Just over a month after the motor sports world was rocked by the tragic accident that nearly claimed the life of Formula 1 Legend Michael Schumacher, reports have begun circulating that his medical team are attempting to revive him from his medically induced coma.
Via Associated Press, Schumachers manager Sabine Kehm has said “Michael’s sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time.”
Schumacher has been kept in a medically induced coma at Grenoble University Hospital since December 29, when he suffered a major traumatic brain injury after his head struck a rock while skiing with his family in Switzerland. Since then much speculation has been floating around the media, with suggestions Schumacher may never recover, or may not have full use of his faculties if he does regain consciousness.
Naturally these events have had an impact on preparations for the 2014 Formula 1 Season, with champion Sebastian Vettel saying in one article “I pray and hope he will just come back and a miracle will happen and he will be the person he has always been before,”
“I have known him for a long time and have been looking up to him all my life. He became a friend…we still don’t know in what shape he will be when he wakes up, which is horrible for his family and close friends.”
Nico Rosberg, Schumachers former team mate, adds “As a team we want to show we are thinking about him, and hoping for the best every day.” (via Reuters)
One of the biggest unanswered questions is what will happen to Schumacher when – and if – he wakes. Dr. Clemens Pahl, brain trauma expert at Kings Hospital in London cautions it can take several attempts to wake Schumacher from his coma, especially as the swelling in his brain may not yet have subsided totally. In that instance they may need to re induce the coma. Even if he does wake there will still be a battery of tests that need to be completed to get an accurate picture of his brain function. The ability to respond to voice, vocal commands for example will be key indicators as to his physical and neurological state.
The wait for Schumacher to regain consciousness has been long an arduous for his family and his fans alike. The neurosurgery team however stress this is only the first step ina very long process with a prognosis that is impossible to determine. Associate Press reports head of Neurosurgery at Oxford University, Dr. Tipu Aziz, as saying “If he pulls through, he may not be the man he was. Given the length of time he’s been in (intensive care), he has clearly had a very severe head injury,” he said. “It’s too early to know how intact he will be, but I would guess there is going to be some kind of lasting damage.”
Only time will tell what happens next for Schumacher. The entire Formula 1 family I’m sure will also be anxious for news on the legend’s well being. For now we wait, and we hope.
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