Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took a long leave of absence from work after discreetly undergoing a prostate cancer surgery. Remarkably, NBC News reports, he neglected to inform the White House of his absence.
Only a few days before Christmas, Austin “underwent a minimally invasive procedure” to “treat and cure” the disease, the site stated.
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He had a prostatectomy on December 22nd while under general anesthesia following a recent cancer diagnosis. The prostate gland may have been removed whole or in part during the treatment.
Officials at Walter Reed National Military Center said that Austin was admitted to the hospital on January 1st as a result of problems.
“Secretary Austin recovered uneventfully from his surgery and returned home the next morning,” On Tuesday, the officials stated.
“His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent,” they said.
According to the officials, among the issues Austin ran into were “nausea with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain.”
The 70-year-old was admitted to Walter Reed’s critical care unit on January 2 after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. “close monitoring and a higher level of care.”
Austin then went through “abdominal fluid collections impairing the function of his small intestines,” they said.
“This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach,” NBC News was informed by Walter Reed authorities.
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“The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement. He has progressed steadily throughout his stay,” they said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the story states that Austin remained in the hospital.
NBC News reports that a complete recovery with no new infections is expected.
According to The New York Times, he had a “elective medical procedure” on Friday, according to Pentagon authorities.
The Biden administration, which is already dealing with problems at the southern border and was not informed of the military leader’s ICU admittance amid ongoing conflicts and tensions worldwide, faces additional challenges as a result of Austin’s illness.
According to Axios, Austin’s illness on January 1st resulted in a lengthy wait before Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks assumed some responsibility for him.
At the time, Hicks was on vacation in Puerto Rico.
Austin’s illness was not disclosed to President Joe Biden or Hicks until Thursday.
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