# Santo Rugger (RIP Santo Rugger) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 6, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579 "2009-05-06T19:54:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/121 "2009-05-14T15:00:59Z")
Oh, good news is so…good! Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I know we don’t seem like “real people”, but I can assure you, we are, and we really like your son, too! I’ve been worried about him over here in my “real life”, and talked about him a little bit to my family over dinner last night. It will be great to give them a hopeful update tonight. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/122 "2009-05-14T15:29:56Z")
Great news! Thanks much for the update - looking forward to hearing more good news as he recovers. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/123 "2009-05-14T15:33:15Z")
Thanks for the update RuggersMom. It’s good to here that he is recovering. We are all pulling for him. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/124 "2009-05-14T16:06:48Z")
> [@SantoRuggersMom](#): > > As soon as he is able, we will get him his laptop so he can post away. Hey, does his recovery time mean that he’ll have time to play Mafia with us again? 🙂 That’s for the update; I’ve been watching this thread closely to see how he’s going. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/125 "2009-05-14T18:18:40Z")
Thank to for the update RuggersMom. I’ve been worried about Pat. He’s a truly awesome human being and I’ve been lucky to have him as a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/126 "2009-05-14T19:00:42Z")
> [@SantoRuggersMom](#): > > We have noticed much improvement in the past 2.5 weeks. Today he is opening his left eye, working hard to open the right and having purposeful movement. The doctor said today that he feels Santo is starting to pull out of it. He is breathing on his own. ¡Hagamos la ola! Or, if you prefer, let’s all do a Mexican wave! phew, that was a lot of coding 😃 ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/127 "2009-05-14T19:14:24Z")
We’ve done the Doper chant before and it’s worked. Maybe it will again. I think **runnerpat** and **NinetyWt** have the right idea. Wakey, wakey, wakey Or maybe just: Heal, heal, heal I’m praying for you, Santo. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/128 "2009-05-14T19:27:00Z")
Thanks for the update, **SantoRuggersMom** - glad to hear things are improving! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/129 "2009-05-14T21:18:32Z")
Thank you very much for the update! I think you should put on some rugby dvd’s from his past games and let him listen to them. Then, especially when it is a pivotal moment, turn off the volume. That usually rouses any sleeping bear from " HEY! Don’t turn that off!" Torture or therapy. Only time can tell. Get better **SANTOS!** ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/130 "2009-05-14T21:38:21Z")
I don’t know if there is anyone with medical knowledge or coma knowledge or whatnot paying attention to this thread, but is it typical to come out of a coma bit by bit like this? I guess I had always thought it was like on TV where you just sort of wake up one day. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/131 "2009-05-14T23:00:59Z")
Thanks so much for the update, **SantosMom**! And another chorus of **wakey wakey wakey**! ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/132 "2009-05-14T23:08:32Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I don’t know if there is anyone with medical knowledge or coma knowledge or whatnot paying attention to this thread, but is it typical to come out of a coma bit by bit like this? > > I guess I had always thought it was like on TV where you just sort of wake up one day. I’ve never been there (either as the coma-ed or an observer), but a co-worker’s son who wrapped his car around a tree came out of his coma gradually. According to the father, in many cases the brain heals itself in stages, and cognizance/consciousness/awareness increases as each area is ready to come back on line. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/133 "2009-05-15T03:57:55Z")
Here’s sending good vibes from the other side of the world. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingCowOfDoom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyingcowofdoom/32/21776_2.png) [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/134 "2009-05-15T13:02:09Z")
The extent of my knowledge is what I just read on wikipedia, but it appears that it is normal for a person to wake up a little bit at a time like this. –FCOD ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/135 "2009-05-15T13:28:34Z")
> [@gardentraveler](#): > > Thanks so much for the update, **SantosMom**! > > And another chorus of **wakey wakey wakey**! wakey! wakey! wakey! _pumps fist_ ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/136 "2009-05-15T13:55:09Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I don’t know if there is anyone with medical knowledge or coma knowledge or whatnot paying attention to this thread, but is it typical to come out of a coma bit by bit like this? > > I guess I had always thought it was like on TV where you just sort of wake up one day. It’s normal to wake up in stages, it can take a while. Keep getting better Santos. Keep strong Mom. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/137 "2009-05-15T14:48:07Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > According to the father, in many cases the brain heals itself in stages, and cognizance/consciousness/awareness increases as each area is ready to come back on line. I have no medical background, but will offer what I heard a specialist on traumatic brain injuries say in a documentary: When a person has a traumatic brain injury, we think of the brain starting to heal over time. He said that that’s not entirely accurate. What’s closer to the truth is that after a TBI, you now have a different brain from the one you started with, and part of the rehab and recovery is the “new brain” learing to take over functions damaged or lost from the “previous brain.” Having said that, I had a co-worker who, coincidentally was in a motorcycle accident some years ago. Similar injuries, too. In his case he had numerous surgerious to repair various fractures. He had a slow brain recovery, but he eventually pulled thru it and made a complete recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/138 "2009-05-15T15:57:09Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I don’t know if there is anyone with medical knowledge or coma knowledge or whatnot paying attention to this thread, but is it typical to come out of a coma bit by bit like this? IANAD, but SiL spent a whole week going over comas, back when she was preparing her MIR (post-medical school training exam). There’s different levels of comas; also, Santo hasn’t just been unconscious, he was also pretty badly beaten up. Someone who has been in a coma for a long time won’t (no matter what movies like to do) one day stand up, get his cables off, walk into the hallway and ask for a glass of Pepsi (it’s a movie, so no Coke); someone who’s had a bad hit to the head has had the equivalent of a stroke, there will be some damage which can recover completely, leave small problems or leave large problems - which, only time will tell, but recovery will be gradual; someone who’s got broken bones and a bunch of bruises like Santo does will recover gradually. The fact that he’s recovered some indicates that the prognosis is good, and further gradual recovery can be expected. My 94yo Gramps had a stroke at 91 from which he’d recovered 100% on the right side and over 90% on the left within 6 months, having only some difficulty tying small buttons as that hand sometimes shakes - like Gramps, Santo is a strong, healthy guy, but a lot of years younger, so we can hope. A friend was sleeping in the back seat of a car when it got T-boned by one of those “dick trouble 4x4”; he was unconscious for two days, woke up two days later and asked his brother what day it was (Sunday), “so why isn’t the freaking basket match on, man?” Once more, IANAD and IA definitely not Santo’s doc. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/139 "2009-05-15T16:47:11Z")
It’s good to hear you’re getting better, **Santo**. Now keep it up. Remember, we’re pulling for you; we’re all in this together. Sending more healing thoughts from MN. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579/140 "2009-05-15T17:34:17Z")
Adding my good wishes to **Santo** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santo-rugger-rip-santo-rugger/495579.md?page=8)