Michael Schumacher skiing accident

[OsellaFA1L]

The only source I've seen any recent news from is sites that have used The Daily Mail UK as their base source. From what I've heard, they're useless news reporters, so I'll leave it at that. But it suggests some very disturbing news. Whatever the truth, I believe in Michael.

They don't call it The Daily Fail for nothing. Anyway I wish all the best for Schumi, he is a true legend of our sport

Enough said.

Knew about it already, but that is one of the best things I have ever seen

[go_Rubens]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mo ... a/4578523/

This suggests something that that The Daily Fail didn't. This isn't as downcast.

[UncreativeUsername37]

This suggests something that The Daily Fail didn't.

At least then we know it's true.

[takagi_for_the_win]

Enough said.

Have to say, I was surprised to see no references to illegal immigrants or house prices on there

[Jocke1]

It's scary to think that it's been almost a month now. Has MS really been in the coma the entire time since the accident? No news of the doctors having tried to wake him?
How dangerous is it really for the brain to be in an induced coma? Can you be in a coma for a long period of time, and come out of it fine, if only the brain is stable?

I know that Ariel Sharon was in a coma for 7+ years and died recently, but I don't know how damaged his brain was?
If he would have still been normal if woken up.

Schumacher's muscles must start to suffer atrophy quite soon? It's tragic.

[CoopsII]

The last press release from his manager I saw dropped the word 'critical' from the statement but kept in the word 'stable'. All this talk of him being in a vegetative state I find very worrying and its a worry not restricted to F1 champions, its an awful thing to happen to anyone and their family.

But its all still conjecture at the moment.

[Ferrim]

Over three weeks in a coma is very bad news indeed. That's more than enough time for the injuries to heal and for the induced coma to be slowly retired.

If we add to the equation that, according to the first medical report, he already arrived in a coma (ie., it wasn't induced to start with), then one can only be pessimistic. I'm not a specialist, in fact you will find posts in this same thread where I argued that he would make a good recovery. But from what is in the public domain, no news is no longer good news. Remember how during the first days after the accident we were reading reports that he would be a few days in a coma, maybe over a week?

I'm trying to get used to it, and I find it extremely hard.

[LellaLombardi]

It isn't looking great. The best hopeful example we have is Wendlinger who was in a coma for over a month and was able to resume his racing career, albeit never to the level that he once was.

[Ferrim]

Wasn't it 17 days or so?

[Londoner]

ESPN state Wendlinger was in a coma for 19 days. Schumacher's been in a coma for 25 days now.

[LellaLombardi]

ESPN state Wendlinger was in a coma for 19 days. Schumacher's been in a coma for 25 days now.

Speculation is rife again this morning. I think Kehm needs to get a more comprehensive statement out.

[eagleash]

Once again here's Gary Hartstein (the former F1 doc) with his thoughts on Michael's condition & how things MIGHT progress.
May give a little insight into some of the points raised by other posters above. What is clear is that MSC is still extremely poorly.

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... -detailed/

[SgtPepper]

Once again here's Gary Hartstein (the former F1 doc) with his thoughts on Michael's condition & how things MIGHT progress.
May give a little insight into some of the points raised by other posters above. What is clear is that MSC is still extremely poorly.

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... -detailed/

Very sobering reading. Here's to hoping Michael's inner fighter pulls him through this.

[Ferrim]

Gary Harstein has already been wrong about several things; we can only hope that he is again, but his post sums up my feelings of this morning. I've been feeling all the day like it's May 1st, to be honest.

[LellaLombardi]

Thank God we have people like Gary who can give us a sensible, balanced perspective on things.

I'm still finding it incredibly hard to comprehend. Michael seemed totally invincible to me and even after the initial accident I was still optimistic and believing that he would make a good recovery. To have raced like he did and come off unscathed, bar a broken leg, and then for this to happen on a family ski-ing holiday just doesn't make sense.

