Defense Secretary Austin

I wonder if his minor procedure was a biopsy that went bad?

Here's what my news feed said:
A short time after, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center -- which treated Austin -- released a detailed statement about his care, saying he underwent a procedure to treat early prostate cancer and then a urinary tract infection that led to serious intestinal complications. Austin was under general anesthesia.

Hard to say what that means. Sounds like it could be anything. I just know originally it was called a "minor" procedure, which an RP is not. But again, could mean anything.

The surgery was on Dec 22nd and he was discharged on Dec 23rd. Returned to hospital on Jan 1 with pain went to hospital. He was not discharged as of Jan 8th and working from hospital.

"The cancer was detected early and his prognosis is excellent." I suppose this could mean biopsy but not the overnight part which is typically RALP surgery.

Sounds like a nasty post-op infection vs. anything specific to prostate. Hospitals are dangerous places and if you pickup a resistant strain, all hands on deck to fight it which would be my guess and explain the duration.

Mattam, he contracted an infection as a complication landing him in the ICU. None of these people work from Christmas till after New Years, surely he wasn’t going to after an RP. His Deputy was in Puerto Rico on a planned vacation and wasn’t even told about his hospitalization, even after she discharged some of his duties as he was “out of the office”.

Hope he has a safe and effective recovery. A week plus in the ICU and hospital is never anything minor, rather it is usually due to a serious life-threatening situation.

Ouch...Infection from his catheter? Seems delayed.

A UTI crossed boundaries into the abdominal cavity?

My MIL had an infection from a botched endoscopic procedure, perforating her intestine, that resulted in an widespread infection in the gut that sounds similar to the SECDEF's.

It takes a lot to get that sick. Hope he heals fast.

His “stealth plan backfired” ignores the severity of the situation for him and especially the nation. As a cabinet secretary he is subject to very strict requirements for disclosure and handing off his responsibilities to his deputy with formality and transparency when he is to become incapacitated, like under a general during surgery. This especially pertains to telling his boss, the president. And remember, as Sec Def he is sixth in line of succession to the president. This is not the assistant manager of a Dairy Queen. He has screwed up bigly.

Again, I wish him a speedy and full recovery from the infection, hope he kicks the cancer and lives a long and wonderful life in retirement. An immediate resignation due to health issues would demonstrate his integrity and provide him the best environment for recovery.

There are a number of military folks here…..how important is SecDef during a crisis?

I mean we have hot wars in Europe and the Middle East.

We have Iran proxies shooting at ships in the Red Sea.

Lots of stuff going on.

But we have generals/admirals/joint chiefs etc….

In a crisis what does the Sec Def do?

JNF, Seems it was caught early, which seems to be the only good news reported. I was not aware that after prostate removal that you can’t work anymore. Is that a fact, if so I am glad I chose RA. I am curious what his GL score was. One thing not mentioned is that before his surgery, what test were given? If a BX and MRI were done, that would mean that the PC was noted at an earlier date. Or like the NFL, you get an MRI and the surgery happens the next day. The privileges of the rich and connected.
My best from one Jack to another.

All good and well meaning comments as mine have been. I greatly appreciate the ability to have a courteous, adult conversation regarding important topics.

Regarding working after a RP, my recollection is that to a person on this forum in my 13 years, all were advised and in fact did take time off work after the procedure. And a few that did not head that advice and had some negative issues. We all know it is very important to rest and recuperate after such a procedure. After all, we can’t drive for a couple of days, can’t lift more than a pound or two for several weeks, and have a catheter for several weeks that requires care. And, after all, the day after he returns from surgery is Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day. And we expect him to be working? How many of you had a RP three days before Christmas and then with full doctor and family approval went right back to work during and through the holiday?

Unfortunately, our Sec Def, in my opinion, blew a wonderful opportunity to help the millions of men, who like Secretary Austin, have an greatly elevated risk of PCa and unfortunately usually fair worse than men of other races. Why didn’t he demonstrate the valuable leadership of disclosing upfront his situation and instruct men to be cognizant of prostate health and, most importantly, help men of his race to better address prostate issues? Big failure, in my opinion. Rather than leading and positively influencing, he hid and obfuscated. In fact, his lack of leadership shows African-American men that PCa should be hidden. We still have not heard directly from Secretary Austin and it has been more than 18 days. Not what I would expect from a four star that became the first Sec Def of his race. Again, I wish him the very best with full recovery and a joyous and long retirement.

Stephen S said...
There are a number of military folks here…..how important is SecDef during a crisis?

When I was in the army I learned that the level of importance declines rapidly as one goes up the chain of command. Don’t worry, my congressman (the fake rancher from Maryland) has initiated articles of impeachment.

But seriously, some people are still squeamish and/or embarrassed about health issues “down there.” My regular running partner is a woman and when I was diagnosed I let her know about it since I’d be off running for a while (plus she has an medical background) and I told her what it was. When she shared that with her husband his reaction was “he told you about it?!!!”

I doubt it Jack, I think it’s more likely he went for a biopsy, (maybe a saturation biopsy.?) and it turned into a bad infection, which maybe turned into sepsis which put him in the ICU? Pure speculation on our part, but I’m sure it will all come out eventually.

JNF said...
So Ken, do you assume the procedure he had on Dec 22-23 was an RP? And that something went bad a week later to land him in ICU for nearly a week? If so, that doesn’t bode well for the surgeon and team performing the RP. And, what type of complications would land one in the ICU? Blood clots, infection, or what?

Sure would be nice if they just leveled with we the people, wouldn’t it?

JNF said...
Just read the report from NBC. He had a “minimally invasive procedure” for PCa. Found early and will be fine, according to the report. This sounds like robotic RP as he was overnight in the hospital. Then experienced UTI and intestinal problems landing him in the ICU. Sounds to me like he got seriously infected in the hospital, perhaps MRSA during the RP and overnight recovery.

Or got COVID in the hospital? The new variant is known to cause intestinal issues.