Thursday, December 28, 2006
He's not talking yet, but is responding, so good news for him and his family.
Johnson Remains in Critical Condition
Dec 28 5:52 PM US/Eastern
WASHINGTON
Sen. Tim Johnson turned 60 on Thursday, two weeks after emergency surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage that has left him in critical condition.
Julianne Fisher, a spokeswoman for the South Dakota Democrat, said Johnson won't be present in the first days of the new Congress next week but is continuing to improve. She said he is responsive to directions from his wife but has not yet spoken.
It's too early to tell how long recovery will take, Fisher said.
In a statement Thursday, Johnson's doctors said he remains in intensive care at George Washington University Hospital. They have released few new details about Johnson's condition and prognosis since the days after the Dec. 13 surgery to stop bleeding in his brain.
Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, head of Johnson's surgical team, said in a statement that the South Dakota senator's overall condition has improved and he is gradually being weaned off sedation to help his brain heal. (link)
Good news from the M.E.:
There's a bit of a controversy brewing on this one, HotAir has the scoop. Seems the government can't decide on just when he is to be hung.Saddam to be hanged by Sunday
Ex-dictator’s execution expected to be carried out by start of Eid holiday
NBC News and news servicesUpdated: 2 minutes agoFormer Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday.
The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.
The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days. (link)
Snake oil salemsen line up:
The vaccine to cure every strain of fluLast updated at 22:20pm on 28th December 2006This would be great news if it pans out. Some time in '12 we may say goodbye to the flu. This would really help my little girl who would be eleven at that time. She is prone to getting sick.British scientists are on the verge of producing a revolutionary flu vaccine that works against all major types of the disease.
Described as the 'holy grail' of flu vaccines, it would protect against all strains of influenza A - the virus behind both bird flu and the nastiest outbreaks of winter flu.
Just a couple of injections could give long-lasting immunity - unlike the current vaccine which has to be given every year.
The brainchild of scientists at Cambridge biotech firm Acambis, working with Belgian researchers, the vaccine will be tested on humans for the first time in the next few months.
A similar universal flu vaccine, being developed by Swiss vaccine firm Cytos Biotechnology, could also be tested on people in 2007 - and the vaccines on the market in around five years.
Importantly, the vaccines would also be quicker and easier to make than the traditional jabs, meaning vast quantities could be stockpiled against a global outbreak of bird flu.
Martin Bachmann, of Cytos, said: "You could really stockpile it. In the case of a pandemic, that would be a huge advantage.
"If you were to start making a traditional vaccine at the start of a pandemic, there is no way there would be enough."
The Government believes a bird flu pandemic is inevitable, killing 50,000 people in Britain alone.
However, it acknowledges that the bug could be much more lethal - infecting one in two people and claiming more than 700,000 lives. (link)
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Reason amongst the dhimmikrauts
Labels: medical, Middle East, prayers, senate
posted by Lord Nazh @ 21:43 | View blog reactions
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Friday, December 15, 2006
Doctor: Senator's Progress 'Encouraging'Good news from the watch on Johnson, everyone is still praying for his recovery (even if they people are speculating on political matters) and praying for his family in this trying time.
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press WriterThe timing of his return is uncertain, but Democrats would still be in control of the Senate if his recovery period extends into the new session.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Tim Johnson was experiencing post-surgery swelling in his brain Friday, but his doctors said his recovery was still encouraging. They said he would remain hospitalized until the swelling went down.
The South Dakota Democrat, who suffered a brain hemorrhage Wednesday, remained in critical but stable condition Friday, just short of three weeks before the new Senate is to convene with his party holding control by a single vote.
AP Photo/CHARLES DHARAPAK
The surgery has been described as successful, relieving pressure on the 59-year-old senator's brain and stopping the bleeding.
"Considering his initial presentation, his progress is encouraging," Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the George Washington University Hospital department of neurosurgery, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.(link)
Medical marvel? or just a liberal?
Ok so it was a lame joke, but this really looks cool. Imagine going for a physical and not telling the nurse about it :)Man with no pulse considered a medical breakthrough
MONTREAL — A 65-year-old Quebec man who received a new long-term mechanical heart last month is being described as the only living Canadian without a pulse.
Dr. Renzo Cecere implanted the “Heartmate II” mechanical heart into Gerard Langevin in an three-hour operation Nov. 23.
Officials at the McGill University Health Centre say the device, which is about the size of a flashlight battery, could last up to 10 years.
That is longer than other models which are thought to be good for only two or three years.
The new mechanical heart, which is powered by batteries located in pouches on Mr. Langevin's body, provides a continuous flow of blood so the patient has no pulse.
“Mr. Langevin happens to be the only individual currently living in Canada without a pulse and without a measurable blood pressure,” Dr. Cecere said Wednesday.
Mr. Langevin admitted to reporters that, before the operation, he felt his time was up after he suffered his second heart attack in July.
He had the other in 2002.
“I was finished. I had no time left. I probably had only a few months left to live,” Mr. Langevin said.(link)
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Reason to pray
Labels: medical, prayers, senate
posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:00 | View blog reactions
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Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S. D., has been hospitalized with symptoms described as stroke-like. The seriousness of his illness has not been disclosed. ...Via Captain'sQuarters (from MSNBC).Johnson became disoriented during a call with reporters at midday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover, asking if there were any additional questions before ending the call.
Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he had walked back to his Capitol office after the call with reporters but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician was called and Johnson was taken by ambulance to the George Washington Univeristy Hospital in D.C. for evaluation.
A statement released by Johnson's office said, "Senator Tim Johnson was taken to George Washington University Hospital this afternoon suffering from a possible stroke. As this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team. Further details will be forthcoming when more is known."
The letter behind the name means nothing when it's life or death. G-d help him.
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Pray no matter the reason
Labels: medical, prayers, senate
posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:05 | View blog reactions
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