Sen. Johnson's son confident of recovery

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The son of U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson is convinced the South Dakota Democrat will be back at work in the Senate as soon as possible.

Brendan Johnson told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader doctors treating his father at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington say he appears to be making a good recovery.

"It is also knowing my father and the idea to him of missing a single day of work -- let alone weeks of work -- is going to be very difficult for him to swallow," he said. "Like many other people in South Dakota, as soon as he can be back, he will be."

Johnson collapsed last week and had brain surgery. His hospitalization has been attracting a lot of attention because the Democrats hold a slim one-vote majority in the incoming Senate, which would swing Republican if Johnson is too ill to remain in his post.

Brendan Johnson said that his father is under heavy sedation most of the time. But he said his doctors are pleased with the progress he is showing on neurological tests.