Woman Impaled On Mic Stand Still Critical
Hospital Says Child In Good Condition
POSTED: Friday, June 13, 2003
UPDATED: 8:34 pm EDT June 13,
2003
A pregnant woman who was impaled on a microphone stand was in critical condition Friday and her unborn child appeared to be doing well, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Jessie Wickham, who is 8½ months pregnant, remained at University of Michigan Hospital following surgery to repair a ruptured lung, hospital spokeswoman Cathy Helmling said.
The hospital's obstetrical team has said there are no immediate plans to perform a Caesarean section to deliver the child and Wickham (pictured, left) should be able to deliver via Caesarean section on her previously scheduled due date in early July.
Wickham, 34, was in a second-story loft in her home in Livingston County's Green Oak Township on Wednesday when she became dizzy and fell, crashing through a banister, police said.
She fell onto the 3-foot microphone stand, which was amid musical instruments set up on the first floor, officials said.
Wickham was able to call 911, and her 7-year-old son helped guide emergency workers to the home, Local 4 reported.
The microphone pole pierced her body through the upper chest, from front to back, penetrating the upper left lobe of her lung and hitting one of her shoulder bones.
Friends told Local 4 that the microphone stand just missed Wickham's heart.
The stand was still in Wickham's chest when she was flown to the hospital. A makeshift landing pad was created for the medical helicopter at a nearby intersection.
Wickham's friends described her as a bass player and vocalist who opens her home to area musicians to practice.
Friend Lisa Huff said, "She's like the biggest-hearted person you could ever meet in your life; I mean, she'll give the shirt off her back to anybody."
Wickham's musician friends told Local 4 they planned to have a benefit concert to help pay for her medical bills.
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