Cheney "alert, comfortable"...probably ready to resume mansion shopping

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

September 24,2005 | WASHINGTON -- Vice President Dick Cheney had successful surgery on Saturday to repair aneurysms on the back of both knees and was alert and comfortable after the six-hour procedure, his spokesman said.

Cheney, who has a history of heart problems, was under local anesthesia during the surgery at George Washington University Hospital.

"He will remain in the hospital for up to 48 hours to monitor his recovery. He is expected to resume a regular schedule when he is released to home," said Steve Schmidt, counselor to the vice president.

After the operation, Cheney was "awake, alert, comfortable," Schmidt said.

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8CQV6HO7.html

[valerief]

1. We should email him and let him know how the marches fared

[madeline_con]

2. My humble opinion on the surgery...

He had veins taken from his legs to repair his black heart.

He's sick as a dog and no one wants us to know~!

[MissWaverly]

3. you are probably right

I thought it was unusual to have the condition in both legs.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

4. heard they had virgin's blood standing by in case he needed

a transfusion

[Poll_Blind]

5. More from the article...

-snip-

Surgeons were pleased with the results of the proceedure and indicated no complications. "After an operation of this nature caution and 'taking it slow' are the most important perscriptions to fill" said Gary LeFavre, one of the three attending physicians.

"Normally there is a certain amount of stiffness of the joints because of the anaesthesia. However, Mr. Cheney was able to dislocate his jaw and consume three newborm puppies four hours after surgery, indicating that his appetite is returning."

-snip-

Sorry, had to. 8^)

PB

[Aviation Pro]

6. They forgot to include....

...snarling.

[Benhurst]

7. Hell can wait. NT

[melody]

8. I wonder if power passed to George while Dick was under anesthesia

Now, there's a terrifying thought.

[barb162]

9. he's too mean to die, period, end of story

[elfin]

10. And the procedure is "experimental"

and NOT FDA approved according to this morning's Times.

...ome vascular surgeons, considering the procedure experimental because the Food and Drug Administration has not approved use of any device for knee aneurysms, said they were surprised by the decision to treat the condition this way, on an "off label" basis.

......One reason is that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any stent graft for use in popliteal aneurysms. As a result, some independent experts said they would consider use of it experimental. Those sharing that view included Dr. R. Eugene Zierler, a vascular surgeon at the University of Washington; Dr. Peter G. Kalman, director of peripheral vascular surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.; Dr. K. Craig Kent, chief of vascular surgery at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center; and Dr. Thomas R. Bernik, chief of endovascular surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan.

Those experts were concerned that a stent graft would be subject to far more stress in the knee, from bending and extension, than when placed in other arteries. Few long-term studies have been conducted to determine its durability, they said.

More from this earlier article at

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/24/politics/24cheney.html

[PurityOfEssence]

11. "resume a regular schedule"

Fleecing, lying, conquering and sport-killing squadrons of confused farm-raised little birds; it's a manly world, and that's the problem.