Reagan Recovering Well From Surgery

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) â€” Former President Reagan was able to sit up in a chair the day after surgery to repair a broken hip, one of his doctors said Monday. <br><br>``He remarkably was up in a chair

Monday, January 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) â€” Former President Reagan was able to sit up in a chair the day after surgery to repair a broken hip, one of his doctors said Monday.

``He remarkably was up in a chair yesterday, the first day post-op,'' Dr. Kevin Ehrhart, his orthopedic surgeon, told ABC's ``Good Morning America.'' ``That's a goal you obtain about half the time. He did it on the first try.''

He said the former president also was eating.

Reagan, suffering from Alzheimer's disease and nearing his 90th birthday Feb. 6, fell Friday at his Bel-Air home. Doctors used a pin, plate and screws to repair the joint Saturday in a 65-minute operation.

He still faced months of difficult physical therapy but was taking very little pain medication, another good sign, said Joanne Drake, his chief of staff.

Ehrhart said after the operation that Reagan's tissue and bone were remarkably like that of a ``much younger man, which obviously helps substantially with his recovery.''

However, the surgeon said, Reagan still faces a ``long, uphill struggle.''

Reagan's wife, Nancy, has been at her husband's side since the fall. His son Michael and daughter Patti Davis visited their father on Saturday and his son Ron was expected within a few days.

Maureen Reagan, the 60-year-old daughter of Reagan and actress Jane Wyman, has been undergoing cancer treatment at the same hospital since Dec. 11. Her husband Dennis Revell said she was ``hanging in there.''

Michael Deaver, the former president's one-time deputy chief of staff, told ABC on Monday that Maureen Reagan had not yet visited her father.

``Maureen's hoping she can go up and see her father, too,'' Deaver said.

The former first couple's 49th wedding anniversary is March 4, when the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is to be christened by the former first lady.

Mrs. Reagan was buoyed by the outpouring of support from around the world, Drake said, including messages from former Presidents Bush and Ford as well as President-elect Bush and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

President Clinton sent a message to the former president and his family on Sunday.

``Hillary and I are relieved that President Reagan's treatment for his injury appears to have been successful,'' Clinton said. ``Our thoughts and prayers are with the president, his wife, Nancy, and the entire Reagan family during this difficult period. We join all Americans in wishing him a speedy recovery.''

At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, dozens of well-wishers on Sunday signed a giant get-well note surrounded by bouquets of flowers.

``Godspeed in your recovery. America cannot thank you enough,'' wrote Christian Horton of suburban Mission Hills.

Mrs. Reagan urged well-wishers to send greetings to the Reagan Foundation Web site.

At 69, Ronald Reagan was the oldest man ever elected U.S. president.

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On the Net: http://www.reaganfoundation.org