Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman still has difficulty processing words since his May stroke but “has no work restrictions and might work full duty in public office,” the candidate’s doctor said in a Wednesday letter updating the Democratic nominee’s health condition.
Fetterman – under pressure to release detailed health records following his stroke – “is recovering well from his stroke and is constant to enhance” and “spoke intelligently and without cognitive defects” during his office visit, Dr. Richard Chen, Fetterman’s physician, said in a letter released by the campaign.
“His speech was normal and he continues to exhibit symptoms of an auditory processing disorder which may come across as a hearing difficulty,” Chen wrote, basing his assessment on an Oct. 14 follow-up exam of the sitting lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
“Occasional words he’ll ‘miss’ which looks like he doesn’t hear the word nevertheless it is definitely not processed properly,” but “his communication is significantly improved in comparison with his first visit assisted by speech therapy which he has attended regularly because the stroke,” Chen said within the letter.
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Fetterman was sidelined for some time following his stroke, reappearing on the campaign trail in August. He has continued to do in-person events.
In interviews, Fetterman has made use of a monitor to read questions, explaining that he sometimes cannot process words quickly without it. He intends to make use of the monitor at a debate against his GOP opponent, Mehmet Oz, in a debate Oct. 25.
But Fetterman’s public appearances and interviews had not quelled pressure from Oz, Pennsylvania newspaper editorial boards and others to offer more details about his health following the stroke. Fetterman had been leading Oz by doubt digits in polls, but his lead has narrowed to a number of percentage points in the previous couple of weeks, a trend analysts attribute a minimum of partially to questions on the Democrat’s health.
Fetterman’s hearing of sounds reminiscent of music has not been affected, Chen said. The doctor reported that every one of Fetterman’s vital signs – blood pressure, pulse oximetry and heart rate – are normal, in addition to his cholesterol and liver function.
