Crucial 24 hours
A frantic search, now hope: Music critic goes off the breathing tube, but36-year-old heart attack victim's family must wait
On Friday morning, the Houston Presscouldn't find Chris Gray. Staffers texted, tweeted, climbed fire escapes and stopped by his apartment, but the paper's music editor was nowhere to be found.
The 36-year-old had suffered a heart attack at a METRORail station on his commute to work. A passerby performed CPR, while another dialed 911. Gray was brought to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where doctors placed him in an induced coma.
Gray's cardiac doctor said on Saturday "prognosis for recovery from the heart attack looks very good." On Sunday, Gray was taken out of his coma, and was moving his extremities.
John Seaborn Gray, Gray's brother and fellow Press reporter, tweetedon Monday, "Chris is off the breathing tube. His CAT scan came back fine. He's conscious but still heavily sedated. Not much communication yet. . . . Too early to tell what is sedation and what is brain damage. This next 24 hours is going to be rough. I will keep everyone updated."
Facebook walls and Houston Press comment sections are filled with encouragement and well wishes for a speedy recovery, testaments to Gray's positive influence and wide reach in Houston's music community.
As it is still early in Gray's recovery process, fundraising effort are to be determined. Editor Margaret Downing says that Houston Press is willing to hold a benefit, if the gesture and assistance is desired by Gray and his family.
