What was the first big injury/illness you had?
Discussion
Lotus Notes said:
Broken ankle at 21..
It took nine months to walk again and at least three years to get back to normality.
Multiple compound fracture of my right femur with a shard of bone missing the femoral artery by about 10mm, almost bled to death in A & E.It took nine months to walk again and at least three years to get back to normality.
Two weeks in traction prior to 3 hrs of surgery followed by a further two weeks of traction before being sent home. I had another 3 weeks off work before going back full time.
I was running up and down stairs 8 weeks to the day after breaking my leg.
Bilateral Brachial Plexus Neuritis
My immune system attacked the nervous system across my shoulders back, arms and hands. Two weeks of almost perfect pain, until a lot of my upper body stopped working once the nerves had been destroyed. Took a couple of years for most bits to reconnect.
As a few have said it does put life into perspective and I am a happier and less stressed person for it. Having said that, I certainly don't want it again!
My immune system attacked the nervous system across my shoulders back, arms and hands. Two weeks of almost perfect pain, until a lot of my upper body stopped working once the nerves had been destroyed. Took a couple of years for most bits to reconnect.
As a few have said it does put life into perspective and I am a happier and less stressed person for it. Having said that, I certainly don't want it again!
Hadn't had as much as a broken bone or a case of the Flu until late last year. Then diagnosed with Bipolar, realised I'd had it for the best part of 20 years but had never seen a Dr about it. As a nice side effect of one of the medications I was put on, I ended up having 2 DVT's. Bloody painful they were too, like someone had inserted a red hot rod inside my leg and then started pumping it up as well. I hadn't realised how serious they were, but from ringing 111 I saw a specialist DR within 2 hours (8 at night), had the test results and medication 2 hours after that.
I was born with pyloric stenosis, where the exit from the stomach is narrowed, which makes emptying the stomach difficult, projectile vomiting and dehydration. This led to pneumonia due to aspirating rancid stomach content, so I ended up spending two weeks of my first month in PICU before having corrective surgery.
At the end of August last year I set fire to myself whilst trying to light a BBQ and suffered extensive burns to arms, chest and face, including my eyes. I spent 2 weeks in ITU going through the "normal" issues that severe burns cause, organ failure etc, followed by another 4 weeks in a burns ward during which I had three skin grafts. The skin was harvested from my left thigh which was very painful. I was terrified that I had lost my sight for good, but the burns on the cornea recovered amazingly well in the first few weeks.
During the recovery period in the burns ward I developed a large and quite painful lump on the top of my arse but was sent home with it as they thought it was a knotted muscle, and proceeded to do regular deep tissue massage. It increased in size and pain until it became agony to sit down, I couldn't sleep and even walking was a problem so they suggested an ultrasound to find out what the problem was. Unfortunately a few days before the scan appointment a load of pus burst through my skin, and it turned out to be a large abscess (undoubtedly made much worse by massage). I spent another week in a different hospital having surgery, and then many weeks having the resulting 4 inch deep hole plugged with an absorbent 'rope' dressing every two days; one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. The abscess was caused by a faulty air mattress on my bed which on several occasions deflated during the night and left me lying on the bed frame which cut off the blood supply and started tissue necrosis.
Because I had to sleep on one side due to the abscess and a still healing skin graft, I couldn't wear the hard collar that had been made for me (I tried it and the collar dug in and caused open wounds on my shoulder). This meant the graft started to contract, despite regular stretching exercises several times each day. Then I developed folliculitis in the burn scars on my neck which accelerated the contracture until I could barely raise my head. Still I managed to get back to work, though using public transport and the occasional lift as there was no way I could drive safely.
In March this year I was back to the first hospital for another skin graft, cutting out all the original graft on my neck and the area with follicultis and most of my right thigh was harvested for skin. Two weeks stay during recovery and things seem to be going reasonably well at this point. The graft has started to contract again, as they inevitably do, but hopefully frequent stretching and moisturising will minimise this. My hands, arms, chest and face now have significant scaring and I have to wear compression clothing to flatten the hyperthrophic scars on my arms and chest. However I'm alive, I still have a job and I've just started driving again so life is pretty good at this point.
Moral of the story; next time you are temped to use an accelerant to help light a BBQ (white spirits in my case), just remember that the consequences can be an awful lot worse than singed eyebrows.
During the recovery period in the burns ward I developed a large and quite painful lump on the top of my arse but was sent home with it as they thought it was a knotted muscle, and proceeded to do regular deep tissue massage. It increased in size and pain until it became agony to sit down, I couldn't sleep and even walking was a problem so they suggested an ultrasound to find out what the problem was. Unfortunately a few days before the scan appointment a load of pus burst through my skin, and it turned out to be a large abscess (undoubtedly made much worse by massage). I spent another week in a different hospital having surgery, and then many weeks having the resulting 4 inch deep hole plugged with an absorbent 'rope' dressing every two days; one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. The abscess was caused by a faulty air mattress on my bed which on several occasions deflated during the night and left me lying on the bed frame which cut off the blood supply and started tissue necrosis.
