Hadassah: Change for the better in PM’s condition

(VIDEO) Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital anesthesiologist Dr. Yoram Weiss reported Tuesday evening of a significant change in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s condition, adding that Sharon is not in immediate danger even though his condition is still listed as serious.

Omri Sharon thanks Israeli citizens, doctors (Footage: Channel 2)

“There is still a long way to go and we must be patient,” Weiss told reporters.

“In the first few days we had to stabilize the prime minister as far as pulse and blood pressure parameters are concerned; we’ve succeeded in this. Now we must remain patient as to the next phases."

“We were standing on the edge of a cliff, and now we have stepped five feet away from it.

Weiss said the inflow of sedatives into Sharon’s body has been reduced, but it will be several more days before it is stopped completely. The prime minister’s cognitive state cannot be determined as of yet,” according to the anesthesiologist.

'We cannot predict what tomorrow will bring'

“The medication (the prime minister is receiving) might be making it difficult for us to see any cognitive improvement. We must simply be patient,” he said.

Hadassah Director Prof. Shlomo Mor Yosef said that Sharon's breathing, blood pressure, pulse, bladder functioning and intracranial pressure are all considered normal at this time.

"This is without the assistance of medications to help his blood pressure. The prime minister's body temperature is also normal," he added. 

Mor Yosef, said that “as far as the functioning of Sharon’s brain is concerned, he has moved his right arm and leg more vigorously than yesterday (Monday).

“The prime minister has moved his right arm as well today. These are neurological changes that are indicative of slight progress in the functioning of Sharon’s brain,” he added.

However, Mor Yosef reiterated that the prime minister was still in serious but stable condition.

“We cannot predict what tomorrow will bring,” he said.

As to the prime minister’s treatment for the next 24 hours, Mor Yosef said, “We will continue to gradually reduce the level of sedation and perform neurological tests to assess the functioning of his brain.”

The hospital’s director also addressed the criticism Hadassah received on its treatment of Sharon, saying, “Hadassah’s doctors have been fighting for the prime minister’s life since Wednesday in the hope that his condition will improve and that he will leave the hospital a healthy man.

Scene outside Hadassah hospital (Photo: Reuters)

“During this time we have refrained from responding to the criticism of different experts regarding the treatment of the prime minister. Hadassah’s doctors will not relate to any criticisms or comments until the struggle for Sharon’s life ends.”

'Thank you all'

Sharon’s bodily movements may be even more significant in light of fears that arouse on Monday regarding the possibility that the prime minister would remain paralyzed in the left side of his body due to the damage done to the right side of his brain.

However, doctors continue to stress that the progress made is slow due Sharon’s age and the major trauma he had suffered.

In his first public comments since the hospitalization of his father, Prime Minister Sharon’s eldest son, Omri, thanked the Israeli public for showing concern over the prime minister’s bad health.

In a short address to the media Tuesday from outside Hadassah Hospital, Omri Sharon thanked the medical staff caring for his father.

“I came out here to thank the citizens of Israel on behalf of my family for their affection and concern for my father’s wellbeing,” he said.

“Furthermore, we wish to express our gratitude to Hadassah, the medical team treating my father and his personal doctors, who have been treating him devotedly night and day. Thank you all; it makes us strong.”