Apr 21, 2007 11:54 pm US/Eastern
Doctor: N.J. Governor Starting To Speak, Drink
TRENTON (CBS/AP) ―
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New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine continues to recover following a serious car accident that left him with a broken leg and a dozen fractured ribs.
Stan Honda-Pool/Getty Images
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Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Saturday continued to make progress in his recovery from a serious auto accident more than a week before, according to the head of trauma at the Camden hospital where he is staying.
A day after doctors removed a breathing tube he'd been using since being critically injured in a car accident April 12, Corzine was able to converse with his family and medical team and even drink some clear liquids, according to Dr. Steven Ross at Cooper University Hospital.
Corzine was still in critical but stable condition on Saturday at the hospital's intensive care unit as he recovered from a broken leg and several broken bones in his chest, including 11 ribs, Ross said in a statement released through the governor's office.
Ross said Corzine was still breathing on his own Saturday. Fluid drainage around his lungs had decreased, so doctors planned to remove a tube on Corzine's right side.
Corzine had some signs of bronchitis, which was being treated effectively with antibiotics, Ross said.
"He remains off the ventilator and we are encouraged that he is able to cough productively," Ross said.
Corzine spokesman Anthony Coley would not disclose what the governor was saying Saturday, or any other information beyond what the hospital was releasing.
Ross said pain control catheters providing relief around Corzine's ribs would stay in place for about 10 days. Corzine had shown himself able to tolerate bedside therapy.
Corzine's leg injury showed no sign of infection, and the governor remained on blood thinners meant to prevent blood clots.
"Governor Corzine shows no signs of any other complications," Ross said.
Corzine's staff is hopeful he can resume his gubernatorial duties soon, possibly by the time he leaves the hospital. But physical therapists warn that the 60-year-old Corzine will likely face excruciating daily exercises designed to rebuild his strength.
Such exercises would make it difficult for Corzine to initially devote much time to being governor.
Corzine was riding in the front passenger seat of a Chevrolet Suburban on the Garden State Parkway April 12 when his sport utility vehicle veered into a guard rail after being clipped by another driver who was swerving to avoid a third vehicle.
The governor's SUV, with a state trooper behind the wheel, was traveling 91 mph seconds before the crash and Corzine was not wearing a seat belt, officials have said.
Corzine was the only person seriously injured. He broke his left thigh bone in two places -- requiring three surgeries so far -- as well as 11 ribs, his breastbone and collarbone. He also fractured a vertebra and has a cut on his forehead that required stitches.
Though he lost about half the blood in his body, there was no brain damage or injuries to internal organs, and Corzine is not paralyzed, his doctors have said.
State Senate President Richard J. Codey, also a Democrat, is serving as acting governor.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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