Ashcroft struck down

US Attorney General John Ashcroft is currently in intensive care at a hospital in Washington, DC. Apparently he is suffering from gallstone pancreatitis, which is very painful. Unfortunately Ashcroft is expected to fully recover within a week.

According to an AP report the “cornerstone of treatment is fasting,” which should fit well with Ashcroft ultra-religious lifestyle. However, one can hope that his fasting will lead to disabling anemia, thus rendering him incapable of staying on as Attorney General.

UPDATE: It appears that in some cases this illness can be life threatening or at least have many complications that could potentially be life threatening. So hope for recovery is not necessarily well founded.

[from the Associated Press via MyWay]