Gov. Jim Pillen is set to return from Nebraska Medicine after being hospitalized for a horse riding accident where he was bucked off a new horse. He spent Christmas in the hospital and underwent a three-hour rib fixation procedure to stabilize broken ribs with titanium plates to ease pain and promote healing. Prior to the surgery, he was experiencing discomfort, audible clicking and popping, and difficulty breathing due to the rib fractures.

The second surgery was successful, and there have been no new issues with Pillen’s bruised kidney, punctured lung, or damaged spleen. The first procedure he received was a coil embolization, described as minimally invasive surgery. Pillen will be discharged from the hospital and continue his recovery at the Governor’s Residence, planning to resume office activities next week. He and his family expressed gratitude for the care and support from the medical team at Nebraska Medicine and thanked Nebraskans for their well-wishes.

The Governor’s Office released a statement announcing Pillen’s discharge and recovery plans, emphasizing their appreciation for the medical team’s care and support. They also thanked Nebraskans for their well-wishes and expressed hope for a blessed and prosperous New Year. The story is still developing, and updates can be found on First Alert 6.