July 17, 2003 – Thursday's update on Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's condition said he will remain hospitalized for the time being so that doctors can continue to monitor his progress and prevent a recurrence of the bleeding ulcer that sent him to Roy L. Schneider Hospital on Monday morning.
"Although Gov. Turnbull continues to rest comfortably and his vital signs remain medically stable," Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson said, "a decision has been made to continue to monitor his recovery in order to avoid any recurrence of the bleeding intestinal ulcer, and to ensure that he receives an adequate amount of rest."
Watson, the lead physician on the team treating the governor and also medical director of Schneider Hospital, was cited in a Government House release issued Thursday afternoon as saying that Turnbull remains in good spirits and has been allowed to conduct a limited amount of government business as circumstances require.
The release also cited Turnbull himself as saying that "he is feeling much better."
The governor, in fact, has maintained quite an active schedule this week from his hospital suite. On Monday afternoon and evening he finalized his actions on seven bills passed last month by the Senate, including five that he had submitted as part of his fiscal recovery plan. He has had several meetings with Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards and each day he has conferred with other senior administration officials. On Wednesday morning he went on the radio to thank the nine senators who on Tuesday gave him the authorization he had requested for the government to borrow another $235 million.
In Thursday's release, Turnbull again expressed appreciation for "the many calls, messages and prayers that have directed toward his recovery."
The release was the first public acknowledgment of the type of bleeding ulcer from which Turnbull is suffering. Such ulcers can occur in the lining of the stomach or of the small intestine, also called the duodenum.
Watson gave no indication as to how much longer the governor might remain hospitalized, or when he could return to work full time.
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