No big deal in country that had Golda Mier as PM through some pretty tough times. But she is less grandmotherly looking than Golda.
Posted on 01/13/2006 12:05:35 PM PST by NormsRevenge
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's failure to wake up from a coma nine days after suffering a massive stroke does not bode well for his recovery, some doctors said Friday.
With extensive brain damage looking likely, Israelis have begun to look ahead to life without Sharon.
Sharon, 77, remained in "critical but stable" condition Friday, showing no change from the previous day, said Hadassah Hospital spokesman Ron Krumer.
Israel's Channel 10 TV and Army Radio cited Hadassah officials as saying they were worried Sharon has shown no signs of awakening, even though doctors have begun weaning him off heavy sedatives used to keep his blood pressure in check and give his brain time to heal.
However, Krumer and outside experts cautioned it's too early to make conclusions about Sharon's long-term prospects. He's still receiving minimal amounts of sedatives, Krumer said, adding, "The period of time it takes a patient to wake up from such a condition after undergoing such an event differs from one patient to another."
Sharon's two sons have been playing classical music by his bedside in an effort to rouse him. Although doctors induced a coma, the condition may also be due to the Jan. 4 stroke itself.
Channel 1 TV cited one of Sharon's neurosurgeons, Dr. Felix Umansky, as saying he was optimistic Sharon would emerge from his coma within 10 days.
But several outside experts said the prognosis looked poor.
"People can often wake up over a period of weeks and months but if they wake up faster obviously it bodes better," said Dr. Howard Riina, professor of neurological surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. "The fact that he's not completely awake at this point does not bode well for a good neurologic recovery."
Dr. Nick Ward, a neurologist at London's University College, was more blunt.
"It's a bad prognostic indicator," he said. "He's not going to get back to normal, that's for sure."
Maurizio Miglietta, chief of Trauma and Critical Care at NYU Medical Center, said cerebral bleeding in the wake of Sharon's stroke means that "he's not the average stroke patient." A longer coma is probably to be expected, he said.
"Neurosurgical patients sometimes don't wake up for a week or even two weeks afterwards," Miglietta said. "It's not uncommon."
Doctors have reported only slight improvement in Sharon's condition in the past several days, centering on small movements of limbs in response to pain.
A brain scan on Thursday showed the remnants of blood in his brain have been absorbed, the hospital said. In response, doctors removed a tube they had inserted into his skull to relieve pressure on his brain.
The longer it takes for Sharon to regain consciousness, however, the greater the concern about extensive brain damage.
Sharon's stroke and subsequent surgeries plunged both Israeli politics and Mideast peace prospects into turmoil, as he was seen as the politician best positioned to end Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.
In a sign that Israelis are moving on, however, the prime minister's condition was taken off the front pages of several Israeli newspapers Friday. Television has returned to normal programming, and many Israelis watched a basketball game on TV Thursday night.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with two U.S. envoys Friday to discuss Jan. 25 Palestinian parliamentary elections, which have stirred wide concern because of Hamas militants' participation in them.
Also Friday, Israel Radio reported Olmert will appoint the popular justice minister, Tzipi Livni, as the new foreign minister, making her the most senior woman in the government.
Prayers for the P.M.
Pat Robertson must be happy now.
God bless Ariel Sharon.
I'm sorry to say that this mirrors almost precisely what happened to my mom last year. At first there was significant improvement and she had even began answering some questions with nods and head shaking. The last time I saw any sign of conciousness she was rubbing my hair and then my face. I left that day and she had the surgery to repair the aneurysm the next day. She never fully regained conciousness again, instead lingering in a coma for 4 months and then silently passing away. Pray for his family. They are truly hurting and yet trying to hold on to hope right now. Pray that he isn't suffering and that they have their chances to make peace with him and say good-bye.
Sorry for your loss, prayers up for the repose of your mom's soul.
Prayers up for the PM.
The media was overdosing on optimistic predictions but is silent on the fact that he is not recovering. The Israeli media is much worse than ours in terms of blatant bias. Israel needs its own Rush Limbaughs and Sean Hannitys. I still supsect Sharon is being kept alive for political purposes.
Thank you, she was a Christian.
Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.
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What sweet memories though - of your last visit.
This year of firsts as I'm told it's called - is pretty rough. It's good to have the sweet almost good bye you did.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Classical music... to rouse him? ??? What are they thinking? The scent of the lamb shwarma would have been better, or a tape of Yassir Arafat. Maybe they should invite Anna Nichol to lean over his bed. Oh wait, they wouldn't want him to have a stroke.
Poor old guy.
They could try telling him how much his country needs him.
Try:
http://www.arutzsheva.com
http://www.israelnationalradio.com
Pat has apologized for his "insensitive" remarks. I don't know if the apology, in an open letter to Ari's son, was accepted or not. If it is, that should be the end of it. And if it's not, it should be between Pat and Sharon's family.
No big deal in country that had Golda Mier as PM through some pretty tough times. But she is less grandmotherly looking than Golda.
You're right that lamb or Yasser might work. You must be a doctor.
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