Defense Sec. Austin in Critical Care Due to Bladder Issue
Medical personnel at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center transferred Secretary of Defense Lloyd Auston to the critical care unit due to a bladder issue.
“Tonight, after a series of tests and evaluations, the Secretary was admitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring,” the Defense Department stated on Sunday night. “At this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized. The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery.”
Austin’s security detail took him to Walter Reed after experiencing symptoms associated with his bladder. The first Pentagon statement around 2:30PM ET, I believe, said Austin maintained his work functions and duties.
A few hours later, at 4:45 PM ET, the department announced Austin “transferred the functions and duties to office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.”
“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress have been notified,” added the Pentagon.
That is better than how Austin handled his medical emergency on January 1 after an elective medical procedure.
Austin’s elective medical procedure was a prostatectomy, which treats prostate cancer, on December 22.
Austin experienced complications, landing him back at Walter Reed on January 1.
The emergency incapacitated Austin for several days. He didn’t tell anyone, including Hicks.
The White House did not know about Austin until January 4.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY