Michael Schumacher could remain in his coma for weeks or even months, according to Professor Uwe Kehler, the head of neurosurgery at the Asklepios hospital in Hamburg, Germany. As is much of the world, Kehler is watching with keen interest the progress in Grenoble, France, of injured seven-time Formula One world champion Schumacher, who is in a critical condition after a skiing accident last Sunday. Friday, Schumacher's 45th birthday, is the sixth day since the accident, but Kehler told Bild newspaper that the great German's family, friends and fans face a longer wait. "Generally, it takes two to three weeks until a patient with such a severe trauma can be woken up," he said. "But it can take days or even weeks until the patient opens his eyes. Unfortunately, it is also possible that the person does not wake up properly." Professor Kehler said it is a good sign that Schumacher, although critical, has entered a period of stability. "In a severe craniocerebral trauma, the first hours and days are crucial to see if the pressure and swelling continues to increase. Especially critical are the first three to four days. "When patients get through those first few days, everyone can breathe a little. But no statement can be made yet about the patient's survival or the outcome. "If the patient continues to remain stable, you can shut down the measures to reduce intracranial pressure and then dissolve the coma," he explained. A Paris neurosurgeon, Philippe Decq, told France's RMC Sport that Schumacher will then reach a crucial point in his recovery. "After a severe traumatic brain injury, if three weeks passes and there are no signs of awakening, then from a prognostic point of view, it is very bad," he said. Schumacher's spokesperson Sabine Kehm implied by text message on Thursday that the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver remains in a stable yet critical condition. "We will not make statements unless there is something new [to report]," she said. A statement issued by Schumacher's family said, "We all know he is a fighter and will not give up." Source: Experts say Michael Schumacher's coma could last months - Autoweek Racing Formula One news - Autoweek
Only posting this one for awareness. I know people who ski and I think people who don't wear helmets are seriously in denial of the dangers of the trauma that can occur when that squishy gray matter gets shaken violently inside its boney shell. Another round of media reporting prompted former F1 medical chief Gary Hartstein (see also post #12) to post some information about how these things can go, what Schumacher's medical team's recent words likely mean and what all that might mean about his future. Worth a read for anyone interested in the medical side of neurological trauma. What may be going on now, and where this might be going (long, speculative and detailed)
Man I'm sure hoping Micheal can win this fight. Best wishes to him & his family. Good vibes sent to Grenoble.
The latest from motorsports.com : Jan.24 (GMM) It is completely open as to how long doctors will keep Michael Schumacher in his induced coma. It is now approaching a month that the seven time world champion has been lying unconscious in a Grenoble hospital, following his late December skiing crash. There are unconfirmed reports that the great German may never wake up, or that if he does he could be in a permanent vegetative state. Germany's Bild newspaper reports that "there is still no date set for when the doctors will wake him up from deep anaesthesia."
IF the above post comes to pass, and it's hard for me to even imagine it, the ONLY light I can see just from an F1 fan perspective, is that unlike Senna, we were able to witness the entire catalog of Michael's racing brilliance, prior to his accident.
From motorsports: Jan.29 (GMM) Michael Schumacher's manager has played down reports the Grenoble hospital is preparing to bring the great German out of his month-long coma. The news was reported by France's influential sports daily L'Equipe, following an extended period in which official information about former Mercedes and Ferrari driver Schumacher, 45, had dried up as his medical condition stabilised. But L'Equipe on Wednesday reported that Schumacher has now entered a recovery phase, with doctors aiming to gradually ease the seven time world champion out of his deep state of induced coma. "I stress again that any statements about Michael's health that do not originate from the treating medical team or his management are to be regarded as speculation," Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said in a new press statement. "I repeat that we will not comment on such speculation."
Another good entry by former F1 medical chief Gary Hartstein. Stopping the sedation! | A Former F1 Doc Writes
yes, most excellent indeed. Thanks Steve for the link. It's great to get medical info spoken in plain language. It's also obvious that he has a great deal of respect and empathy for F1 drivers.
Pray this is misinformation, but can't find a rebuke... From motorsports: Feb.10 (GMM) Now two weeks since doctors started trying to wake Michael Schumacher, the F1 legend remains in a coma. That is the news of the German daily Bild-Zeitung, reporting that while the seven time world champion has often presented reflex twitches since the anaesthetic was reduced, Schumacher is still not responding to deliberate stimuli. However, Bild said the former Mercedes and Ferrari driver's wife Corinna - who is at his bedside on a daily basis - is following the doctors' advice by continually talking to the 45-year-old, as there is evidence it can help a patient in Schumacher's condition. The report also claimed the newly-retired Ross Brawn, who worked closely with Schumacher during the ultra-successful Ferrari era, visited the famous driver's bedside, slipping in almost unnoticed by the media last Thursday through the staff entrance. Meanwhile, it is believed that French investigators into the skiing accident are preparing to reveal their findings, with Bild citing 'legal sources' in believing the file will simply be closed.
planetf1.com - Sabine Kehm, the manager of Michael Schumacher, has dismissed reports that the German racing legend had contracted a lung infection. Reports about the seven-time World Champions' condition surfaced late Tuesday night after German publication Bild claimed that Schumacher had contracted pneumonia while he was in a medically induced coma.
Michael Schumacher Is Showing "Moments of Consciousness" This sounds encouraging.... Michael Schumacher Is Showing "Moments of Consciousness"
If anyone is interested in the latest commentary from Gary Hartstein, former F1 doc, on this new info: “Moments of conscious and awakeningâ€!!! | A Former F1 Doc Writes