Rhodes who said yesterday he was apparently fine and out of the hospital

should stop playing with our emotions this way unless she has firm information, not just someone's heresay. It sent many of us into a short-lived state of euphoria from which it was even harder to come back to a very sobering reality...

[northofdenali]

52. Agreed. Any time the brain is involved, it can be complicated.

And I really hate that crash after heresay "reports" and then the more saddening "corrections". However, that "small number" does encourage me.

[Bumblebee]

54. Knock on wood, it does look much better today than last night. Am looking

forward to Reid's press conference in 10 minutes or so.

[brentspeak]

58. She does have a tendency to say the dumbest things

I like how she smacked down that Ben Ferguson chickenhawk on "Larry King Live", but when she's alone in front of a mic on her own show...(nuff said).

[tblue]

83. Hey, don't talk about my girl like that. She didn't exactly pull that out of her you know what

She got it from some source that was mistaken. Randi does more good than harm, and she is the first to correct herself. Let's see what she has to say about it today. You try speaking on the air for 3 hours a day 5 days a week and see if you don't make a faux pas or two. Why are we always eating our own?

[MADem]

73. There was an AP report yesterday that used the term "CHECKED OUT"

...as in, he was being CHECKED OUT at the hospital. That might have been what caused the confusion. It was a poor choice of words, 'examined' might have been a better one.

[ToolTex]

59. Also bleeds from AVM usually have higher survival rates than other

brain bleeds, because the AVM plumbing is superfluous to supplying blood for brain function. In other words, usually AVM bleeds don't deprive brain tissue of needed blood supply. The outcome will probably be pretty good for the Senator, since he got quick and top-notch care.

[CAcyclist]

117. Good point! Thanks! nt

[otohara]

53. Why Is It Always The Democrats

in these life and mostly death situations?

Republican's live long lives - the meaner the longer.

[Javaman]

64. Because we actually use our brains. :)

Not poking fun, just pointing out the obvious.

Get well soon Senator!!!

[MADem]

74. Because only the good die young. The mean and nasty often live forever. NT

[krispos42]

91. No, it just seems that way. Forever and ever and ever....

I checked out the Freerepublic site and was actually shocked they weren't dancing on the tables. People actually expressed sympathy and hoped and prayers for Johnson.


Of course Johnson was the 4th most liked Senator in the Senate...

To: PDR
It is always bad when I can't even pronounce the diagnosis - prayers for the family.

2 posted on 12/14/2006 6:57:11 AM PST by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - they want to die for islam and we want to kill them)
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To: PDR
Get well soon, Mr. Johnson, and take as long as you need to get back to 100%.



5 posted on 12/14/2006 6:59:21 AM PST by Chi-townChief
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To: Chi-townChief
My prayers are with Senator Johnson and his family. I don't like how the man votes, but I wish no harm to him.



9 posted on 12/14/2006 7:02:56 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: PDR
All politics aside, my thoughts are with Sen. Johnson and his family.

29 posted on 12/14/2006 7:16:04 AM PST by HEY4QDEMS (Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.)
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To: PDR
the very same thing killed my aunt.....finally rupturing and causing an aneurism
prayers for him and his family

wisdom for politicians


36 posted on 12/14/2006 7:22:34 AM PST by Revelation 911
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Of course, that is a on the 'few and far between side', and a lot of them spend time wondering what conspiracy theories we (the DU) are going to come up with, but I didn't see anybody actually cheering.

[MADem]

98. Oh, Yeah, they're all a bunch of saints over that way....not.

I knew your assertion was too good to be true:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1753321/posts
To: COBOL2Java
Right on,let`s hope he recovers so that he can vote for all the democrat evils.HEAVY SARCASM

btw I hope he recovers also,but only to retire.Unless God would grant him a miracle that would have him recover and cross the floor.
20 posted on 12/14/2006 5:32:37 AM PST by thepresidentsbestfriend (Comparing democrats to human waste, is a insult to the human waste!)
............................
To: AZRepublican
"I do hope the guy recovers fully and is able to establish a personal relationship with his Creator if he hasn't already".

