Let me start off by saying that i hope Sen. Tim Johnson makes a full and speedy recovery and soon will return to his job in the Senate.
I have been working for 18 years in the healthcare field as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, where i have taken care of hundreds of patients on ventilators. The story from yesterday reports his condition has been upgraded.click here for the latest follow below...
What concerns me is that it's taken 4 weeks to come off the vent,which has required a tracheostomy.
The senator's doctors said last week that Johnson was improving but still needed a ventilator at night to help him breathe. The ventilator has required a tube to be placed down Johnson's throat, making it impossible for him to talk.
His long-term prognosis is unclear. He has been responsive to his family and physicians, following commands, squeezing his wife's hand and understanding speech.
To me, just squeezing his wife's hand and following commands is a real far way from returning to the senate. A person requiring 4 weeks of ventilatory support shows there were pneumonic complications such as pneumonia, which is common, or the brain's inability to control proper respirations and clear one's airway.
I hope Senator Johnson makes a full recovery. I believe it's time for another round of prayers and well wishes. Thanks for listening.