"Orthopedic outpatient and inpatient experiences NVH and QEUH"

A few years ago I sustained life-threatening and life-changing injuries that resulted in poly-trauma. I was taken in by emergency and had been induced into a coma to be tested and treated to keep me alive. 

I remember my experience in intensive care very well even though I was doped up on a lot of morphine for the pain. The nurses were so lovely and kind and made me feel lucky to be there in a strange way. I had multiple surgeries perfomed on me prior to intensive care, mostly to my lower limbs. The damage was extreme, 

My experience in the orthopedic ward was mixed. some nurses didn't seem caring or interested, whilst others were very compassionate and reassuring. It was such a frightening time for me and I was very much alone as well. 

The physios on the ward were amazing. I really felt positive around them and they were happy with my way of dealing with the pain of moving and transferring from the bed to wheelchair or toilet etc. They were the similar type of attitude you would find at a gym if you had a personal trainer,,,lots of motivation and encouragement but not too harsh or too gentle. 

My surgeon, Mr.Chan, is a very well-informed foot-and-ankle surgeon who performed the reconstruction of my feet. He did give me the worst case scenario when we discussed the prognosis moving forward in terms of recovery, mobility, pain and studying etc. I was able to push myself a lot to get to the stage I am at now and am incredibly grateful towards Mr.Chan for putting me back together again (as well as the other surgeons who worked on my legs and spine who I have not met). 

I am still trying to adapt to my new disability but I think Mr.Chan did a fantastic job considering how bad the damage was. He said they were the most damaged heels he has seen in his career. I am able to walk and that is the main thing. I use a stick, have custom made insoles and use holistic medicine to try and cope with the pain and discomfort longer-term as I successfully detoxed from the morphine. 

Mr.Chan really has made such a positive change to my life by giving me the best chance of walking with how he re-constructed my feet. For that I want to make sure he gets that message and for him to know it will always stay with me and that gratitude is there. I was still in shock and going through grief at the initial time so I was not experiencing anything at all positive. 

I had a few follow up appointments as an outpatient and we discussed what my future could look like with these injuries and it does seem to be bleak in some ways but I am trying hard to look at what I am capable of and work around the mobility issues. 

I did find that after I would come out of my appointment discussing the prognosis and injuries etc I was very distressed and it made me feel there was no hope but after a few days I realised I am being given the worst case scenario so I don't end up with false hope. for example, I wasn't expected to be walking for the first year I believe but I was up practicing learning to walk bit by bit within the first 6 months. 

I just had an orthopedic appointment the other day and I want to add that it was also a positive experience although it did feel rushed and I felt under pressure to make my questions brief which made me flustered and stressed. 

Overall, surgeons are incredible with how they are able to actually put someone like myself back together after such extensive injuries. I want to also add that the ambulance service were invaluable as I remember fading in and out of consciousness when they put me on the sliding board. That was the last thing I remembered before being brought round to be told I am going in for my surgery. 

Thank you to all of you involved in my care and who provided me with safety, compassion and care at such a frightening and traumatizing time in my life. 

Thank you to all the orthopedic staff, the nurses, consultants, surgeons, radiographers, anesthetists, paramedics, police, and anyone else who I have left out. Thank you.