Baen update

[editrx]

No real news from North Carolina: Jim Baen remains in a coma, though we have reports from the hospital staff via Toni and Marla that he is resting comfortably and shows no signs of being in pain. The coma is persistent

Comments

[editrx]

The problem is where the damage is located, as I keep posting. There is major damage to the thalmus, which controls consciousness. The doctors are "not hopeful" (read that as you will) that he can gain any consciousness, and that damage is neither reversible nor can the brain rewire that sort of working. When the thalmus stops working properly, you don't wake up. Hence everyone's concern that he can't wake no matter how long we wait. This was a bleed, though of course the bleeding has long been stopped with blood thinners now. But the damage was done.

Bleed?

[anonymous]

though of course the bleeding has long been stopped with blood thinners now

You don't stop bleeding with blood thinners. They'd make bleeding worse.

Do you have positive information that it was a bleed rather than a blockage, btw? The fact it is bilateral doesn't mean it was a bleed, since much of the thalamus is irrigated by a single centrally located artery, the basilar artery, which runs up the front of the brainstem. Blockage high on the basilar artery would take out much of the thalamus, bilaterally (depending on how much circulation could be redirected back through the Circle of Willis, the redundant arterial system connecting the anterior and posterior parts of the brain.)

Re: Bleed?

[editrx]

The clot(s) were contained and being dissolved (so to speak, though of course "dissolved" isn't the medical term, as I well know) by Heparin plus the Coumadin being administered along with his other IV fluids. I misspoke, of course. There was evidence of multiple strokes, as I said in other posts. Please go back and read. Yes, I have positive information that the major stroke as he entered the hospital was a bleed, but no, I'm not going to discuss it here; the details are not something I'm discussing here, as I've said quite clearly in my posts. The thalmus has been compromised in a major fashion; again, if you want to believe me, you may. If you don't, then don't bother to read further or post here anonymously. I'm not here to give EEG or scan results, even if I know them -- that's far more information than the fannish public needs to know about a very private man. I am giving out information that is for public consumption only, for those people like you who, say, post to my journal anonymously. Why? Because the rumor mill is already

[editrx]

Yes! I'm waiting for this particular game of Telephone to morph into "Jim Baen slipped on a stray book, fell into a coma, and his nineteen children, five dogs, and three wives are by his bedside arguing over his body." (I shouldn't make jokes about this, but one can't help it.)

[editrx]

Uh-yuh ... I still make some pretty macabre jokes about my mother and her mode of death, which included a stiff drink.

[msmemory]

Thanks for the update.

[editrx]

Elric let me know your own update via email; I really want to see you guys!

[brownkitty]

Thank you for sharing the news.

[cordova829]

Thanks for the update.