As you probably know, each state has two U.S. senators regardless of size, a result of what has become known as the Great Compromise when our Founding Fathers were hammering out details of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

It is a rarity when both are experiencing conditions that require medical care simultaneously, but that is exactly the case with our two senators - Bob Casey of Scranton and John Fetterman of Braddock.

Fetterman, a Democrat who won the seat vacated by Republican Pat Toomey of Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last Wednesday to be treated for severe clinical depression and is expected to be there for at least several weeks. This occurred shortly after a two-day stay in the hospital after he reported feeling lightheaded.

Fetterman suffered a near-fatal stroke days before last year’s primary election. After winning the nomination and during his long recovery, which included a shaky appearance at their one and only debate, Fetterman defeated Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz last November by about five percentage point.

Meanwhile, Casey announced in January that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent successful surgery last week.

“Clinical depression,” also known as “major depression” is defined as a “mental health disorder characterized by persistently mood changes causing significant impairment in daily life.” According to medical experts, one in three stroke victims experiences depression.

Depression is one of the serious side-effects of a stroke similar to the one suffered by Fetterman. His chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, said the senator has had bouts of less serious depression most of his life.

Since being sworn in last month, Fetterman has had special accommodations to allow him to hear and comprehend what is being said in Senate proceedings.

The rookie senator had laid low for the first five weeks in office, but then earlier this month after being hospitalized concerns arose again about his health. Well-wishes are pouring in for Fetterman, who is being praised for his voluntary decision to seek professional help and to make his plight known publicly.

According to The New York Times, which this month did an extensive story on Fetterman and his medical challenges, his staff has come to the conclusion that he needs a better plan “to take care of himself, both physically and emotionally.”

Fetterman’s latest afflictions brought out right wing media critics, especially Tucker Carlson, who has been gunning for Fetterman since he had the stroke in 2022. Carlson called him “unapologetically brain damaged” and Republicans had accused Fetterman of lying about his health during the campaign for Senate. Even since being seated in the upper house, the Republican National Committee distributed a social media clip of Fetterman stumbling over the word “water” at an event announcing $340 million in federal funding grant for Philadelphia.

According to the Times, a newly installed monitor that rises or lowers, depending on whether Fetterman sits or stands, provides closed captioning so he can follow the proceedings. At the center dais, a custom desk stand has been built to accommodate the same technology for when he takes his shifts presiding over the Senate.

The newspaper also said that the sergeant-at-arms has arranged for live audio-to-text transcriptions for the committees on which Fetterman serves, and there are plans to expand the service to all Senate hearings.

Meanwhile, Casey, who is in his third six-year term, was diagnosed in late 2022 with prostate cancer. In a statement before surgery, Casey said the news came as a shock, but added, “I have an excellent prognosis, as well as the benefit of exceptional medical care and the unwavering support of my family.”

Casey said he expects a full recovery. “I am confident that my recommended course of treatment will allow me to continue my service in the 118th Congress with minimal disruption, and I look forward to the work ahead,” Casey said.

Following the surgery, his spokesperson, Mairead Lynn, said, “His doctor reports that, as expected, the procedure went well, and he confirmed that the senator should not require further treatment.”

Casey’s current term ends next year. Given the uncertainty of his medical condition, he has not yet announced re-election plans.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.