Is serious condition downplayed by McCain’s office, Mayo Clinic?

The New York Times is reporting that neurosurgeons reviewing the facts surrounding John McCain’s craniotomy to remove a 2 inch blood clot “above his left eye”.are concluding that his surgery may be more serious than initial descriptions have implied, and could delay his return to Washington by a longer period of time than the week originally stated.

“Usually, a blood clot in this area would be a very concerning issue,” said Dr. Nrupen Baxi, an assistant professor of neurosurgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He added, “The recovery time from a craniotomy is usually a few weeks.”

The cause of the clot has not been disclosed. Possibilities include a fall or a blow to the head, a stroke or certain brain changes associated with aging. McCain will be 81 next month. His office did not divulge if he takes blood thinners.

“Usually, a blood clot like this is discovered when patients have symptoms, whether it’s a seizure or headaches or weakness or speech difficulties,” Dr. Baxi said. “Generally, it’s not found on a routine physical because doctors would not know to look for it.” 

An initial press release regarding his condition indicated McCain’s blood clot was found during a routine physical examination.

McCain’s recent confused questioning (video) of former FBI director James Comey led to widespread speculation that he suffered a health related impairment.  He dismissed questions that something was wrong by saying he had stayed up too late watching a Diamondbacks baseball game the night before.

The dependably McCain-fawning Arizona Republic, unable to ignore his bizarre performance, even addressed the elderly senator’s incoherent interview of Comey in this coverage by McCain’s assigned reporter, Dan Nowicki.