Good news: F1 icon Michael Schumacher's been out of medically-induced coma since June this year.
Not-so-good news: his home-based medical costs have run over $160,000 per week.
It has since been reported that his devoted wife Corinna had built a clinic customized to cater to Schumi's needs on their residential property so he can continue his recovery at home. It is "a state-of-the-art medical facility staffed round the clock by a 15-strong team who have been specially trained by the Lausanne clinic to care for the man widely regarded as the greatest racing driver of all time," the Daily Mail noted.
However, this arrangement costs the renowned sportsman's family a small fortune week after week.
"The weekly bill for equipment and staff - which includes physiotherapists to massage his atrophying limbs, doctors, nutritionists, nurses and neurological experts - is estimated to be more than £100,000 ($160,000)," the British publication added.
There's also the question of how long will this arrangement go on until Schumacher is healthy enough to need less care and medications. There is also talk that casts doubt over whether the driver will truly recover.
"Since being brought out of an induced coma last month, it is believed he is in a state of what is termed 'minimal consciousness', in which he can briefly move his eyes towards persons or objects, and can answer simple questions by fluttering his eyelids and making small nods with his head. He also experiences sleeping and waking cycles and has been known to react to loud sounds with a startled look," the Daily Mail said.
"I cannot help but think that if Michael had emerged at all from the minimally conscious state we would be told that he is having problems expressing himself and will work hard to get better or that he is having to learn to walk, read and write all over again," said Dr. Gary Hartstein, a former medical delagate for the F1 World Championship, as quoted by Express. "As time goes on it becomes less and less likely that Michael will emerge to any significant extent."
"Life expectancy for a comatose patient who does not improve neurologically is measured in months to a relatively few years," he added.
Dr. Hartstein also went on to say that the world is now in the process bidding the legendary F1 racer a "long goodbye."
A friend of Schumacher's family said that Corinna is hoping that her husband will be fit enough to use a wheelchair by next summer. "Even to see him sitting upright would make things seem so much better. Until then she will be simply thankful that at least he is at home, surrounded by the family who love him and pray daily for his recovery," added friends close to the driver's family.