Taddy on the mend following four-hour operation
KTM Enduro Factory Team rider and ’08 Erzberg Rodeo winner
Taddy Blazusiak is recovering well after undergoing a four-hour
operation at the Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle, WA during
which time numerous metal plates were attached to both of his
cheek bones and left eye socket.
Hitting his face on the handlebars of his bike when he crashed on a
double jump while practicing for the WORCS X event – a race he was
competing in as preparation ahead of the second round of the
Endurocross series in Oklahoma City, OK, Taddy was initially taken
to a local hospital for evaluation before being taken to the
Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle, WA. Diagnosed as having
numerous broken bones in his face but no problems with either his
vision or with concussion Taddy underwent a four-hour operation
during which metal plates were attached to his left eye socket and
both of his cheekbones.
“What happened to Taddy sounds very nasty, but we’re hoping that
it’s not that bad,” commented Taddy’s brother Wojtek on Tuesday
morning, August 12. “Obviously communicating with Taddy is
difficult at the moment but he is able to whisper and use his hands,
and he has told the doctors that he’s not in too much pain. Taddy
broke his nose, both cheek bones and fractured his left eye socket
when his face hit his handlebars. The good news is that his vision is
fine, he has no concussion and the rest of his body is ok. When he
crashed he cut his left eyebrow so the surgeon went in through that
cut to fix his eye socket rather than making any new cuts. Taddy also
cut his tongue, but that’s fine now he has a few stitches.
The plates for his cheekbones went in through his mouth so there wont
be any obvious scars. We’re expecting Taddy to stay in hospital for 24
to 48 hours after the operation and then he will probably remain in the
States for a week while the swelling goes down. Taddy wants to get
back on a bike as soon as he can, but the doctors have told him that
it wouldn’t be a good idea to race next week. Taddy’s in pretty good
spirits and we’re hoping that he will be back racing as soon as the
swelling in his face has settled down.”
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