Riette van der Merwe’s condition has improved slightly since she was shot twice at point blank range during an armed robbery on Monday, 23 April at Manny’s Meat Market, where she is employed.
The incident happened at about 5pm, when six suspects entered the butchery and one shot her when she resisted. One bullet lodged in her skull and one in her spine.
Read the initial article here: VIDEO: Woman shot in head during armed robbery
According to her sister, Susan Button, there are slight improvements such as her intracranial pressure (ICP). ICP “is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and, at rest, is normally 7–15 mmHg for a supine adult”, as per Wikipedia. Since Van der Merwe’s ICP was 60mmHg on the night of Saturday, 28 April, the doctor and family decided to insert a drain to relieve the pressure. This seems to have been successful as her ICP dropped to 20mmHg. On Monday, though, her temperature was 38,9° but it dropped to 38,8° on Tuesday.
Button said the doctor is waiting for Van der Merwe’s condition to remain stable for at least three consecutive days before deciding what the next step in treatment will be.
Button thanked the members of the community for their support and prayers.
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