Reid home from surgery
WASHINGTON – Sen. Harry Reid was released from the hospital on Monday following surgery that repaired bones in his brow, temple and cheek broken in an accident in his home, a spokesman said.
While doctors have said they are optimistic, “there is no definitive verdict yet” whether Reid, D-Nev., will regain vision in his right eye that took the brunt of a heavy exercise band that snapped into his face while he was working out on New Year’s Day, according to communications director Adam Jentleson.
The surgery performed at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., took three and a half hours. It removed a blood clot in Reid’s eye, drained additional blood from the front of the eye and repaired the orbital bones surrounding the eye, Jentleson said in a statement.
The accident has forced Reid to remain at his home for all but several days since Congress reconvened. It has forced him to take extra measures to perform duties as Senate minority leader while under doctors’ orders not to strain his eyes.
Reid planned to remain at home for the rest of this week, but has said he expected to return to the Senate on Feb. 2.
During his convalescence, Reid and his staff have sought to convey that he remains active and that the injury has not unduly affected his ability to perform Senate leadership duties.
Following surgery, Jentleson said Reid was at home with his wife, Landra, “cracking jokes and asking about the whip count” for a vote the Senate was to take Monday evening on the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Jentleson said he plans to monitor the Senate through meetings and phone calls with his staff, other senators and the White House.
Reid, 75, says he still is intending to run for re-election in 2016.