Sharon Begins Breathing As Sedation Reduced

Senior physicians treating Ariel Sharon at Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem, said Monday that the prime minister had begun breathing on his own after his sedation was reduced but that his condition remains critical and he was still hooked up to a respirator.

The level of sedation is to be reduced gradually to gauge Sharon's responsiveness and the extent to which the 77-year-old leader's faculties have been impaired. The process could take hours or even days.

FULL STORY at
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/668041.html
 
Hospital: PM Breathing Independently
A senior neurosurgeon at Tel Hashomer's Sheba Hospital told Ynet the latest report on Sharon is encouraging, but does not indicate movement or cognitive functioning.

"Independent breathing is positive, but it does not indicate general functioning of the brain. Even in extensive brain damage, when a patient is defined as a 'vegetable', it is possible to breathe independently," he said.

FULL STORY AT
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3197415,00.html

Sharon Begins to Emerge Slowly from Induced Coma
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=96301

 
Doctors Emphasize PM's Condition Is Still Serious
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1136361039798&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull