Schuller Sent Back to Intensive Care Ward : Televangelist: A scan reveals expected swelling and residual blood between the minister’s skull and brain.

Doctors for the Rev. Robert H. Schuller returned the popular televangelist to intensive care Wednesday after a brain scan revealed some side effects from the minister’s emergency surgery.

Michael Nason, a Schuller aide, said physicians at the Free University Hospital found some swelling and residual blood between the skull and the brain--two conditions surgeons expected from Monday’s three-hour operation.

Schuller’s doctors readmitted him to intensive care as a precaution and to administer medication to check the swelling, which can affect motor functions, said Nason, who added that the residual blood is of no concern at this point.

“He is recovering well,” said Paul David Dunn, Schuller’s son-in-law, who has visited the hospital regularly. “He recognizes everyone and was preaching to people in the intensive care unit.”

Schuller, whose ministry includes the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove and the popular “Hour of Power” TV show, underwent surgery to remove a blood clot after he reportedly bumped his head while getting into a car.

He had been en route to Moscow to reinstate his pioneering program “Heart to Heart” over the state-owned broadcast network, Gostelradio, and to deliver a videotape of a prerecorded sermon.

Schuller was released Tuesday from intensive care but, Nason said, a “routine” scan of Schuller’s brain Wednesday morning revealed the swelling and residual blood. The sophisticated X-ray scan can examine cross sections of the head.

Doctors at the Free University Hospital remained unavailable for comment. Their statements have been conveyed to the media through Nason, a public relations consultant accompanying Schuller.

Since his admission to the hospital, phone messages, telegrams, faxes and flowers have poured in from business people, religious leaders, politicians and “Hour of Power” viewers. Among the well-wishers are comedian Bob Hope, Pope John Paul II, evangelist Billy Graham, the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale and President Bush.

On Wednesday, Dunn became concerned that Schuller was tiring himself by talking with other patients. Dunn said he whispered, “Let go and let God,” into the minister’s ear. Upon hearing one of his own favorite admonitions, Schuller smiled and went to sleep.

Still feeling the effect of anesthesia, Nason said, “Dr. Schuller speaks slowly and very little.”

He added that Schuller remains in stable condition.

Dr. J. Wolbers, the hospital’s senior neurosurgeon, met with family members and church associates Wednesday and assured them that Schuller could be released from the hospital next week.

According to Nason, Wolbers said the brain swelling would not change his prediction for a full recovery. When Schuller returns to the United States, he will have to spend several days in a hospital for observation.

Meanwhile, Nason said, Bruce Larson will continue to act as day-to-day head of operations for the ministry.

No decisions have been made regarding “Hour of Power,” he said, but Schuller’s son, Robert, already appears on it and could fill in during his father’s absence.

Because the shows are videotaped weeks in advance, church leaders can delay a decision.

But, Nason said, Larson has taped a brief message to introduce the program scheduled to air Sunday that will explain that the program was recorded before Schuller’s surgery and will ask viewers for their prayers.

Dunn and Schuller’s son plan to fly to Moscow today to deliver the tape and meet with radio representatives there.

Dan Weikel reported from Orange County. Correspondent Michael Glennon reported from Amsterdam.