Rex Lee Jim. Photo by Rick Abasta/Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President
Rex Lee Jim, the vice president of the Navajo Nation, is back at home in Arizona after suffering a near-fatal spider bite over a month ago. Jim was bitten on August 28 by a brown recluse spider, whose venom can cause serious health problems and even death. His body suffered an infection and he spent more than four weeks at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. Doctors told Jim that he could have lost his leg -- and his life -- if the infection spread further. Fortunately, he is now on the road to recovery. "They did a few surgeries to remove the infection, dead tissue, ligaments and muscles. In the end, they saved my leg and life,” Jim said in a press release. During his stay in the hospital, Jim was diagnosed with diabetes. The disease hindered his immune system, which likely prevented him from recovering from the spider bite sooner. “Please continue to eat healthy and live healthy lifestyles. You must ensure you visit the hospital for your yearly checkups,” Jim urged the Navajo people. Jim, a former Navajo Nation Council delegate, was elected in 2010 as the running mate of President Ben Shelly. His hospitalization kept him off the campaign trail and his team suffered defeat at the primary last month.
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