NASCAR racing veteran St James Davis continues to fight the good fight and is hanging in there despite the serious nature of his injuries that has him in critical condition at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California.
This tragic story,which has now gone worldwide, began back on March 3d at the Animal Haven Ranch, a sanctuary for retired zoo animals, about 20 miles south of Bakersfield.
Davis, and his wife LaDonna, were there to celebrate Moe the chimp's 39 birthday. The Davises raised Moe from birth and was the son they never had.Due to a court order, Moe had been placed at the animal santuary in 1999 following allegations that he bit off the finger tip of a woman who was visiting the Davis home in West Covina.
On the morning of March 3d, four chimpanzees escaped from their cages. Two of them turned on the Davises and attacked them. St James suffered serious injuries to his face, hands and feet. LaDonna was treated for animal bites including the loss of a thumb on her left hand.
Since that time St James Davis has been in a doctor induced coma while his medical team tries different approaches to treat the massive injuries. Recent experimental plastic surgeries, to reattach his nose and lips, failed due to body rejection.
As of Monday, April 18th, doctors have been bringing Davis out of his induced coma but only for brief periods of time. This is due to a concern that he might try to move around in his bed which would only aggravate the serious nature of his injuries.
The other good news is the apparent success of an old school form of plastic surgery known as skin grafting. Doctors have successfully grafted skin from the back of his legs to the side of his face and the procedure seem to be working.
The medical team is also working on fashioning an artificial eye socket that will someday hold a glass eye to replace the one Davis lost in the attack.
There are also plans to reconstruct the heel on his mangled foot so Davis will be able to stand up again and support his size and weight.
Doctors are constantly checking his vital signs looking for any signs of adverse reactions such as a high fever. A metal rod was inserted into the base of his brain to provide a means for fluid drainage.
All this while LaDonna Davis has been maintaing a full time vigil by her husband's bedside talking to him and encouraging him to keep fighting.
Long time family friend Nadine Sigman has been in constant touch with LaDonna Davis and continues to field telephone calls and emails while updating any and all information on ST James.According to Sigman,The outpouring of love from friends, the racing community and the fans has often overwhelmed LaDonna.
According to Sigman, LaDonna even received a telephone call from NASCAR Nextel Cup star Kyle Petty There has also been contact from famed Nextel Cup team owner Richard Childress and members of his racing crew. The team's website has been asking everyone to keep ST James in our thoughts and prayers.
Also recently, LaDonna was contacted by producers from the ABC News magazine program "Primetime Live" regarding their plans to do a segment on this story. That is scheduled to air on Thursday, April 21st, at 10 pm. Check your local listings for your ABC channel information.
All of these extensive medical procedures are being performed without the benefits of medical insurance.The call has been sounded to all members of the racing family, from drivers to fans, to help. Donations made be made in the name of LaDonna Davis and sent to Pacific Western Bank, 200 South Vincent Avenue, West Covina, California 91790.
Tough guy ST James Davis is hanging in there but he stills needs the power from your good thoughts and prayers.
