Hi Sherry,After I had already emailed John the "Ariel Sharon may be nearing death" letter I realized that it was an old article and that the multitude of medical setbacks were in the early stages of Sharon's 4 1/2 years illness.You noted how uncanny it was regarding the fact that the article detailing Ariel Sharon's declining condition that was from 2006 was originally published on July 26, 2006 and that it just so happened that to the date, July 26, 2010, it was "re-published" on the Doves.Also odd is the fact that the article is displayed on the Haaretz website with the current date, as if it is recent news, newly published (as I mistook at first).So, what I had thought was current news of recent life threatening medical issues was actually all the numerous ensuing medical problems following Sharon's debilitating strokes from early 2006.It is indeed extraordinary that Ariel Sharon has survived for four and half years in a coma. From a medical standpoint, the fact that he even survived all the multiple potentially fatal medical complications, experienced early on, is nothing short of a miracle.I will give a rundown on the many medical complications that from my perspective as an RN, would/should/could have ordinarily been fatal.It is amazing that Ariel Sharon was able to survive multiple serious infections that singularly could kill a young and healthy person.Sharon apparently had a embolitic(traveling clot) stroke initially caused by an atrial septal defect (ASD) commonly known as a "hole" in his heart. Note that ASD is usually a congenital (at birth) defect that is usually surgically repaired in early childhood.Granted that the medical field was not as advanced in Sharon's youth, but one would think that the ASD would have necessitated repair prior to the age of 77. Ironically, he had the first stroke the night before he was going to have a cardiac catherization for the ASD.The ASD was purported to be the cause of the first stroke which caused an embolus (clot) that traveled to and obstructed his cerebral arteries in his brain. Apparently the anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to treat this first stroke in mid December 2005 helped precipitate the second stroke that occurred on January 2, 2006.The second stroke was from a blood vessel rupturing and bleeding into the cranium (skull). Due to the increased intracranial pressure from the massive hemorrhaging (bleeding) into his skull from this second (hemorrhagic) stroke, Sharon underwent two lengthy neurosurgeries. The first sugery lasted SEVEN hours and the second surgery lasted FOURTEEN hours."A "massive cerebral hemorrhage" led to bleeding in his brain which doctors eventually brought under control the following morning after performing two separate operations. After the first operation, lasting seven hours, Hadassah Director Shlomo Mor-Yosef reported Sharon's bleeding had stopped and his brain was functioning without artificial support.[30] After a second, 14-hour surgery, Sharon was placed on a ventilator and some reports suggested that he was suffering from paralysis in his lower body, while others said he was still fighting for his life."Note that about 30% to 60% of people with an intracerebral hemorrhage die (as was Sharon's second stroke). In those who survive long enough to reach an emergency room, bleeding usually has stopped by the time they are seen by a doctor. Many people with ruptured aneurysms or subarachnoid hemorrhages also do not survive long enough to reach a hospital. Of those who do, about 50% die within the first month of treatment.Sharon surviving the second stroke was against incredible odds to begin with. The complications following that he survived as well are incredible.The month following the hemorrhagic stroke, February 2006, Sharon underwent two more surgeries for bowel and stomach complications:"Sharon underwent subsequent surgeries the following month. On 11 February 2006, doctors performed emergency surgery to remove 50 cm of his large intestine that had become necrotic, probably because of a blood clot.[32] On 22 February, he underwent an additional procedure to drain excess fluid from his stomach, discovered during a CT scan."In July 2006 Sharon worsened with his kidneys starting to fail so he was put on hemodialysis and he also was treated for a blood infection (sepsis).In August 2006 he was diagnosed with double pneumonia which was treated and resolved.In November 2006, Sharon was back in ICU being treated for a cardiac (heart) infection which was successfully resolved.To recap, we had a 77 year old obese man with a cardiac problem experiencing both an embolic and a hemorrhagic stroke within a 3 week period. Due to the massive bleeding in his brain from the second stroke he underwent first, a SEVEN hour surgery and then a FOURTEEN hour surgery that left him paralyzed.Within a month, he underwent yet another surgery, this time removing necrotic gut (part of the large intestine had died from a clot). Shortly afterwards, there was another surgery, this time on his stomach for fluid accumulation.Next setback, he started hemodialysis for failing kidneys and also had a blood infection (sepsis). He then had double pneumonia and later a cardiac infection which were all resolved with IV antibiotics.So within less than a year after his TWO strokes, Ariel Sharon had FOUR surgeries, a bout of double pneumonia, a blood infection (sepsis), a heart infection and renal (kidney) failure requiring hemodialysis.Sorry for any redundancy, I just want to make the case of the many serious complications suffered by Sharon, which each one alone could be fatal in itself. As you may know, the more ill and compromised a patient, the less reserves there are to fight infections. In his state of health, it is incredible that Sharon survived such serious infections and other complications.Since, the last reported complication of November 2006, it appears as though Ariel Sharon has been status quo for the past 3 2/3 years in a coma. It is unclear if he is still paralyzed or on a ventilator.Patients who are inactive due to being bedridden are more at risk for pneumonia, bedsores (which themselves can lead to infection) and clots. The fact that Sharon is already predisposed to clot formation (previous stroke and intestinal clot) it is surprising that with his inactivity that there have been no further complications from clots. One clot to the lungs or to the brain can be instantly fatal.From my viewpoint, it is God's grace and divine planning that Ariel Sharon ever survived to begin with as well as the fact that he has no had no further serious complications since November 2006.Surely, God is allowing Ariel Sharon's survival for HIS purposes, which according to Rabbi Kaduri, Sharon's demise will usher in the Messiah.As Christ-followers we realize this equates to be the meeting of the Lord in the air. The Jews who will accept the coming antichrist may equate Kaduri's prophecy thinking it referred to the antichrist as being their Messiah.Let us remember to pray for the salvation of Ariel Sharon and the peace of Jerusalem!GinaSherry Vance (27 July 2010)
"Reply To: Gina McCray (26 July 2010) "Ariel Sharon may be nearing death""
The article which Gina shared concerning Ariel Sharon's condition was published on July 26, 2006. It just so happens that July 26, 2010 is the day it was "re-published" on the Doves. Ariel Sharon is still alive - though we can't say "and well." It is extraordinary that it has been more than 4 years since his stroke and he remains in a coma.An article today (July 26, 2010) in IsraelNationalNews.com stated: "Ariel Sharon still receives a car and driver from the government: "Why does a bedridden patient require a driver? This is a hot potato issue that no one is touching." Curious, isn't it?In January 2010 an article stated: "Raanan Gissin, a close friend and former spokesman, said Sharon is not connected to a respirator but sometimes needs an oxygen mask at night. "There is still no change physiologically. His body functions but he has still not regained consciousness."In October, 2009, there was an article stating: "While not brain-dead, the 81 year old exists in a persistent vegetative state. He generally breathes on his own, but must be fed by a tube. He cannot speak, walk, or think. Probably."In March 2009, another article appeared that was discussing whether or not the Sheba Hospital outside of Tel Aviv, where Sharon was moved to, should continue his treatment there: "The hospital confirmed that Sharon receives care that is unlike what an ordinary citizen would receive but cites Sharon’s “stature and decades-long contribution to the State of Israel.” It said “a constant dialogue is being maintained with the family and the medical team treating him, in order to consider the option of continuing the medical and nursing treatment of Mr. Sharon in a non-hospital environment.” News1 said, however, that Sharon’s family has rejected these suggestions and that wealthy donors who have contributed to the hospital “have been enlisted” in order to “gently” convince the people in charge that the hospital would do better to allow Sharon to stay. The report hints that the donors linked between their continued support of the hospital and a decision to allow Sharon to remain there."There's a reason why Ariel Sharon remains alive....and only God truly knows what it is. But it may be that Sharon could be our (those who are watching and will 'know') "Methuselah" ("when he dies it shall be sent") - meaning, as did Methuselah's death," that after Ariel Sharon's death, "a great judgment will be sent upon the world." And just as Methuselah's death was 7 days before the Flood came, so might Sharon's death indicate a connection to the Resurrection/Rapture. How so?
"The 17th century midrashic Sefer haYashar ("Book of Jasher"), describes Methuselah with his grandson Noah attempting to persuade the people of the earth to return to godliness. All other very long-lived people died, and Methuselah was the only one of this class left. (My comment: Keep in mind that Noah was the first person never to know Adam. All others before Noah were taught and could "know" about God directly from Adam. Noah did not believe by sight - he had to believe by FAITH.) God planned to bring the flood after all the men who walked in the ways of the Lord had died (besides Noah's nuclear family). Methuselah lived until the ark was built, but died before the flood, since God had promised he would not be killed with the unrighteous."
Perhaps it will be that after the announcement of Ariel Sharon's death, we living believers will not die but be raptured (so as to not be "killed with the unrighteous" in the coming "Flood of Judgment.") I expect to see an announcement of his death in JANUARY 2011. I won't be at all surprised to see it announced on January 19, 2011.
Shalom, Sherry Vance