Bret Michaels Update: Conscious and Speaking Again

People.com is reporting that Poison frontman and "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant Bret Michaels has shown great signs of improvement today, as he began speaking, albeit slowly.

Yesterday, the star suffered a setback in his condition - a side effect from the brain hemorrhage called hyponatremia a lack of sodium in the body which leads to seizures.

According to his official website: "With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take severAl Weeks to months. Michaels remains under 24-hour observation in the ICU and is in positive spirits. He is responding well to tests and treatments. Even though today was a minor setback Doctors remain hopeful for a full recovery and plan to release more specific information next Monday."

Dr. MElvin Field, director of the Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute, tells People: "Most people...don't remember most of their hospitalization - they have no recollection." The fact that he is conscious and speaking is a very good sign.

Michaels' site adds: "Michaels' medical work-up demonstrated findings of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a type of stroke that causes bleeding in the fluid-filled spaces around the base of the brain. It presents itself suddenly as the sound of a loud gunshot or thunderclap at the back of the head, causing severe cranial pain and muscle spasms. Many people are speculating Michaels' head injury suffered from a prop striking the singer at the Tony awards last June is the cause. Additional studies are planned throughout the week to hopefully detect the exact cause of the rupture. Coupled with the fact that Michaels is a lifelong [sufferer of Type 1 Diabetes] and has recently undergone emergency appendectomy surgery while on tour in San Antonio, he will remain monitored closely by his medical team to make sure no complications occur from the diabetes."

Earlier, a report from a representative for Bret Michaels stated his condition has improved from "critical" to "stable." Said the rep: "He's still in the ICU, but he's stable."

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier, Michaels will soon be undergoing surgery to relieve swelling around his brain. Michaels' condition has been improving slowly.  His father Wally Sychak recently revealed to extra that he did speak with Michaels on the phone but that he sounded "very slow." He also said that Michaels was moving his arms and legs.

News broke on Friday that POISON singer and reality tv star, Bret Michaels was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He is now being held at an undisclosed location.

Write People: "After an excruciating headache late Thursday night, the star was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where doctors discovered he suffered a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding at the base of his brain stem), according to a source close to The Situation."

Fans may remember last year when Michaels was struck in the head by a piece of scenery following his performance on the 2009 Tony Awards. It is unknown as to whether these events are related.

Michaels is currently in critical condition in the ICU. The rocker, who suffers from diabetes recently had an appendectomy on April 12. It is unclear if this latest heath scare is a result of the recent surgery.

Besides his career as lead singer, Michaels has several solo albums to his credit. He has also starred in the VH1 reality show Rock of Love with Bret Michaels and its sequels, and as a judge on the talent show Nashville Star. He is a contestant on NBC's reality show Celebrity Apprentice 3. His hits, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Nothing But a Good Time" are featured in the Broadway hit musical, Rock of Ages.