Because I had to sleep on one side due to the abscess and a still healing skin graft, I couldn't wear the hard collar that had been made for me (I tried it and the collar dug in and caused open wounds on my shoulder). This meant the graft started to contract, despite regular stretching exercises several times each day. Then I developed folliculitis in the burn scars on my neck which accelerated the contracture until I could barely raise my head. Still I managed to get back to work, though using public transport and the occasional lift as there was no way I could drive safely.
In March this year I was back to the first hospital for another skin graft, cutting out all the original graft on my neck and the area with follicultis and most of my right thigh was harvested for skin. Two weeks stay during recovery and things seem to be going reasonably well at this point. The graft has started to contract again, as they inevitably do, but hopefully frequent stretching and moisturising will minimise this. My hands, arms, chest and face now have significant scaring and I have to wear compression clothing to flatten the hyperthrophic scars on my arms and chest. However I'm alive, I still have a job and I've just started driving again so life is pretty good at this point.
Moral of the story; next time you are temped to use an accelerant to help light a BBQ (white spirits in my case), just remember that the consequences can be an awful lot worse than singed eyebrows.
Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 10th May 23:44
I've never had anything worse than flu and only ever broken 2 bones, neither of which were mine.
I'm starting to realise just how lucky I am after a school friend was diagnosed with kidney cancer recently and another friend can just about walk with crutches now having been run over in August.
I'm starting to realise just how lucky I am after a school friend was diagnosed with kidney cancer recently and another friend can just about walk with crutches now having been run over in August.
Mr2Mike said:
At the end of August last year I set fire to myself whilst trying to light a BBQ and suffered extensive burns to arms, chest and face, including my eyes. I spent 2 weeks in ITU going through the "normal" issues that severe burns cause, organ failure etc, followed by another 4 weeks in a burns ward during which I had three skin grafts. I was terrified that I had lost my sight for good, but the burns on the cornea recovered amazingly well in the first few weeks.
During the recovery period in the burns ward I developed a large and quite painful lump on the top of my arse but was sent home with it as they thought is was a knotted muscle, and proceeded to do regular deep tissue massage. It increased in size and pain until it became agony to sit down, I couldn't sleep and even walking was a problem so they suggested an ultrasound to find out what the problem was. Unfortunately a few days before the scan appointment a load of pus burst through my skin, and it turned out to be a large abscess (undoubtedly made much worse by massage). I spent another week in a different hospital having surgery and then many weeks having the resulting 4 inch deep hole plugged with an absorbent 'rope' dressing every two days, one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. The abscess was caused by a faulty air mattress on my bed which on several occasions deflated during the night and left me lying on the bed frame which cut off the blood supply and started tissue necrosis.
Because I had to sleep on one side due to the abscess and a still healing skin graft, I couldn't wear hard collar that had been made for me (I tried it and the collar dug in and caused open wounds on my shoulder). This meant the graft started to contract, despite regular stretching exercises several times each day. Then I developed folliculitis in the burn scars on my neck which accelerated the contracture until I could barely raise my head. Still I managed to get back to work, though using public transport and the occasional lift as there was no way I could drive safely.
In March this year I was back to the first hospital for another skin graft, cutting out all the original graft and the area with follicultis and most of my right thigh was harvested for skin. Two weeks stay during recovery and things seem to be going reasonably well at this point. The graft has started to contract again, as they inevitably do, but hopefully frequent stretching and moisturising will minimise this. My hands, arms, chest and face now have significant scaring and I have to wear compression clothing to flatten the hyperthrophic scars on my arms and chest. However I'm alive, I still have a job and I've just started driving again so life is pretty good at this point.
Moral of the story; next time you are temped to use an accelerant to help light a BBQ (white spirits in my case), just remember that the consequences can be an awful lot worse than singed eyebrows.
Fooking hell!!!During the recovery period in the burns ward I developed a large and quite painful lump on the top of my arse but was sent home with it as they thought is was a knotted muscle, and proceeded to do regular deep tissue massage. It increased in size and pain until it became agony to sit down, I couldn't sleep and even walking was a problem so they suggested an ultrasound to find out what the problem was. Unfortunately a few days before the scan appointment a load of pus burst through my skin, and it turned out to be a large abscess (undoubtedly made much worse by massage). I spent another week in a different hospital having surgery and then many weeks having the resulting 4 inch deep hole plugged with an absorbent 'rope' dressing every two days, one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. The abscess was caused by a faulty air mattress on my bed which on several occasions deflated during the night and left me lying on the bed frame which cut off the blood supply and started tissue necrosis.
Because I had to sleep on one side due to the abscess and a still healing skin graft, I couldn't wear hard collar that had been made for me (I tried it and the collar dug in and caused open wounds on my shoulder). This meant the graft started to contract, despite regular stretching exercises several times each day. Then I developed folliculitis in the burn scars on my neck which accelerated the contracture until I could barely raise my head. Still I managed to get back to work, though using public transport and the occasional lift as there was no way I could drive safely.
