Bills: Damar Hamlin shows signs of improvement, is expected to remain in ICU

Fans Gather Outside Highmark Stadium Following Hospitalization of Buffalo Bills Player Damar Hamlin
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The Bills issued a statement updating the condition of safety Damar Hamlin on Wednesday afternoon.

Hamlin remains in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after being brought to the hospital after collapsing on the field while experiencing cardiac arrest Monday night. The Bills say that is expected to remain the case while noting that there have been signs of progress over the last 24 hours.

“Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight.” the team said. “He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”

A spokesman for the Hamlin family also spoke of “promising readings” while giving an update on Wednesday morning and the hope is that there will continue to be encouraging signs for Hamlin in the hours and days to come.

44 responses to “Bills: Damar Hamlin shows signs of improvement, is expected to remain in ICU

  1. I am a little concerned about the lack of information, and the way in which we are receiving the information about his status. There are millions of people worried about this young man and with the media attention its gotten, there is a responsibility to provide proper updates. So far its been a marketing rep, uncle, tweets, and speculation from guest doctors on various shows. My grandmother experienced cardiac arrest and we knew 24 hours after it happened the current state of brain activity etc. Some may say its non of our business and i would agree in normal circumstances but the amount of attention this has received we all are in it together at this point.

  2. I obviously don’t want to speculate on his recovery aside from hope- we have no idea about any aspects of him waking up or anything else- but imagine being in his shoes in this type of situation. One second you’re playing football, the next you’re (hopefully) waking up in a hospital, being told that you nearly died, potentially have long term health aspects from this, have become an overnight celebrity due to this, have several million dollars donated to your charity, every sports and other websites top stories are all about you, the only thing the league or any team is talking about is you- all in the span of a few days. That is about as life changing in many ways as it gets in such a short time…

  3. This demonstrates the power of quick, effective medical care, a strong, healthy (until the incident) patient — AND prayer. The country came together, instantly, for a young man that most people didn’t know. Amazing. Keep the prayers coming as he’s far from out of the woods yet.

  4. profootballcomment says:
    I am a little concerned about the lack of information,
    ===========================================
    Doctors I’ve listened to in interviews said there’s no way of knowing what his true condition is until at least 48 hours has passed. Vitals are important but the concern is the brain swell from lack of blood flow. They need to let that swell to reduce before making an evaluation. Patience is a virtue.

  5. Improvement from the doctor’s standpoint may not be what you think. Recovery may not mean the ability to play NFL football. With lack of oxygen to the brain for a period Of time it might mean it will take a long time to see how far his recovery goes. How much mental and physical ability comes back. It could take a year or 2 and longer. You have to very patient with a situation like this.

  6. In regard to lack of medical information being provided, may I suggest you look up HIPPA.

  7. Well, that’s good news. The “We have nothing at this time to say about any other issues in the NFL, and we have suspended coverage of all other topics or subjects until further notice.” policy stated on the 3rd must have really cut down on clicks to the site because I doubt many people are interested in “There is nothing new to report” stories every four hours.

  8. That’s great news for his family. Everyone wants him to have a full recovery to an active life whether he plays football or not. Now it’s time for all those who love to wring every drop of pathos out of celebrity accidents to move on and drop the somber public posturing. We’re all just a heart beat away from oblivion. Tragic, often fatal, things happen to ordinary people just coming to and from sporting events, jobs, holidays all the time. A walk down the hall of any children’s hospital on any day provides a lot of perspective and gratitude. There aren’t any crowds lighting candles holding prayer vigils and laying flowers for the cameras there.

  9. profootballcomment says:
    January 4, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    I am a little concerned about the lack of information, and the way in which we are receiving the information about his status. There are millions of people worried about this young man and with the media attention its gotten, there is a responsibility to provide proper updates. So far its been a marketing rep, uncle, tweets, and speculation from guest doctors on various shows. My grandmother experienced cardiac arrest and we knew 24 hours after it happened the current state of brain activity etc. Some may say its non of our business and i would agree in normal circumstances but the amount of attention this has received we all are in it together at this point.

    ——————

    There is NO responsibility by anyone to provide updates to the public about this man’s health.

    The justification that “So many are interested – you must tell us!” is ludicrous.

    We are NOT all in this together. There’s not a dang thing about 340 million of us can do to affect this kid’s health situation, and the outcome of his ordeal will not noticeably affect the lives of about 340 million of us. We aren’t his family, we aren’t his team, we aren’t his medical support. He is really a stranger to us and we are strangers to him. Don’t make this out to be something it isn’t.

