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Commissioner Todd Portune Returns To Work After Leg Amputation

todd portune
Bill Rinehart
/
WVXU
Speaking from UCMC, Portune joked he had lost weight during his hospital stay beyond the amputation surgery.

Todd Portune is back to work—sort of. The Hamilton County commission president has been hospitalized since his left leg was amputated April 16. Commissioners held a meeting at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Wednesday morning to accommodate him.

Portune says the operation was successful and the prognosis is great. "Any sign of any cancer in me is gone now. One hundred-percent cancer free, as a result of the operation, and that's the most important thing," he told reporters after the meeting.

"As a result, I'm now, I think in the best health of my recent life, going back the past 16 years," he continued. "Overall, I just feel so much better. Anybody who's followed me knows I've struggled with ongoing challenges in my left leg from the tumors that I dealt with back in 2003. All that's now gone."

Portune has battled severe health problems for more than 20 years. In 1996, doctors discovered tumors on his spine. Treatment for a blood clot in 2002 caused those tumors to hemorrhage, causing partial paralysis.

In his most recent hospital stay, Portune has been treated for another blood clot. Doctors put him on blood thinners and warned him away from sharp objects, like razors. As a result, Portune is sporting a beard.

Credit Bill Rinehart / WVXU
/
WVXU
Republican Commissioner Chris Monzel greeted Portune, a Democrat, back with a hearty "Welcome back, partner."

For his conversation with reporters, Portune stood up from a wheelchair. "I might not be the typical amputee because I've had so many challenges with that limb for such a long period of time. For me, it's a real opportunity to improve on what my situation has been for a long time," he said. "The psychological aspect of this is all good, it's all positive. It's okay. We know what we have to do so let's go do it."

Portune expects to be discharged from UCMC Saturday, and plans to be at county commission meetings regularly starting May 30.

He will get an artificial leg, but it's unclear when that will happen.

At Wednesday's meeting, Portune introduced a resolution showing support for Amtrak service in Hamilton County, pledged to get the ball rolling on a music venue at The Banks, insisted on finding a location for a veterans memorial along the riverfront, called on FC Cincinnati to consider Hamilton County as it searches for a training facility site, and promoted an upcoming anti-violence rally.

Bill Rinehart started his radio career as a disc jockey in 1990. In 1994, he made the jump into journalism and has been reporting and delivering news on the radio ever since.