Cesar Garcia continuing recovery in Colo. hospital

    People turned out in droves for a benefit Saturday for Cesar Garcia of Imperial, who continues to recover in a Colorado hospital from blood clots in the two main arteries of his brain.
    His brother, Misael, said Cesar, 32, continues to improve each day, but believes it will be several weeks before he can leave Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado.
    Cesar has been diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The clots prevent blood from draining out of the brain. Blood cells may break and leak blood into the brain tissues, forming a hemorrhage.
    Misael Garcia said his brother had been complaining of headaches for three to four days before waking up early the morning of April 29 when the pain was “pretty bad.” The right side of Cesar’s body was also “unresponsive,” he said.
    His family took him to Chase County Community Hospital, arriving at the ER about 7:15 that morning. After initial treatment, Dr. Younger saw his CT scans, after which a helicopter transport was arranged, bound for Swedish Medical Center.
    Cesar underwent two separate hours-long procedures that day and evening to drain blood from his brain, his brother said.
    He remained in the ICU until Saturday, when he was moved to a regular room. He is off oxygen and is breathing on his own, Misael said.
    He has also started some therapy. He is conscious, moving his extremities and showing a lot of progress, his brother added. He is reacting to conversation, although on Monday he was still unable to speak, he said.
    Cesar owns Garcia Concrete in Imperial, and was a 2008 graduate of Chase County Schools.
    He and his wife Rossely have two children.
    His parents are Cesar and Olga Garcia. He also has a sister, Lydia.
    The benefit held Saturday at St. Patrick Parish Hall will help Garcia with medical expenses, his brother said.
    Saturday’s benefit included a full Mexican food buffet and a raffle. A small John Deere motor owned by Al Doolittle powered an ice cream machine on site that provided attendees with homemade ice cream.