Posted on 01/10/2006 11:10:49 AM PST by Clint N. Suhks
(KDKA/AP) MORGANTOWN Doctors today delivered some discouraging news about the sole survivor from the tragic accident at the sago mine in West Virginia.
They say Randal McCloy Jr. did suffer some brain damage from his 42 hours being trapped in the Sago Mine.
From brain scans, the carbon monoxide seems to have injured the cable system deep in the brain, called the white matter.
KDKA’s Medical Correspondent Dr. Maria Simbra says this area connects brain cells together.
The coating of these nerves has been damaged.
Dr. Simbra says the nerve coating are like the outside of an electric cord.
If it's damaged or worn away, it can short circuit and your nerves do the same thing.
He could have any number of neurological problems because of this.
It could affect movement, language, thinking or seeing, but exactly how he'll be affected isn't clear yet.
"There's a very good chance that that will improve. The time-course of that improvement, the extent of the improvement, of course, we don't know," said Dr. Julian Bailes, a WVU Neurologist.
Doctors have also checked McCloy’s brain waves.
Right now, they are slow.
This could be related to the brain injury itself.
Doctors don't have a reason for his fever yet.
All they're saying is that he doesn't have an obvious infection.
"The fevers that we talked about yesterday persist. They are mild fevers, but nonetheless, concerning," said Dr. Larry Roberts.
Now, Randal McCloy continues to get sedation every once in a while and sometimes that's necessary in the intensive care unit, but he is breathing on his own with just a little help from the ventilator.
Meanwhile, his family stay at his bedside at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
Prayers from TX
Looks dire.
prayers from pa
Fervent prayers that Randal is returned to his loving family.
I fear it may be too late for that. The body of Randal McCloy Jr. may return alive to his family, but the uniqueness that made him -- and kept him -- who he was (his sense of humor, his thoughts, his hopes, his dreams, his loves, his hates, etc.) has flown like a dove from opened hands.
I have a cousin who went though this; not in a mining accident but in a horrific car wreck. Her parents moved heaven and earth to keep her alive, cognoscente, and "bring her back". They did the first two. After 30+ years they are still waiting for the last. I won't go into the physical toll brain damage of this severity has on a person -- and I'm not talking about physical scaring.
To die is not always the worst thing that can happened to you, or to a loved one.
You are entitled to your doom and gloom prognostications.
Unfortunately, I agree with you.
There are different degrees of brain damage; it can be almost unnoticeable or major. From this article, which appears to have been written by a seven-year-old child who also has brain damage, it's impossible to tell what's going on with Randall. I'm terribly sorry for your cousin and even more so for her poor parents, but we can't tell yet if Randall is in the same situation.
My prayers continue for Randal McCloy Jr and his family. I ask that God grant healing to Randal, and peace and comfort to his family. I pray that the brain damage the doctors are claiming is mild, and does not take away from the person he has always been.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
I continue in prayer this man and all his loved ones!
Second that!
I prefer to expect a miracle. His brain can heal. My prayers continue for this young man.
All praise and glory to You, our great and compassionate Father!
Joining in prayer for Randal, for a complete recovery and for his family.
Amen and Amen!
Prayers for Randal.
Praying for the McCloy family. May the Lord bless them.
Amen.
Doctors still have so much to learn about the brain and how it works, it is truly amazing.
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