Juan F. Luis Hospital Logo Photo Credit: VI CONSORTIUM
Today marks one week since Senator Kenneth Gittens was hospitalized at the Juan F. Luis Hospital, and in a release issued Friday, Mr. Gittens's office said the senator remains hospitalized but his condition has been improving.
In the release, the senator's office said Mr. Gittens "looks forward to resuming his duties."
“I am very grateful for all the well wishes from the community and to the staff here at JFL for their continued efforts,” he said, according to the release. “I am under the doctor's care and still following directives to rest. However, I am very anxious to get back to work and remain in good spirits. Again, thanks to all for your prayers and messages.”
Speaking to the Consortium the night of hospitalization, Mr. Gittens confirmed that what he thought was gas pain were actually blood clots affecting multiple areas of his body, including a large blood clot in his lungs. The senator had sent out a text message to members of the Gentlemen Jones, a nonprofit organization that he is a part of, about his condition. A day later, the senator revealed blood clots were also affecting one of his legs.
At the time, the senator said he had been in contact with physicians at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, a facility he has a relationship with, and would seek care outside the territory if needed.
A blood clot blocks the normal flow of blood. This blockage can cause serious problems, like damage to the lungs and low oxygen levels in the human body's blood. The lack of oxygen can harm other organs in the body, too. If the clot is big or the artery is clogged by many smaller clots, a pulmonary embolism can be deadly, according to WebMD.
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