[QUOTE=vineyridge;8362578]
The Fox-Pitt Eventing website says that he suffered a head trauma but is otherwise fine. He will be in the hospital overnight for observation.
https://www.facebook.com/Fox-Pitt-Eventing-139647789438345/[/QUOTE]
“…other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?” Just kidding, obviously “head trauma” alone is quite alarming, but if it is a simple overnight observation he should be fine.
Very much hoping to hear that he got the all clear from the doctors today.
[QUOTE=tbchick84;8362927]
Really? So if you don’t lose consciousness but can’t remember if you so much as hit your head on the way down, that is worse than losing consciousness?[/QUOTE]
It can be. Amnesia of any kind is always taken very seriously. A brief loss of consciousness or change in level of consciousness without amnesia would be a less serious finding.
I am getting worried that it is now 7pm in England/France and there is no update, despite his FB pasge saying that there would be one today.
Many good and healing thought are headed his way.
PS: Are people aware that USEA eventing rules say that no one who refuses medical attention can be forced to go to the hospital, even if their refusal is clearly not in their best interest?
Just coming here to ask the same question. Any updates?
[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8363404]
I am getting worried that it is now 7pm in England/France and there is no update, despite his FB pasge saying that there would be one today.
Many good and healing thought are headed his way.
PS: Are people aware that USEA eventing rules say that no one who refuses medical attention can be forced to go to the hospital, even if their refusal is clearly not in their best interest?[/QUOTE]
That is worrisome as his FB page is kept up to date. FYI France is one hour ahead of UK time so it’s 8:30 pm now. I did not know that about USEA eventing rules.
[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8363404]
I am getting worried that it is now 7pm in England/France and there is no update, despite his FB pasge saying that there would be one today.
Many good and healing thought are headed his way.
PS: Are people aware that USEA eventing rules say that no one who refuses medical attention can be forced to go to the hospital, even if their refusal is clearly not in their best interest?[/QUOTE]
How exactly are they supposed to force you? The EMTS aren’t going to strap you down unless you are clearly a danger to others or yourself.
Oh dear. That does not sound very good.
It doesn’t really say anything.
It is tempting to think over every possibility, from dire to benign. But that’s just our imaginations bolting away.
That update could be the same for several days running and it is still ok in the end. They are not making us privy to every nuance. It could be serious, it could be a simple sorting out of several physical symptoms that are separate from the TBI, it could be just an abundance of caution. The details aren’t the public’s business.
Jingle away and hold good thoughts! All the best, William!
The story is a little odd (token COTH neurosurgeon here.)
It shouldn’t take an hour to pack up someone and get them off the course. Mild TBI or severe TBI that is a very long time. For comparison sake, when we see someone with a potentially fatal head injury in a car crash it should really only take 10 min from the time EMS arrives until they are in the ambulance. So that is strange.
Second, it would not be standard practice to admit someone for observation with a concussion (regardless of the severity) and negative imaging (no hemorrhage.) So when I hear that someone has been admitted for their head injury it generally tells me that it is a fairly serious injury.
Finally and most odd is the fact that today’s press release says he is being kept “sedated.” In general we avoid sedation for head injury unless someone is altered enough to require intubation and mechanical ventilation. Otherwise sedation accomplishes the opposite of the goal, which is monitoring mental status to ensure it clears.
Anyway, bottom line is that it is hard to know what is going on but it is certainly a bit worrisome. I hope all is well.
I agree with blackwly … The original information re: “overnight observation” and the most recent update don’t match up.
Someone that has a severe enough head injury to require intubation/sedation isn’t hospitalized for “observation” … They’re in the ICU.
Yes. I had two, one where I had short and long term amnesia and one where I had a seizure and was out for 45 minutes. I was hospitalized a few days for both but was not sedated for either.
Jingles and prayers for WFP, sounds serious. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. I still get chronic near-daily migraines that started after my second one, head trauma is nothing to shrug off.
Frankly this scares the pants off me. If WFP who rides so beautifully can’t get through this sport without serious injury, what chance do the rest of us mere mortals have? It is sobering.
I found the updates scary too. Hope that it was just info not coming across right and he will be home and fine soon!
Different medical system
I think that the US had a scoop and run.philosophy and Europe does much more stabilizing in the field. So that could be a part of why it took so long. And an hour hold isn,t that long when you think about replacing medical personnel etc.
When my brother was injured he was sedated because he had brain swelling and required a pressure screw to relieve the pressure. They also worried about seizure with a closed head injury.
Very worried about William and hope that we can generate a ton of COTH jingles for him.
From his website, late on Sunday
There has been no change in William’s condition. He has undergone some more tests and will remain sedated under observation.
We are very appreciative for the concern that everyone has shown. We will keep everyone informed with any developments via this website and facebook.
Prayers for WFP and his family. Watching him compete at Rolex twice has been a highlight of my bleacher eventing career.
Has there been any information about the fall? Was he caught under the horse? A rotational fall?
Ugh just saw on the Times UK that his prognosis is unknown doing more tests needless to saying praying for him and his family
[QUOTE=blackwly;8363519]
It shouldn’t take an hour to pack up someone and get them off the course. Mild TBI or severe TBI that is a very long time. For comparison sake, when we see someone with a potentially fatal head injury in a car crash it should really only take 10 min from the time EMS arrives until they are in the ambulance. So that is strange.[/QUOTE]
There’s a simple explanation for this.
In France, the EMS team would usually include a physician. As mellsmom points out, this means there’s often an attempt to do more onsite, which is very different from EMS protocols in the US, where the emphasis is on transport to an appropriate trauma center. (If anyone is interested in a debate on French vs. non-French EMS, read up on the death of Princess Diana. There was much criticism of the delay in transporting.)
There’s also the matter of a seizing patient – which mellsmom also touches on – which can delay transport. No idea if that happened yesterday, but it’s a possibility with TBI, and might lead to a patient being sedated.
[QUOTE=mellsmom;8363651]
I think that the US had a scoop and run.philosophy and Europe does much more stabilizing in the field. So that could be a part of why it took so long. And an hour hold isn,t that long when you think about replacing medical personnel etc.
When my brother was injured he was sedated because he had brain swelling and required a pressure screw to relieve the pressure. They also worried about seizure with a closed head injury.
Very worried about William and hope that we can generate a ton of COTH jingles for him.[/QUOTE]
Yes you and JER are right about the French EMS. I vaguely remember that from the Princess Di crash. Though I am not convinced that system makes much sense in the setting of head trauma, but anyway, beside the point.
What you describe in terms of your brother is pretty typical for a severe non operative head injury. I hope he has recovered well! My point was just that I wouldn’t classify that type of care as “observation” as the reports on WFP have.
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