Legislator's recovery looks positive, staff says

By RINDI WHITE-Frontiersman reporter

ANCHORAGE -- Although his condition is still listed as critical, Rep. Scott Ogan, R-Palmer, has reportedly been making significant strides toward recovery.

"At this point, his weaning process off the respirator is continuing," said Linda Hay, who works in Ogan's Juneau office.

Hay said she spoke with Ogan's wife, Janet, Wednesday morning. The latest report, Hay said, was that Ogan was off the respirator up to six hours at a time.

"She felt he would be completely off [the respirator] by the weekend," Hay said. "As he comes off the respirator, then he can come off the sedation, too."

In a recent update, Hay wrote that doctors were pleased with his progress and echo-cardiogram results. Although it may be a few more weeks before all damage is assessed, Hay wrote that there was little talk of bypass surgery. Instead, what Hay called stints were installed in his arteries and are reportedly working well and lessening blockage. Hay said Ogan is expected to stay in the critical care unit until he is off the respirator, but all in all, Ogan's doctors and family have indicated the representative is doing well.

"They're very pleased with his progress," Hay said. "He's much farther along than they thought he would be."

Throughout the past week, Hay said cards and letters have continued to pour in.

"The first day … it was extremely hectic," Hay said. She joked that if there had been 10 telephone lines in the office, staff still would not have been able to keep up with the calls. Although the flow has ebbed somewhat, Hay said staff has been kept busy by the calls and mail. Hay added that Ogan's family still recommends that letters and cards be sent to his Juneau office instead of his home address.

Ogan's staff, Hay said, has been diligently packing cards and letters of good wishes with them as they head to Anchorage.

"We have a fairly regular batch of people who go back and forth on the weekend," Hay said. Correspondence should be directed to Rep. Scott Ogan, State Capitol, Juneau AK 99801-1182.