...I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for someone who's sole purpose in life is power and that dis-regards the safety and well-being of his country for that power. He's nothing but a puppet for Reid and if we can gain a majority as a result, then perhaps it was meant to be by the almighty himself. This election was all about evil vs good. Evil won that battle. Maybe good will win this one.
26 posted on 12/14/2006 5:35:48 AM PST by albie
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................................
To: Obadiah
It just occurred to me that Reid and other Dhimmi leaders have been at the hospital to be sure Senator Johnson is never given the opportunity to resign -- or if indicates that's what he would like to do, keeping the fact from leaking out. And claiming the opposite.
30 posted on 12/14/2006 5:37:48 AM PST by WashingtonSource
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: JerseyHighlander
"I believe he got beaned in the head with a media softball during his media conference call. This might not be anything more than a blood clot or something relatively minor at this point"

...NOW THAT'S FUNNY!! (although I think it was a marshmallow)
31 posted on 12/14/2006 5:37:50 AM PST by albie
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.....................................
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1753380/posts
To: Ron in Acreage
You can bet Tom Daschle is already starting his campaign.
7 posted on 12/14/2006 7:00:32 AM PST by dfwgator
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: dfwgator
You got that right.
8 posted on 12/14/2006 7:01:17 AM PST by Ron in Acreage (VOTE DEMOCRAT--TERRORISTS ARE COUNTING ON IT)
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................................

To: PDR
Now how the hell did Bush cause THIS?
The crafty devil...

14 posted on 12/14/2006 7:04:48 AM PST by grobdriver (Let the embeds check the bodies!)
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....................................
To: HereInTheHeartland
I could just as easily say that Daschle "poisoned" him, he's just jealous that he's not in the Senate anymore.
28 posted on 12/14/2006 7:15:13 AM PST by dfwgator
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................................
To: Rakkasan1
I wonder if they'll starve him like Schiavo or leave him in a vegatative state like the other senators.
I was wondering the same thing. It'll be interesting to see how the drive by media tip toes around this one too.
111 posted on 12/14/2006 10:03:12 AM PST by b4its2late (Liberalism is a hollow log and a mental disorder.)
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....................................


Of course, there are some funny bits as well. Look at this post, simply rife with absolute stupidity--there's not a fact these two poor bastards got right:

To: umgud
"In a 50/50 senate, who gets to be majority leader? If Johnson is replaced by a republican, it will be 50/50, but don't forget that there are 2 independents also."

The two independents are counted on the Democrat side. Lieberman and Jeffords.

Where this would help Republicans would be in the case of Iraq where Lieberman will vote with the President.
102 posted on 12/14/2006 8:17:06 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz ("Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted." Lenin)
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That was just a few pages on two threads. I'm sure there's more, I just can't bear the misspellings, the foolishness, the meanspirited attitudes, or the hideous layout of that website.

[krispos42]

139. I hear that...

We do similar things, though. If McCain went down with a sudden medical problem, then yeah, we'd wish for him to get better while at the same time hoping his political career is over!

We probably wouldn't hope McCain used the near-death experience to find Jesus, though...

I had the same thought when Cheney shot his hunting buddy. I wanted to know what happened, who got shot, how the victim was doing...

... and if Cheney was going to be spending some time in prison!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

137. Bush is a Republican - And surely he has this condition...

tape of Johnson's conversation when the stuttering and problems emerged were played on The Ed Schultz show today. He actually sounded like he was doing a Bush impression!

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Wizard]

61. Does this mean

Republicans will stop jerking off for a while? Fux News is drooling all over themselves with thoughts of replacing him with one of their nazis.

[truthisfreedom]

67. This means they are totally demoralized and have to go back to lamenting fearless leader's lost war.

This means they believe God has abandoned them yet again.

Poor heartbroken thugs.

[Tight_rope]

62. I pray that he pulls through with a speedy recovery.

[The Blue Flower]

68. My 5-year-old nephew had this

Unfortunately, the blood vessels burst suddenly, and he didn't survive, despite 12 hours of surgery. So keep sending the prayers and good vibes.

[brentspeak]

79. My condolences

[renate]

87. that is so sad

Poor little guy, and how shattering beyond words for your whole family. I'm so sorry.

[sleepingdog]

69. Positive thoughs

Positive thoughts for the senator. And forgive me if this has already been kicked around, but.... If his speech problems were an indication of something amiss in his cranium, when will they rush ol' Dub to the hospital for HIS operation? With what's in Dub's head, if the brain surgeon was busy, they could ask the plumber to stand in!

