The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center announced on Tuesday that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to the hospital lately with a urinary tract infection as a result of a medical surgery performed in December to treat prostate cancer. The revelation was made just a few days after the Pentagon came under fire from the public for keeping information regarding the hospitalization of Austin secret, including from President Joe Biden and Austin's own deputy, according to reports. Austin is expected to be prepared to manage any national security crisis at any time, ranking second only to the president in the US military's command hierarchy.
The doctors claim that Austin, 70, had a routine examination in early December, during which the cancer was discovered. He underwent surgery to treat the malignancy after being admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22. The physicians reported that he "underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure" and left the hospital the next day. But Austin experienced side effects from the medication last week, including nausea and excruciating leg, hip, and stomach pain. On January 2, it was determined that he had a urinary tract infection, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit.
The doctors then said that they discovered Austin had "abdominal fluid collections impairing the function of his small intestines." "This resulted in the backup of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach," the officials said in a statement. "The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement. He has progressed steadily throughout his stay."
Austin's "infection has cleared," the officials continued, and he is still improving. "Although it can be a gradual process, we hope for a complete recovery," they continued. The physicians also noted that Austin never experienced a loss of consciousness or required general anesthesia throughout his subsequent hospital stay. Despite the controversy surrounding his delayed admission of his hospitalization last week, the White House said on Monday that Austin will remain employed.
