Recuperating senator makes fast-track comeback
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul has started easing back into public activities after his recent lung surgery sidelined him for part of the August congressional break.
The Kentucky Republican gave a speech Tuesday at a chamber of commerce luncheon in southern Kentucky. It was his first public appearance since part of his lung was removed at a Tennessee hospital.
Paul answered questions from the crowd of about 100 people after his address. He talked about his recovery and fielded questions on a range of subjects, including gun laws and health care, during a presentation lasting about 40 minutes. He stood the entire time.
“Itisgreattobe here,” he said. “It is great to be upright and walking around and beginning to heal.”
The senator has said the surgery stemmed from injuries suffered when a neighbor tackled him while he was doing yard work at his Kentucky home in late 2017.
Initially, most of Paul’s August travel plans were canceled because of the operation, which he underwent more than a week ago at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. But his recovery has progressed faster than expected, allowing him to go to Williamsburg for the chamber event on Tuesday.
In a phone interview, his first since the surgery, Paul said he’s “actually doing pretty well.”
“And like anybody else who’s used to being active, it’s hard to sit still,” he said. “I’m ready to get back in the mix of things and to start traveling around the state some.”