Eleanor McGovern dies at age 85

| Friday, January 26, 2007

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The Associated Press

Sen. Johnson's condition improving, doctors say

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Tim Johnson is showing evidence of more functional, spontaneous speech as he recovers from a brain hemorrhage last month, his doctor said Thursday.

"He is answering questions and following commands appropriately," said Dr. Philip Marion, head of rehabilitation at George Washington University Hospital.

In a statement, Marion also said he is indicating preferences. These are all signs of a steady recovery, Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said.

For example, Johnson offered up the name of his youngest grandson, Cooper, when his speech therapist couldn't recall it. He has also asked that the doctors turn the television to CNN.

His wife, Barbara Johnson, said the senator has been following the news closely.

On Tuesday, she said he watched President Bush's State of the Union address and was "touched" when Bush prayed for his recovery.

"This has been an exciting week filled with progress," she said in a written statement.

Johnson has also been undergoing physical therapy to deal with weakness on his right side.

The Democratic senator from South Dakota was rushed to the hospital Dec. 13 after becoming disoriented during a phone call with reporters and underwent emergency surgery hours later. He was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst.

He was sedated and on a ventilator for several weeks, due to fluid that developed in his lungs as a result of the initial hemorrhage. He was upgraded from critical to fair condition on Jan. 9 and has since been moved from intensive care to inpatient rehabilitation.

His office has said his recovery is expected to take several months.

Johnson's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the Senate. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.