Natasha Richardson injured in skiing accident- Page 7

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:39pm

What I find strange about the report above is flying her to her family and friends so they can say goodbye. I've never heard of that happening with a brain-dead patient. Flying the family TO the patient, certainly. But not the other way around.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:43pm

sabrelady--your "possible diagnosis" two posts ago was fascinating--and even comforting. Are you a doctor or nurse?

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:43pm

Wow there is some really bad reporting being done about this. Reporters are jumping to conclutions without having reliable sources. They need to just keep quiet till they get a statement from the family about what is really going on.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:43pm

Brain dead?! Oh my God.

I hope I hope, I hope it's not true.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:46pm

May God forgive me - but now I can't get the song "Brain Dead" from A NEW BRAIN out of my head...

On the other hand - in that show (based on Bill Finn's life), he made a complete recovery!

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:56pm

I second PalJoey's prayer that all of New York gets the chance to see how wonderful she is as Desiree, because it would mean the best possible outcome of all of this. I haven't stopped thinking about her since I heard the news late last night. My thoughts are with this beautiful, kind, and extraordinarily talented woman and her family.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 3:59pm

Hopefully people will take this to heart and use proper equipment.
Natasha Richardson Skiing Accident Highlights Importance of Safety Measures to Prevent Head Injury

[nearthestage]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:02pm

I will continue to hope for the best and send prayers of recovery. According to this article from the Winnipeg Sun;

"Sacre-Coeur spokeswoman Josee-Michelle Simard said Richardson left the hospital at 12:30 p.m. and was headed out of the country. She said the family was to release a statement on Wednesday."

http://www.winnipegsun.com/entertainment/movies/2009/03/17/8781331.html

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:03pm

This is, hopefully, another false report
Natasha Richardson Ski Accident: Brain Dead, To Be Taken Off Life Support

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:08pm

I suspect a slow bleed subdural hematoma tho one of my docs pointed out that the "event" could have precipitated the fall and not vice versa.

That would truly be creepily ironic if this is the case... (If you saw The Year of Magical Thinking you'll get what I mean...)

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:26pm

PJ, an RN for 25+ yrs. More oncology oriented but since my facility treats brain tumours more than a passing familiarity w IICP(Increased intercranial pressure) it's diagnosis & treatments.

Like I said- let's wait til we have some real facts, then weep or cheer.

STILL holding a good thought.

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:28pm

I don't see it strange at all to fly her here. Certainly they are probably getting other opinions and perhaps trying any other options at wherever they're taking her, but if most of the people to see her are here, or can get here easier, I can see it. Esp if they can afford to move her. People with traumatic injuries are transported all the time on medical flights.
God knows I hope someone can help her, though time will tell. And even if she doesn't die, what condition can be expected?
Sorry, if I'm a downer, been a clinician too long maybe. I'm also a realist, but I guess that's not very welcome at the moment. I'd rather be very happily surprised that this turns out all for the best.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:33pm

If it's a subdural hematoma and she is not brain-dead, then she could have a very good quality of life depending on the extent of the damage and the success of the surgery. But these things are all so "individual," there's no way to predict a patient's recovery with accuracy. Only time will tell.

If there is a neurosurgeon in NYC who specializes in the kind of operation Ms. Richardson requires, flying her to New York makes lots of sense.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:51pm

I thought everyone would appreciate this article that just popped up
We Love You, Natasha!

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 4:52pm

And even if she doesn't die, what condition can be expected?
Miss Pennywise is absolutely correct and of course, this was a rhetorical question. There would be no way to know as it could take, at the least, months of rehab to recover to her maximum functional potential, whatever it would be. As Miss Pennywise says, it's all individual. Lots of variables to consider.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:00pm

That's a lovely piece from Michael Musto. Thank you, Eris.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:04pm

My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha and her family. God bless you Natasha.

I thought the same thing jordangirl.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:06pm

"My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor is by a neuroscientist who suffered a traumatic stroke/bleed and who was therefore able to experience the phenomenon she studied. it took her 8 years but she was able to recover and relearn everything and shows no ill effects from her "near death" experience, she has returned to reserch and teaching and public speaking. And Patricia Neal (sp?)also pretty complete recovery.

Don't curse the darkness, light a candle. Keep hoping.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:12pm

I'm with sabrelady. "Don't curse the darkness, light a candle. Keep hoping."

My daughter suffered a subdural hematoma shortly after she was born. Some of the medical team thought there was no hope and recommended just letting her die. Fortunately, the on-site pediatrician felt differently and arranged for her to be transported to another hospital where one of the nation's top pediatric neurosurgeons could operate.

My daughter will be 13 in a few weeks. She does have challenges, but she has an excellent quality of life...and she has enriched the lives of many, many others.

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 5:22pm

There was a restaurant chain CEO who years ago suffered a severe TBI when his polo horse fell on him. I don't think any of us thought he'd go as far as he did. I watched him work in rehab everyday for I can't remember how many months and IIRC, he was quite highly functional when he left, though he got more therapy as an outpatient. He had a strong will. He went back to running his company eventually and wrote a book or maybe 2. He may have had residual effects, but apparently could function well enough.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 6:13pm

My prayers are with her and her family. Richarson is one my favorite actresses, and I've been devastated by this news. Following all the reports, but not believing anything until I get an official release approved by the family.

And, really, why would ANYONE listen to TONY?

[nearthestage]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 7:42pm

I feel sick and sad.

Fox News is reporting that this beautiful lady is brain dead and is being brought home so her family can say good-bye.

http://www.foxnews.com/index.html

There's also a second article which says she may have suffered from something called "Talk and Die Syndrome." Sabrelady or any of our other medical angels, are any of you familiar with this syndrome?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509586,00.html

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 7:55pm

I don't know anything about "Talk and Die Syndrome" (other than what I have read today), but a subdural hematoma can go unnoticed for days. Although it can be "spontaneous," it is usually caused by an injury.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 7:59pm

I just don't understand how they are getting this information if they say that no her condition has not been released yet. I just feel that this is so surreal and I really hope its blown out of proportion. She is so classy and I don't think its her time yet

[BNN]

Posted: 3/17/09 at 8:00pm

Well she was examined by doctors shortly after her accident, so they would have been able to detect something/if anything. I just don't see the reasoning for flying her to New York for anything other than some kind of medical treatment. If, and I pray that nothing serious did happen, there was something wrong, wouldn't it be reasonable to keep her in place and bring the family to her? Anyway, the only actual developments or updates coming seem to be from "sources close to the family" or just "sources," which is complete garbage and not to be taken to heart. I'm just waiting for the statement tomorrow and hoping for the very best for her and her family.