By JOHN WAWROW and CAROLYN THOMPSON (Associated Press)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills security Damar Hamlin has begun to speak in writing along with his household and others who’ve been at his bedside since he went into cardiac arrest three days in the past — and his first query was, “Did we win?” his medical doctors stated Thursday.
“The answer is yes, Damar, you won. You’ve won the game of life.” Dr. Timothy Pritts informed reporters in a convention name from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the place Hamlin was rushed after collapsing and being resuscitated on the sphere throughout the Bills’ recreation in opposition to the Bengals on Monday evening.
Hamlin stays critically ailing and within the hospital’s intensive care unit, however he started to get up Wednesday evening, and it seems his neurological operate is undamaged, that means he can observe instructions and transfer, Pritts stated.
“He still has significant progress he needs to make, but this marks a really good turning point in his ongoing care,” the physician stated.
“His first question that he wrote when he started to awaken was, ‘Did we win?′” Pritts stated. “So we know that it’s not only that the lights are on. We know that he’s home. And it appears that all the cylinders are firing within his brain, which is greatly gratifying for all of us.”
Dr. William Knight IV stated medical doctors had not but decided the reason for Hamlin’s cardiac arrest and that testing is ongoing.
It’s additionally too early to say whether or not Hamlin may return to soccer after present process rehabilitation, Knight stated.
The developments got here because the Bills returned to observe on Thursday for the primary time since Hamlin collapsed when his coronary heart stopped after making a deal with throughout the recreation’s first quarter.
The recreation was suspended and won’t be resumed, two individuals conversant in the choice informed The Associated Press. Both individuals spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of the league remains to be determining decide playoff seedings and scheduling. The NFL Players Association should approve modifications.
Hamlin, a second-year participant from the Pittsburgh space, spent the previous two days sedated and listed in crucial situation.
Pritts stated throughout the convention name that neurological indicators of enchancment started Wednesday evening as Hamlin steadily awoke, with the remainder of his physique therapeutic. Hamlin nonetheless can’t communicate due to a respiratory tube in his throat.
Knight credited the fast medical response with saving Hamlin’s life.
He stated a doctor was by Hamlin’s facet inside a minute of him collapsing and acknowledged that the defensive again didn’t have a pulse. Knight stated Hamlin required CPR and resuscitation on the sphere.
“It’s been a long and difficult road for the last three days … he has made a pretty remarkable improvement,” Knight stated.
“Great news,” President Joe Biden stated in a tweet. “Damar, like I told your mom and dad yesterday, Jill and I – along with all of America – are praying for you and your family.”
Along with with the ability to write, his medical doctors stated Hamlin was in a position to maintain the arms of household and members of the Bills’ administrative and medical groups at his bedside.
Although Hamlin is following instructions, medical doctors haven’t but absolutely assessed his speech and different features, partially as a result of he’s underneath sedation to accommodate the respiratory tube.
“When we talk about neurologically intact, it’s a very gross term of big motor movements and following commands. When we talk about the finer things that make us human — cognition, emotion, speech, language, etc., we’re looking forward to learning more about that,” Knight stated.
Over the previous few days, gamers throughout the league — each former teammates and those that didn’t know Hamlin till Monday — have rallied in help.
Colts security Rodney Thomas made the two-hour drive from Indianapolis to Cincinnati on Tuesday simply to be by the facet of his former highschool teammate.
“He’s a fighter. I know he’s a fighter and there’s no other thought in my mind other than him walking out under his own power,” Thomas stated Wednesday.
Minnesota Vikings defensive deal with Harrison Phillips, who spent the earlier 4 seasons taking part in for Buffalo, had dinner delivered to the hospital for Hamlin’s household and medical workers.
Fans, workforce homeowners and gamers — together with Tom Brady and Russell Wilson — have made donations to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which had raised greater than $7.5 million by Thursday night.
___
AP Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker in Nashville contributed to this report. Thompson reported from Buffalo.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Source: www.bostonherald.com”