  10. Let me translate: his gofundme got millions and now you expect round the clock updates like his family gets. Jeeze, some people…

    —-

    profootballcomment says:
    January 4, 2023 at 1:48 pm
    I am a little concerned about the lack of information, and the way in which we are receiving the information about his status. There are millions of people worried about this young man and with the media attention its gotten, there is a responsibility to provide proper updates. So far its been a marketing rep, uncle, tweets, and speculation from guest doctors on various shows. My grandmother experienced cardiac arrest and we knew 24 hours after it happened the current state of brain activity etc. Some may say its non of our business and i would agree in normal circumstances but the amount of attention this has received we all are in it together at this point

  11. @Tony Awesome – Im using personal experience not doctors on tv shows

    @shoepik – I’m not asking for personal health records

    @kurtlaughlin – I never made the statement that you quoted “So many are interested – you must tell us!”. For strangers we sure are invested in his well being… donating millions, prayers, taking over the TV airways, reporters on scene 24/7.

  12. It is impressive how much his charity has grown. Millions of dollars have come in from Liberals, Conservatives, and folks in between, and it’s wonderful to see so many of us coming together for this fine cause of Hamlin’s. I chipped in a little just to feel like I was doing SOMETHING for this young man. In my view it’s a kind of tribute to him to donate a few bucks on his behalf for these kids. Clearly all that really matters is for him to recover as fully as possible as quickly as possible, and for him to be awake again and happily delighted over how much money has been raised for his charity. Recover quickly, Kevin. Everyone is pulling for you….

  13. What’s being undervalued in all of this is how the football community, the nation & the world has come together behind this guy. This horrible incident has literally galvanized everyone. When’s the last time something like this has happened? This kid has done more for the world really than any politician, religious leader or athlete in my lifetime. This has shown that we, as a people, CAN set aside our differences for the greater good. Now, get better kid! You deserve to wake up to see the difference that one person can make

  14. God bless his soul .

    These doctors are tying their best but to treat him like robocop is cruel

  15. ibillwt says:
    January 4, 2023 at 2:29 pm
    That’s great news for his family. Everyone wants him to have a full recovery to an active life whether he plays football or not. Now it’s time for all those who love to wring every drop of pathos out of celebrity accidents to move on and drop the somber public posturing. We’re all just a heart beat away from oblivion. Tragic, often fatal, things happen to ordinary people just coming to and from sporting events, jobs, holidays all the time. A walk down the hall of any children’s hospital on any day provides a lot of perspective and gratitude. There aren’t any crowds lighting candles holding prayer vigils and laying flowers for the cameras there.

    ================================================================================================

    I’ve been thinking this exactly. Thank you for articulating so well.

  16. In regard to lack of medical information being provided, may I suggest you look up HIPPA.

    —–

    Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but if anyone is going to look it up, look up HIPAA.

  17. A minor and unimportant clarification to what some people are posting: it’s actually HIPAA (pronounced like HIPPA), which stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

  18. profootballcomment says:
    January 4, 2023 at 1:48 pm
    I am a little concerned about the lack of information, and the way in which we are receiving the information about his status. There are millions of people worried about this young man and with the media attention its gotten, there is a responsibility to provide proper updates. So far its been a marketing rep, uncle, tweets, and speculation from guest doctors on various shows. My grandmother experienced cardiac arrest and we knew 24 hours after it happened the current state of brain activity etc. Some may say its non of our business and I would agree in normal circumstances but the amount of attention this has received we all are in it together at this point.

    ********************

    Safe and effective. That’s all you need to know. We’re changing lives.

    Get well soon Damar. No 24 year old should have to be going through this.

  19. I am sure this will be a very unpopular post but here goes anyway. These athletes make a choice to put their health in danger in order to make millions of dollars. They are not forced to do this for a profession. It is a choice. Along with the great monetary benefits there are risks involved. Call me heartless. but I do not feel the sympathy that most do. Less public people face tragedies every day and there is nothing in the news about any of them. He is still just a person albeit a fortunate person with extreme athletic ability which gives him the opportunities to make a choice to become wealthy for both himself and his family. Less fortunate people face similar tragedies without the opportunities afforded to him.

  20. Prayers up for Damar. NFL needs to reschedule this game. How are we supposed to know who the number one seed is?

  21. Improvement is what everyone should be happy to hear. Let’s not get caught up in matters that involve his care or infringes on the privacy of him, his family or his friends. I am happy to hear positive news after such a scary situation. Let’s keep positive vibes going his way and hope for more good news about his recovery.

  22. profootballcomment says:
    January 4, 2023 at 1:48 pm
    I am a little concerned about the lack of information, and the way in which we are receiving the information about his status. There are millions of people worried about this young man and with the media attention its gotten, there is a responsibility to provide proper updates. So far its been a marketing rep, uncle, tweets, and speculation from guest doctors on various shows. My grandmother experienced cardiac arrest and we knew 24 hours after it happened the current state of brain activity etc. Some may say its non of our business and i would agree in normal circumstances but the amount of attention this has received we all are in it together at this point.

    ————

    The family are being very generous to share anything at all. I am sure all of our support concern is appreciated, as the family has said, but they don’t owe us any information at all.

