BY: AARON SANDERFORD
Nebraska Examiner
OMAHA — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen will need at least one more night in the hospital before heading home for recovery after being bucked off a horse.
He might need longer depending on whether he elects 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 Christmas Eve. Pillen’s Nebraska Medical Center doctors detailed his injuries to reporters Monday at the adjacent University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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, Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeons Dr. Charity Evans and Dr. Hillman Terzian said.
Surgery required succession
His spleen injury required an hour-long surgery when he arrived from Columbus Community Hospital on Sunday to repair some bleeding from a lacerated spleen, a procedure they said went well.
During that surgery, while the governor was incapacitated, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly served as governor, the Governor’s Office announced in a press release later Monday.
Doctors said they were pleased the governor suffered no injuries to his head, neck or spine, which are common with horseback riding-related falls. He had been riding at the time with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Pillen, 68, is eager to get home, the doctors said. He tried to bargain with his doctors to get home in time for Monday Night Football but was urged against rushing for recovery time.
“He’s already been walking laps, which is very impressive,” Terzian said. “He’s a tough guy, and that shows with the way he’s recovering so far.”
Doctors on their toes
Evans said Pillen is keeping doctors and nurses on their toes. She said he has already been trying to recruit resident doctors who are checking in on him to stay in Nebraska.
The Governor’s Office said Pillen was out of surgery Sunday in time to watch the second half of Nebraska basketball’s broadcasted win against Murray State in Hawaii.
He remained in the intensive care unit as a precaution Monday morning but was moved into a more typical hospital setting Monday afternoon, the Governor’s Office announced.
The latest news release said Pillen plans to return to work “after Christmas and wishes a blessed and safe holiday to all Nebraskans.” He will do some work from the hospital. Full recovery could take up to three months, depending on the nature of the rib fractures.
The new horse Pillen rode, Jack, was not injured and is “fine,” the Governor’s Office said.