Although the odds are against him, Bee Gees legend Robin Gibb woke up from a coma and is showing an indomitable fighting spirit.
In a statement to RumorFix, Robin’s physician and gastroenterologist Dr. Andrew Thillainayagam, says, “It is testament to Robin’s extraordinary courage, iron will and deep reserves of physical strength that he has overcome quite incredible odds to get where he is now.”
For the first time, the doctor explains what went wrong with the music legend.
Despite having advanced colorectal cancer, Robin responded well to aggressive chemotherapy, he said, “but went on to need two emergency operations in the space of two months.” That’s when he got pneumonia. “Eventually, he developed serious respiratory failure and was unable to ventilate his lungs on his own. We had to place him on artificial ventilation.”
PICTURES: Robin Gibb Looking Healthy In 2010
“The prognosis was very grave, given that Robin had brain swelling from liver failure, a severe pneumonia and a weakened immune system from malnutrition. I have managed Robin’s series of acute medical problems very aggressively according to his explicit wishes. However, only three days ago, I warned Robin’s wife, Dwina, son, Robin John and brother, Barry, that I feared the worst. We felt it was very likely that Robin would succumb to what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles to any form of meaningful recovery. As a team, we were all concerned that we might be approaching the realms of futility,” Dr. Thillainayagam said.
Then the miracle.
“Robin is fully conscious, lucid and able to speak to his loved ones. He is breathing on his own, with an oxygen mask. He is on intravenous feeding and antibiotics. He is of course, exhausted, extremely weak and malnourished. Our immediate goals are to ensure that Robin’s swallowing mechanism is safe enough to allow him to eat and drink, and that he recovers enough strength to breathe effectively, without needing high levels of oxygen by mask. When this happens, we will be able to begin the process of nutritional and physical rehabilitation and may be able to move him from the intensive care unit to the ward,” the physician revealed.
Robin’s wife, Dwina, son, Robin-John, son, Spencer, and daughter, Melissa,have been at his bedside every day, talking to him and playing his favorite music to him . “They have been tireless in their determination never to give up on him,” said Dr. Thillainayagm. “The road ahead for Robin remains uncertain but it is a privilege to look after such an extraordinary human being