It cuts deep as a parent myself. Those poor kids need their Dad back.

[eagleash]

Gary Harstein has already been wrong about several things;.

Maybe; he makes it quite clear that much of what he says is speculative. I'll accept his professional insight any time though.

[LellaLombardi]

Hard to say whether today's update is better news or not but I suppose it isn't quite so bleak. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25943192

Am I being too sensitive, or does this quote from Andrew Benson seem a bit crass to anyone else?

Andrew Benson: "The bitter irony of the appalling situation in which Michael Schumacher finds himself is that he is getting far more unqualified support than he ever did during his career. Now, though, as he lies unconscious in a French hospital, his plight has focused attention more on what he achieved and less on how he achieved it.

He really can't resist getting his little dig in can he?

[Eifelland]

Am I being too sensitive, or does this quote from Andrew Benson seem a bit crass to anyone else?

Andrew Benson: "The bitter irony of the appalling situation in which Michael Schumacher finds himself is that he is getting far more unqualified support than he ever did during his career. Now, though, as he lies unconscious in a French hospital, his plight has focused attention more on what he achieved and less on how he achieved it.

He really can't resist getting his little dig in can he?

If I'm honest, I agree with Benson. I really disliked Schumacher during his (first) career, even if I mellowed a litle towards the end of it. It might be because I remember Adelaide '94, Jerez '98 and whatever, as well as having been a big fan of Hakkinnen back in the day, but I don't even think any of that is really important anymore.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only former detractor to have decided to focus more on what he achieved rather than how he achieved it.

[AxelP800]

Still, his sins is not heavy one that he received unqualified supports. I'm offended by Andrew Benson in a way. For me it looks like he wishes Schumi to die. Schumacher is a great driver, even if there's some controversial cases. Period

[LellaLombardi]

There are reports going round including on the Daily Telegraph that Schumi is being awoken from the coma. Kehm has trotted out the usual speculation line without denying it. Unlike most of the reports in recent weeks, I really hope the rumours are true this time and he is on his way back.

[AdrianSutil]

Yeah I've picked up a few reports saying the doctors are to begin the waking-up process today.

[CoopsII]

Hard to say whether today's update is better news or not but I suppose it isn't quite so bleak. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25943192
Am I being too sensitive, or does this quote from Andrew Benson seem a bit crass to anyone else?

Andrew Benson: "The bitter irony of the appalling situation in which Michael Schumacher finds himself is that he is getting far more unqualified support than he ever did during his career. Now, though, as he lies unconscious in a French hospital, his plight has focused attention more on what he achieved and less on how he achieved it.

I'm undecided as to the crassness. I can see where offense could be taken, the reference to the hospital bed could be described as sensationalist, but equally I credit Benson for not underplaying the gravity of MSCs situation. There's some hints in the media this morning that things may be on a more positive turn but Ive yet to read of any expert not predicting a severely difficult time for Michael when he does finally wake up. Im a positive person but its time to be realistic.

[LionZoo]

Hard to say whether today's update is better news or not but I suppose it isn't quite so bleak. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25943192

Am I being too sensitive, or does this quote from Andrew Benson seem a bit crass to anyone else?

Andrew Benson: "The bitter irony of the appalling situation in which Michael Schumacher finds himself is that he is getting far more unqualified support than he ever did during his career. Now, though, as he lies unconscious in a French hospital, his plight has focused attention more on what he achieved and less on how he achieved it.

He really can't resist getting his little dig in can he?

I use the test of whether the statement adds anything of value to the article. Considering the article is supposed to be about MSC's medical condition, a reminder of the controversy that surrounded parts of his career seems to add very little, if anything, to reports of his medical condition. Therefore, it does feel like he's still trying to get in a little dig.

[CoopsII]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25963926

Fingers crossed.

[Ferrim]

I find strange that Michael has been kept in an induced coma for so long. It seems Harstein does, too, and his is a qualified opinion.

