On Feb. 15, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed hospital for depression related to the brain damage caused by his near-fatal stroke last year.
More than five weeks later, the Pennsylvania Democrat still has no timeline for his return to Congress.
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“He’ll be back soon, at least over a week, but soon,” spokesperson Joe Calvello said Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Speaking to CBS News, the spokesperson continued, “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.”
The spokesperson also assured Fetterman’s constituents that everything was proceeding as normal.
“John is doing well, working with the wonderful doctors, and remains on a path to recovery,” the spokesperson told CBS News.
“He is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff are keeping him updated on Senate business and news. Our team is moving full speed ahead and working tirelessly for the people of Pennsylvania. Just last week we opened a new office in Erie and will be opening several more offices in the coming weeks.”
Before Fetterman’s hospital visit, aides said that Fetterman had not been his usual self for weeks. He was withdrawn, showing a disinterest in talking, eating and the usual banter with aides. Post-stroke depression is common and treatable, doctors say.
Fetterman, 53, was sworn in on Jan. 3, so he’s now spent about half his Senate career in the hospital.
Asked about when Fetterman might return, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said only that Fetterman is recuperating.
“We want to give him the space to recuperate,” Schumer said at a Wednesday news conference. “He needs it, it’s fair, it’s right. There are other people in the Senate who have taken their time to recuperate but I’m confident he’s going to come back and be an outstanding and fine senator.”
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After Fetterman checked in to Walter Reed, his office said he had experienced depression “off and on throughout his life,” but it had only become severe in recent weeks. The Capitol physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan, recommended Fetterman’s hospitalization after conducting an evaluation, his office said then.
In the meantime, Fetterman’s aides and his wife, Gisele, have released photos of the senator smiling, being briefed or visiting with her and their three school-age children.
Fetterman suffered the stroke last May as he was campaigning in a three-way Democratic primary race.
The stroke nearly killed him, he has said, and he had surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator to manage two heart conditions, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy.
He won the primary while in the hospital and went on to beat GOP nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz in November, winning the campaign cycle’s most expensive race. Fetterman’s victory boosted Democrats to a 51-49 majority.
However, Fetterman exerted himself on the campaign trail instead of focusing on recovery. Since then, his loved ones have reportedly become worried about the campaign’s effects on the long-term recovery of his brain.
One of Fetterman’s main aftereffects from the stroke is auditory processing disorder, which can render someone unable to process spoken words into meaning.
During conversations, Fetterman reportedly hears gibberish instead of English. He’s been using devices to transcribe spoken words in real time.
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Post-stroke depression is common, with 1 in 3 stroke patients experiencing it. The depression can be treated through antidepressant medication and counseling, doctors say.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said in an interview that he has purposely not called Fetterman to talk — “the last thing he needs is a lot of phone calls,” Casey said — and does not know when Fetterman will return.
The Associated Press and the Horn editorial team contributed to this article.