President Benson Progresses after Surgery

President Ezra Taft Benson underwent surgery twice during September for the removal of fluid and blood clots from his head. He was also treated for gastrointestinal bleeding. At Ensign press time, he was at home recuperating.

The 91-year-old Church leader first had surgery on September 19 for the removal of two subdural hematomas. He had originally been admitted to LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City after suffering severe headaches and having difficulty swallowing.

A second surgery was performed on September 23 after hospital staff members monitoring President Benson’s condition saw signs that clotting was recurring in one of the two areas. A hospital spokesman said President Benson “tolerated the [second] surgery extremely well.”

A CAT scan two days later did not indicate clotting problems.

President Benson was moved from the hospital’s intensive care unit on September 26, after his condition was upgraded to fair. On September 30, he was returned to intensive care in serious condition for treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding.

On Monday, October 8, he was moved from intensive care again. He was released from the hospital on October 17.