in may 1985, wilson underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix at bethesda naval hospital, concurrently as fellow republican senator bob dole hoped to gather enough votes for the reagan administration's 1986 budget. the surgery was expected to keep wilson hospitalized for days, but wilson returned to capitol hill via an ambulance to cast a vote in favor of the budget on may 10. after voting, wilson stated he made the decision to forgo further bed rest as he believed the vote was possibly the most important of his career.