INDIANAPOLIS -- U.S. Rep. Julia Carson will not return to Congress on Thursday as planned, saying that she is continuing to recuperate from a leg infection.

Carson, D-Indianapolis, said in a statement Wednesday that she hopes to return to Washington by mid-December. Her office said she still was on the mend in Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Carson was admitted Sept. 21 to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital after complaining of leg pain and fatigue and stayed there for more than a week. She later was taken to a rehabilitation facility.

Carson's office said she was treated for a deep infection in her leg near the area where a vein was removed in January 1997 when she underwent double heart bypass surgery.

When she was in the hospital, her office said she might require rehabilitation to fully regain walking ability.

Carson had been granted an extension of her leave of absence from Congress until Oct. 31.

Carson was elected to her first term in 1996. She has been plagued by health problems during her years in Congress and suffers from high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes.