Report: Local CBS Reporter Hospitalized After Alleged On-Air Stroke? (video)

Mediaite.com ^ | 02/14/2011 | Jon Bershad

[OldDeckHand]

At first glance, the video is funny, just another in the long line of on-air bloopers from news reporters. However, it now appears that KCBS in Los Angeles’ Serene Branson may have suffered something far more serious than a live TV mistake. Shortly after the bizarre moment in the night’s broadcast where she seemed to be unable to speak coherently, Branson was hospitalized with some speculating that she may have had a stroke.

In the video, Branson is attempting to cover the Grammys when her words just turn to gibberish and she tries and fails to correct herself. After the broadcast, the Emmy-nominated reporter was taken to a local hospital. However, this didn’t stop the video from quickly going viral and being passed around on Tumblr and YouTube.

[Bulwyf]

I do hope she’s ok, that must of been an extremely frightening thing to have happen to one’s self.

[Lancey Howard]

Bump what you said. That’s not “drunk”, that’s something serious.
Prayers up.

[Raven6]

This appears to be what is sometimes called a "mini-stroke" or a "granny-stroke". It is actually a TIA or "transient ischemic attack".

My mother has suffered several TIA's, one while I was speaking to her on the phone. In that particular case, she was speaking to me when her words (just as you witness with this reporter) became jumbled and unintelligible. I then heard her sigh and the phone hit the floor. I ran to my vehicle and continued to try and get her back on the phone while driving to her home. She answered before I arrived, but told me that she woke up in the middle of the kitchen floor. I drove her straight to the ER, where they performed the tests needed to see the evidense of not only this TIA but at least two others that they said might have occurred during her sleep, since she was not aware of it having ever happened before. She now takes meds to keep her blood thinned and to prevent clots... No TIA's have occurred since then. Now, if we can just beat the cancer back we should be doing well...

My heart breaks to see this occurring to anyone. In this case, you can see the fear come across her eyes as she realizes something has happened to her. I don't care what their politics or profession might be, it is a terrible thing to happen to anyone. TIA's, Strokes, aneurysms, MI's... They are all equal opportunity killers.

Prayers up for the young lady...

Regards,
Raven6

[catbertz]

Wow that video is just spooky. She looks so bright and clear minded, and then something bad started happening, and you can see the bewildered look in her eyes as she tries to fight through whatever is happening. She’s a professional. Best wishes for a complete recovery!

[Raven6]

Learn the National Stroke Association's Act FAST (Face Arms Speech Time) test:

•FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
•ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
•SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
•TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately!

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Just watched the video. That’s definitely not a drunk, nor a mere syllable or two off.

[thefactor]

ping

[4yearlurker]

My brother-in-law had a stroke about 6 years ago and he was talking just like this young lady. He now tells me he thought he was talking but was only making noises. I sincerely hopes she makes a full recovery.

[af_vet_rr]

Had a good friend have a stroke while eating lunch with me. Took a few seconds to realize what had happened. He got his speech back after a few minutes and denied any thing wrong, but a few simple tests convinced him and we got him to hospital, unfortunately he had massive stokes in the following 24 hrs and died.

I had something similar happen with a relative. We were talking and they just started looking weird, leaning heavily onto the counter, and talking gibberish. I started asking him what's wrong several times, and he kept looking at me like I was crazy and that there was nothing wrong with him.

It's unfortunate your friend passed away. We were lucky enough that it was only a mild stroke. He radically changed his diet and started exercising regularly, and even quit smoking as a result. He decided he wanted to be around for his grandchildren.

He does not recall slurring words or leaning over and nearly falling down either. It sunk in when he tried to do some of the tests the doctor had him perform, as well as his daughter who showed up, who was 7 months pregnant with his first grandchild. She was in tears for several minutes when she got to the hospital.

I'm not privy to all of the tests and results, but from what I understand, had he not changed his diet, quit smoking, and started exercising, he probably would have been dead within a year or two, or would have been severely incapacitated. The doctors thought that he might have even had a mild stroke before that one, and just didn't realize it.

Looking at the YouTube comments, a lot of people are morons. They won't be laughing if it happens to them or a loved one.

[OldDeckHand]

An update from Variety.com...

No one at CBS 2 News in Los Angeles is yet saying what happened to reporter Serene Branson at the Grammys late Sunday that caused her widely circulated and speculated-upon struggles (as seen above), but the station did say this morning in response to a phone inquiry that she is "doing much better."

It's a little odd that a more complete explanation hasn't been given, especially considering it happened live on the air, and they are a a news organization. But, there may be some employee/employer HIPAA considerations here as well.

[Cyman]

I had a stroke at 49 and it happened in a manner similar to this young lady. I also first started talking jibberish that sounded perfectly fine to me but my patient started to give me strange looks as did my office assistant. I then tried to walk out of the room and fell twice like I had just been hammered by a Tyson right hand. Luckily one of my best friends is a neurologist with an office down the hall and he came in, literally picked me up, put me in his car and I was in the ER in about 5 minutes from the start of my symptoms. Undiagnosed hypertension was the culprit, yeah docs can be be unbelievably stupid when it comes to their own health.Very quick action and the immediate lowering of my pressure helped minimize the damage and I was back in my office 6 weeks later with minimal residual problems. I was and am a very lucky guy. And I never hesitate to buy my buddy a drink in thanks!

[ohioman]

Glad you are OK and thank God for your Buddy.

I have unfortunately learned in the past few weeks that many of these symptoms can also be attributed to Glioblastoma Multi Forme( GBM - Brain Cancer) where the tumor begins to affect the frontal lobe. Of course, a stroke is much more common. My father had many of these symptoms at the end of December and was was diagnosed with an orange sized GBM (in both Hemispheres) in January. My family is learning what an evil thing this monster is. I hate to say it, but I wish it were a stroke instead.

[VeniVidiVici]

Update from the link. After watching her I sure hope she got checked out.
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UPDATE: Fortunately, it appears that the hospitalization report may have been false. From the Daily News:

“Despite a report from London’s Daily Telegraph that she was hospitalized, Branson may have merely been checked by EMT personnel and sent home with a friend, according to Kristin Cruz, co-host of the Mark & Kristin Show on KOST 103.5 in Los Angeles.

CBS 2 News in LA has yet to comment on the incident.”
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[N. Theknow]

My Mom has had many of these TIA's.

Witnessed a few of them with her. Freaky and frightening as at first, she thought she was speaking perfectly fine.

Her older sister had them as well.

[OldDeckHand]

"After watching her I sure hope she got checked out."

Uhm. That's not an encouraging update. Hopefully, saner heads have prevailed, and she has sought out and received professional medical care. I don't think that a perfunctory examination by an EMT after babbling incoherently is the most prudent response.

[OldDeckHand]

"CBS 2 News in LA has yet to comment on the incident.”"

CBS 2 just updated her webpage a few moments ago. It reads...

Serene Branson was examined by paramedics on scene immediately after her broadcast. Her vital signs were normal. She was not hospitalized. As a precautionary measure, a colleague gave her a ride home and she says that she is feeling fine this morning.

I can't believe they didn't make her go to the hospital.

[OldDeckHand]

Update On CBS2/KCAL9′s Serene Branson

[steelyourfaith]

Appears to be a cerbrovascular accident to me, but it is reminiscent of the sad Jessica Savitch incident.

[The Shrew]

Ask the person to touch their nose, if they can’t do it, bad sign. Have them walk a straight line, can’t do it, not good. Have them stick out their tongue, if it curves to one side, another indicator, get them help fast. Learn the signs of stroke, save someone’s life.

Thanks for posting that. I was telling some co-workers about the tests for stroke last week. Do you have a link for your list?

Regards,

TS

[stylecouncilor]

ping