  23. Profootballcomment, this is still a private medical matter. Just because we all witnessed it on live TV does not entitle us to private medical information from the family or anybody else.

  24. ****************************
    shoepik says:
    January 4, 2023 at 2:24 pm
    In regard to lack of medical information being provided, may I suggest you look up HIPPA.

    shoepik says:
    January 4, 2023 at 2:26 pm
    And the consequences/penalties for violating HIPPA.

    ****************************

    It’s HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Not HIPPA.

  25. Well done to all. It appears they are inducing to rest & monitor the impact on the brain due to lack of O2. Very good news imo.

  26. shoepik says:
    January 4, 2023 at 2:24 pm
    In regard to lack of medical information being provided, may I suggest you look up HIPPA.

    And the consequences/penalties for violating HIPPA.

    ——————————————————

    Actually shoepik, it’s HIPAA. Look that up instead.

  27. HIPAA,folks, HIPAA!

    Health Information Portability and Accountability Act — there aren’t any zoo animals involved.

    It’s 27 years old this year. You’re probably the ones who say “VIN number” and “ATM machine.”

  28. This is more than a celebrity accident. Football requires “a suspension of disbelief” like any entertainment. And that brutal innocence was bent.

  29. As a life long Bills Made-Man.. HIPA HIPAA HOORAY!! An outstanding young man may very well get a chance to feel our outpouring of love.

  30. Not heartless, just ignorant. This was on TV and a template for the public to provide support. This is not the Truman show or minority report where the public knows the fate of every citizen, everyday. It sounds like you are bitter about higher social economic class individuals getting more attention? Where have u been all your life. Welcome to the real world. I, for one, couldn’t handle daily news of every Tom dick and Sally having an unfortunate incident. It was broadcast tv, mass consumed, thus the outpouring. Don’t understand what you don’t get.

    —-+

    cmilesjr says:
    January 4, 2023 at 3:17 pm
    I am sure this will be a very unpopular post but here goes anyway. These athletes make a choice to put their health in danger in order to make millions of dollars. They are not forced to do this for a profession. It is a choice. Along with the great monetary benefits there are risks involved. Call me heartless. but I do not feel the sympathy that most do. Less public people face tragedies every day and there is nothing in the news about any of them. He is still just a person albeit a fortunate person with extreme athletic ability which gives him the opportunities to make a choice to become wealthy for both himself and his family. Less fortunate people face similar tragedies without the opportunities afforded to him.

  31. Thanks to all who clarified HIPAA,not HIPPA. A 40+yrs medical practioner and I blew that acronym. As Popeye would say “how embearskin”!

  32. I hope now we can really analyze what happened. Instead of listening to what doctors said by merely watching the video. I’d like to think if I tore a ligament or broke a bone an actual doctor would perform an MRI, rather than looking at a video. Frankly it wasn’t a very hard hit. It wasn’t a hockey puck or lacrosse ball to the chest. It just feels this “injury” is odd given it’s never happened in the history of the game. And the first time it ever happened is now, when heart issues seem to be at an all time high. For some unknown reason. I just hope he’s getting safe and effective care in the hospital.

  33. I think there will be an update tonight or tomorrow morning. Millions of people are paying close attention, and they probably don’t want to give out any information until they really know what’s going on. I understand the frustration. We’re all sick about this. We just want the kid to be ok. Whether he had a pre-existing condition that was never detected, or it was just a freak occurrence. Some of those questions might not get answered for a while, but we want to hear something good.

  34. 40 years of being a pulmonary and critical care doctor have taught me this: while it is natural to publicly speculate about diagnoses, it is wrong to do so. The harm of speculation leads to gossip, the dissemination of misinformation, and the spread of disinformation. Social media amplifies and rewards the tendency to speculate, as does our 24/7 news cycle. It is an unhealthy distraction.
    Mr. Hamlin’s family and medical team would all be best served by turning it down a notch, and devoting our energies to well wishes, prayers, and deeds of mercy.

  35. I am a doctor and can speculate a little based on what has been said. I was hopeful even though he was still sedated the first 24 hours since it is pretty common to ‘cool’ the patient during that time to decrease damage to the vital organs. When you do that, you sedate the patient. Now 24 hours has passed and there is a report that they were ventilating him in a prone position. This is worrisome. Usually once the sedation is stopped the ventilator can be removed. The fact that his is not breathing well enough to have it removed is not great. The fact that they have him laying on his stomach to breath for him is concerning that he may have some damage to his lungs called ‘ARDS–Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome’. It could also be that his heart is still weak from the stress of the injury (congestive heart failure) but the laying on the stomach is more common with lung injury. ARDS is not a good thing to have and raises the risk of death or the need for drastic interventions like lung transplant. It could also be that the lungs themselves were bruised with the hit to the chest along with the heart. That is called a pulmonary contusion. That would be a better issue to have than ARDS. I’m doing a lot of speculating since there is not a lot out there yet.

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