Gov. Jesse Ventura is expected to spend a second night in the hospital while doctors monitor his condition. Ventura checked in to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale Tuesday afternoon after physicians discovered a blood clot in one of his lungs. The condition is a potentially serious one, but Ventura's office says he remains in a stable, upbeat mood and hopes to return to work next week.

	Ventura's spokesman, John Wodele, says he's not sure when Ventura will return to work. He says he doesn't think Ventura's health had anything to do with the governor's decision not to seek a second term. Wodele says the governor hasn't appeared to have any health problems in recent weeks, and has been happy since he announced his decision. (MPR Photo/Laura McCallum)

Ventura remains hospitalized while doctors allow blood-thinning medications to dissolve the clot in his lung. Spokesman John Wodele says he has been unable to speak to the governor's attending physician -- Dr. Robert Colbert -- and could provide few details on Ventura's medical condition. But he says doctors simply want to ensure the clot has completely dissolved before discharging the governor. Wodele says he spoke to Ventura by phone in the afternoon and found him upbeat.

"I don't want to minimize the fact that this is a serious condition. I absolutely don't. But I also want to convey to you what the governor asked me to convey to you. And that is that he is in very good spirits, he is very alert, he has all his faculties, he still doesn't like the media. And he wants to get back to work," Wodele said.

Wodele says Ventura has cleared his schedule for the remainder of the week, with the possible exception of his live weekly radio program on Friday. In particular, it's unlikely the governor will be able to attend the Independence Party's state convention this weekend in St. Cloud.

Wodele says, however, that Ventura is more than capable of carrying out his duties while hospitalized and while recuperating afterwards. He says the governor was able to review and sign extradition orders and process other light paperwork.

Doctors haven't said what caused the clot. Long plane flights can increase the chances of blood clotting in the legs, and Ventura recently returned from a trade mission to China. Wodele said the governor knows of the risk and wore supportive stockings and walked around during the flight.

The condition is not unusual, but often goes undetected. According to Mayo Clinic's Web site, about 600,000 Americans experience pulmonary embolism each year, with 60,000 resulting in death. Symptoms vary greatly, but common ones include chest pain, bloody cough, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness.

In a small number of cases, patients undergo surgery to remove a clot. Wodele said there had been no discussion of surgery in Ventura's case.

While Ventura remains hospitalized, concerned fans and supporters have been flooding his room with flowers and hundreds of cards. Wodele says some of the well-wishers include the Ventura's high-profile acquaintances, but didn't indicate who they might be.

One self-identified well-wisher is DFL Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. He and Ventura have sparred in the past over legislative policy and the governor's extracurricular activities. But he says now the important thing is a quick recovery.

"I think that I can comfortably say that I speak on behalf of all Minnesotans that we want him to bounce back quickly. I wish him well. I hope everything gets cleared up. And just suggested he just take it easy for a little while because we want him back to his same old fiesty self," Moe said.

Wodele says it's not clear when Ventura will be released from the hospital, but he says Ventura has every intention of being back at work next week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report