Wycoco still comatose

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco’s medical condition took a turn for the worse yesterday when his vital signs became unstable during the third straight day of his comatose state at Manila Doctors Hospital.

His doctors have decided to postpone two tests — a CT scan and an electroencephalogram (EEG) — until his blood pressure and heart rate stabilize, according to his attending physician, Dante Morales.

Wycoco’s condition stabilized on Thursday, a day after he suffered a stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

NBI officials who visited him Thursday said Wycoco no longer looked pale. Others said his fingers moved but the doctors said this may have been "spontaneous or a misinterpretation."

Morales said they will try to stabilize Wycoco’s vital signs, "and when accomplished, proceed to do the CT scan. EEG will be done at his bedside."

Their prognosis is that his condition is "still poor" but they remain hopeful that Wycoco’s condition would improve.

In their third medical bulletin to the media, Wycoco’s doctors said his vital signs became unstable early yesterday morning and they are now making attempts to control these with medicines and intravenous fluid replacement.

His breathing is being assisted by a ventilator.

He also has an infection associated with acute medical care for which antibiotics were given.

Radio reports said that Wycoco’s son, Voltaire, arrived from San Francisco and immediately proceeded to the hospital just before 6 a.m. yesterday.

Wycoco’s wife and three other children have been at his bedside since Wednesday.

Voltaire said that he rushed to Manila upon receiving the news. "I just talked to him and we all wish him well."

Many NBI officials and personnel remained in a state of shock because Wycoco led a healthy lifestyle and was often in a light mood.