[dogbyte12]

Anybody know what the recovery time for something will be for this kind of illness/operation? Even if (Lord willing) he pulls through the surgery, will he at his age have to take it easy and perhaps retire as AG?

[jtminton]

Prayers sent

[onyx]

Prayers for Attorney General Ashcroft.

[cupcakes]

Having had my gallbladder removed, I knew when they talked about pancreatitis that he most likely had gall bladder problems as well. Unfortunately, with that complication, I doubt Ashcroft is getting the laproscopic surgery so he'll have an extended recovery vs. the laproscopic procedure which is outpatient(think I stayed one night).
God's prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

[End Times Sentinel]

Lord, please watch over one of your most loyal and humble soldiers.  Please give him a speedy and full recovery. 

In the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[FairOpinion]

Surgery to start at 12 noon EST, and to last a couple of hours.

But I am afraid things don't look so good, because he was still in intensive care and normally they would have waited for him to recover from the pancreatitis, before doing the gallbladder surgery. Maybe he isn't improving and they think they need to remove the gallbladder and get the gallstones, to remove the proximate cause.

I am not a medical professional, so don't take what I say as anything definite, but that is what I've been reading.

Pray he makes it OK, that the surgery is successful, and that he will recover fully and soon.

Here is the AP article:

Ashcroft to Have Gall Bladder Surgery

The procedure initially will be done laparoscopically. But surgeons are prepared to switch to the more conventional open surgery if necessary. The procedure was scheduled to commence at 12 at noon EST and doctors said that it should take about two hours. Most patients remain in the hospital for four or five days after such surgery.


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=542&u=/ap/20040309/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/ashcroft_hospitalized_6&printer=1

[mabelkitty]

Prayers for complete recovery.

[pollywog]

Praying now for John Ashcroft .
Polly

[Cate]

Prayers for Mr. Ashcroft and a speedy recovery.

[Pegita]

+ Continuing in prayer ...

[marty60]

I just had this surgery 3 wks ago. I was out of the hospital the same day. Feel great. Good luck and look forward to waking up painless.

[MeekOneGOP]

[lawdude]

If it is laproscopic [sp?], it is a piece 'o cake. I had it last summer. In at 7:00 AM and home a 5:00 PM. Little tender but full work day the next day!.

[MeekOneGOP]

Report via The Dallas Morning News ...

Ashcroft to have surgery to remove gall bladder

11:22 AM CST on Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Doctors attending Attorney General John Ashcroft found several troublesome gallstones and ordered surgical removal of the Cabinet officer's gallbladder to prevent a recurrence of gallstone pancreatitis.

Dr. Bruce Abell, a surgeon at George Washington University Hospital, cited stones "that are of concern to us," leading to the decision to remove the gallbladder -- a procedure called a cholecystectomy.

"As a preventative measure we are going to remove his gallbladder, because when the gallbladder isn't removed, up to 50 percent of patients have a recurrence of pancreatitis within six weeks," Abell said.

The procedure began at noon EST and was expected to last about two hours. Ashcroft has been hospitalized since Thursday with acute gallstone pancreatitis and his condition has improved enough to withstand the surgery, Abell said.

The procedure initially will be done laparoscopically but surgeons are prepared to switch to the more conventional open surgery if necessary. Most patients remain in the hospital for four or five days after such surgery, Abell said.

A laparoscopic procedure involves insertion of a fiberoptic instrument through a small incision in the abdominal wall and is usually done with use of general anesthesia, according to the National Library of Medicine.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile produced by the liver, shunting it as needed to the small intestine. Diet is not restricted after removal of the gallbladder, although some people suffer some recurring diarrhea.

Ashcroft, 61, has been in the hospital's intensive care unit since he was admitted after complaining of severe abdominal pain.

Doctors diagnosed gallstone pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas caused by a gallstone that blocks a passage leading from the pancreas to the beginning of the small intestine. The pancreas is a gland that secrets digestive enzymes and insulin.

Ashcroft was diagnosed with a severe case, which can be life-threatening, particularly among people with other medical problems. About 20 percent of the estimated 80,000 cases of acute pancreatitis in the United States each year are severe, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Pancreatitis also occurs more frequently in men than in women, according to NIH, and often strikes people more than once. In less severe cases, the gallstone passes on its own without the necessity of surgery.

The attorney general has canceled his schedule for the week to continue treatment for the illness. Deputy Attorney General James Comey is empowered to act for Ashcroft while the attorney general is being treated.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/030904dnnatashcroft.6b12d497.html