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| This fan was probably among those hospitalized for frostbite and hypothermia during a subzero Kansas City Chiefs playoff game in January. It's coming to light now that some people who attended the game are undergoing amputations due to frostbite |
During the nation's only substantial cold snap of the winter, thousands of fans watched live in the stadium as the Kansas City Chiefs won their January 14 playoff game against the Miami Dolphins 26-7.
The temperature at kickoff was minus 4 degrees, with a wind chill of 27 below.
Personally, even if I was an extreme Chiefs fan, I would have watched the game from the warm, dry comfort of my living room.
Surely, some people are seriously regretting going to that game. According to the Associated Press, here's why:
"Some of the people who attended the near-record cold Kansas City Chiefs playoff game in January had to undergo amputations after suffering frostbite, a Missouri hospital said Friday.
Research Medical Center didn't provide exact numbers but said in a statement that it treated dozens of people who had experienced frostbite during an 11-day cold snap in January. Twelve of those people - including some who were at the January 13 game - had to undergo amputations involving fingers and toes. And the hospital said more surgeries are expected over the next two to four weeks as 'injuries evolve.'"
Even mild frostbite is painful, as I remember when I dealt with superficial frostbite on my toes and feet when I was in high school. It formed blisters which were really uncomfortable. And this was a minor case that did no permanent damage.
More severe frostbite sounds gross and awful from the start. The Mayo Clinic website says "The tissue turns black and hard as it dies."
Amputations are a worst case scenario with frostbite, but even those who manage to avoid that, some people will face a lifetime of joint aches, sensitivity to cold, long term numbness in affected areas and an increased risk of getting frostbite again.
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