:crazy:

[ponthedge]

95. Funny...

Humor is always the best medicine...

[wundermaus]

128. It just doesn't make any sense...Bush having brain surgery...

is an oxymoron... How can you have brain surgery with no brains... ask Mittens!
http://www.matazone.co.uk/animpages/kitty1.html

[Eurobabe]

75. Knew a girl who had AVM, and had successful surgery

He'll recover...good vibes for Tim!!

[whistle]

80. God speed Senator Johnson's recovery

[debbierlus]

85. Positive thoughts and energy to him and his family

They seem to have caught it as early as possible - Let's hope he comes through whole & healthy -

[paulk]

96. this has been a strange day for me

you see, this happened to me just over nine years ago. The AVM wasn't in my brain, it was in my spinal column. I almost died.

Hearing and reading about this is dredging up some very unpleasant memories.

---------------

Best of luck to the Senator for a full recovery.

[MADem]

99. I can imagine....

...the news dredged up some old and unpleasant memories, to say nothing of the fears that accompany a journey into uncharted and scary territory.

How fortunate that you survived. Were you able to recover fully, or nearly so, and how long was the process for you?

[paulk]

108. well, what happened to me isn't completely analogous to what

the Senator has experienced, although the cause was the same... anything involving the brain is a lot more unpredictable. With spinal surgery the risks are more defined.

The initial recovery, before I was able to work again, took eight months. The psychological effects lasted much longer. (Off topic - but this is one area where our medical system really fails us) I've recovered as well as could be hoped - there's still some pain and discomfort, along with some slight nerve damage in one leg. OTOH - there are some benefits, believe it or not - to having such a life changing experience. It makes one truly understand how tenuous our stay on this earth is, and how quickly our life circumstance can change. To "live each day like it's your last" becomes much more than just a slogan.

[MADem]

116. I do know what you mean....we never know what we've got until it's gone, or nearly so.

And health is just something we take for granted until it's taken from us.

Eight months, eh? That's no small amount of time for introspection along with recovery...!

[ronnykmarshall]

100. Get well soon, Senator.

[Blutodog]

101. Rest easy Senator

The nation prays for your quick recovery.

[pdefalla]

113. Relax everybody, Bill Frist has listened

to a recording of the senator's news conference and says that he has no brain damage!

[Taverner]

114. Oh shit...AVM

At the risk of sounding crass...Six Feet Under fans will note this is the disease the fictional Nate Fisher died of on the show...

[phrenzy]

119. My arm is numb - nummm - arm - narm narm

Ugh - Nate dealing with that condition was the thing that really hurt me the most. Esp. the fact that he survived his first bout with it (after 'dying') only to have it take him in the end out of nowhere.

Of course, it was the first thing I remembered when hearing about his 'stammering' - Nate trying to order at that drive through when he got hit with it was so sad - poor Claire had no idea what was going on and was so scared :(

Sorry, I was an SFU nerd. But, it did teach me what I know (not a lot) about this condition

[Taverner]

120. Narm

Yeah...any kind of brain malady freaks me out good

[OzarkDem]

122. Get well, Senator Johnson

Rest easy and recover. Glad to hear you will be ok.

[Yukari Yakumo]

126. Update from Daily Kos

Statement from the office of Sen. Tim Johnson:

Admiral John Eisold, Attending Physician of the United States Capitol said, “Senator Tim Johnson has continued to have an uncomplicated post-operative course. Specifically, he has been appropriately responsive to both word and touch. No further surgical intervention has been required.”

[Pale Blue Dot]

127. Great news! nt

[ToolTex]

Good news. At this point they will have clamped or embolized the AVM,

and stopped the bleed. After surgery they will have done a CT scan or an angiogram to be sure there is no further bleeding. They will have released the pressure from the initial bleed, and are currently trying to control the local swelling from the bleed and the surgery by the maximum dose of hypercortosteroid that his glucose level can tolerate and he will be receiving morphine for pain from the surgery.

Carefully parsing the news release words, he must be conscious but drugged, responding to word and touch, but apparently not yet speaking. I think this makes sense, as the initial bleed, surgery, and initial symptom of speech disturbance must have been in the speech processing area. There will be swelling in that speech area, that will probably be reduced in the next 48 hours by the steroids and may well return his speech to near normal. I think this is probable as AVM bleeds do not normally deprive brain tissue of infusion as the AVM plumbing is usually superfluous to brain blood supply.

