Gisele Fetterman took her children on a road trip to Canada while her husband, Sen. John Fetterman continued treatment for clinical depression at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
‘We don’t have a lot to update folks with since there’s no real news to report except that John is doing well, working with the wonderful doctors, and remains on a path to recovery,’ Fetterman spokesman Joe Calvello said in a statement on Monday.
The Pennsylvania senator was treated and released from George Washington University Hospital for lightheadedness in early February. At the time, doctors ruled out that he didn’t have another stroke – a concern following his first stroke just before the primary elections in May 2022.
After returning to Congress, he was examined by Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of Congress, who recommended that Fetterman seek inpatient treatment for depression that became ‘severe in recent weeks’ according to Adam Jentleson, Fetterman’s chief of staff. He voluntarily admitted himself to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, on February 16.
‘I did the first thing I could think of’: Gisele Fetterman took the children she shares with Sen. John Fetterman on a road trip to Canada through Upstate New York while her husband, Sen. John Fetterman, is receiving treatment for depression
‘We understand the intense interest in John’s status and especially appreciate the flood of well-wishes,’ Calvello said. ‘However, as we have said, this will be a weeks-long process and while we will be sure to keep folks updated as it progresses, this is all there is to give by way of an update.’
Fetterman’s wife, 41, posted on social media about the trip to Niagra Falls because of the media presence outside their Braddock home, following news of her husband’s treatment.
‘I am not really sure how to navigate this journey but am figuring it out slowly. 1 week ago today when the news dropped, the kids were off from school and media trucks circled our home,’ she tweeted on Friday.
‘I did the first thing I could think of … pack them in the car and drive,’ she wrote, after it was reported her husband could spend weeks in the hospital while doctors work on treatment and medication.
‘We drove straight into … Canada (and lovely Buffalo NY) (Pro Tip: always have passports ready just in case you have to run away),’ she continued, indicating that the family discussed some of the stark serious they are confronting.
‘We talked about lots of hard things and how we will all have to face hard things. About the need to be gentle … with all and with ourselves,’ she continued.
She also posted a video where she calmly discussed how their son August got stuck zip lining – recording the post while a ‘rescue’ was underway.
‘We did some scary things but we did them together. We ziplined over Niagara Falls and August got stuck. We talked about flexibility and the need to always have an open heart and an open mind,’ she added.
Her posts got thousands of views. She said the children were on a break from school
She pointed the finger at media trucks which surrounded her home
Fetterman is receiving treatment for depression just weeks after being sworn into office. He continues to recover from the effects of a stroke in May 2022.
High wire act: Gisele posted video of what she said was her son August getting stuck on a zip line
The 6-foot 8-inch tall, heavily tattooed former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania was elected in November after suffering a stroke in May.
During his recovery, he has struggled with sensory processing issues, and relies on simultaneous translation computer software in media interviews and to do his Senate duties.
A senior aide told NBC that it has been challenging to differentiate between the senator’s stroke recovery and the depression, with the staffer saying it’s sometimes unclear if he’s ‘not hearing you, or is he sort of crippled by his depression and social anxiety.’
CNN reported Friday that Fetterman’s symptoms included weight loss and lack of appetite, which led to his spell in the George Washington University Hospital last week, complaining of lightheadedness.
President Joe Biden put out a message of support last week. ‘John, Gisele – Jill and I are thinking about your family today. Millions of people struggle with depression every day, often in private. Getting the care you need is brave and important. We’re grateful to you for leading by example,’ Biden tweeted.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, whose family has had their own mental health struggles, said he and his wife, Heidi were ‘lifting John up in prayer.’
‘Mental illness is real & serious, and I hope that he gets the care he needs. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you’re on, please respect his family’s request for privacy,’ Cruz asked.
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