Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen returning home after fall from horse
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is returning home Friday after falling from a horse over the weekend.
In an update, Pillen’s medical team said he will continue his recovery at the Governor’s Residence in Lincoln.
The doctors at the University of Nebraska Medical Center said despite being in the hospital over Christmas, Pillen was in high spirits.
“He has been an ideal patient, very much so eager and anxious to recover,” Dr. Charity Evans, the chief of acute care surgery and trauma, said. “He is looking forward to returning home today with his family and friends.”
The governor was injured on Sunday when a new horse bucked him off.
He was taken first to Columbus Community Hospital, then to UNMC, where doctors performed minor surgery to stop bleeding in his spleen.
Pillen also suffered cuts to his kidney, a partially collapsed lung and a fracture in one of his vertebrae.
On Wednesday, Pillen underwent a successful rib fixation procedure, in which doctors used metal plates to stabilize his seven broken ribs.
The goal is to help his ribs heal in the long term and prevent complications.
It also makes the governor feel more comfortable and helps with his breathing.
“The surgery was approximately three hours, and we were able to stabilize and restore normal respiratory function to his left chest,” Dr. Zach Bauman, the trauma medical director, said. “Since that time, he has been doing very well.”
Pillen will return to his office activities next week, according to the governor’s office.
