Sonny West In Hospital - Update

 

Sonny West, co-author of the August 1977 gossip book "Elvis What Happened?!" and persona non grata at most Elvis events, took a fall off his daughter's porch. The circumstances are not clear, but apparently the man broke 3 ribs and also has some cuts, abrasions and bruises. He is in the hospital. He'll survive.

 

Update from Sandy Pichon (June 26):

 

When we arrived we were distressed to see him. His color was gray, he had many cuts and abrasions and bruises and his hands, feet and legs were very swollen. His spleen was lacerated and his heart was not functioning normally. He is on oxygen and was in a lot of pain. The dr ordered a CT scan and afterward came in to speak with us. Sonny had blood clots in his lungs (pulmonary emboli) and in his legs. It was urgent that a Vena Cava Filter be put in place to prevent more clots from entering his lungs or his heart. We prayed with him, consent forms were signed and he was taken down. The procedure was performed immediately and his color began to improve. We were able to talk with him more until he asked for more pain meds. He is not out of the woods yet. The dr is unable to put him on blood thinner due to the spleen as a spleen bleed could be fatal, as could the clots. There is a possibility the spleen will have to be removed if it doesn't heal properly. The dr said that the fall actually saved his life as they believe the clots were there before the fall and had he not been brought to the hospital he would have died.

 

 

To me he wasn't Elvis's friend after he betrayed him :angry: but i do hope he makes a full recovery :)

Elvis fans are split when it comes to the West cousins and I, personally, do have time for them. I met Sonny back in 2007 and he seemed a really nice bloke, very charming, but I do understand that other fans don't feel the same way towards him. I've read that his injuries are a lot more serious than initially thought and I wish him very well in his recovery.

Update Sonny West

 

July 5: "Today is Sonny's 73rd birthday. He is still in ICU. Before I left I gave him a gift and Jennie Carpenter had brought him something Sunday which I gave him yesterday. Judy was not at the hospital for the 3:00 visit on Sunday so I was allowed to let Jennie go in with me for 10 minutes. He was very happy to see her. Saturday we "snuck" Danny McCorkle in saying he was a brother - which he is like a brother to Sonny. I think they got wise to us because one of the nurses said what a big family Sonny had LOL...we are doing anything we can to make him smile and yet not tax his strength because he is very weak. I did take all the cards people had sent and he was very touched. When I read him the email from Linda Lou saying they had a prayer chain going he got tears in his eyes and said "God bless her"...I told him how many people loved him and were praying for him and for Judy and he was very touched.

 

Sonny has so many things going on and prayers are needed constantly. A large amount of fluid is still draining from his lungs and also from his chest. Sonny has congestive heart failure, and all the other issues, which I previously have spoken about, including the blood clots and staph infection, are still with him. The staph infection on his left wrist where it originated due to an IV rupturing and not being promptly removed is better. However he still has the staph in his lungs and in the blood clots. He is having a problem moving his legs due to the diabetes, the swelling and poor circulation. I am very concerned about his left foot as it is purple. The drs are aware of it and that is being addressed... They had thought to clamp off the drainage tube to see if his lungs would expand and the fluid would stop, but that wasn't possible because they keep filling up with fluid. They are x-rayng everyday to monitor this.

 

Yesterday he was very tired and didn't feel well at all. He is not eating because he can't swallow regular food- it chokes him. This is due to the irritation from the breathing tube. However the medication causes food to have a metallic taste so he isn't even eating the jello and broth. I told him if he doesn't eat they will put a tube or iv in because he needs the nourishment to build up his strength. Judy was going to talk to the dr about that. The nurses are aware. I haven't spoken to Judy this morning but I did speak to the nurse. He is making improvements PRAISE GOD, but still a long way to go.

 

As you all know, I have been a close friend of Sonny and his family for 37 years. I am also his personal assistant. If you want to send a card or donations, they can be sent to me at P O Box 161052, Memphis TN 38186.

 

Thank you all for your prayers

 

Love, Sandi"

 

July 6: "Sandi: Wonderful News: Sonny is much improved. His breathing has improved, he is in good spisrits, they are starting physical therapy. PRAYER IS SO POWERFUL!!!"

 

Wish him a full recovery!

 

Greta

Sonny West Health Update:

 

Sandi Pichon sent EIN this update today. Sonny is making progress slowly. He has edema in his legs, stomach and hands. He is still on oxygen, but is in really good spirits. The dr said he will remain in the hospital until perhaps the end of this coming week, depending on the fluid. When he goes home, he will have to have a hospital bed as he can't lie flat. He also will have to be on major antibiotics in it to continue treatments infections and the discovered blood clots. Please keep up your prayers. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.

If you want to send a card or donations, they can be sent to me at P O Box 161052, Memphis TN 38186.

Thank you all for your prayers - Warm regards, Sandi

 

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

 

Sounds like Sonny is slowly improving

 

Sonny West Health Update:

 

Sandi Pichon sent EIN this update today. Sonny is making progress slowly. He has edema in his legs, stomach and hands. He is still on oxygen, but is in really good spirits. The dr said he will remain in the hospital until perhaps the end of this coming week, depending on the fluid. When he goes home, he will have to have a hospital bed as he can't lie flat. He also will have to be on major antibiotics in it to continue treatments infections and the discovered blood clots. Please keep up your prayers. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.

If you want to send a card or donations, they can be sent to me at P O Box 161052, Memphis TN 38186.

Thank you all for your prayers - Warm regards, Sandi

 

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNetwork)

 

Sounds like Sonny is slowly improving

 

 

Thats great news :cheer:

Good News Sonny West Heading Home:

 

Both Marty Lacker and Sandi Pichon report that Sonny West’s health is greatly improved and he is heading home at last.

- .. I am happy to report that Sonny West has greatly recovered from his long illness and he is getting stronger every day and he is slated to go home from the hospital this weekend after 47 days in the hospital. His Staph infection is gone and he no longer is losing blood.

He will continue his physical strengthening at a local gym and we are all happy for his return to civilization.

- Marty Lacker

- .. I am so pleased to tell you that Sonny is doing MUCH better! He sounded so strong, and like his old self tonight! He has lost a lot of weight, and has a lot of therapy to do, but he is on the road to recovery at last. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time for Sonny and Judy.

- Sandi

 

(News, Source;ElvisInfoNet

 

Great news