Family: Medrano suffered ‘mini-stroke’

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

Oscar Medrano

The family of San Benito CISD Board Member Oscar Medrano is asking the community of San Benito for prayers as he remains hospitalized after falling severely ill.

According to the board member’s brother, Manuel Medrano, Oscar was admitted into Valley Baptist Medical Center on Friday, January 11, following a series of severe headaches.

“What happened was he had been complaining of severe headaches,” said Oscar’s older brother Mario Medrano. “He was in a lot of pain for a lot days. He had an MRI done showing that he had meningitis. They did a biopsy on him which relieved a lot of pain. During the process he suffered a mini-stroke.”

Mario said that the stroke caused slight paralysis on the right side of Oscar’s body. Still, Mario said Oscar has been improving since the procedure.

“There’s a neurologist on the case who said that he has weakness on the right side of body,” said Mario. “He is eating on his own and watching TV. He’s starting to come around. He will be starting steroid therapy to reduce swelling, and it seems to be helping.”

According to Mario, the doctors removed some brain tissue from Oscar to test for any cancerous cells.

“The MRI hasn’t shown a tumor, but doctors suspect something,” said Mario. “The biopsy relieved a lot of the pain, he slept really well. He’s eating and breathing really well, but he is still having trouble recognizing people. But he’s improving. If the test is positive for cancer, then we need to make a decision to start chemotherapy.”

The biopsy was performed on Oscar on Friday, January 18. Since then, the community has shown an outpouring of support for the board member in the form of customizing t-shirts that read “Team Oscar” and a prayer rally held at the Heavin Resaca Trail on Monday evening, as well as well wishes that have been shared.

“We’ve had numerous calls from people asking about him,” said Manuel. “The family really appreciates the calls. It surprised me how many people have called.”

Furthermore, Manuel said he’s aware of “speculation” that’s been circulating regarding Oscar’s condition, adding, “We don’t have an answer as of now.”

Meanwhile, San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón expressed concern for Oscar and hoped for his speedy recovery.

“I believe in the power of prayer, and I have faith that (Oscar) will be restored to full health,” said Limón on Tuesday. “I ask for the San Benito community to join me in prayer for Oscar.”

Manuel said, “People really care about him because of what he’s done for the community. We’re simply asking for prayers, that’s it. We are a family of faith, and we believe that God will perform a miracle.”

Mario further remarked that Oscar is in stable condition and is improving every day, but the family wishes that the community continue praying for him.

“Saturday, he was able to speak a little more,” Mario said. “When I was leaving, I said, ‘Once a Greyhound,’ and he completed my sentence by saying, ‘always a Greyhound.’”

Read this story in the Jan. 23 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.