Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Discharged from Hospital

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Pentagon announced on Monday. According to a statement, Austin will continue to recover remotely and perform his duties from home before returning to the Pentagon full-time. He will have access to necessary secure communication capabilities during this period of recuperation.

Austin’s hospitalization caused controversy as it was revealed that nobody, including President Biden, was aware that he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer and experienced complications. However, his doctors have expressed optimism about his recovery and strength, stating that he has responded well to medical tests and received non-surgical care at the hospital. Austin has now been discharged with planned physical therapy and regular follow-up appointments.

The statement further indicated that Austin’s prostate cancer was effectively treated, and his prognosis is excellent. He will not require additional treatment for his cancer beyond regular post-prostatectomy surveillance. This news follows a memo obtained by NPR suggesting that the White House is reviewing protocols for Cabinet members following the events surrounding Austin’s hospitalization.

In early December 2023, Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer during a routine health screening. He underwent a prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate gland, on December 22. After a successful surgery, Austin returned home the following day. However, on January 1, he was readmitted to Walter Reed due to complications, including nausea and severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain. Subsequent evaluations revealed a urinary tract infection, and he was ultimately transferred to the intensive care unit. There, doctors discovered abdominal fluid collections affecting the function of his small intestines.

Last week, Austin released a statement acknowledging that he could have done better at ensuring the public was appropriately informed. He took full responsibility for the decisions regarding the disclosure of his medical situation. Prostate cancer, affecting one in every eight American men and one in every six Black men, is the most common cancer among men in the United States.