Schumacher doctors are NOT halting process to bring him out of coma despite German media claims, says F1 hero's manager

  • German news magazine said doctors had 'put on hold' waking up process
  • But manager said attempts to bring him out of coma remained 'unchanged'
  • Schumacher has lain in an artificially induced coma since December 29
  • The F1 driver was reportedly involved in road accident in November
  • Allegedly driving a hire car when he knocked motorbike rider to ground
  • Court still looking into circumstances surrounding crash in Seville, Spain

By Alexandra Williams

PUBLISHED: 07:15 EST, 24 February 2014 | UPDATED: 09:57 EST, 24 February 2014


Doctors treating Formula One racing legend Michael Schumacher are continuing efforts to bring him out of his artificial coma despite reports to the contrary.

Germany’s news magazine Focus stated that doctors had abandoned their attempts following 'complications'.

But, responding to the article, Schumacher’s manager said that despite the process taking a long time, it was 'unchanged'.

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'Misinterpretation': A report in the German media that doctors had abandoned attempts to bring Michael Schumacher (pictured with his wife Corinna) out of a coma has been denied by his manager

'Misinterpretation': A report in the German media that doctors had abandoned attempts to bring Michael Schumacher (pictured with his wife Corinna) out of a coma has been denied by his manager

Denial: Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said the waking-up process remained 'unchanged'

Denial: Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said the waking-up process remained 'unchanged'

Sabine Kehm said: 'This phase can take a long time, which, much to our regret, can lead to many misinterpretations.'

It was eight weeks ago yesterday that Schumacher, 45, suffered his life-threatening accident while skiing with his son in the French resort of Meribel, where he owns a chalet.

The seven-time world champion is receiving round-the-clock care in intensive care in Grenoble University Hospital.

 

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Wife Corinna, 44, with whom he has two children Gina Marie, 16, and Mick, 14, has remained at his bedside.

Last week French investigators closed the official inquiry into his accident, ruling out any criminal wrongdoing.

'On hold': A German magazine claimed the slow waking-up process had been halted last week

'On hold': A German magazine claimed the slow waking-up process had been halted last week

Stricken: Seven-time F1 champion Schumacher with his wife Corinna in the Dolomites, Italy

Stricken: Seven-time F1 champion Schumacher with his wife Corinna in the Dolomites, Italy

The accident occurred just over 14 feet from the edge of the ski run in an off-piste area.

Schumacher lost control when he hit a rock and ended up smashing his head into a bolder 34 feet further down the mountain.

His family issued a statement earlier this month saying that they 'strongly believe' he will recover.

The family said the most important element of his recovery was not the speed but that it progressed in a 'continuous and controlled way'.

The update came in the wake of reports that Schumacher had contracted pneumonia.

 
Concerned: Corinna Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated

Concerned: Corinna Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated

Hope: Felipe Massa has claimed he saw Schumacher's mouth move as he spoke to him

Hope: Felipe Massa has claimed he saw Schumacher's mouth move as he spoke to him

The statement said: 'Michael's family would like to again express their sincere thanks for the continuous sympathy coming from all over the world.

'The good wishes they receive help the family and we are convinced they also help Michael, who still is in a waking up process.

'As often in such situation, no day is like the next.

'The family is thankful for ones understanding that they would not wish to disclose medical details in order to protect Michael’s privacy.

THE DRIP-DRIP OF INFORMATION ON SCHUMACHER'S CONDITION

December 29 - Schumacher is airlifted to hospital after fall while skiing

December 29 - Doctors make decision to put Schumacher into an artificial coma

January 7 - It is revealed Schumacher made a will distributing his £750m fortune three years before horror ski accident

January 15 - Doctors begin tests on Schumacher's brain to locate area where he suffered the massive damage

January 16 - Fears grow that Schumacher will be in a coma for the rest of his life because he has still not recovered enough to be woken

February 2 - It is reported Schumacher has developed pneumonia as doctors try to bring him out of the artificial coma that he has been in since December 29

February 22 - On visit to hospital, racing driver and friend Felipe Massa says: 'I saw his mouth move.'

'As assured from the beginning we will continue to communicate any decisive new information on Michael’s health state.

'We are aware that the wake up phase can take a long time.

'The family continues to strongly believe in Michael's recovery and place all their trust in the doctors, nurses and nursing auxiliaries team.

'The important thing is not the speed of the recovery but that Michael’s healing process progresses in a continuous and controlled way.'

Last week, ex-colleague Felipe Massa visited Schumacher in hospital and spoken to him.

'He sleeps looks but quite normal,' he said. 'I think he even reacted a bit.'

Schumacher receives food through a tube to his stomach, oxygen via a hose from a machine next to his bed as he still cannot breathe independently.

Three times daily his joints and muscles are massaged to prevent atrophy and bed sores.

The coma suppressed his swallowing reflex, pain perception and his respiratory drive. He has to be acutely monitored around the clock during this wake-up phase to see if such things are returning naturally - if at all.

His blood is also thinned to prevent thrombosis and he is regularly turned and even stood straight up at times to keep blood flowing.

He lies on a special air-filled mattress to prevent pressure sores and his urinary tract is under constant vigilance because of the danger of waste bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing another potentially fatal infection.

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I think if there was no hope, the inevitable would have happened by now. I feel for sure he will make it, it doesn't matter how long it takes.

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CMON MIKEY, PLEASE COME BACK TO US!!!!

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Hope he gets better

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I knew a lady who was in coma for over two years, she came out of coma and living a happy life with her children and grandchildren. do not give up.

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I was told yesterday of an acquaintance who hit his head in an MVA. 8 week coma, memory loss, resat medical exams. He's now a doctor. You can do it Schumi!

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Boring story....

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Stick with it Michael. I'm praying for your recovery every day

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I am certain Michael's family asked for the media to stop printing stories that didn't come from them and to leave him to recover in peace. So what do the DM do? Print several articles, some of which are giving false information, like this one originally was and now it has changed. Don't you ever learn DM?

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How are you 'sure'? Have they told you? Are you a close friend of theirs? Clearly you're on first name terms with Schumacher......or maybe, you're talking out of your rear end...

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Was whoever wrote this article even passing acquaintances with a doctor or nurse.? DM's reporting on medical matters reaches an all time low. Here's hoping Michael's medical team and prognosis are much better quality than the reporting on it! Hoping for a good outcome but length of coma does have a negative relationship to recovery chances.

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Would he want any of this being the sort of person he was it might be kinder to let him go.

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