Gov. Deval Patrick, walking on crutches and aided by a doctor, left Massachusetts General Hospital yesterday less than a week after undergoing hip replacement surgery.The governor, greeted by his wife, Diane, and labs Tobey and Zoe, left the hospital in a black SUV for his “Sweet P” farm in Richmond, his vacation home in the Berkshires.
Patrick will spend at least two weeks there away from the State House recuperating. He chose to stay at the farm because it has a first-floor bedroom.
Spokesman Kyle Sullivan said the governor, who handed off his duties to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray for 48 hours after Tuesday’s surgery, will work while recovering. When he returns to Boston, he’ll still need a cane to get around.
Patrick, however, won’t be present to testify on controversial legislation to let him name an interim replacement for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died Aug. 25. The administration will be represented, Sullivan said.
UPDATE: More from the Herald and Globe.