Nebraska's Republican Governor, Jim Pillen, found himself in the intensive care unit of a hospital on Monday, following a horse-riding accident that occurred while he was enjoying a day out with his family.
The 68-year-old governor was thrown off a new horse, resulting in a series of injuries that necessitated immediate medical attention.
According to Fox News, Pillen was rushed to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, where he underwent a medical procedure to treat an injured spleen, one of the several injuries he sustained from the unfortunate incident. Despite the severity of his injuries, which included seven rib fractures, a partially collapsed lung, a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae, and a minor kidney injury, doctors have given a positive prognosis. The governor is expected to remain in the hospital for at least another day, but his condition is stable.
In a bid to stop the bleeding from his spleen, Pillen underwent a minimally invasive procedure known as a prophylactic embolization. Hillman Terzian, a trauma surgeon at Nebraska Medicine, explained that doctors passed a wire into the governor's arteries near the spleen and inserted coils. The operation, which lasted less than an hour, was successful, with Pillen being sedated throughout. During this period, GOP Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly assumed the role of governor in a routine transfer of power.
Terzian further confirmed that Pillen did not suffer any damage to his nervous system, and there were no signs of an injury to his head, neck, or spinal canal. The governor has shown remarkable resilience, already walking laps and displaying a strong motivation to get out of bed. "Very impressive," Terzian noted.
Being in intensive care is standard for individuals with a spleen injury similar to Pillen's and with rib fractures at his age. The governor's prognosis is "very good," Terzian reassured. The doctor's current priority is managing Pillen's pain, with no further operations planned at this time.
Despite his hospitalization, Pillen has made arrangements to continue his gubernatorial duties from his hospital room. His office confirmed that while his injuries were serious, they were not life-threatening and could have been much worse.
Before his election as governor in 2022, Pillen was a veterinarian and owned a livestock operation. He ran for the gubernatorial election that year after former Gov. Pete Ricketts, also a Republican, was term-limited. His commitment to his duties, even in the face of personal adversity, is a testament to his dedication to the people of Nebraska and the conservative values he upholds.
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