Don Patterson
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2007
- Messages
- 7
- Age
- 67
- Location
- Hamilton, ON
I agree. Let's all just pray for Eric's recovery.
This is terrible news.
On the positive side -
1. I spent 5 days in the trauma ICU at Shands UF, in 'critical', in 1997 after an over the wall top end TF crash. At the time I had a traumatic head injury.
2. Shands is an outstanding facility with experience in race car crashes. Although this is a terrible thing he is fortunate to have been close to such a Hospital.
3. From my experience they will keep him intubated for some time, maybe weeks. In this time they will not know the extent of his brain injuries - so there will be no point in anyone else guessing about it.
4. The night of my crash they told my family on numerous occassions that I was done. After I made it through the first few days, in the weeks that followed, they told my mom that I might have any level of cognitive injury and not to expect much but hope for complete recovery. They also told my family that I had permanent orthopedic injuries that would severely limit my ability to walk/run/excersise/race/etc.
5. A couple of weeks later I woke up. My right leg was torn up pretty good but my mind was fine as ever. I have had no permanent issues from my head injury. My legs are still a little sore from time to time but thats a small price to pay. I am 99% recovered from my crash and that 1% is a needed reminder about racecars, life, and God. I qualified in Top Fuel at the Gatornationals in 2004(?).
My point is that there is every reason to be positive that things can work out OK in Medlens favor. I feel for his John and his family as right now it will be harder on them than it is for Eric. Also, all of the cards and notes I received from fans were helpful, I still have many of them.
GodSpeed and be positive. - Topping
This is terrible news.
On the positive side -
1. I spent 5 days in the trauma ICU at Shands UF, in 'critical', in 1997 after an over the wall top end TF crash. At the time I had a traumatic head injury.
2. Shands is an outstanding facility with experience in race car crashes. Although this is a terrible thing he is fortunate to have been close to such a Hospital.
3. From my experience they will keep him intubated for some time, maybe weeks. In this time they will not know the extent of his brain injuries - so there will be no point in anyone else guessing about it.
4. The night of my crash they told my family on numerous occassions that I was done. After I made it through the first few days, in the weeks that followed, they told my mom that I might have any level of cognitive injury and not to expect much but hope for complete recovery. They also told my family that I had permanent orthopedic injuries that would severely limit my ability to walk/run/excersise/race/etc.
5. A couple of weeks later I woke up. My right leg was torn up pretty good but my mind was fine as ever. I have had no permanent issues from my head injury. My legs are still a little sore from time to time but thats a small price to pay. I am 99% recovered from my crash and that 1% is a needed reminder about racecars, life, and God. I qualified in Top Fuel at the Gatornationals in 2004(?).
My point is that there is every reason to be positive that things can work out OK in Medlens favor. I feel for his John and his family as right now it will be harder on them than it is for Eric. Also, all of the cards and notes I received from fans were helpful, I still have many of them.
GodSpeed and be positive. - Topping
Marhsall, thanks for the post. That was one terrible weekend in Gainesville. 3 people got taken out by air in 2 days. I was at that event, and have your run on video. Terrible crash.
Glad you are doing ok.
Paul, I'm pretty sure you are talking about Keith Stark and Al Hoffman. Each recovered and raced again. Lets hope for the same in this case.