John Fetterman's Staff Releases New Statement on His Health, No Update on Wife After She Fled Country
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania remains in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to an update from his office.
Fetterman, 53, suffered a stroke in May. He went on to win the election to the Senate in November.
He was evaluated Feb. 13 by Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician of Congress, and two days later checked himself in to be treated for symptoms of clinical depression, according to CBS News.
Fetterman has suffered from depression “off and on” throughout his life, according to Adam Jentleson, the senator’s chief of staff, noting it had become more frequent.
“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, a representative of Fetterman’s office, said in a statement, according to The Washington Post.
“He is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff are keeping him updated on Senate business and news,” he said.
“We understand the intense interest in John’s status and especially appreciate the flood of well-wishes,” Calvello said.
“However, as we have said this will be a weeks-long process and while we will be sure to keep folks updated as it progresses, this is all there is to give by way of an update,” he said.
Calvello said the office was working as usual.
“Our team is moving full speed ahead and working tirelessly for the people of Pennsylvania,” Calvello said. “Just last week we opened a new office in Erie and will be opening several more offices in the coming weeks.”
No update was released on the status of Gisele Fetterman, the senator’s wife, who last week noted on Twitter that she fled to Canada when her husband was hospitalized.
We drove straight into … Canada (and lovely Buffalo NY) (Pro Tip: always have passports ready just in case you have to run away 😅) We talked about lots of hard things and how we will all have to face hard things. About the need to be gentle … with all and with ourselves. pic.twitter.com/0PWQXHrbqT
— Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 24, 2023
“I am not really sure how to navigate this journey but am figuring it out slowly. 1 week ago today when the news dropped, the kids were off from school and media trucks circled our home. I did the first thing I could think of … pack them in the car and drive,” she wrote Friday.
“We drove straight into … Canada (and lovely Buffalo NY) (Pro Tip: always have passports ready just in case you have to run away ) We talked about lots of hard things and how we will all have to face hard things. About the need to be gentle … with all and with ourselves,” she wrote.
NBC had quoted what it said was “a close senior aide” as saying Fetterman’s stay was likely to be lengthy until doctors were certain they had achieved the correct dosage for the medicine Fetterman would be taking.
The aide said Fetterman has been struggling with the changes that have taken place in his life and questioning his self-worth.
CORRECTION, March 1, 2023: Sen. John Fetterman was evaluated by Dr. Brian Monahan on Feb. 13 and checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 15. An earlier version of this article gave a different time.
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