Despite optimism, PM's condition unchanged

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.

However, it appears the optimism was too early. Monday evening, hospital officials announced there is no change in the prime minister's condition.

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.

'This is great news.' Kadima party meeting (Photo: AFP)

However, the prime minister’s eyes shut once again just as doctors were racing to his room.

“Today is a big day for us. We are happy but remain anxious,” Sharon’s adopted son Ronny Schayek told Ynet.

“Gilad told him (Sharon), ‘Dad, dad,’ then Sharon opened his eyes for the first time,” Ronny added.

“We are happy. That’s great news, after the difficult days we have been through. Yet we are attentive to the hospital and the team of doctors and are hoping for the best,” he said.

Schayek, 45, was adopted by the Sharon family 20 years ago. He is a close friend of Gilad with whom he served as a paratrooper in the IDF.

PM's adopted son Ronny Schayek at Hadassah (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) 

Ronny organized the funeral of Sharon’s late wife Lili and accompanied his adoptive father on the infamous visit to the Temple Mount in September 2000.

The news spread quickly, and at around noon Kabbalist Rabbi David Batzri, along with his son Shlomo arrived at the hospital to visit the PM, on the family's invitation.

Rabbi Batzri, who is associated with the Sharon family, has visited the ailing leader several times since his hospitalization, and held prayers at his bedside.

Rabbi Batzri's son Shlomo said, "We left the prime minister's room and prayed for Sharon's wellbeing along with his son Gilad who is in the adjacent room. This is wonderful news. We must be faithful to the Lord, so that he brings remedy to Sharon. I call the people of Israel on my father's behalf to read psalms for the prime minister's sake."

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 attempted to curb 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."

Professor Martin Rabay, a senior neurological doctor at the Assaf Harofeh hospital said, “There is no clinical significance to a patient opening his eyes. Even a patient in a vegetative state opens his eyes. The opening of the eyes is an independent act. But a patient, even in a vegetative state, sometimes opens his eyes when his name is called.”

However, Dr. Zeev Feldman, a neurosurgeon at Tel Hashomer hospital outside Tel Aviv told Ynet that "the fact Sharon has opened his eyes marks a significant improvement. This means substantial progress on the Glasgow Scale, which measures the level of consciousness."

Excitement in Kadima

Immediately after the meeting of the Kadima party concluded Monday, party members were swamped with calls and reports on the PM's condition, while some rushed to the hospital to learn more of his state.

One of Sharon's close associates told Ynet: "This is an extraordinary thing, it's great, but we need to be cautious. His condition may change, we must be aware of the fact that his condition is still difficult."

Minister Meir Sheetrit said that "if this is true, then this is great news. We are excited and hope to get more good news soon." Minister Tzachi Hanegbi on his part said that "this is a fascinating report. There is still hope."

Sharon, who remains in serious but stable condition, has been unconscious for about two weeks after being subjected to a medically-induced coma following the severe stroke he suffered. The prime minister underwent a CT scan Sunday evening, after which he was taken into surgery to insert a tube through his neck into his windpipe in order to replace the connection to his ventilation machine.

The operation was successfully carried out under general anesthetic, and was part of a planned procedure for the prime minister.

Attila Somfalvi and Meital Yasur Beit-Or contributed to the report