My girlfriend is a physician, we haven't talked too much about this since the early reports (she was angry at the media sensationalism), but I'm going to ask her whether a month of sedation is usual.

[DanielPT]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25963926

Fingers crossed.

One can only hope things go as best as they can at this point...

[go_Rubens]

I'm glad they've started the process of waking Michael up. Here's for the best, Michael!

[roblo97]

I am really hoping that the waking process goes as smoothly as it can.

Edit: GOOD NEWS!
Schumacher responding to questions asked by doctors.

[eagleash]

It's a crucial point in Michael's recovery...

Here's Gary Hartstein again..

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... -sedation/

[LellaLombardi]

If the responding to questions part is true then the prognosis of permanent vegetative state can essentially be ruled out. That had been a big fear of mine as I know he would not want to live like that.

[SgtPepper]

A relief to see things are hopefully starting to improve.

[go_Rubens]

I just found this:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news ... mi-3107682

Not an expert on trustworthy British sources outside the Daily Fail, but I hope this won't turn out to be true.

[Ataxia]

I just found this:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news ... mi-3107682

Not an expert on trustworthy British sources outside the Daily Fail, but I hope this won't turn out to be true.

The Mirror's not amazingly trustful; stay away from the red tops, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express.

[go_Rubens]

I just found this:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news ... mi-3107682

Not an expert on trustworthy British sources outside the Daily Fail, but I hope this won't turn out to be true.

The Mirror's not amazingly trustful; stay away from the red tops, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express.

That'll do good for me, as I have been trusting more and more British news sources for a few years now. I think it's a good thing I didn't find the Fail until about 5 months ago. I haven't used the Express, so I'll still stay away from it.

[LellaLombardi]

This isn't news, it's a possible outcome that a doctor has speculated upon. The last official update was positive so I'm trusting that!

[eagleash]

There has been little information for several days now; if anything important had occurred it seems likely there would have been some sort of announcement. But the lack of news is a concern & can only lead to conjecture..
At this point Gary Hartstein has more to say on what MIGHT be happening

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... nking-now/

[Jocke1]

There has been little information for several days now; if anything important had occurred it seems likely there would have been some sort of announcement. But the lack of news is a concern & can only lead to conjecture..
At this point Gary Hartstein has more to say on what MIGHT be happening

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... nking-now/

German paper Bild wrote two days ago that Michael has not been responding to touch or speech during the waking process.

[eagleash]

There has been little information for several days now; if anything important had occurred it seems likely there would have been some sort of announcement. But the lack of news is a concern & can only lead to conjecture..
At this point Gary Hartstein has more to say on what MIGHT be happening

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/0 ... nking-now/

German paper Bild wrote two days ago that Michael has not been responding to touch or speech during the waking process.

Indeed & other sources have been more positive. It must also be pointed out that the Daily Mail cited Bild as the source for several of their earlier reports & were subsequently roundly criticised.

[Jocke1]

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/what-should-we-be-thinking-now/

If on the other hand Michael cannot be weaned from the respirator, especially if this is because of lack of ventilatory drive, this is more than ominous. At this phase post injury and post sedation, this kind of strong evidence of severe brainstem dysfunction (especially if corroborated by other testing) would likely prompt discussion with the family about withdrawing support.

[eagleash]

http://formerf1doc.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/what-should-we-be-thinking-now/

If on the other hand Michael cannot be weaned from the respirator, especially if this is because of lack of ventilatory drive, this is more than ominous. At this phase post injury and post sedation, this kind of strong evidence of severe brainstem dysfunction (especially if corroborated by other testing) would likely prompt discussion with the family about withdrawing support.

Agreed, that is a very worrying paragraph indeed. But the first word is pretty important. Gary Hartstein, in his post, has tried to cover all aspects & eventualities. In the absence of definite information from the hospital, it would be unwise to give any one part of his article greater credence, than any other.