Tuesday, January 10, with hope that the 77-year old politician was "out of danger."
Speaking to reporters, doctors said he showed movement on his left side for the first time since he suffered a massive stroke and cerebral hemorrhage last week. The Voice Of America (VOA) network quoted medics as saying there was "a noticeable rise in blood pressure" when one of his sons spoke to him.
The prime minister’s condition is serious "but there is no immediate danger to the prime minister’s life," said Sharon’s Chief Anaesthetist Yoram Weiss at Jerusalem’s Hadassah-Ein Kerem Hospital.
"In recent days there has been a significant change in the prime minister’s condition but we still have a long way to go and we all have to be patient. Since yesterday the prime minister has been breathing spontaneously. He is on a respirator but he is the one who is operating the respirator," he added.
REDUCING DRUGS
Doctors said they are gradually reducing the level of drugs being given and monitoring the various parameters, including intra-cranial pressure, to prevent any further damage.
"The plan for the next 24 hours is to continue a reduction in the amount of anesthetic drugs and evaluate his neurological condition," added Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the Director of Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital.
However experts caution it will likely be days before there is a clear picture as to how badly damaged Sharon’s brain is from the stroke he suffered.
NEW ERA
Meanwhile Israelis and world leaders have braced themselves for the end of the Sharon era, and analysts say there are fears his demise could spark new turmoil in a region struggling to find the path to peace after decades of conflict.
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, an influential Christian group based in and supporting Israel and its right to exist, urged believers to pray for the prime minister. Across the world and in Israel itself synagogues have said special prayers for the ailing leader. (With reports from Israel and BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos).
