MSNBC; Conflicting reports arise on senator’s condition .... & TPM

[RedEarth]

NBC, MSNBC and news services
Updated: 15 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was hospitalized Wednesday, weeks before his party was to take control of the Senate by a one-vote margin. But by evening, his condition was unclear, with conflicting reports over whether he had suffered a stroke.

The one thing that appeared to be true was that Johnson had some undiagnosed illness that has left him with difficulty speaking and moving.

Johnson, who turns 60 on Dec. 28, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital, said Julianne Fisher, Johnson's communications director. The illness was initially thought to be a stroke.

Fisher later said, however, that Johnson did not suffer a stroke or heart attack. Other sources, said Johnson had. In a statement late Wednesday, Fisher said, "Senator Johnson continues to undergo testing and procedures at George Washington University Hospital. We expect to have more information in the morning."

Admiral John Eisold, attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, issued a statement saying Johnson was admitted to the hospital "with the symptoms of a stroke." While many on Capitol Hill voiced frustration about the lack of immediate information, aides noted the senator promptly received medical attention after feeling ill earlier in the day.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16191212/

from Josh Marshalls site....

Another update on Sen. Tim Johnson's condition. Earlier we passed on the statement from the senator's office that tests showed he had not had a stroke or a heart attack.

However, CBS now has a report out which repeats that statement and then follows with this: "Sources close to the situation tell CBS News the situation is definitely not good."

I'm way out of my depth here in terms of what other conditions could be in play if it's true that a stroke has been ruled out. But the additional line from CBS is both troublingly ambiguous and ominous.

From what I can tell CBS is the only news outlet reporting something like this in the background. There's no point in my speculating. I'll just pass it on. We'll try to bring you more as we hear it.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/011554.php

[Kadie]

1. From The CNN Wire - Sources: S.D. senator undergoing surgery at Washington hospital

Wednesday, December 13
POSTED: 11:13 p.m. EST, December 13, 2006

Editor's Note: The CNN Wire is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents and producers, and The CNN Wire editors. "Posted" times are Eastern Daylight.

Sources: S.D. senator undergoing surgery at Washington hospital
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was undergoing brain surgery Wednesday night at George Washington University Hospital after being hospitalized earlier in the day due to stroke-like symptoms, two Democratic sources familiar with his condition told CNN.

Johnson, 59, was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after he appeared to suffer stroke-like symptoms, although a spokeswoman for the senator said subsequent evaluation showed he did not suffer a stroke or a heart attack. Staffers told CNN Johnson was conscious when he was transported to the hospital.

Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said the senator was in the Capitol Wednesday morning conducting a conference call with South Dakota reporters when "his speech pattern slipped off."

Fisher said the senator was able to walk back to his office in the Hart Senate Office Building, then began having problems with his right arm. He thought he was all right, she said, and went to his desk, but came out a few minutes later and "it was apparent he needed help." (Posted 11:13 p.m.)

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/13/wednesday/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[mod mom]

2. Oh shit-I hope he is ok. He and his family are in my thoughts. :(

[RedEarth]

3. Thanks for the update.......that doesn't sound too good.

[AngryAmish]

4. OK, I'm not a doctor but this is my guess

The operable spots in the brain are on the outside (or so I am told). This does not sound catastrophic.

But also, if it is a deep bleed there may be an "operation" to put a burr hole in the brain to relieve pressure and put a monitor in there to see how the brain pressure is going. But I am not a neurosurgeon so I can be completely wrong.

[Lex]

6. What about an aneurysm?

Does that require an operation?

[AngryAmish]

17. Depends

There are two kinds of strokes.

most times an aneurysm means a blockage of (mostly) an artery, it expands and blows up. (Again, I am not a doctor but I have some experience in this area -- and if I am wrong I welcome correction.) It causes a huge bleed in the brain and the deeper in the brain (closer to the brain stem) they are deadly and close to inoperable.

Some other times in mostly a smaller artery on the outside of the brain it becomes blocked but it does not blow out. It is very similar (with similar causes) to a heart attack - they also call it an infarction. But what was being fed by that artery dies. However it is not unrecoverable.

Or not. I am making neurological diagnoses without proper training and without training. I hope things go well.

[still_one]

8. it could be an aneurism, or a lot of things that are VERY serious

not only the condition, but the procedure itself might have risk

This is definitely not positive

Hopes and prayers are with him and his family, and of course the country

[AngryAmish]

20. Not necessarily.

If it is a bleed on the outside it may just be a way to relieve pressure (of a subdural hematoma) to allow the brain to heal itself.

But again, I am not a neurosurgeon and we do not have enough info right now. I can be completely wrong.

[Radio_Lady]

7. Brain aneurysm? Brain tumor? Exploratory brain surgery?

These are just guesses from a semi-trained medical claims investigator.

[hlthe2b]

11. probably an aneurysm

My thoughts and prayers are with him (and all of us... I don't believe it is an overstatement or political rhetoric to say how much the country needs him).

[still_one]

12. hopefully he will be alright, but no matter what happens in 2008 the Senate is ours

[still_one]

13. Remeber Biden aneurysm an came out alright

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=940DEEDC153FF930A25751C0A96E948260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes+Topics%2FPeople%2FB%2FBiden%2C+Joseph+R.+Jr.

[brentspeak]

18. Yeah, but symptoms didn't progress beyond his headache

They caught it in time.

[elehhhhna]

29. Hubs had those symptoms form a migraine once.

Scary, but no further problems or damage.

[mod mom]

14. Shouldn't this have its own thread?

[Kadie]

16. probably so.

I will start one so others will see it.

[Lex]

5. Damn.

Prayers are with him and his family and friends.

Sounds like some scary stuff.

:cry:

[still_one]

9. it is, and if their is bleeding in the brain the prognosis is poor

[Radio_Lady]

10. K & R for late crowd.

[brentspeak]

15. If this was an aneurysm, then the prognosis is bad

because he was displaying symptoms of neurological damage (difficulty talking and moving). Prognosis is good in cases with symptoms of no more than a severe headache; poor, with stroke-like symptoms.

Prayers for Senator Johnson and his family.

[LizW]

22. Not always

My friend had a TIA with speech difficulty (she "lost" words and substituted nonsensical words in their place). It came on suddenly. They tested for stroke, carotid occlusion, and other blockages. Found the aneurysm and rushed her into surgery immediately. She is fine. She never lost any function. That was eight or nine years ago.

I hope for the best for the Senator.

[Recursion]

19. I hate to ask, but...

...has his office been checked for toxins or chemical/radiological agents?

I honestly wouldn't put it past them.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

21. Let's Be Honest Here Folks

The well wishes are all good and fine. I'm sure this gentleman is a wonderful guy, and I by no means feel lack of sympathy for him or his family.

But honestly, if he's not well, We're FUCKED! The supreme gains earned these past few months and years are FUCKED. Sure, we still have the House, but it's all gone. It's all changed. It's all back to the status quo.

It emboldens King george once more. It puts the Supreme Court into potential turmoil again. It makes Feingold's decision to stay out of the Presidential race so that he can remain in a Majority Senate.

But let's face it, if this were a repub, he would be out bouncing around, and making statements in support of dick cheney. Heck, a repub could be shot in the face at close range, and still come out and make it look like there was nothing to worry about.

But this isn't a repub. It's a Democrat. I pray to God he's alright. For so many reasons we can't comprehend, which may resonate long, long after his illness runs whatever course it will. He may be fine, but if he can't serve, as a nation, we're in deep doo doo once again.

[Lex]

23. At this point it's out of our hands. We hope for the best.

Doesn't do any good to run around pulling our hair out and gnashing our teeth.

[Bumblebee]

24. But that's what we are so good at :(

[AngryAmish]

25. All is not lost

As long as he can sit there and hit the right button during vote of majorit leader we win.

[brentspeak]

26. Is that supposed to be funny?

[AngryAmish]

27. No, this is serious

[Straight Shooter]

28. 6 years ago, on 12-12, the Supreme Court set us on a course of disaster.

Finally a ray of hope, 6 years later, as we won the House and the Senate. Now, this. Good gawd.

You know that deep down in their little black hardened hearts, the Repubs are praying for this good man to die. They don't care, as long as they have power, power, power without accountability.

We saw what happened when we lost Wellstone.

For Senator Johnson's sake and for the sake of his friends and family, I hope he recovers and lives a long, healthy life. For the sake of the world.