Emily Gilruth updates (the rider seriously injured at Badminton 2017)

[OverandOnward]

A couple of press releases today …

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/08/sister-government-minister-suffers-traumatic-brain-injury-falling/

https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/8th-may-2017-update-regarding-emily-gilruth/

Traumatic brain injury. She is still in intensive care, according to reports.

"Mrs Gilruth’s brother-in-law Andrew Gilruth told the Telegraph: "With any significant injury it’s going to be about a week before anybody knows but she’s heading in the right direction.
…
The doctors are pleased with her progress. She has had a stable night and remains under sedation. [May 8, 2017, 2 days after the fall on May 6th]
…
A talented rider, Mrs Gilruth has competed in British event competitions for 18 years and runs her own yard.

She first competed at Badminton last year and was riding a favourite horse - Topwood Beau - who she has been competing on since 2008."

The Badminton website statement included this: “We ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time; further updates will be issued on britisheventing.com”

All best wishes to Emily and her family. Lots of jingles that she makes it through this very serious head injury without lasting damage.

[weixiao]

Thanks for the post. I’ve been anxiously following it here in the U.K. Really terrible. I hope she improves soon. Sending her many well wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.

[Doodlebug1]

I have been posting other updates in the XC thread - most recent (that is actually from he family and not media speculation):

Update on Em

She’s had another positive day and shown signs of movement to stimulation and the doctors are pleased with her progress.
There is not much more to report other than everyday so far is going the right way.
Will do daily evening update for all Facebookers x

[OverandOnward]

@Doodlebug1

I have been posting other updates in the XC thread - most recent (that is actually from he family and not media speculation):

Update on Em

She’s had another positive day and shown signs of movement to stimulation and the doctors are pleased with her progress.
There is not much more to report other than everyday so far is going the right way.
Will do daily evening update for all Facebookers x

Saw that and appreciated that information so much. Your post prompted me to start a separate thread so the information would be easier to find.

Definitely respecting that updates are at the discretion of the family and they may not always want to report. But I hope that the family and Emily are aware that they have many well-wishers who are thinking of Emily.

[Jealoushe]

Thank you for starting this thread. Sending jingles to her and her family. xx

[Doodlebug1]

9th May update on Emily Katherine Gilruth from Facebook via Polly Stockton:
This is the message I have just had from her mother Shirley and Husband Tom

When the drugs were reduced today, there were occasional positive responses to the voice and if she was agitated, Emily seemed to relax when someone spoke to her.
The coma is being re-introduced this evening as before.

As always all fingers crossed xxx

[FatCatFarm]

That poor girl has a long road to recovery ahead of her. Hope it’s a speedy one.

[allons-y]

Stay positive everyone! We never know until ‘enough’ time passes how things will turn out. And we never know how to define "enough time’. I see miracles from this scenario at work every day. A hard road for all involved, but the brain has an amazing ability to reset and come back. Tomorrow I’ll go back to work with my TBI patients with renewed hope and strength to share with their families. Hang in there everyone!

[vineyridge]

WFP was kept in a coma for weeks, and he’s come back. Massive TBIs can be resolved these days.

[Auburn]

WFP has come back, but not to the fighting form, from before his TBI. This year, he did not ride at Rolex, nor at Badminton. He gave a clinic here, right after Rolex.

[Doodlebug1]

Update 10th 

‘There have been improvements today. The breathing tubes have been removed from her throat which means that she is much more settled, and she has mouthed the names of Scarlett and Immi. It’s still a long way to go and some days will be better than others.’

This is great news to hear for all of us [IMG]https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/fce/1/16/1f600.png)

[blackwly]

@vineyridge

WFP was kept in a coma for weeks, and he’s come back. Massive TBIs can be resolved these days.

As much as I wish this was true, this is not a very accurate statement. Our management of “massive” TBI’s has only slowly improved over the last 20 some years and severe TBI remains an incredibly difficult injury to treat. The reality is not that WFP’s treatment was amazing and salvaged him, it is that his injury was not as severe as it could have been and he was effectively treated to optimize his recovery. There has been no big breakthrough influencing these outcomes.

With any moderate to severe TBI, the initial presentation is often concerning and outcomes are very hard to predict up front. Careful assessment of the improvements over the following week will then allow you to begin to predict outcome reasonably well. Also FWIW neither WFP or this rider are in what is technically a “medically induced coma.” they are under IV sedation, somewhat analogous to anesthesia which can be lifted and reapplied. A “coma” is induced for the most severe of head injuries as a salvage technique and involves 3-7 days of barbiturate treatment which is titrated to the point where there is minimal/no EEG activity. It takes days after stopping that medication to begin to wake up. Common misconception which is understandable, but this kind of talk contributes to those misconceptions and misunderstandings about TBI.

(for those who don’t know me I am a neurosurgeon)

[Doodlebug1]

News from Southmead Hospital in Emily
11th may from Shirley

‘The news today continues to be good. Emily stood up today for 2 minutes with the help of the physiotherapist. She has also sipped water through a straw. She is still very poorly and very sleepy, but she is fighting!’

What a Fighter

[Jealoushe]

Fabulous news!

[OverandOnward]

That is wonderful to read. Thank you!

[Doodlebug1]

‘today E![]( has sat in a chair for a while and had some ice cream, with help. she recognised the flavour as vanilla. she sleeps and dozes most of the time which is good for her. her voice is very weak but clear but sometimes she is muddled. there is a little progress every day which is wonderful to watch.’

This again is From Shirley (Em’s mother) who’s had her first day with her today as has been looking after the children and managing life back in Cheshire.

I think everyone will agree this sounds all so fantastic. [IMG]https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/ffa/1/16/1f44b.png)

[vineyridge]

And because of the UK Health Care system, concerned people don’t have to be fundraising to pay for her care.

I just recalled Darren Chiacchi and the hundreds of thousands of dollars that were raised to pay for his care and support–and what disputes arose over how those funds were dispersed.

[staceyk]

From what I understand, youth is a huge factor in recovery from TBI. She has that on her side. Jingles.

I imagine each situation is different – WFP may not have come “fully back” from his injury, or he may have simply made a choice to reduce his exposure to risk. While I don’t know this for sure, I think a second head injury could be very bad.

[OverandOnward]

Thanks for keeping us updated. I think of Emily every day.

[Doodlebug1]

Saturday’s pro

‘Em is better in the mornings. she was quietly talking and smiling today and sat in a chair until lunchtime. all the tubes are out so she had a little tuna salad for lunch. she sometimes knows that it is saturday. this afternoon she was very tired and slept for a while, but sleeping time is healing time so that’s good.’

Another good day for Em so pleased to hear she’s eating as we can’t have her getting any skinnier!
Come on Em [IMG]https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/fce/1/16/1f600.png)