As usual, Barak of the IRIS Blog is upfront of MSM in reporting and offering expert analysis of PM Sharon’s medical condition. Here is the latest IRIS report;
Sharon’s Health May be Downgraded; Investigation Discussed
There was however, one item which was not addressed which this author will try to do now.
Excerpt;
“The doctor added that when he has to speak to the family of an individual in such a situation, he tells them: ‘He will not fully regain consciousness. He may be able to breath alone and will not need equipment, but he will remain severely disabled.’
If the “senior physician”, presumably the senior physician on the Hadassah staff in charge of handling PM Sharon’s treatment, speaks with such assuredness to the family, why is he not making these same points to Attorney General Mazuz? Or, are there too many legal complications regarding the Prime Ministerial Succession involved in declaring Sharon permanently incapacitated, i.e. possible preclusion of elections to take place on 28 March or issues concerning Olmert’s legitimacy as Acting Prime Minister?
Full Text;
“Hadassah Hospital officials report on Monday morning that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remains comatose, adding there is no change in his status. He remains in serious/stable condition.”
“On Sunday, doctors performed another CT scan. He was extubated and a tracheotomy was performed to provide longer-term assisted breathing as he is assisted by a respirator.”
“Doctors on Monday morning stated that at this time, it is a waiting game, explaining all sedatives that were used to put him in a medically induced coma have been stopped and they now wait to see if and when the prime minister will awaken.”
Sources Close to Sharon Say He Has Opened His Eyes
Full Text;
“Sources close to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who has been hospitalized unconscious since suffering a massive stroke on January 4, has opened his eyes.”
“Sharon’s pupil’s, however, have been unable to follow anything around him. Doctors say that this may be due to damage caused to the eye’s muscles and does not necessarily indicate cognitive impairment.”
“According to reports, Sharon first opened his eyes a number of days ago.”
“A spokesman for Hadassah Hospital said that though Sharon had been moving his eyelids, the medical ramfications of such movement are unclear.”
Hadassah Denies Report that Sharon Opened His Eyes
Excerpts;
“Hadassah officials denied Monday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had emerged from his coma after an erroneous report was circulated that Sharon had opened his eyes.”
“Doctors reported that Sharon had not opened his eyes, but that if he had, it would have been a reflex often observed in comatose patients.”
Source: Sharon Opened His Eyes
Excerpts;
“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has opened his eyes in his Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital bed, a source close to the prime minster told Ynet on Monday.”
“The prime minister apparently opened his eyes after hearing a recording of his grandson’s voice.”
“Sharon’s son Gilad arrived at Hadassah this morning with a tape of the grandson’s voice and played it in the prime minister’s hospital room. People who were present said Sharon first became teary-eyed, and then opened his eyes.”
“However, the prime minister’s eyes shut once again just as doctors were racing to his room.”
“Sharon is still under the influence of sedative drugs after undergoing yet another operation on Sunday.”
“A senior hospital official verified the report, saying Sharon had opened his eyes twice on Monday morning.”
“‘Even a patient in a vegetative state opens his eyes'”
“Despite the excitement stirred by the recent news on Sharon, hospital sources curbed the enthusiasm, saying it remains too early to tell whether the fact that the prime minister opened his eyes constitutes a major development or just a temporary reflex.”
“Hadassah Ein Kerem’s Spokeswoman Yael Bosem Levi said in response that ‘this is the impression of relatives from eyelid movements, whose medical significance is unclear at present.'”
Yahoo also checks in this report;