"The senator is recovering without complication," said the physician

S.D. Sen. Johnson in Critical Condition
By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Writer


Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., is shown in a file ...
WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was in critical but stable condition Thursday after emergency brain surgery, creating political drama over whether Democrats will control the new Senate next month if he is unable to continue in office.

Johnson suffered from bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital malformation, the U.S. Capitol physician said. He described the surgery as successful. The condition, present at birth or immediately after, causes tangled blood vessels that can block the flow of blood or rupture.

"The senator is recovering without complication," said the physician, Adm. John Eisold. "It is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long-term prognosis."

Eisold said doctors drained the blood that had accumulated in Johnson's brain and stopped continued bleeding.

Democrats hold a fragile 51-49 margin in the new Senate that convenes Jan. 4. If Johnson leaves the Senate, the Republican governor of South Dakota could appoint a Republican to fill the remaining two years of Johnson's term _ keeping the Senate in GOP hands with <snip>

more at link:http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/12/14/541702.html&cvqh=itn_senator

Critical but stable. Recovering without complication.

My boss, the MD, says he's going to need considerable rehab, but he can do it. Go, Sen. Johnson!

Ironically that's a perfect metaphor for our country starting this January. :)

I thought the conditions were mutually exclusive, as in stable vital signs vs. not-so-stable ones.

"I thought the conditions were mutually exclusive, as in stable vital signs vs. not-so-stable ones."

His vitals are fine. Critical because he's in the ICU, under close supervision, still under the effects of a multitude of drugs, etc.

Is it a generic term for recovery from brain surgery (critical by virtue of mechanical ventilation, stable in terms of prognosis)?

of his recovery, but stable in this instance means that he's not regressing. In fact, it generally means he's improving.

Therefore, he's still vulnerable because he just had major surgery and requires all the accoutrements necessary for survival and recovery, but he is responding nicely to those accoutrements.

"He probably feels like shit right now and he needs a lot of help, but he isn't dying."

Tom Daschle visited him and was asked by a reporter if Senator Johnson would be giving up his seat and Daschle replied, "NO. There's no NEED TO." :thumbsup: Everything I hear so far leads me to to be OPTIMISTIC.:)

and will be in the days and weeks to come.

To make sure nothing accidentally ends up in his IV. :scared:

:) I HOPE.

following first few hours of surgery, per MSNBC report this morning.

just go home nothing there to damage

...for a speedy recovery for Senator Johnson.