Quote:
Originally Posted by sky&sea
Sidetrack...
I had no idea that it was possible to be shot in the head and still survive. I was extremely relieved to learn this, but I'm confused at how this actually works. Does anyone in the medical field know more about these types of situations?
/Sidetrack
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I am not a physician, but I am a speech pathologist whose speciality area was working with individuals who had traumatic brain injuries. My 10 years experience spanned from ICU, to inpatient rehab, to outpatient/return to work rehab. I saw individuals with gun shot wounds daily.
People survive shootings every day, but "survival" should never imply "returns to normal function." That is a long and arduous road that many never see the end of. Being able to survive, and subsequently the level of functional recovery attained, has many factors:
--- gauge of the gun that was used
--- time post injury that someone was able to receive medical aid
--- amount of swelling in the brain that occurs before and after surgery
--- length of time in coma
--- trajectory of the bullet. Keeping the bullet on one side of the brain causes less damage than a bullet that crosses into the other hemisphere
-- location of the bullet/damage. Different areas of the brain are responsible for different cognitive and motor funtions, and depending on what specific areas were hit will impact the deficits that one has. It is possible to completely miss all key areas, but this would be the exception rather than the rule.
-- extent of the damage caused by the bullet and shattered bone fragments
By no means am I making ANY presumptions about this case. I wish nothing but the best for her. I just caution all who listen to media reports that individuals with brain injuries may be "raising two fingers" (blech!) as that sign does not mean anything in terms of long term recovery. I have seen some VERY imparied people raise their two fingers for the physicans. It means that one is alive and able to hear, but really means little in terms of *functional* recovery of someone with a brain injury. Have I seen individuals recover to the point of returning to their prior job? You bet. Have I seen many others who were required to live an adaptive lifestyle? Sadly, yes.
Again, not making ANY assumptions on her. Just stating that we should all be cautious in interpreting media reports.
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