Extra Inning Softball News: The Latest Health Update Regarding Carlos Arias (Good News)

“Miracle.”

“Amazing.”

Those are two words that have been used by family and doctors to describe the latest medical status regarding Extra Inning Softball’s Editor Carlos Arias who suffered a major stroke a week ago and has been hospitalized in Fresno, California.

First, I want to say I’m sorry for giving the impression that he had actually died–his heart never stopped beating but twice doctors had reported he had “no brain activity” (for days) and were in discussions to remove him off the ventilator/life support that everyone expected would lead to him passing away.

And both times plans were made to begin the harvesting of his organs—Carlos had indicated he wanted to be a donor if it came to that—and preparations were just hours away. The first time, in fact, three people were identified who would be a match for a kidney.

I wrote at one point: “he is gone” and we really felt that was the case.

Fortunately, both times Carlos gave indication that he, indeed, wasn’t ready to go quite just yet.

I spoke with his mother, Sue Arias, yesterday (Sunday), and she told me that she and her husband Will had visited Carlos yesterday in the hospital and what happened has “been a miracle.”

“Carlos was awake with his eyes open,” she began, “and the doctors would ask him a question and he’d nod ‘yes’ or shake his head slightly for ‘no.’ They asked him if he knew where he was and explained what had happened over the last week and he arched his eyebrows as if he didn’t know that.”

Perhaps the best signs of progress were that Carlos was actually able to move some movements of his feet and to squeeze his mother’s hand.

“The doctors said over the next week they’ll look to decrease the oxygen in his ventilator tube to see how he reacts,” Sue continued. “They won’t totally remove it right away, but this is huge. We didn’t want to get our hopes up, but we’re finally allowing ourselves to be hopeful that he will be alright.”

Carlos’ mother admitted the last week has “been a rollercoaster of emotions, but what has happened has been a miracle.”

She laughs and continues: “The doctors didn’t use the word ‘miracle’ but they were smiling and saying that his progress over the last few days has been ‘amazing!’”

The long-time journalist, who worked 25 years for the Orange County Register and was inducted into the Orange County Softball Hall of Fame in 2018, still has a long recovery ahead and many things are uncertain.

One thing is known, however: the outpouring of love and support for him are very appreciated by his family and all of us at Extra Inning Softball. And, no doubt, has been felt by Carlos, be it directly or indirectly.

Please keep those prayers and best wishes coming… they’re making a difference!

I forwarded to his mother many of the beautiful notes the softball community has sent to us and she will read them to him at some point… which should only further help him get better!

Thanks, everyone… once again the softball community/family has hit a home run.

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball

Publisher’s note: we will continue to update the status of Carlos as we receive information.

Content-wise, the 2023 rankings 101-500 begin tonight and later this week, the 2023 Positional Rankings

The National High School Player of the Week article will be released as usual on Tuesday and the date for the release of the 14U rankings will be announced this week.

If you have information that you had previously sent to Carlos; please forward to me at Brentt.Eads@ExtraInningSoftball.