Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 3, 1995 TAG: 9506060045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium
Stan Fox has emerged from a coma, but the doctor supervising his treatment said Friday the extent of the driver's injuries remains unknown.
Fox, who underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain after crashing on the opening lap of the Indianapolis 500, was upgraded to fair condition Friday at Methodist Hospital, where he is being treated in the neurocritical care unit.
``Stan is conscious and able to follow simple commands. He has opened his eyes and is more aware of his surroundings,'' representatives of the hospital said in a recorded statement.
Fox, of Janesville, Wis., had been unconscious since his car slammed into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's concrete wall on Sunday and exploded in a violent shower of debris.
``He's making some improvements clinically,'' said neurosurgeon Dr. Kenneth L. Renkens. ``He will now follow some commands with his left hand, so it seems as if he's processing some of the information.
``I think that it's going to take a longer time, a month, to see how extensive the injury was.''
Renkens said he couldn't discuss what part of Fox's brain was injured and couldn't accurately predict what brain functions may be affected by the injury. He also said it was too early to discuss a prognosis for Fox's recovery.
``Generally, the longer a person is in a coma, the less likely the chance of a full functional recovery,'' Renkens said.
Asked if Fox was now likely to survive the injury, Renkens was cautiously optimistic. ``He should be,'' the doctor said. ``There are things that can happen ... unexpected things.''
Fox was still on a respirator to assist with his breathing, but no longer was receiving medication, the doctor said.
The swelling on the brain that had concerned doctors earlier in the week had not been a problem since Wednesday, Renkens said.
Fox regained consciousness after a series of steps that encouraged the treatment team. The driver had responded to stimuli by grimacing a few days ago, then began moving his left arm. On Friday, he was able to hold up two fingers, Renkens said.
``He started to open his eyes yesterday with some stimulation, which he hadn't done before,'' the doctor said. ``He's still not fully awake and alert. He's still fairly drowsy and not keeping his eyes open all the time.''
Fox's brother said the family was encouraged by medical improvement, but remained cautious.
``We are, of course, delighted with this morning's news,'' Fred Fox told the Janesville Gazette. ``... But we want everyone to know that this is a long, slow recovery process.''
The hospital has volunteered to pipe in any music Stan wants in his room, the older brother said.
``Stan's wife, Jean, said Stan would like to hear country and western music,'' Fred Fox said.
by CNB