US Chief Justice Went to Hospital for Tube Problem

[Up2Late]

Mon Mar 28, 2005 04:48 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who has thyroid cancer, went by ambulance to a local hospital on Sunday because of a problem with his tracheotomy tube that helps him breathe, a Supreme Court spokesman said.

Spokesman Ed Turner said on Monday that Rehnquist, 80, went to a hospital in Arlington, Virginia, where he was treated on an out-patient basis and released. He gave no details about the problem Rehnquist had with the tube.

Rehnquist was on the bench on Monday as the Supreme Court heard two hours of arguments. His voice has a weak, almost mechanical sound to it because of the tube, and at times his breathing can be heard when he asks a question.

Rehnquist last week returned to the Supreme Court bench for the first time since his diagnosis of thyroid cancer five months ago. He has undergone radiation and chemotherapy.

(more at link)

<http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8015906&src=rss/topNews>

[punpirate]

1. Not reported:

Tube had to be repaired because Scalia was stepping on it.... :)

[Up2Late]

2. LOL

Thanks, I needed that.

[montana_hazeleyes]

4. LOL

[Spinzonner]

3. Wonder if he would recuse himself

if they had decided to hear the Schiavo case.

He, or his family, might be looking at similar issues in the not too distant future.

[Ironpost]

5. Do you reckon' he's smoking pot to help with the side effects

of chemotherapy?

[4_Legs_Good]

6. Whoda thought that I'd be praying for Rehnquist's health?

I certainly hope he can hold on for 3 more years!

david