Stricken senator’s wife speaks out

'It’s not pretty, but it’s beautiful'

By The Associated Press | Friday, August 24, 2007

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SIOUX FALLS — The wife of South Dakota’s senior U.S. senator said his improvement has been “miraculous” since he suffered a brain hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery in December.

Barbara Johnson told the Argus Leader of Sioux Falls in a copyright story that her husband has progressed from “touch-and-go” to almost a full recovery.

Sen. Tim Johnson will make his first public appearance Tuesday when the Johnsons, their family and others appear at an event in Sioux Falls.

“His improvement has been miraculous,” Barbara Johnson told the Argus Leader. “But that’s not to say when we come to South Dakota people aren’t going to notice some challenges that are left in front of him.”

While in South Dakota next week, the Johnsons plan a family gathering in Sioux Falls and are considering a trip to their hometown of Vermillion. Sen. Johnson also plans to meet with his South Dakota-based staff.

Barbara Johnson confirmed reports that her husband walks with a cane and uses a wheelchair to negotiate long distances.

He remains weak on his right side, a nagging effect of stroke-like symptoms caused by arteriovenous malformation, a rare complication that caused vessels in Johnson’s brain to grow abnormally large and burst.

It’s uncertain if or when he will regain full mobility.

“But he’s walking more and more, able to go up and down steps now,” Barbara Johnson said. “It’s not pretty, but it’s beautiful.”

Johnson’s speech is softer and slower, but his wife says it is steadily getting back to normal. “He does pretty darn well in getting his ideas across,” she said.

She said her husband wants to run for re-election next year but has not made a decision yet. His recovery, while steady, has been trying. “He’s extremely frustrated by it,” she said.

The senator came out of brain surgery responsive and looking well, but then faced complications of kidney failure and fluid on the lungs, Barbara Johnson said.

“It was really touch-and-go,” she said.

Doctors sedated Johnson and kept him on a ventilator for several weeks. In January, he began undergoing rehabilitation.

He plans to return to work in September.