To keep this coverage in proper perspective; here are the previous (1, 2, 3) posts regarding Prime Minister Sharon’s Stroke.
Tuesday Coverage;
Sharon Released; Was More Confused than Reported Tuesday, December 20, 2005 / 19 Kislev 5766
Sharon Leaves Hospital as Medical Staff Speak Out
Excerpts;
“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was released from Hadassah Hospital Tuesday amid reports by his medical team that Monday’s press conference did not disclose “the whole truth” about his stroke.”
“The senior doctors of Hadassah Hospital held a press conference Monday and outlined Sharon’s condition for the press. Head of Neurology at Hadassah Prof. Tamir Ben-Hur stressed that Sharon never lost consciousness, was not confused at any point and did not suffer any paralysis due to the stroke. Dr. Ben-Hur said Sharon’s only problem was slight difficulty in speaking.”
“The medical team that treated the prime minister when he was first brought to the hospital, however, told the Maariv newspaper that Sharon had been quite confused for most of an hour.”
“‘What was said at the press conference was, to understate, not exact,’ they said. ‘The prime minister did not know what day it was, what time is was or where he was. For 45 minutes he could not count or perform basic movements.'”
Sharon Released From Hospital — Video
More Backgound on the extent of Sharon’s condition;
Medical Staff: Sharon Was in Worse Shape Than Revealed in Press Conference
Regarding the extent of Sharon’s Condition; Barak of IRIS has put together a comprehensive report on the situation which can be found here.
And this author has assembled various contradictory, conflicting points in the initial reporting of the events surrounding Sharon’s stroke;
Are We Getting Stone-walled on Sharon’s True Medical Condition?
Consider these Headlines and excerpts as the Sharon Stroke event was unfolding;
Sharon Rushed to Jerusalem Hospital After Minor Stroke
Excerpts:
“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to hospital in Jerusalem on Sunday evening after suffering a minor stroke[3] and briefly losing consciousness.[2] His doctors later said that the prime minister was in a stable condition and was undergoing tests.”
“The 77-year-old had been taken to Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in his own vehicle after complaining of feeling unwell.” [1]
“He is conscious, speaking and joking, and moving all parts of his body,” Channel 1 said, quoting unidentified doctors.
“The prime minister had reportedly been unconscious when he arrived at Hadassah, but later came round. ‘He lost consciousness on the way to hospital and then regained it,’ said one medic.”[2]
“In an official statement made some 45 minutes after the prime minister arrived, Dr. Yuval Weiss, deputy manager of Hadassah, confirmed to the waiting press outside the hospital that Sharon was fully conscious and undergoing tests.”
“‘Ariel Sharon was brought here about 8. He has full consciousness and he’s undergoing medical examinations,’ said Weiss.”
“The prime minister is conscious. He is undergoing tests.
His condition is stable,” Professor Shmuel Shapira told Channel 1 television.
Sharon Hospitalized with Slight Stroke; Coming Hours Critical
Excerpts:
“At around 8:00 P.M., as Sharon was leaving his office to return home, he fell ill and was immediately brought to the hospital. According to reports, the prime minister did not lose consciousness.[2]”
“Doctors, suspecting that Sharon suffered a slight stroke[3], have already begun to run tests to assess his condition. One of the tests administered to the prime minister is an MRI brain scan. The test did not indicate a problem that required treatment.”
“At 10:00 P.M., according to Israel radio, hospital doctors reported Sharon’s condition as good and requiring no special treatment for his disorder. He will, however, spend the night in the hospital.”
Sharon Was Meeting Peres When He Blacked Out[4]
Excerpts:
“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has regained consciousness after blacking out in his office while meeting with Vice-Prime Minister Shimon Peres.”[4]
“He was transported in a stretcher to a vehicle, where he was transported to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital’s Trauma Unit.”[1]
Sharon Stable After “Minor Stroke”[3]
Excerpts;
“JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, battling for re-election after spearheading a Gaza pullout, suffered a minor stroke[3] on Sunday and was rushed to hospital, where doctors said he was in stable condition.”
