OT: Manute Bol in Hospital

[EL PRESIDENTE]

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/k...ospitalized.In.Virginia.On.Way.Back.To.Olathe

Manute Bol, recognized on the court for his legendary skill as a center, and off the court for his 7'7" height, was on his way home to Olathe from his native Southern Sudan when he fell ill.

He underwent emergency dialysis for kidney failure and got immediate medication for a rare skin disease known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Speaking from Manute's bedside last night, his cousin, George Bol said the skin condition is very painful and is causing Manute to lose skin over 10% of his body.

"He might be getting transferred in the next 48 hours to a different hospital that has a burn unit,or a better burn unit."

Manute Bol has been building schools around his village in the Twic county in Southern Sudan. He's also been monitoring the peace agreement between the South and Khartoum government in the North. Bol wanted to be there to help maintain peace and fairness during April elections

FB Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117688578270520&v=wall

 

[BlazerBeliever]

I thought he was in a car accident a couple years ago also where he injured his neck. Not positive however.

 

[Loyalty4Life]

Get well Manute. This syndrome looks just horrible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevens–Johnson_syndrome

I really feel for him.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Get well Manute. This syndrome looks just horrible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevens–Johnson_syndrome

I really feel for him.

It's some serious shit. My son almost died from it three and a half years ago. He was only 11 at the time and also had double pneumonia. In his case, it was his 4th outbreak of SJS, each one worse than the previous. In fact, it wasn't even properly diagnosed until it almost killed him.

Once it was diagnosed, we were able to indentify ibuprophen as the cause of the outbreaks (it was the common factor to all four of his outbreaks). It is an auto-immune disorder often caused by a reaction to medication, but it can also be triggered by a bacterial infection.

In addition to a high mortality rate, the pain is incredibly intense and the risk of infection is extrememly high - which is why victims are often treated in hospital burn units. Permanent blindness is also a common result of an outbreak of Stevens-Johnsons.

Unless you have a very strong stomach, don't do a google image search on Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome. The images, especially of children, are very grueseome.

Manute Bol is a very generous man who has donated most of what he made in the NBA to help suffering children in his native Sudan. Even beyond what he made as an NBA player, he has continued to raise money for charitible causes. I hope he has a quick recovery and that they are able to determine the cause of his Stevens-Johnsons so he can avoid future outbreaks and continue to do his charity work.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Here's another link with some additional information on Manute Bol's current condition.

Quoting from that article:

"He's at great risk," Prichard said. "He's in a bad way."

Bol, 47, had been in Sudan to work on his school project, but was asked to stay through the elections this spring, Prichard said. The former center canceled a string of speaking engagements, including an appearance at a Wizards game, to help with the elections in his county, a key electoral region. While Bol was gone, his wife also gave birth to a daughter, whom he has yet to meet.

Prichard said Bol is on morphine and in terrible pain, but is able to talk with visitors and seems to be stabilizing.

"He's pleased that he accomplished what he was so determined to do in Sudan," Prichard said. "He was fighting with every bit of his strength to try to keep Southern Sudan on course towards a referendum in January of next year. ... It put him right on the edge of survival, and he made it."

He's still in intensive care and has a ways to go, but I hope he makes a full recovery. I hate to see anyone suffer from this horrible disease, and would never wish it on anyone. But, Bol's celebrity status should help raise awarness about Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. One reason SJS has such a high mortality rate is it's difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages. The best chance for a positive outcome is immediate treatment. Raising awareness about this disease among doctors and ER personnel should help others get treatment sooner, and that could save lives.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Get well soon, Big Fella.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

wait, "legendary skill?"

 

[Sex Panther]

I wish him the best.

Get well.

 

[BrianFromWA]

not many have been professional basketball players and hockey goalies.

 

[THE HCP]

I just remember him bombin' 3's 1 game when he was with Warriors!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manute_Bol

 

[huevonkiller]

God I hope he is ok. That sounds extremely serious.

 

[crandc]

Wishing Manute the best, one of the good guys.