By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Dec. 14, 2017) Pocomoke City citizens are hoping for a Christmas miracle, as Mayor Bruce Morrison recovers from a subdural hematoma, or traumatic brain injury, in a hospital in Delaware.

Morrison, according to town officials, was taken by ambulance from his home during the early morning on Nov. 29 to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury and then transferred to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.

Councilwoman Esther Troast, who led the most recent City Council meeting in the mayor’s absence, said she receives regular updates from Morrison’s wife, Laura.

She and other city officials, including Councilman George Tasker and City Manager Bobby Cowger, have also visited Morrison.

Troast said Morrison has not spoken or eaten solid foods and at this time has no motor functions on the right side of his body.

“The family hopes by the end of this week they will have some direction on where to proceed with his recovery,” Troast said on Monday. “The last two updates have been encouraging and optimistic. Of course, the entire city is praying for that Christmas miracle. Bruce loves Christmas and if anyone deserves that miracle, it is certainly him.”

Troast said Morrison was taken off a ventilator over the weekend and is breathing through an oxygen mask.

“According to Laura, he has removed it several times himself and his oxygen levels haven’t dropped much when he does this,” Troast said. “He did develop pneumonia [and] they have treated that aggressively with antibiotics, and much improvement has been accomplished. He has opened his eyes and responds with hand squeezes.

“He has even smiled a few times. That’s our Bruce,” she added.

She said the most recent update was also a positive one.

“In tonight’s update, Laura states that Bruce gave a big smile yesterday when he was shown the front page of the Bayside Gazette and the positive reporting on Pocomoke,” she said. “Thanks for putting a smile on our Mayor’s face.”

Family friend Sue Tull posts regular updates on Morrison’s Facebook page, often using the hashtag #MiracleForOurMayor.

Cards and notes can be sent to Christiana Hospital, Neuro Critical Care 2D room #2B06, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, Delaware, 19713.