(photo from WireImage)
Bret Michaels’ manager
Janna has updated us his condition on his Facebook page.
Test results indicate a setback in Bret Michaels condition a side effect from the brain hemorrhage called hyponatremia a lack of sodium in the body which leads to seizures.
Michaels’ medical workup demonstrated findings of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a type of stroke that causes bleeding in the fluid-filled spaces around the base of the brain. It presents itself suddenly as the sound of a loud gunshot or thunderclap at the back of the head causing severe cranial pain and muscle spasms. Many people are speculating Michaels head injury suffered from a prop striking the singer at the Tony awards last June is the cause. Additional studies are planned throughout the week to hopefully detect the exact cause of the rupture. Coupled with the fact that Michaels is a lifelong Type 1 diabetic and has recently undergone emergency appendectomy surgery while on tour in San Antonio, he will remain monitored closely by his medical team to make sure no complications occur from the diabetes.
The most common cause of this condition is a spontaneous rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, however, 15 to 20 percent of spontaneous episodes of this hemorrhage are found to have no cause. Michaels has undergone a continuous series of tests while in the ICU including angiograms, CT scans, MRI’s and transcranial dopplers (TCD’s). Doctors state Michaels is very lucky as his condition could have been fatal. With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take several weeks to months. Michaels remains under 24-hour observation in the ICU and is in positive spirits. He is responding well to tests and treatments. Even though today was a minor setback Doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery and plan to release more specific information next Monday.
Bret’s bandmate Pete Evick wrote a letter and posted it on Bret Michaels’ Facebook explaining why there has been so much secrecy about his condition.
Hey everyone. Much like Janna, I rarely speak out about Bret other than my own personal facebook comments. But I wanted to reach out to all of you and let you know that we who are closest to Bret, are overwhelmed with the amount of love and well wishes he is receiving. I know that everyone is waiting for some OFFICIAL news, however we just cant give any right now. This is a time for family, a time for healing and a time for love. It is out of respect first and foremost for his precious daughters, their mother and his immediate family that none of us say anything. The press has a way of taking information and doing what they want with it. At a critical time, we who care deepest for him, refuse to offer any information that can be delivered incorrectly. Imagine if your children or parents read something even slightly not true about you or your health on the internet. Its not fun.
I respect their decision and I will be only posting their updates on his condition. Several other news sources (some so-called reliable ones) have posted updates on his condition that have proven false. I really hope the next update is that the blood in his brain is starting to dissolve. I pray that he has to speedy and full recovery.
