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Tag: walter reed national military medical center

  • ‘This is insane’: Military members treated to Fairfax Co. steak dinner – WTOP News

    Jack, a member of the Army, didn’t have much information about what to expect Thursday night. But he learned quickly that the hosted dinner he attended wasn’t your run-of-the-mill event.

    Eventgoers participate in the Military Bowl Foundation’s annual “Home of the Free…Because of Brave” dinner to honor the contributions of service members.(WTOP/Scott Gelman)

    Jack, who’s a member of the Army, didn’t have much information about what to expect Thursday night.

    He knew he was volunteered to go to Fogo de Chao in Tyson’s, and he knew it would be a watch party of sorts for the first NFL game of the season.

    However, when he arrived, it became clear that the Military Bowl Foundation’s annual “Home of the Free … Because of Brave” dinner was more than just an ordinary event to bring sports fans together. He, and dozens of others in the military, didn’t have to pay for their meals, and had the opportunity to leave with new connections and appreciation.

    “This is insane,” Jack said. “I’ve never had something like this happen to me.“

    Thursday’s dinner was the 20th of its kind. It provides service members and their guests a night out, while giving community members an opportunity to show their gratitude.

    Some of the service members came from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

    “We just want to give them a nice night out,” said Steve Beck, Military Bowl Foundation’s president and executive director. “A lot of these people are just stuck in the hospital with four walls around them, get them a nice night out and show them that people are here to support them.”

    The event also serves as a fundraiser for Patriot Point, a retreat center for wounded, ill and injured service members and their families and caregivers, Beck said.

    Paul Norman, who hosted the event, said friendships, mentorships and jobs result from the annual dinner.

    It wasn’t designed to be a fundraiser, but instead a chance to have “everybody share the cost and host a service member or a portion of their meal and personally express their appreciation,” Norman said.

    About 300 people attended the event, including Steve Aylor, who said it “supports the wounded warriors that come and their families and significant others.”

    Matt, who is also a member of the Army, said he and the other service members got the chance to represent their colleagues who weren’t in attendance.

    “It’s really cool,” he said. “They kind of put us on a pedestal, but honestly, we’re doing our job that millions of Americans have done every single day. So we get to be here and reap the benefits of that.”

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    Scott Gelman

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  • Sen. Fetterman opens up about ‘downward spiral’ before receiving treatment for depression | CNN Politics

    Sen. Fetterman opens up about ‘downward spiral’ before receiving treatment for depression | CNN Politics


    CNN
    CNN
     — 

    Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman opened up about his struggle with depression during a candid interview with CBS News that was taped during his stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

    “I had stopped leaving my bed. I had stopped eating. I was dropping weight. I had stopped engaging … most things that I love in my life,” Fetterman told CBS’ Jane Pauley.

    The Pennsylvania Democrat said he had never attempted to harm himself but that he was “indifferent” about his life. “If the doctor said, ‘Gee, you have 18 months to live,’ I’d be like, ‘Yeah. OK, well, that’s how things go,’” he said.

    Fetterman, whose win helped cement Democrats’ 51-49 Senate majority last fall, was discharged last week from Walter Reed, where he had been treated for his depression.

    He had suffered a stroke last year during the days ahead of the primary. When he returned to the campaign trail, Fetterman often struggled to communicate with lingering auditory processing issues, relying on assistance through devices with closed captioning to converse and answer questions.

    The same auditory processing issues impacted him in his early days in the Senate. And when he struggled with substantial weight loss and a loss of appetite, he was diagnosed with clinical depression, and later was admitted to Walter Reed for treatment.

    “I was at a Democratic retreat, and many of my colleagues were coming up to me and asking, ‘Why aren’t you eating?’” Fetterman recalled during the interview.

    But following his discharge from Walter Reed, Fetterman said in a statement, “I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works.”

    “This isn’t about politics — right now there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help,” he said.

    Fetterman is expected to return to the Senate the week of April 17, but he told CBS that his immediate plans include taking his son “to the restaurant that we were supposed to go (to) during his birthday but couldn’t because I had checked myself in for depression.”

    “And being the kind of dad, the kind of husband, the kind of senator that Pennsylvania truly deserves.”

    Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit the hotline’s website.

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  • Fetterman to return to Senate week of April 17 | CNN Politics

    Fetterman to return to Senate week of April 17 | CNN Politics



    CNN
     — 

    Sen. John Fetterman, who checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last month for treatment for clinical depression, will return to the Senate during the week of April 17, according to a person familiar with his plans.

    The Pennsylvania Democrat has made progress throughout his treatment, the source said, adding that his stay has been this long because doctors have tried to ensure his medication was effective.

    Fetterman is one of three senators who have been sidelined for months due to injuries and ailments. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, who suffered a concussion and broken rib after falling earlier this month, is expected to return to the Senate in mid-April as well, while Sen. Dianne Feinstein, an 89-year-old California Democrat, has been recovering from home this month after being hospitalized for shingles. It is not yet known when Feinstein will return.

    Fetterman, the 53-year-old freshman who helped cement Democrats’ 51-49 Senate majority last fall, suffered a stroke last year during the days ahead of the primary. And when he returned to the campaign trail, Fetterman often struggled to communicate with lingering auditory processing issues, relying on assistance through devices with closed captioning in order to properly have conversations and answer questions.

    The same auditory processing issues impacted him in his early days in the Senate. And when he struggled with substantial weight loss and a loss of appetite in recent weeks, he was diagnosed with clinical depression, later checking himself into Walter Reed for treatment.

    Politico first reported Fetterman’s plans to return to the Senate April 17.

    CNN earlier reported that Fetterman was expected to soon leave the hospital due to progress with his treatment.

    The source, who has spent ample time with Fetterman since he checked in on February 16, said the senator’s physician recently informed him that he will be “as good or better than his best days post-stroke,” referring to the near-fatal stroke he suffered last May.

    “He’s doing extremely well,” the source said.

    Fetterman’s stay at Walter Reed has lasted this long because the doctors have been trying to get his “medication balance exactly right,” the source said. For instance, doctors learned that his blood pressure medication was too high, which they believed contributed to his dizziness when he checked into George Washington University Hospital last month. A few days after that hospital visit, Fetterman was diagnosed with clinical depression, an illness many stroke survivors have struggled with.

    The goal, the source said, has been to take full advantage of his care at Walter Reed to help with other major impacts from his stroke. For instance, neuropsychiatric doctors have helped with the auditory processing issues he’s struggled with in the aftermath of the stroke.

    While Fetterman hasn’t left Walter Reed since checking himself in, he hasn’t been confined to his room. There are trails, restaurants like Wendy’s and other parts of the facility that he spends time in, the source said.

    This story has been updated with additional developments.

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  • Fetterman checked himself into hospital ‘to receive treatment for clinical depression,’ office says | CNN Politics

    Fetterman checked himself into hospital ‘to receive treatment for clinical depression,’ office says | CNN Politics

    Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to connect with a trained counselor or visit 988lifeline.org.



    CNN
     — 

    Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center “to receive treatment for clinical depression,” his chief of staff announced on Thursday.

    “On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis,” Chief of Staff Adam Jentleson said in a statement.

    Fetterman is a freshman senator and was elected in November after suffering a stroke in May of last year.

    Senate candidate who had a stroke gives interview. Hear what Dr. Gupta noticed

    Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, said on Thursday that she is “so proud of him for asking for help.”

    “After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I’m so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs,” she tweeted.

    She went on to say, “This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy.”

    The statement from Fetterman’s chief of staff announcing the news said, “After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”

    it also stated that Fetterman has experienced depression “off and on” over the course of his life, the issue “only became severe in recent weeks.”

    Last week, Fetterman’s office announced that after feeling lightheaded, Fetterman went to the George Washington University hospital. He was discharged two days later, and his office said that test results had been able to “rule out a new stroke.”

    Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed support for Fetterman on Thursday.

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he is happy to hear the senator is “getting the help he needs.”

    “Millions of Americans, like John, struggle with depression each day. I am looking forward to seeing him return to the Senate soon. Sending love and support to John, Gisele, and their family,” Schumer tweeted.

    This story has been updated with additional developments.

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