The number of politicians being sent to the hospital is astonishing. It doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.
And a top Democrat is hospitalized because of an awful drug problem.
On Feb. 16, Senator John Fetterman checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for severe depression, just days after being hospitalized after feeling lightheaded at a Democratic Party retreat.
The Pennsylvania Democrat’s health is said to be improving, but he could be hospitalized for another two weeks while physicians seek to get his medication “exactly right.”
“John Fetterman is making progress in his recovery from clinical depression and could leave Walter Reed within next two weeks,” CNN congressional reporter Manu Raju tweeted on Tuesday.
“The senator’s physician recently informed him that he will be ‘as good or better than his best days post-stroke,’” Raju added.
Fetterman’s health problems began last May 13, when he suffered a stroke in the final days of Pennsylvania’s Senate primary campaign.
The then-lieutenant governor was left with hearing and other cognitive issues that plagued him throughout his general election campaign against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz, prompting the Capitol Building to install special closed captioning technology after his midterm election victory to help him conduct his work as a senator.
Fetterman’s lengthy hospitalization at Walter Reed has been the result of his doctors “trying to get his ‘medication balance exactly right,’” according to Raju.
“For instance, doctors learned his blood pressure med was too high, which may have contributed to dizziness when he went to GW hospital last month,” the CNN reporter said, referencing the senator’s hospital stay immediately before his clinical depression diagnosis.
Fetterman’s camp provided a look at the senator at work in photos uploaded on Twitter by his chief of staff last week.
“Productive morning with Sen. Fetterman at Walter Reed discussing the rail safety legislation, Farm Bill and other Senate business,” the politician’s top aide, Adam Jentleson, captioned the images of the 53-year-old politician.
“John is well on his way to recovery and wanted me to say how grateful he is for all the well wishes. He’s laser-focused on PA & will be back soon,” Jentleson added.
On February 27, Fetterman’s communications director stated that the senator was “doing well” while undergoing treatment, which would be a “weeks-long process.”
“We don’t have a lot to update folks with since there’s no real news to report except that John is doing well, working with the wonderful doctors, and remains on a path to recovery,” Joe Calvello said in a tweet last month.
“John is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff are keeping him updated on Senate business and news,” he added.
Fetterman’s hospitalization adds to those of Senator Diane Feinstein and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Feinstein has been diagnosed with shingles, while McConnell suffered a concussion after falling during dinner.
Both are set to recover, but their absence have raised questions about America’s testing of politicians for physical and mental fitness.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
