David Ortiz on the mend: shooting and recovery

McBride11

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In a general medical sense, GSW causing injury to small bowel requiring resection, portion of liver, etc would not require a month in the hospital. These patients would go to rehab in 7-10 days barring some other issue typically.
I have no idea if MGH has attached rehab, though patients are typically discharged from main hospital into the 'rehab hospital' even if it shares the same physical structure (billing issues). Though colloquially people won't say they went elsewhere since they physically remained in the same structure and so will tell family they are still at X Hospital.

We likely dont have the full info of Ortiz's injuries / complications / or reasons for being still there. In addition, given he is a special case he may be staying for other reasons.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Also anecdotal, but President Reagan was released after 12 days and was very close to dying. 27 days since shooting today. Definitely odd.
Reagan had a broken rib, a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding from the gunshot. Ortiz's injuries included stomach and liver damage and surgery ended up removing parts of his intestines/colon as well as his gallbladder. While both were shot, I'm not sure the injuries were quite the same. At least not enough to suggest the recovery time tables would be similar.
 

canderson

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Tiffany sent a statement out that David underwent a third surgery.

“Earlier this week, David underwent a third surgery for complications resulting from his gunshot wound. The operation was performed by Dr. David King at Massachusetts General Hospital. David is recovering well and is in good spirits.

We continue to be incredibly appreciative of the kindness and compassion shown to David and to our entire family during this difficult time.”
 

uncannymanny

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Maybe because it’s his third surgery due to “complications”. Not exactly a reason to feel warm and fuzzy.
Sure, but the surgery is over, went well, and he’s communicating and in good spirits. It sounded like you thought he was in some sort of jeopardy which I did not get from the reporting.
 

staz

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The cradle of the game.
Yeah, you don't go public with a very carefully-worded statement that includes "recovering well" if he's in some sort of imminent peril. Glass half full for me.

Get well, Papi.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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Sure, but the surgery is over, went well, and he’s communicating and in good spirits. It sounded like you thought he was in some sort of jeopardy which I did not get from the reporting.
You sound really naive. A 3rd surgery for complications over a month after a gunshot wound to internal organs is not a great sign. On the spectrum of discharged from the hospital to in critical condition this is closer to the latter than the former.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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Some internal organs are just slow to recover from complications. From personal experience, my wife had acute pancreatitis a while back, and the strategy was to nurse along the problem and keep pain meds on lock for 3-4 weeks in our local hospital until the inflammation decreased. Then with no improvement after that time, she was shipped to Mass General for surgery to remove the portion of inflamed organ. And AFTER THAT, it took another 8 weeks (partially in/partially out of hospital) to be sure we were out of the hospital for good, and another NINE MONTHS from that point where life was relatively back to normal: first doing household activities, driving, then back to work. I imagine the liver can be as spastic as the pancreas was as far as function after a traumatic event.
 

geoduck no quahog

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Quick uneducated question: is it possible he had a temporary colostomy and the latest surgery is to restore the original pathway?
 

YTF

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Quick uneducated question: is it possible he had a temporary colostomy and the latest surgery is to restore the original pathway?
This is what I was initially wondering. The word "complications" sort of leads me to think that maybe it was something else. One thing we need to understand is that complications aren't always dire, but simply an indication that things didn't go exactly as hoped.
 

donutogre

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This isn't the third surgery from complications. It's the third surgery overall. At least, that's how I read it. There was the initial surgery, the one that came when he got to MGH, and then this recent one. Still not ideal, but different.
 

Jim Ed Rice in HOF

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However, that would not be considered a "complication", as reported on the statement released to the press.
The statement was released by his wife and we are operating with most likely intentionally vague wording. The public isn't entitled to any communication frankly but the fact that Ortiz is who he is the family is providing updates.

Since it's all just guessing and conjecturing about what it is, if I was a figure as public and with as much of a larger than life persona as Ortiz I would probably be going the "complication" route regardless of what they were doing - I don't need to tell the world I've been shitting into a bag since the incident if that is in fact the case.
 

The Napkin

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right here
The operation was performed by Dr. David King at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr King is a trauma and acute care surgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital Trauma Center. Additionally, Dr King also attends in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit providing care to the sickest patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Clinical Interests
  • Bowel obstruction and perforation
  • Compartment syndrome
  • Critical care
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Resuscitation
  • Surgical emergencies
 

joe dokes

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if I was a figure as public and with as much of a larger than life persona as Ortiz I would probably be going the "complication" route regardless of what they were doing - I don't need to tell the world I've been shitting into a bag since the incident if that is in fact the case.
Nor would I. But I wouldn't be surprised if he brings it up while chatting with ARod on the FOX set during the playoffs, just to wig ARod out.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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It's becoming increasingly apparent that we may never get the full story on this for all the reasons people speculated about when the controversy first started. Only Ortiz and the gunman really know and I have a feeling the former isn't going to say much more and the latter is the definition of an unreliable source, as are the rest that were arrested. It's in their best interest to not put themselves in a position for violent, most likely lethal, retribution and it's in Ortiz's best interest to stick to the story that it was a random/accidental targeting of him and has nothing to do with gang lords, drug runners, unfaithfulness on either side of the fence, or anything else that might track more shit into his personal life. Whatever happened, if he's smart (and I believe he is), he will have bodyguards from here on out at every appearance he does and location he visits, especially in the DR. He may not need one to do his stuff for the MLB Network but otherwise there shouldn't be any room for chance, even in Boston. Hopefully he protects his family in similar fashion.
 

drbretto

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They would need something to exaggerate to get clicks in the first place. My take here is no news is good news. He took a shot to the gut in a country not known for its healthcare. That's a lot of damage to heal up. If there was really anything fishy going on, I'm sure the sports media would be going nuts over it by now.
 

