Health Watch

What ailed lawmakers in 2008

As the year comes to an end, we’re looking back to the illnesses and surgeries lawmakers faced this year.

For example: the tomblike silence that fell over the Senate in May when it was revealed that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) had a brain tumor, and the tears of many senators when Kennedy returned for a Medicare vote in July.

Or Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), at 91 the chamber’s oldest member, who was hospitalized three times this year — the last in June for a high fever. Byrd, who stepped down in November as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been back at work and has said he’s feeling fine.

In this roundup, we revisit lawmakers who fell prey to sickness and injuries this year and wish everyone a happy and healthy recovery.

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.)

Health issue: Complications following knee-replacement surgery. The congressman went to the hospital shortly after.

What happened: “During rehabilitation exercises, the congressman felt some discomfort,” said Dingell spokesman Adam Bensen. “He went to a nearby hospital as a precaution. He was released about 24 hours later.”

State of recovery: “He is back at work and doing well,” Bensen said.

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)

Health issue: Broken wrist

What happened: Early in the year, Snowe slipped on a patch of ice in her driveway.

Current state of recovery: “Her wrist is fine,” spokeswoman Claire Howard said.

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.)

Health issue: Cancerous brain tumor

What happened: Kennedy had a seizure in May and was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and spent most of the summer out of the Senate, recovering.

Current state of recovery: According to spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner, “Sen. Kennedy is doing very well and his doctors continue to be pleased with his progress. He’ll be back in the Senate in January.”

Rep. David Hobson (R-Ohio)

Health issue: A fall

What happened: Hobson sat on a glass table in the Speaker’s Lobby and fell, along with the table, which came crashing to the floor.

Current state of recovery: “Mr. Hobson is doing just fine,” said spokeswoman Sara Perkins. “There were no repercussions.”

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.)

Health issue: Back surgery

What happened: The congressman went in for back surgery in August. “I had two facet bones pinching a nerve,” Kingston said, explaining that it was caused by a calcium deposit. “I had a back operation so I could participate in the heavy lifting required by the role of loyal opposition,” he joked.

More seriously: “I was in pain from February until 7 a.m. on Aug. 5, when I went under. It was six months of pain and I had had acupuncture, an epidural and physical therapy.”

Current state of recovery: “He’s doing a lot better and is almost back to that member who risks his life to bike in without care for the staffers who depend on him for employment,” said Kingston spokesman Chris Crawford.

Kingston reports that he ran a 10k in Savannah, Ga., last Saturday that involved pushing a large garbage can on top of a bridge. “The cause was recycling,” he said, “and it was a rare athletic feat on my part.”

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.)

Health issue: Hip replacement surgery in February; recently tore Achilles’ tendon just before the election.

What happened: “The Achilles’ tendon had been bothering him for a while, and then he was working out and it snapped,” said Lungren spokesman Brian Kaveney. “After the election, he had it worked on some more. During the election he didn’t want to use it as an excuse not to debate his opponent [so he held off on treatment].”

Current state of recovery: “His hip was done in February and he’s feeling really good,” said Kaveney. “He’s also doing a lot better with his Achilles’. The problem was they had him in a hard cast. Now they have him in walking boot and he’s fine. It’s a little tender, but obviously, that’s to be expected. He’s making good progress.”

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Health issue: Knee injury from basketball and running

What happened: Thune had arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring and was seen limping around the Senate while recovering.

Current state of recovery: Spokesman Kyle Downey reported that Thune’s knee is “near full recovery.”

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)

Health issue: A spiral fracture in his right leg

What happened: In the spring, Doggett crashed while riding his bike in his district with his wife. After two weeks of bed rest, he returned to the House on crutches and in a boot cast.

Current state of recovery: “I have wanted to tell my Texas constituents that I broke my leg while breaking a horse,” Doggett said through a spokesman. “But closer to the truth, the training wheels that my delegation colleagues so thoughtfully gave me, and good medical care, have allowed me to remount the same bicycle on which I was injured.”

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio)

Health issue: Bulging disk in his back

What happened: Boehner underwent back surgery at Maryland’s Bethesda Naval Hospital in February.

Current state of recovery: “Yep, he had back surgery and is recovering,” spokesman Steve Forde said in an e-mail.

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.)

Health issue: Arthritis of the hip

What happened: Oberstar had hip-replacement surgery in March.

Current state of recovery: Oberstar, an avid cyclist, didn’t let the operation slow him down. “Since his surgery, he has put on his bike 1,756 miles, ” spokesman John Schadl said. Schadl also boasted that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Oberstar chairs passed 93 bills and held 76 more hearings than in the 109th Congress. “He’s back in good shape,” Schadl said.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)

Health issue: Cancerous tumor on his salivary gland

What happened: Rush was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery in March to remove the tumor. He then went into radiation and chemotherapy.

Current state of recovery: In August, Rush held a press conference to declare himself cancer-free. Spokeswoman Sharon Jenkins said Rush remains cancer-free. “He’s still in good shape,” she said. “We’re grateful.”