University of Cincinnati Health Provide Positive Update on Damar Hamlin's Status

Everyone can let out a collective breath.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has reportedly woken up and even asked, in writing, who won Monday night’s game. 

Hamlin, according to the University of Cincinnati Health doctors caring for him, appears neurologically intact and has been communicating through writing and nodding or shaking his head.

He is still intubated and on a breathing machine, but everything has been moving in a positive trend as far as his oxygen levels and function of his vital organs, according to Dr. William A Knight IV and Dr. Timothy Pritts of University of Cincinnati Health.

The best case scenario would be for the 24-year-old from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, to return to full health, said Knight. 

That is still in play, but it is far too early to determine what the next steps are beyond getting him off the breathing machine, according to his doctors.

He is still on a form of life support, the ventilator machine, but if everything continues in a positive direction he could be discharged from the hospital soon to recover at home.

With each update, there has been further confirmation of what Dr. David Chao detailed Monday night: the quick actions by the medical personnel present at Monday's game saved Hamlin's life.

Aside from a hospital, a professional sports field is likely the only other place Hamlin could have collapsed like he did and survived. The two doctors speaking at Thursday’s news conference confirmed that through the details of Hamlin’s care on the field.

At least four medical personnel rushed to his side soon after the injury occurred. He still had a pulse when medical personnel got to him on the field, but he lost it a short time later.

CPR was started almost immediately and he was revived along with the use of an AED. His vitals were stable for transport to the hospital and the ambulance even waited for his family before taking off for the hospital, which was a great initial sign of Hamlin’s status immediately after the incident.

Despite reports of a second heart episode at the hospital, his doctors clarified that his heart stopped just once on the field and only required on defibrillation to revive him.

As Knight and Pritts specified, each patient is different and requires different rehabilitation after a cardiac episode like Hamlin’s. For now, the focus should be on getting him feeling right and comfortable enough to rest at home.

Hamlin has a long road ahead, but for now this is a victory – one much bigger than anything that could happen on a field or court.

There is still a lot to digest from what happened Monday night and Hamlin will undoubtedly undergo numerous tests to find out exactly what happened. Commotio cordis may be one of the possibilities.

Commotio cordis is a rare condition that occurs when a blow to the chest sends the heart into cardiac arrest. You can read a more detailed explanation here.

It is still much too early to talk about anything other than his health, including whether he will continue playing football.

One more positive that has shined through in this situation has been donations to Hamlin’s GoFundMe to raise money for children’s toys. As of Thursday afternoon, it had raised over $7.3 million.

Before Monday night’s incident, the fundraiser was at $2,921.