"On Sunday, Feb. 6, at about 11 a.m., Fr. Frank Doyle was taken from the Arrupe International Residence (Manila, Philippines) to the hospital. Scan revealed a blood clot in his head. Frank is still in the ICU, Medical City, Manila. He is paralyzed on one side and speaks with difficulty though he can recognize people." - Fr. Stephen Chow
Friday, Feb 11, 16:40 message from Jerome who visited Fr. Doyle: "According to the doctors, Fr. Frank's condition is deteriorating. The blood clot in his brain remains and pressure is building up. The edema (fluid leakage due to the pressure) in his brain has increased considerably. Fr. Frank is now intubated as a precautionary measure. The doctors said that if his condition does not improve, they might have to remove part of his skull to lessen the pressure in his brain."
Updates.
Feb 23, 2011
"Fr. Frank, although frequently drowsy, was awake for a good part of this morning. When awake, he is alert and responsive. The level of care in the hospital ICU is good. Nurses follow a schedule of adjusting his body position, and limited physical therapy continues in an attempt to combat muscle atrophy.
Yesterday, cultures were taken from his sputum, and the infectious disease specialist will determine the nature of the infection and prescribe antibiotics. Last night, there was some fever, and, this morning, a diagnosis of pneumonia was made. Until these problems are brought under control, it will not be possible to try to wean him from the assisted ventilation.
He may still receive visitors, two at a time, for limited times. Due to his condition, visitors are asked to wash hands carefully and also to wear masks, in order to protect the patient and also themselves.
The expressions of concern and prayers from many whose lives he has touched over the years are appreciated. Visitors have come even from Hong Kong and New York."
Feb 25, 2011
"Bro. Minister and I (Fr Rector) went to see Fr. Frank yesterday afternoon. He was awake and showed responses to our greetings. The doctors obtained my consent for them to perform tracheostomy on Fr. Frank. The doctor explained that this procedure is necessary because the 2-week period in which Fr. Frank was on intubation
(through the mouth) has elapsed and must be discontinued. He also explained well how the procedure is done, its advantages, but also its disadvantages or risks. So, this morning, at 7:00 am, the doctor said Fr. Frank would undergo this 45-minute to 1-hr procedure, after which he shall be brought back to the ICU. Let us continue to pray for him. "
March 10, 2011
"The scheduled transfer of Fr. Frank to a regular room last Tuesday did not happen because there was an expected surge in his heart rate. But this morning, at around 10:30 he was finally transferred to a regular private room in the fourth floor (Rm. 435). Two private nurses take a 12-hour shift to take care of
him. The nurse who attended to him this morning happily said that Fr. Frank seems responding well particularly to his physiotherapy as there are signs of improvement in the movement of his left arm, and also some provement in his speech. Fr. Rector"