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CNN Saturday Morning News

Doctors Express Optimism for Shark Attack Victim

Aired July 14, 2001 - 08:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Pensacola, Florida, doctors are expressing optimism over the progress of an 8-year-old shark attack victim. But still, they're being cautious with a positive prognosis. CNN's national correspondent Brian Cabell has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN CABELL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Jessie Arbogast remains in a light coma a week after the shark attack, but doctors now say it's highly likely he will survive. They concede he may have suffered brain damage, but they appear more optimistic than they were earlier in the week.

DR. ROB PATTERSON, PEDIATRIC INTERNIST: When you put his, the, his arm that was not bitten into an uncomfortable position, he does try to move that into a position of comfort. He wiggles his toes.

CABELL: Other positive signs, Jessie is now breathing without a ventilator. His kidneys are improving, though he remains on dialysis. His reattached arm and severely injured leg are healing and he's opening his eyes from time to time, though not necessarily focusing on anything. Doctors say his brain scan is also showing signs of increased electrical activity, all of which points to the remarkable resiliency of children who've suffered intense physical trauma.

DR. BEN RENFROE, PEDIATRIC UROLOGIST: If they're cared for well and stabilized, with god's grace, then we can really have a young man that's in school next year, and that's our hope.

CABELL: That hope is more than Jessie's family might have expected a week ago when a seven foot bull shark ripped Jessie's arm off, tore a large chunk out of his leg and left the boy bleeding almost to death on the beach.

(on camera): Jessie's family is at his bedside almost 24 hours a day, talking to him, stroking his hands and his face, hoping and waiting for him to emerge from his coma.

Brian Cabell, CNN, Pensacola, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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