Breaking News: Sharon Airlifted to Hospital

*Breaking* *UPDATED 7:09pm EST*

(Hat tip: Jameel)

Ariel Sharon was rushed to the hospital, conscious and able to speak (JPost). FoxNews reports he may have suffered a second stroke.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem again late Wednesday night. Sharon, according to Channel 10, reportedly was conscious, and able to speak, but was suffering from some weakness.

The Prime Minister initially complained of feeling chest pressure and pain, and said that in general he wasn't feeling well.

Israeli media reported that he apparently suffered a second stroke. The announcement said he was taken to Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital, where he was scheduled to undergo a heart procedure Thursday to close a hole that contributed to his Dec. 18 stroke.

If he's conscious and speaking, it doesn't sound as bad as the headlines imply. If he can (after tomorrow's surgery) convince the country that he's well enough to run the country for a few years without any more incidents, it may not affect Kadima's power (Knesset seats projected in the mid-30's). Furthermore, there is enough seperation in the confidence people have in Sharon as opposed to Netanyahu and especially Peretz, and the lack of other choices that will make the center happy, to ensure that Kadima continues to move forward. They still are, however, a one-man party.

UPDATE 7:09pm EST: (Hat Tip: SoccerDad) It now looks like it may be worse than originally reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke Wednesday and was on a respirator after falling ill at his ranch. Doctors operated to drain excess blood from his brain.

Powers were transferred to his deputy, Vice Premier Ehud Olmert.

Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director of Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, said Sharon suffered "a significant stroke," adding that he was "under anesthetic and receiving breathing assistance." A few minutes later, Mor-Yosef emerged to say that initial tests showed Sharon had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, or bleeding in his brain.

Mor-Yosef said Sharon, 77 and overweight, had "massive bleeding and was being transferred to an operating theater."

Dr. Shmuel Shapira of Hadassah Hospital told Channel 10 TV that Sharon was taken to an operating room to drain the blood after suffering what he termed a "massive stroke." Israeli TV said the operation would likely take several hours.

Sharon was put in an ambulance at his ranch in the Negev Desert after complaining about feeling unwell. Shapira said the stroke developed while he was being taken to the hospital, a drive of about an hour.

Sharon's personal physician said early Thursday that he expects Sharon to emerge from surgery "safely."

"The prime minister is currently in surgery, it is proceeding properly," said Dr. Shlomo Segev. "We need to wait patiently. "I expect him to emerge from it safely."

Channel 2 TV said Sharon was suffering from paralysis in his lower body. Analysts on Israeli TV stations said his life could be in danger.

Crazy. The article above finishes with what sounds eerily like an obituary. I'm hoping and praying that we do not see one anytime soon.

Technorati tags: Sharon, Stroke, Israel, Kadima.