“Aides said Sharon, 77, felt unwell after finishing a series of meetings at his Jerusalem office[4] and was taken to Hadassah hospital, where he underwent a brain scan.”
“‘ He lost consciousness[2] on the way to hospital and then regained it,’ one medic told reporters earlier.”
“Channel 1 said doctors believed that Sharon’s condition was not life-threatening but that he would be kept overnight in hospital for observation and tests.”
“Doctors usually have a three-hour window in which to administer a drug, called TPA, to try to dissolve a blood clot in the event of a stroke.”[3]
“The portly Sharon has occasionally looked drawn during the months of struggling to push through the withdrawal, but there had been no major health scares.”
PM in Stable Condition, to Stay at Hadassah Overnight
Original JPost Headline: PM Sharon Suffers Light Stroke[3], Rushed to Hospital
Excerpts;
“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem after suffering a light stroke[3] on Sunday evening.”
“Deputy director of the hospital, Prof. Yuval Weiss related in a press conference that the prime minister remained conscious continuously since his arrival at 7:50 p.m. Weiss added that Sharon’s condition improved during his hospitalization. He was sent to the internal medicine department and although he was to remain in Hadassah overnight, he was expected to be released in the morning.”
“Hospital deputy director Professor Shmuel Shapira said the prime minister was conscious and was undergoing tests. He added that Sharon’s condition was stable, and that it was too early to know exactly what happened to him. Shapira would not discuss Sharon’s condition further, saying the prime minister had a right to medical privacy.”[2.3]
“Earlier reports claimed that the prime minister lost consciousness on the ride to the hospital, had to be taken into the trauma room on a stretcher[1] and was confused when he awoke. However, according to reports from several other sources, including that of the hospital’s deputy director, the prime minister did not lose consciousness at any point[2], and even walked on his own into the trauma room[1].”
“Sources close to the prime minister told the media that the prime minister’s life was not in danger, but doctors treating Sharon were limited in their reports by Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) regulations.”
Excerpts:
“PM evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital after suffering mild stroke; Hospital spokesman says PM is ‘fully conscious’; Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on standby to assume control if needed; PM in stable condition.”
“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital at around 7:50 p.m. Sunday evening after suffering a mild stroke[2]. Sharon’s condition has improved, and he is currently reported to be in stable condition. He may be released from hospital in the near future.”
“Sharon associates said the prime minister’s life was not in danger. Meanwhile, large police and Shin Bet forces blocked the entrance to the emergency room upon the PM’s arrival.”
“Hadassah’s deputy director, Dr. Yuval Weiss, addressed the many reporters at the hospital and said the prime minister ‘is fully conscious,’ but refused to answer any questions. Sharon’s personal physician also arrived at the hospital to monitor the situation closely.”
“Earlier, hospital sources said the prime minister was rushed to an MRI test to ascertain whether he indeed suffered a stroke.[2]”
“Sharon’s motorcade then sped to Hadassah hospital, where doctors diagnosed a minor stroke caused by a blockage of blood to the brain, hospital sources said.”[2]
The prime minister was evacuated to hospital by his aides and security guards. He was taken to the hospital’s trauma unit, in accordance with regular procedure, and is staying at a VIP room set up for such cases.
“Eyewitnesses said Sharon looked dazed upon his arrival at Hadassah. Currently he is said to be conscious and is cooperating with the doctors.”
Commentary:
Are We Getting Stone-walled by Kadima, the Sharon Family on Sharon’s True Medical Condition?
Is there a massive cover-up going on concerning Sharon’s true condition? Keep this in mind, quite a few politicians have burned their bridges behind them with their previous parties and with the voters. HaNegbi, Mofaz, Livni and Olmert are the ones coming immediately to mind. Likud party members won’t quickly forget Mofaz’s letter to them pleading for support with one foot out the door.
The motivation is there among these four, as well as “Kojak” Omri and the others to keep Sharon propped up in the “cat-bird seat.” Were Sharon in a publically incapacited state, Kadima implodes (T.O. Syndrome) from internal squabbling amongst all of the former Likud and Labor loose cannons and disappears into oblivion come 28 March, 2006. MB
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