Up date on condition of Alex Ramos

[holmcall]

That's tough man; hope he makes it. I may have missed it, but what started the problems? Did seizures just come on or has he been ill for a while? Anyway; best wishes.

Here is another earlier email I received:

Alex was moved to the Intensive Care Unit at about 5 today. He
remains heavily sedated and on the respirator. The Neurologist saw
him today and the are nearly certain that Alex had one or more severe
seizures and probably an asthma attack. His lungs are wheezing and
they are caring for that condition. The neurologist did a test to
determine whether Alex's eyes would respond to light and they did,
which is a good thing. I know that he is in pain because he cries out
and he had a seizure while I was there. Thank God he is so heavily
sedated. I am pretty sure he has no clue how sick he is. '

The hospital ICU nurses told me that the next 12 hours are critical.
He will be weaned from the respirator and we will see if he can
breathe on his own. He will be in a drug induced coma for at least
the next 24 hours. After that, the doctors will know more.

I will keep you all posted. Your prayers mean the world right now. I
would call each and every one of you if I could, but my phone battery
died a couple of hours ago. Email will at least help me communicate
with all of you. I will send updates as I can. If you would rather
not get these emails, just let me know.

God Bless!

Jacquie
RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION

[holmcall]

And this from Mike Indri:

Please Pray for Alex Ramos - now fighting for his own life

By Mike Indri - Retired Boxers Foundation - August 29, 2008: Hundreds of phone calls each year come into the (805) 955-9064 home of former USBA middleweight champion Alex Ramos. MOST are from current or retired boxers that have fallen on hard times. MANY of these calls from Alex's boxing brothers can't or won't even be followed up with a "thank-you" call after receiving that much desired help, yet one thing is for sure…ALL these calls will be answered.

Since forming the Retired Boxers Foundation in 1995, proudly serving as the non-profit organization's president since day one, Alex Ramos has devoted his life to helping his fellow retired boxers in need.

While having to rely on miniscule funds raised from not enough fundraisers and donations, the "RBF" has been able to literally come to the aid of thousands of hurting fighters. This was as much a part due to the relentless efforts of the committed five-time New York Golden Gloves champion, as it was to his infectious smile, his warm personality and gigantic, lovable heart; which drew many willing resources from outside boxing..

Surprisingly, and embarrassingly, support from within boxing - a sport and business that Ramos has embraced since he first entered a Bronx gym, along with his father, at the age of eleven - has been virtually non-existent.

The RBF's Executive Director Jacquie Richardson, a Simi Valley governmental worker, is the backbone of the organization.

One of the many RBF hats that Richardson dutifully wears is that of "Surrogate Mother" to the forty-seven year-old former middleweight contender who sometimes needs to be prodded to takes his pills, make his scheduled doctor visits, or simply insist on his taking a much needed walk if the always-hyper Ramos's stress level soars while spending countless hours manned at his computer answering the endless drove of emails.

"Mama Jacquie" as she is affectionately called sensed something wasn't right, after not hearing from Alex since Thursday evening and realizing his email had not been checked for close to fifteen hours.

Those of us dearly close can expect calls usually every fifteen minutes!

Nervously calling upon Alex's apartment complex manager, a conscientious check found Ramos unconscious, barely breathing and in near-death condition. Rushed to a nearby hospital and feverishly worked on for over an hour in order to be resuscitated, Ramos spent the day in critical condition with a grim prognosis.

After battling for many hours Alex has been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. He is currently on a respirator; his condition has been stabilized, but has not regained consciousness and is in a drug-induced coma, to rest his brain.

Latest word is that Alex's eyes are following the direction of light from his doctor's flashlight and they may plan to take him off the respirator sometime tomorrow, although he is still unconscious.

Alex Ramos is a credit to boxing and has been a shining star of hope for so many downtrodden warriors who had mistakenly thought that they were forgotten…NOW is their time to say "THANKS".
We all need to help Alex, with our prayers and our hope.

I haven't met anyone, in or out of boxing, who is so dear, so genuinely warm and caring, and so deeply motivated and passionate for the cause, as Alex.
I love him like a brother, and hope you will say a prayer for Alex Ramos.
Thank you.

Mike Indri can be contacted at RBFNJMIKE@aol.com



I would only add that anyone who know Alex loves the man. He is special.

[holmcall]

Another friend of mine, John Scully had this to say:

Man, this is a surprise..and it is TERIBLE.... Alex is the man!! I have personally sought his help for one of friends, a former top rated pro, who needed help and Alex came through IN AMAZING FASHION... let the boxing world know about this.


Gladly John

[LEGION]

Wow; good thing they decided to go into the apartment and check on him or it may have been worse. Thx. for the info.

[holmcall]

Thanks for your concern, Legion.

[C.J.Rock]

God Bless Alex you'll be in my prayers Fight on Big Man

[CutMeMick]

Noooooo....

Oh! my god no....

My thoughts and prayers are with Alex, come on Alex get through it man.
Your one of the very few people out there doing something for retired boxers... Come on "Bronx Bomber" remember what you told me.
"Never stop fighting keep going forward"

God bless Alex hope to see you around soon.

[holmcall]

Some good news.

Just received this email from Jacquie:


I just returned from the hospital (6:15 California Time) and I am so
happy to report that Alex has come out of the coma. They removed the
respirator and all of the tubes, and he is talking, complaining, and
seeking all the attention he can get from the nurses! He is a little
bit disoriented and he does not recall what happened to him. He tried
to get out of bed and go home, so they have given him more sedatives.
He doesn't want to sleep, but he needs to, which is why I finally
left.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your prayers, for
that is what brought him back to us. In the end, the neurologist
believes that Alex suffered a couple of pretty serious grand mal
seizures, triggered (possibly) by an asthma attack. Believe me,
someone was looking over Alex! It was 110 degrees in his bedroom, and
his blood pressure was very high. Dr. Stiller of our Medical Advisory
Board explained that this is what forced blood to his brain and is
probably why he does not appear to have suffered any serious brain
damage. He is not out of the woods, and still listed as "serious
condition" and will remain in the ICU for at least another 24 hours.

Please continue to pray for him, and then pray for me because he is a
little cranky! He is mad that I "told his business" but I explained
to him that if something happened to ME and no one told him, he would
be madder than hell. He understands when I tell him that way. A few
minutes pass and he starts all over. Its going to take a few days for
him to be completely back to normal, and barring any unforseen
changes, that is what I am waiting for.

I will sleep tonight and again, I thank you all for your prayers. I
thank Vicky the very most because she took a chance when I asked her
to open Alex's door. Another hour and he would have been dead.

Love and hugs,

Jacquie
RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION