WASHINGTON —  Days after going back into the hospital for adjustments to his pacemaker, U.S. Sen. John Warner is back in the Senate, ahead of schedule.

The 81-year-old Virginia Republican had a pacemaker implanted on Saturday. On Tuesday, he was admitted to Inova Fairfax Hospital in suburban Virginia so doctors could make adjustments to it.

At the time of his admission, Warner said he would likely be absent from the Senate for the rest of the week.

By Thursday evening, he was back in the halls of the chamber, now with a cane that he joked makes him look more dignified.

In January, Warner will leave the Senate after a 30-year tenure there.