O’Neill Undergoes Successful Bypass Surgery
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (March 11, 2008) - Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, Bill O'Neill, underwent bypass surgery this morning at Hillcrest Hospital, and doctors have declared the surgery a success. Routine tests on Monday morning showed blockage in three arteries, prompting cardiologists to schedule surgery. Doctors say they expect O’Neill to make a swift and complete recovery.
“We have every reason to believe that Bill should be able to make a full recovery and should be back on the campaign trail very soon,” said Mark Rood, M.D., O’Neill’s physician. Rood said that catching these blockages early is a blessing. “We expect Bill to come out of this just as strong and vibrant, perhaps even more strong and vibrant, as he was before he came to see me.”
O’Neill, 60, was upbeat before surgery.
“I am fortunate to be in the hands of some of the best heart doctors in the world,” he said of his colleagues at Hillcrest. “I can’t help but be reminded of how lucky I am to have access to the care I need at such a crucial time in my life, and how there are thousands of men and women in this country who aren’t as fortunate.”
O’Neill spokesperson Toby Fallsgraff said that the campaign informed supporters this morning and had received dozens of well-wishes.
“Bill told me to thank everyone for their best wishes, thoughts and prayers toward a full and speedy recovery,” he said, adding that the campaign expects O’Neill to be back on the trail full time by his birthday, May 6. “He also wanted me to let everyone know that, though he might be on the sidelines for the next few weeks, the campaign is moving forward because, as he put it, the changes we need in Washington are even more urgent than this surgery.”
A St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser scheduled for this Sunday will go on as planned, though Fallsgraff said they’ll be celebrating not just the holiday and O’Neill’s primary victory, but today’s successful surgery. “It will present an opportunity for supporters to wish Bill well in his recovery and in his campaign.”
Bypass surgery is not uncommon among men of O’Neill’s generation, and a full recovery is typically only months away. The surgery is similar to President Bill Clinton’s in 2004. Other prominent Ohioans who have had the procedure include Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic (2003), Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner (2004), Ohio State Offensive Line Coach Jim Bollman (2006) and Cleveland Cavs Assistant Coach Hank Egan (December).
O’Neill, who went back to become a registered nurse while he was still an appellate judge, works on-call in Hillcrest’s pediatric emergency room. He won the Democratic nomination with 63 percent of the vote in last week’s primary and is looking forward to taking on U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette in the general election.
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