So it sounds to me like the news release is positive for a good prognosis.

[ToolTex]

129. Good news. At this point they will have clamped or embolized the AVM,

and stopped the bleed. After surgery they will have done a CT scan or an angiogram to be sure there is no further bleeding. They will have released the pressure from the initial bleed, and are currently trying to control the local swelling from the bleed and the surgery by the maximum dose of hypercortosteroid that his glucose level can tolerate and he will be receiving morphine for pain from the surgery.

Carefully parsing the news release words, he must be conscious but drugged, responding to word and touch, but apparently not yet speaking. I think this makes sense, as the initial bleed, surgery, and initial symptom of speech disturbance must have been in the speech processing area. There will be swelling in that speech area, that will probably be reduced in the next 48 hours by the steroids and may well return his speech to near normal. I think this is probable as AVM bleeds do not normally deprive brain tissue of infusion as the AVM plumbing is usually superfluous to brain blood supply.

So it sounds to me like the news release is positive for a good prognosis.

[Jimmy52]

130. I think he will be fine

In a couple of months he will be in the Senate doing his job. The republicans will all have crawled back under their rocks.

[Roland99]

131. I agree. And welcome to DU, Jimmy52!

:hi:

[bianca2001]

132. You can send

your get-well wishes to Sen. Johnson at Harry Reid's site:


<www.give'emhellharry.com/timjohnson

[Historic NY]

133. Give the man a few weeks..............

my cousin in her 40's had surgery to untangled the same condition the Senator has near the base of her brain in July, she came through fine. Her biggest complaint was headaches and the inability to keep food down, those problems were fixed by changing medications. She had returned to work until a car accident last week short circuited that when the found she had a fractured skull. I talked with her in length and told her I already knew she was cracked and now she had something to go with the hole in her head. She was in good spirits and was more upset about having to shop for a new car. I'd bet Sen. Johnson will be feeling much better in time to hoist a St. Patrick's Day beer. :beer:

[index555]

134. Sen Johnson

I find it amusing that a few posters on this board saw nefarious motives in the tragic situation with Sen Johnson.
My personal political views are all over the place, I agree with conservatives on some things and I agree with Liberals on other things.
One thing I would NEVER wish is ill upon an elected representative.

Senator Johnson , May you make a full recovery soon!
and live a long , happy and healthful life.
Politics be damned!

[Vickers]

135. "I agree with conservatives on some things " Such as?

Please make sure that these "things" are "things" that are currently being promoted by Bush and the Gang.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

136. You cannot be serious!!

The Senator's recovery is vital to everyone.

Since the good news about a relatively brief surgery, I'm a bit more worried about Byrd surviving his full term. Surely there's a Republican Governor in West Virgina.

Edit to add hip-hip.... The West Virgina Governor is a Democrat! :)

[SoCalDem]

138. I had one of those AV things..years ago..but mine was not in my brain

I was lucky my doctor found it and removed it.. I thought it was a cyst because at times it would puff up..Of course being the ninny I am, I used to gross my kids out by pushing oon it and then watching it puff up again.

I mentioned it to my doctor (wqho was also my next door neighbor).. He took a look at it (It was on my wrist) and said.."that's gotta go"..come see me tomorrow..

and so it went.. He said it was sort of like an aneurism, and could have burst..:eyes:

this from mayo Clinic:

An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is an abnormal passageway between an artery and a vein. Although it most often occurs in the legs or arms, an AV fistula can occur anywhere in the body, including the brain. An AV fistula may also be created to provide an access for hemodialysis in people with end-stage kidney failure.

Normally, your blood flows from arteries through capillaries and back to your heart in veins. When an AV fistula is present, blood flows directly from an artery into a vein, bypassing the capillaries. If the volume of diverted blood flow is large, tissues downstream receive less blood supply. In addition, heart failure may occur due to the increased volume of blood returned to the heart.

A doctor may suspect an AV fistula by an abnormal sound (bruit) heard over the artery with a stethoscope. The sound is due to turbulent blood flow between the artery and the vein. Small fistulas following injury sometimes close without treatment. But larger fistulas often require treatment, which may include:

* Surgery to block the abnormal channel
* Endovascular coils inserted into the fistula to close it