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Graham?s Heart Surgery Successful
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January 31, 2003
WASHINGTON ? Senator Bob Graham, D-Florida, underwent a successful operation today to replace a deteriorating valve in his heart.
Doctors said Graham emerged from surgery at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, at approximately 1:45 p.m. He was listed in stable condition in the cardiac intensive care unit.
Speaking for the medical team, Dr. John F. Eisold, the attending physician for the Congress, said: ?Senator Graham?s surgery went well and was an uncomplicated procedure. He is resting comfortably. We anticipate a full recovery.?
Eisold added: ?The senator is expected to remain in the hospital for four to five days, and then to convalesce at home for seven to 10 days. He will be able to resume light duties toward the end of the month and should be back to full strength within six weeks.?
The surgery, performed by Dr. Alan M. Speir of Annandale, Virginia, replaced the aortic valve with a ?bioprosthesis,? a valve from a cow.
The senator?s wife, Adele Graham, who was at the hospital with other family members, said: ?Bob and I want to express our appreciation to the medical team here at the National Naval Medical Center and for the incredible outpouring of support we have received, not only from Florida but from across America. We are comforted and gratified to be in so many people?s thoughts and prayers.?
Following the surgery, Graham?s staff delivered a letter to the offices of Senator Tom Daschle and Senator Bill Frist, the Democratic and Republican leaders, explaining that Graham would be ?necessarily absent? from Senate votes in coming days. Graham had dictated the letter prior to surgery. A copy is attached.
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January 31, 2003
Senator Bob Graham underwent successful heart surgery today. This is the letter he sent to Senators Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate, to explain his absence. Senator Graham, his wife Adele and their family also expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the thousands of expressions of support and the prayers for his health.
Dear Senator Frist and Senator Daschle:
The purpose of this letter is to share with you and my colleagues a development regarding my health.
This morning at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, I underwent successful surgery to replace the aortic valve in my heart. My doctors advised me to have this procedure now to correct a deteriorating condition that could have led to permanent damage of my heart muscle. I have attached a copy of a letter dated January 22, 2003, from Dr. John F. Eisold, the Attending Physician, explaining the specifics of my situation.
Accordingly, under Senate Rule VI (2), I will be necessarily absent from the floor and committee activities until my doctors clear me for a return to work. I ask that this letter be inserted in the Congressional Record of this date to explain my absence.
Given the overall excellent state of my health, the doctors tell me that I should have renewed vigor and energy following a short hospitalization and recovery period.
With the extremely competent medical care I am receiving, as well as the loving support of my wife Adele and our family, I am confident that my absence will be brief. I look forward to rejoining you in the very near future to resume work on the agenda that is so important to my state of Florida, our nation and the world.
Thank you for your good wishes, your understanding and your support.
With kind regards,
Sincerely,
Bob Graham
United States Senator
Return to Recent News Page
I have been in touch with the Senator's office and invited him to join us at vr.com
For information call: 202-224-7999
Graham?s Heart Surgery Successful
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 31, 2003
WASHINGTON ? Senator Bob Graham, D-Florida, underwent a successful operation today to replace a deteriorating valve in his heart.
Doctors said Graham emerged from surgery at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, at approximately 1:45 p.m. He was listed in stable condition in the cardiac intensive care unit.
Speaking for the medical team, Dr. John F. Eisold, the attending physician for the Congress, said: ?Senator Graham?s surgery went well and was an uncomplicated procedure. He is resting comfortably. We anticipate a full recovery.?
Eisold added: ?The senator is expected to remain in the hospital for four to five days, and then to convalesce at home for seven to 10 days. He will be able to resume light duties toward the end of the month and should be back to full strength within six weeks.?
The surgery, performed by Dr. Alan M. Speir of Annandale, Virginia, replaced the aortic valve with a ?bioprosthesis,? a valve from a cow.
The senator?s wife, Adele Graham, who was at the hospital with other family members, said: ?Bob and I want to express our appreciation to the medical team here at the National Naval Medical Center and for the incredible outpouring of support we have received, not only from Florida but from across America. We are comforted and gratified to be in so many people?s thoughts and prayers.?
Following the surgery, Graham?s staff delivered a letter to the offices of Senator Tom Daschle and Senator Bill Frist, the Democratic and Republican leaders, explaining that Graham would be ?necessarily absent? from Senate votes in coming days. Graham had dictated the letter prior to surgery. A copy is attached.
------
January 31, 2003
Senator Bob Graham underwent successful heart surgery today. This is the letter he sent to Senators Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate, to explain his absence. Senator Graham, his wife Adele and their family also expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the thousands of expressions of support and the prayers for his health.
Dear Senator Frist and Senator Daschle:
The purpose of this letter is to share with you and my colleagues a development regarding my health.
This morning at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, I underwent successful surgery to replace the aortic valve in my heart. My doctors advised me to have this procedure now to correct a deteriorating condition that could have led to permanent damage of my heart muscle. I have attached a copy of a letter dated January 22, 2003, from Dr. John F. Eisold, the Attending Physician, explaining the specifics of my situation.
Accordingly, under Senate Rule VI (2), I will be necessarily absent from the floor and committee activities until my doctors clear me for a return to work. I ask that this letter be inserted in the Congressional Record of this date to explain my absence.
Given the overall excellent state of my health, the doctors tell me that I should have renewed vigor and energy following a short hospitalization and recovery period.
With the extremely competent medical care I am receiving, as well as the loving support of my wife Adele and our family, I am confident that my absence will be brief. I look forward to rejoining you in the very near future to resume work on the agenda that is so important to my state of Florida, our nation and the world.
Thank you for your good wishes, your understanding and your support.
With kind regards,
Sincerely,
Bob Graham
United States Senator
Return to Recent News Page
I have been in touch with the Senator's office and invited him to join us at vr.com
