Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen will need at least one more night in the hospital before returning home to recover from being bucked off a horse.
He may need more time depending on whether he chooses to have surgery to repair seven broken ribs on his left side from the ride on family land Sunday afternoon near Columbus.
If not, he could be released on December 24th. On Monday, doctors at the nearby University of Nebraska Medical Center described Pillen’s injuries to reporters.
In addition to broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung, Pillen suffered a “minor fracture” to a vertebra in his lower back and a minor kidney injury, according to Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeons Dr. Charity Evans and Dr. Hillman Terzian.
Surgery requires succession.
His spleen injury necessitated an hour-long surgery when he arrived at Columbus Community Hospital on Sunday to repair bleeding from a lacerated spleen, which they said went well.
While the governor was undergoing surgery, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly served as governor, according to a press release issued later Monday by the Governor’s Office.
Doctors were relieved that the governor suffered no injuries to his head, neck, or spine, which are common in horseback riding-related falls. He was riding with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
The doctors said Pillen, 68, is eager to return home. He attempted to bargain with his doctors to return home in time for Monday Night Football, but was advised against rushing through recovery.
“He’s already been walking laps, which is very impressive,” Terzian told me. “He’s a tough guy, and that shows with the way he’s recovering so far.”
Doctors are on their toes
Evans said Pillen keeps doctors and nurses on their toes. She claims he has already been attempting to persuade resident doctors who are checking in on him to stay in Nebraska.
According to the Governor’s Office, Pillen was released from surgery on Sunday in time to watch the second half of Nebraska basketball’s broadcast win over Murray State in Hawaii.
He remained in the intensive care unit as a precaution Monday morning before being transferred to a more typical hospital setting Monday afternoon, according to the Governor’s Office.
According to the latest news release, Pillen intends to return to work “after Christmas and wishes a blessed and safe holiday to all Nebraskans.” He’ll do some work from the hospital. Full recovery could take up to three months, depending on the severity of the rib fractures.
Pillen’s new horse, Jack, was not injured and is “fine,” according to the Governor’s Office.