Santorum Says Daughter With Pneumonia Is Recovering After Rough 36 Hours
- Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:17pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(AP) — Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said Sunday his daughter Bella remains in the hospital with pneumonia but is recovering after a rough 36 hours.
Santorum spoke with Florida supporters by telephone from 3-year-old Bella’s hospital room and said doctors hope she can go home in the next few days.
The former Pennsylvania senator also said, “We’re going to get out on the campaign trail later tomorrow … heading out to the Midwest, and start campaigning in the next states as we move this campaign forward.”
Santorum aides did not immediately provide details, but his advisers are looking at upcoming contests in Missouri and Minnesota, as well as Arizona and Colorado.
“I feel very, very good about where we are and where the campaign is going,” the candidate said.
But during the call with Florida voters, Santorum opened his remarks with his daughter, who has a genetic condition known as Trisomy 18. The condition typically proves fatal and Santorum often says his daughter wasn’t expected to live past 12 months.
“She without a doubt has turned the corner,” he said.
Santorum called his daughter’s recovery a “miraculous turnaround” after an unexpected detour from the campaign just days before Tuesday’s Florida primary.
Santorum got to his home in Virginia around midnight Friday for a quick break to do his taxes, but found his daughter “was not doing well.”
“I was up with her a lot of the night,” he said. “By the end of the day, it was really, really clear she was struggling.”
Saturday evening, Santorum aides announced Bella had been admitted to the hospital and they canceled his morning interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” and church services in Miami. His aides later canceled his trip to Florida and instead sent his 20-year-old daughter to campaign for him.
Santorum described the situation as a “very, very tough night last night“ but said by late Sunday Bella was ”alert and back to her own beautiful, happy girl.”
“It’s been a very hectic 36 hours,” Santorum said. “Life in the Santorum family has dramatically improved since the late afternoon.”
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Comments (45)
Moozmom
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 5:54amWe learn the most “from the least of these”. Truly, they are the teachers.
Report Post »mycomet123
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 10:20amAmen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »susan in Texas
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 3:46amnever read the “other” blog, but anyone that could say anything negative about this is heartless- we all hold Bella close to our hearts, and pray that God will heal her, and help her wonderful family-everyone keps saying they would vote for him, but he doesn’t stand a chance–this is a great guy that would make a wonderful President– don”t believe the pollsters- look what happened in Iowa- it could happen again if everybody voted how they really feel, instead of going for the best of the worse. we’ve only got 1 chance to get this right
Report Post »laurie64
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 1:57pmTRUE, TRUE WORDS!!!!!
Report Post »Thank you God that she is better and contines to shine for the whole family!!!
notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 3:09amEven though you had to go, you still picked up two votes in the FL Primary from this family!
Report Post »Tretka
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 12:03amThank you Lord. God job Bella.
Report Post »loafer4952
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 11:45pmBest wishes to Senator Santorum and his family. Hope things go good with your child. I would like to see you as president but this isn’t the time. You need to leave this election to the thieves. I know you could do alot of good but just to many thieves to have to deal with. You seem like to good a person to deal with this bunch. The only thing we can hope is that we get rid of Obama……….. Don’t lower your self to their level…… Good luck and hope your family is ok…….
Report Post »Iam4America
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 11:39pmMiracles are happening. Keeping all of the Santorum family in our prayers.
Report Post »Objective_Reasonableness
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:59pmContinued Prayers to Bella and the entire Santorum Family. When one member of the family is ill~the entire family experiences the pain for their loved one and the additional fear and stress of the unknown. It would be such an honor to have the Santorum Family as the new residents at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This God-loving, compasionate family would definitely increase the property values by adding some much needed class and patriotic character we are so lacking now. May God Bless the Santorum Family all ways, always. (TBL)
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:55pmIt is hard whenever a child is sick because they usually can‘t tell you what’s wrong and parents play the guessing game. Godspeed.
Report Post »jjohnson_n_oklahoma
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:53pmI am so glad that his daughter is doing better. Our prayers are with his family, and we pray that God will just do a miraculous work. Nothing is to hard for God!!
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:48pmI sure hate to see Rick bow out but family is more important. if you’re out of cash and responsible, you do the right thing unless you’re Obumler! May the LORD bless and keep Rick and his family!
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:47pmgood. pneumonia is horrible.
on a side note: i still don’t understand how Romney and Gingrich, the biggest rhino’s of all the candidates, so easily surpassed candidates like Bachmann and Santorum. I think FoxNews and the polls shown on that network (constantly indicating Romney as the top candidate) deceived voters and just made them settle.
Report Post »Coyote6
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:27pmRick, you’re a classy family man. God bless your family and your daughter and God grant that she gets better soon.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:48pmEvery American would be blessed to have a father like him. That should be our prayer
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:49pmGREAT NEWS
Report Post »God Bless Bella
momrules
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:26pmReading the comments to the earlier story about Bella and now reading the comments on this update reminds me that there are so many wonderful people in America.
This little girl is serving a great purpose. She has brought people of different faiths and political beliefs together for a common good.
I’ll add my prayers too that God bless and heal this precious child as He supports her parents through their faith in Him.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 11:00pmI agree 100%
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 11:05pmThis is a particularly good time to be reminded that people can be kind and sympathetic and wish the best for each other in light of so much dissention as the candidates criticize each other, their supporters criticize each other, and the parties criticize each other. God bless Bella and heal her.
Report Post »sandy21957
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:24pm.It is obvious that he is a good and loving father. Got to respect that. my hat is off to him. Prays for them all.
Report Post »PurrrpleMtnMajesty
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:12pmPraise God! Will continue to hold his family up in prayer.
Report Post »THXll38
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:21pmPraise technology, the doctors, and everyone else that has something to do with our fantastic medical field.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:09pmPrayers for the family. Chronic illness is very difficult to deal with. Special grace is really needed. Feel especially for the entire family as Mr. Santorum deals with the campaign turmoil and is away from home. Life is difficult but God’s grace does make the bumps more bearable.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:07pmKeep the faith Rick and Mrs. Santorum and the entire family. Many are praying for that precious little girl and for all of you.
Report Post »Quencher
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:07pmWe are cheering for you, Bella! Keep up the great work!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:59pmGlad to hear she is beter; thank you and all praise be, given to God for seeing her through.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:43pmThis is such great news .. God bless them all … Mr. Santrorum was supposed to be at the Lincoln Day Dinner here in Charlotte County Florida this afternoon … I received a notice that his daughter and the Duggar Family (mom, dad, and some of the older kids) would be filling in for him. Prayers for Bella that she continues to recover. Seems he has a strong campaign force as well as family would will support them well.
Report Post »Seneca
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:41pmPrayers are being said and answered. The Santorum family DOES NOT need to win the nomination to be a role model to families across the United States. God continue to bless Bella Santorum.
Report Post »PJL
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:35pmGood to hear.
Report Post »bitterclinger
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:34pmSo glad to hear the news. The whole right blogosphere was praying for her and the family.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:53pmBitter
You are so right but sadly the lefty bloggysphere was a different story.
How can people be so mean towards an innocent young child?
I have to make myself pray for those with meaness in their hearts.
Report Post »God Bless the Santorum Family.
LovingAmerica
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:29pmGod bless the Santorum family and tenderly embrace little Bella. We are praying for a full recovery and a complete healing!
Report Post »gemmeri
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:27pmThank God. Best wishes to Senator Santorum & family. May Bella’s recovery be speedy. Good luck! PS. Cute kid & darling pic. Completely charming.
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