Gorres flashes 'thumbs up' sign Vital signs stable after day 3 in hospital

CEBU, Philippines - In a brief but heart-warming gesture, Cebuano boxer Z “The Dream” Gorres made a thumbs up sign at the Intensive Care Unit of University Medical Center in Las Vegas, most probably signifying his condition is getting better and that he is slowly recovering from a brain surgery.

Boxing patron Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer, who nurtured the career of Gorres since the latter was nine years old, said his son and ALA Promotions president Michael P. Aldeguer updated him via text message that Gorres has progressed well and even made a thumbs up sign when told to do so by the head nurse.

“As of 6 pm, Nov. 15 Las Vegas time (10 am yesterday in RP), Z (Gorres) has progressed well and make a thumbs-up sign when asked by the head nurse, a good sign since he followed the command. All of his vital signs also are stable and normal,” said the younger Aldeguer in a press statement.

“The brain pressure has remained stable. Monitoring was not needed anymore. Plan for tomorrow is to decrease sedation and allow him to be more conscious. They will start weaning him from the ventilator in order to allow him to breathe on his own. Please continue to pray for him,” added Aldeguer.

The latest development came like a whiff of fresh air to Gorres’ beloved wife Datches, even as she egged on all the fans and close friends of Gorres to continue to pray for his speedy recovery.

“The outpouring of love and prayers by his fans and close friends have greatly lessened our burden and gives us comfort at this difficult time. For that, I am truly grateful,” said Datches, who has four children with Gorres namely Dheybert, 7; Shayla Dhey, 5; Zhey, 3; and Khodhey, five months old.

“Knowing that his condition is getting better made me smile a little bit. That’s the very least I can do because it really saddens me that he’s on hospital bed and I’m not by his side to comfort him. I hope those who know and idolize him will keep on praying for his full recovery for it is the most powerful thing that gives him the strength and strong will to survive,” she added.

Surprised and baffled

Everytime Gorres is in a tour of duty abroad, he always calls Datches after the fight to report the result. But last Saturday was an exception.

“I was really surprised and at the same time confused because he did not call after the fight. That is very usual for him,” said Datches. “We only learned of the result that he won through text message from a friend. We erupted into cheers after that even though I was still puzzled why he did not call or even just text me about the result.”

Datches said their happiness was cut short when she got a call from Aldeguer informing her of the sad news.

“I really felt as if my whole world has gone down at that moment. Our joy was swiftly blanketed by sorrow,” recounted Datches. She appealed to those unscrupulous individuals to stop spreading nasty text messages and rumors that Gorres has already died because it’s untrue and it only adds to their grief.

Painful win

Gorres, 27, survived a late knockdown to score a unanimous decision victory over Luis Melendez of Colombia during their 10-round duel last Saturday morning (RP time) at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay Hotel.

Gorres completely dominated the bout, but a sledgehammer left shot by Melendez sent him crashing on the canvass with his head bouncing off the bottom rope late in the 10th round. He got up but was clearly hurt.

After the fight, Gorres walked to his corner with shaky legs. A few moments later, he fell prone on the canvass unconscious. He was then taken on a stretcher before being rushed to the UMC trauma unit where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure brought by a blood clot on the left side of his brain.

‘Wait for me’

A few days prior to his rumble with Melendez, Datches said Gorres phoned them up and talked to everyone of them.

“He was in very good mood. He even told our children to just wait for him because it’s only a few more days and he will return home already,” said Datches. “He promised them that once he got home, he will treat us and buy our children something they like most especially that the Christmas season is now in the air.”

With the condition of Gorres right now, the reverse might happen as Datches is most likely the one who will enplane for the US to be at the side of his husband.

“I really want to be with him at the hospital. But that all depends on the decision of Sir ALA (Aldeguer),” said Datches.

If she will be given the green light to fly to the US, Datches will surely bring along with her an extra baggage of hope for a better tomorrow a what the thumbs up sign flashed by Gorres perhaps suggests.  (FREEMAN NEWS)