In March this year I was back to the first hospital for another skin graft, cutting out all the original graft and the area with follicultis and most of my right thigh was harvested for skin. Two weeks stay during recovery and things seem to be going reasonably well at this point. The graft has started to contract again, as they inevitably do, but hopefully frequent stretching and moisturising will minimise this. My hands, arms, chest and face now have significant scaring and I have to wear compression clothing to flatten the hyperthrophic scars on my arms and chest. However I'm alive, I still have a job and I've just started driving again so life is pretty good at this point.
Moral of the story; next time you are temped to use an accelerant to help light a BBQ (white spirits in my case), just remember that the consequences can be an awful lot worse than singed eyebrows.
Shoulder surgery 5 years ago - reattach a severed tendon plus a rotator cuff 'clean out'. No pain, but a month with my left arm strapped to a foam block 24 hours a day was irritating (though nothing compared to the above!). Took about a year to fully recover.
swerni said:
Jesus Mike, glad you're on the mend.
I only had cancer, for more preferable then what you've gone through.
Having a small lump removed would not be so bad, but I honestly think I've had it easy compared to the poor sods that have to go through regular chemo and/or radiotherapy and have an uncertain future with regular testing required.I only had cancer, for more preferable then what you've gone through.
It's been a long and very painful road but hopefully within the next few months the contracture will have stabilised and if I require surgery to release it (very likely I think) it's relatively minor. Since the accident I've had 15 general anesthetics which I suspect have done my cognitive processes no good at all, but they should recover in time.
The main thing that's got me through this is the excellent care provided by Bristol Southmead hosptial and the support my family have given. My wife and my parents in particular have done everything in their power to help my recovery, though it's not a burden I'd ever have wanted to put on them.
Smiler. said:
As any fuel kno
Everyone knows it's a stupid thing to, but we most always get away with it. Repeated attempts to light the charcoal had failed (or so I thought) so poured a bit of white spirits on, and the next thing I know is there is a large explosion in my hand and I'm showered in burning fuel. Rolling on the ground wouldn't put it out so I jumped into our (filthy) fishpond which saved my life, coupled with my neighbor spraying me with the hose pipe until the ambulance arrived.Burns ward said they have loads of people in from BBQ accidents during the summer, though didn't stop me feeling properly stupid.
never anything serious for me
I fell over in primary school and cracked a small bone in my hand. Had a cast on for a few weeks but at that stage, I wasn't doing swimming seriously.
First proper, sport related injury came at about 10-11 years old. I remember our team being short on people so I ended up swimming individuals and relays for my age group and then swimming up and doing the same in the next age group. I ended up pulling a muscle in my lower back and had to go see the physio at a hospital!
Thankfully, since then I've always taken care to warm up, stretch and do strengthening exercises (especially for shoulders, rotator cuff etc). And no major injuries for nearly 2 decades now. Swimming is easy on the joints
leg and ankle injuries suck though. A girl at our club did her ankle in playing football. That was a good few years ago now and its still not right. All the bones have crumbled and worn each other down. Putting all her weight on the other foot as begun to damage that one. She's got one leg shorter than the other now and they're looking at fusing it after countless failed attempts to remove bone fragments and shore up the rest of the bone/cartilage).
I mean when its that bad you can't really do a lot of CV work. Running and cycling is out, even walking is no good. And swimming? yeah its low impact but ankle flexion is a big part of it and that is too painful to keep up for long either. Looks like a proper bummer of an injury
I fell over in primary school and cracked a small bone in my hand. Had a cast on for a few weeks but at that stage, I wasn't doing swimming seriously.
First proper, sport related injury came at about 10-11 years old. I remember our team being short on people so I ended up swimming individuals and relays for my age group and then swimming up and doing the same in the next age group. I ended up pulling a muscle in my lower back and had to go see the physio at a hospital!
Thankfully, since then I've always taken care to warm up, stretch and do strengthening exercises (especially for shoulders, rotator cuff etc). And no major injuries for nearly 2 decades now. Swimming is easy on the joints
leg and ankle injuries suck though. A girl at our club did her ankle in playing football. That was a good few years ago now and its still not right. All the bones have crumbled and worn each other down. Putting all her weight on the other foot as begun to damage that one. She's got one leg shorter than the other now and they're looking at fusing it after countless failed attempts to remove bone fragments and shore up the rest of the bone/cartilage).
I mean when its that bad you can't really do a lot of CV work. Running and cycling is out, even walking is no good. And swimming? yeah its low impact but ankle flexion is a big part of it and that is too painful to keep up for long either. Looks like a proper bummer of an injury
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Saturday 6th May 16:14
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Saturday 6th May 16:14
Born with crappy genetic condition. Didn't do a lot til puberty, just minor stuff (issues with eg handwriting, catching balls, sitting cross legged) then properly kicked off once I was growing faster. 20 years of chronic pain - I'm 31. Mostly pretty well controlled now, pain management teams are worth their weight in gold. Powerchair user these days and need quite a bit of support to live my life, not that it's stopped me from doing much, parenthood (by adoption - now bereaved, alas) included. Adapted vehicle is a life changer. 
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