InstaFace

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The fishiness right now is how he's doing physically, not why it happened. Something important is going unreported if he's still in the hospital and we don't know why.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Why is no news considered fishy? Why do we need to be updated at all on his progress? His family asked for privacy, the press is giving it to them (for once). If something major happens, we'll find out about it in due course.
 

drbretto

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Agreed. The family is going through trying times. Even if there isn't not fire to the smoke out there about his supposed sidepiece, I have no doubt his wife has at least seen the rumors. Between that and the recovery, which I imagine is a long, boring and painful process, I don't think it's strange at all that he'd rather quietly focus on recovery for now until he's ready to put on his public face.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Am I wrong to hope for a wave to the crowd over the scoreboard at Fenway?
I don't think you're wrong at all. It would be nice to see him in any capacity.

My guess is that he'd prefer his return to Fenway be him walking out and waving from the mound before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Maybe for the first post-season game at Fenway.
 

InstaFace

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Why is no news considered fishy? Why do we need to be updated at all on his progress? His family asked for privacy, the press is giving it to them (for once). If something major happens, we'll find out about it in due course.
We don't "need" or "deserve" to be updated, but reasonable expectations are that he'd be home recovering by now, if not home walking around by now... maybe record a video to his adoring public. The secrecy and layers of communication between him and the public are the exact opposite of his entire public persona from the past 15 years. We can draw an adverse conclusion about that, or at least reasonable people can suspect that there's one to be drawn.
 

bosockboy

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We don't "need" or "deserve" to be updated, but reasonable expectations are that he'd be home recovering by now, if not home walking around by now... maybe record a video to his adoring public. The secrecy and layers of communication between him and the public are the exact opposite of his entire public persona from the past 15 years. We can draw an adverse conclusion about that, or at least reasonable people can suspect that there's one to be drawn.
Yes there was a mild expectation on here that he would have a video message at Game 7 of SCF and that was 6 weeks ago. Has DRS chimed in on this?
 

E5 Yaz

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The secrecy and layers of communication between him and the public are the exact opposite of his entire public persona from the past 15 years.
Remind me again: How many times did he get shot and nearly assassinated during those past 15 years?
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Yes there was a mild expectation on here that he would have a video message at Game 7 of SCF and that was 6 weeks ago. Has DRS chimed in on this?
I think this was an unfounded rumor that was never confirmed. It may have been discussed but I'm not sure it ever made it past that point. Maybe the Bruins were hoping they'd get something but it's entirely possible Ortiz just didn't have the energy to do it and they opted for nothing rather than a disheartening video of a drugged-up, tired, weak Ortiz with tubes all over the place trying to fire-up a crowd that, honestly, shouldn't have needed any extra reasons to be going crazy about a Game 7 in their building with the Cup on the line.

Maybe they just couldn't get it done in time, either, and figured it wasn't worth it if it wasn't at the beginning of the game.

I did a search and I don't really see anything that definitely confirms it, just a lot of speculation.
 

PedroKsBambino

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I'm thrilled that whatever the medical situation may be that MGH has been air-tight in terms of info. I realize that is something they train people for and it is part of the mission (and a legal requirement). And, leaks happen in high profile cases---so it speaks very well of the institution and the care providers (and techs, etc.) that there hasn't been anything out there on his medical situation, which is as it should be.

I also suspect the bar for publishing anything which might be leaked is somewhat high in this case anyway---not only do you have the ethical issue of reporting on PHI, but you also have the spectre of the Red Sox over you, and beyond that you have a local deity who it is unwise to be perceived as treating poorly.
 

Marciano490

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The man was an elite athlete and a giant human his entire life. I wasn’t half the athlete he was or nearly as large, but any time I was injured, it fucked with my entire sense of self. I can completely understand him not wanting to interact with the public at all until he’s completely back.
 

YTF

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Bottom line... It's natural to be curious, but for all that Otiz has given since he first put on a Red Sox uniform, the man (and by extension his family) owes us nothing. This is their ordeal to live through, work through and heal from. He'll resurface in due time and how public a life he chooses to lead will be up to him.
 

Soxfan in Fla

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Bottom line... It's natural to be curious, but for all that Otiz has given since he first put on a Red Sox uniform, the man (and by extension his family) owes us nothing. This is their ordeal to live through, work through and heal from. He'll resurface in due time and how public a life he chooses to lead will be up to him.
For me personally it’s concern, not curiosity. That really is most likely semantics and not a big deal. Obviously there was a lot going on medically here. He easily could’ve died and the internal damage was extensive so it will take time. Hopefully he will be back to his normal self in a few months.