South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has announced that she is recovering from back surgery and will limit her activities for the new few months.
Noem, a Republican, is facing Democrat Jamie Smith in November.
"Several weeks ago, about two months ago, I sustained an injury to my back," Noem said in a video posted on her Twitter account. "I've been working with excellent doctors here in South Dakota over those weeks to try to alleviate the situation.
"Unfortunately, this week, I ended up having surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The person who performed that surgery was a neurosurgeon who specializes in spine injuries, and it was a complete success. I'm very grateful for all of their expertise and help and just arrived back home here in Pierre.
"But I did want to let you all know that I'm going to be very limited in what I will be able to do for the next several months.
"I won't be able to stand for more than 10-15 minutes at a time and I won't be able to get out and about in South Dakota like I love to do so much. I will continue campaigning. I will do a lot of video updates … but my ability to get around this state is going to be pretty challenged for the next several months."
It is unclear when the video, taken outside, was filmed.
In a statement released by Noem's office, her treating surgeon, Dr. Mohamad Bydon, said: "Governor Noem developed an acute condition impacting her lumbar spine. She underwent successful surgery and is well on her way to a full recovery. The governor is in excellent health."
Noem added: "Surgery was successful, and I am thankful that I am on the road to making a full recovery. As part of that recovery, I have to abide by certain limitations on my activity in order to allow my back to heal properly. In the short term, this will include amount of standing I can do and the amount of travel that I can partake in around our great state. I am grateful for the doctors' and nurses' steady hands – and God's grace – as I am now back home in Pierre and on the mend."
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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