'Medical Miracle' Rep. Mark DeSaulnier​: Video Message

EAST BAY — Rep. Mark DeSaulnier says that doctors call him a "medical miracle" after he spent 7 weeks in the hospital, 5 of them in the intensive care unit, and 4 of those weeks on a ventilator. At one point, his organs were failing and a procedure was performed to relieve pressure on them. DeSaulnier says that his sons expected a phone call from the hospital informing them that their father had passed. Instead, the call reported that he was doing better.

In a voice weakened by the ventilator, DeSaulnier released a video message to constituents on Memorial Day. He recounted the fall that he took on March 4 while jogging through the streets of Washington, D.C. as he trained for a marathon. Several ribs were broken in the fall, and his spleen was injured. The congressman's doctor told him that time would heal the ribs.

Two weeks later, he was taken by ambulance to George Washington Medical Center with pneumonia in both lungs. The fight for his life was on.

The congressman says that doctors gave him just a 10-percent chance of survival when he was at his worst point. But now, after going through intensive therapy, doctors say he will make a full recovery.

DeSaulnier says that he is "so grateful every day, for every breath."

The congressman is returning to a full schedule at work, attending committee meetings by video conferencing. DeSaulnier also announced that he is seeking reelection this November.

Watch DeSaulnier's full message below.

DeSaulnier's 11th Congressional District covers most of Contra Costa County, including Walnut Creek, Lamorinda, Concord, El Cerrito, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, most of Danville and parts of Martinez.

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• Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Returns Home From Hospital
• Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Improves; Moved Out Of Intensive Care
• Rep. Mark DeSaulnier In Critical But Stable Condition: Family
• Rep. Mark DeSaulnier Remains In Critical Condition After Fall
• U.S. Rep. DeSaulnier Seriously Injured In Fall