Doctor: Sen. Johnson will be able to resume his duties

[sabra]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Tim Johnson will be able to resume his duties as a U.S. senator, his doctor said Monday in a statement issued by the Democrat from South Dakota.

“In my discussions with Sen. Johnson, I am very well aware that he is interested in continuing his work as a senator and I am confident that he will be able to resume his duties,” said Dr. Michael Yochelson, director of brain injury programs at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington.

“During my last visit with him last week, he demonstrated physical improvement in his ability to walk across the room himself,” he said. “I could also see continued improvement in his speech as it has become more fluid. With his improving language skills, the senator is able to express himself more clearly, which allows us to recognize the fact that he is doing well cognitively. He is reading the paper daily and talking with friends, family and colleagues. His memory and processing skills are strong.”

Johnson’s most recent MRI shows continued healing since last December’s brain surgery, said Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, who performed the surgery.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/11/doctor-sen-johnson-will-be-able-to-resume-his-duties/

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. ...

[tmlanders]

2. Excellent news!

[Grandrose]

3. Good for Sen. Johnson!

Continued best wishes for his recovery! :bounce: :kick:

[BootinUp]

4. Thats great to read....n/t

[joanmj]

5. great news!

Thanks! Thinking good thoughts!:dem:

[Judi Lynn]

6. NY Times: Senator's Doctor Expects Him to Return

Senator's Doctor Expects Him to Return

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 11, 2007
Filed at 1:22 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The doctor overseeing Sen. Tim Johnson's recovery from a brain hemorrhage said he expects the ailing Democrat to resume his duties in the Senate.

Dr. Michael Yochelson said in a statement issued through Johnson's office that the South Dakota Democrat showed improvement last week in walking unassisted and in his speech, which has become more fluid.

''I am very well aware that he is interested in continuing his work as a senator and I am confident that he will be able to resume his duties,'' Yochelson said.
(snip)

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he expected Johnson to return to the Senate in September, if not earlier. Reid, D-Nev., said Johnson has recovered 90 percent of his speech, although his right side remains weak.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Ailing-Senator.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[xxqqqzme]

7. Most excellent - recovery from brain injury

is tricky, I think because how the brain works is not really understood. Walking, talking, improving language skills and reading, all steps I recognize. The hardest thing for me to re-learn was following text from one line to the next. I would get to the end of line on a page but couldn't track to the next line down. It a special therapy and I have great respect for the therapists.....and the patients who keep at it. Johnson has been hard at it. Good for him!

[Az_lefty]

8. Great news...

:toast:

[aquart]

9. Wonderful news.

[burrowowl]

10. YES!

May he soon be in the Senate with no detrimate to his health!

[LeftishBrit]

11. Good news - all best wishes to him!