And that's about as irritated as Sam Paneno gets. In fact, his cheerfulness in the face of a devastating injury has made him a hero to virtually everyone who knows him. After severely dislocating his knee in a UC Davis football game on Sept. 11 and having his lower leg amputated nine days later, a smiling, uncannily positive Paneno appeared on ESPN's Sports Center to discuss his situation. His optimism and aura of spiritual calm brought thousands of calls and letters from people touched by his message of hope, an outpouring that has yet to let up. "I have to read my notes slowly because it's sometimes hard to receive so much love," says Paneno. "I sit here thinking, 'What did I do?' I just had my leg cut off."
In fact, it is his quiet strength and conviction that inspires so many-people, including his doctors. "I would say Sam is fairly unusual," says Dr. Steven Olson, chief of orthopedic trauma at UC Davis's Medical Center and the surgeon in charge of Paneno's care. "He said to me, 'There's going to be some good out of this.' " Why is Sam not angry or bitter? "For some reason, losing my leg is not that big a deal for me." He shrugs. "Maybe God is touching me and helping me help others."
A junior running back enjoying his best college game ever with 144 yards and two touchdowns, Paneno was tackled in overtime of a game at Western Oregon University and had his right leg bent in the wrong direction at the knee. "I remember being scared," he says. "I thought I'd be out for the rest of the season." Paneno was taken to Salem Hospital, about 15 miles away, where doctors discovered that his popliteal artery, which sends blood to the lower leg, was severed. Surgery to replace the artery was performed nearly seven hours after the injury—within the six-to-eight-hour window that is considered acceptable. But Dr. Olson says that ideally Paneno's leg would "have been revascularized at two hours rather than six. If you wait too long, you have a dead leg." (Paneno's parents, Maria and Frank, may consider a malpractice suit against Salem Hospital, which declines to comment on the case.)
At the time, doctors at the hospital assured Paneno that his leg would be fine, but when he arrived at the UC Davis Medical Center five days later, his vital signs were weak, and 90 percent of the muscles in his lower leg were dead. Advised that he could keep the leg and live with a foot that barely functioned or choose amputation, "I told them to cut it off," says Paneno. His leg was amputated 17 centimeters below the knee, which means a prosthetic attachment should be more effective than the damaged limb would have been. "I was stoked I had that much left," he says. "I felt blessed."
That attitude has helped those around him as much as himself. Paneno's first stop after leaving the hospital was the football field, where he reassured his shaken teammates. "Sam said, 'I'm fine, guys,' [and] all the awkwardness was gone," recalls UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs. "By being so lighthearted about it, he lifted everyone's grief."
That's not to say that he hasn't had difficult days. Paneno lost 30 pounds but now feels strong enough to do more than watch videos with girlfriend Aniela Winkowski, 20, a sophomore at UC Davis, in the s apartment he shares with three classmates (Paneno will return to school this month). He received his prosthesis in December and is walking. He plans on eventually going surfing and rock climbing too. "How can someone this young be so positive and optimistic?" marvels coach Biggs. "People see Sam and realize, 'You know, the kid's got it right.' "
Paneno would agree. "People tell me that once they've heard my story, they stop worrying about petty things," he says. "You need to be happy with what you have."
Alex Tresniowski
Michelle Bowers in Davis
- Contributors:
- Michelle Bowers.
