Watch for Bree Schaaf USA in the Bobsled at noon CBUT.
Guess she got sick and ended up in the hospital.
Azevedo’s 2010 Olympic teammate Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.) was taken to the hospital earlier this week for an emergency appendectomy and did not race today. Schaaf was released from the hospital on Thursday and is expected to return to competition in two weeks.
“It was a pretty emotional week because of Bree’s health,” Azevedo said. “It was a long week and a tough one for me to get my mind in the game.”
Schaaf is feeling well and excited to get back into a sled once the USBSF medical staff clears her for sliding.
“I feel amazing now,” Schaaf said. “The Austrian doctors took excellent care of me. I was diagnosed and on the operating table within an hour and half of arrival.”
Azevedo and teammate Katelyn Kelly visited Schaaf armed with a Blackberry, her iPod and knitting project. Schaaf said the experience sitting for two days was “maddening,” and was grateful for her teammates’ thoughtfulness. Since no one really spoke English other than the doctors, Schaaf also took advantage of practicing her German, “immersion style.”
Always the comedian, Schaaf declared that one thing she’ll take away from the experience is an appreciation for the convenience of catheters.
“We waste a lot of time using restrooms,” Schaaf said. “Oh, and I also want an adjustable bed now.”
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