The experience of breaking 4 ribs...

As promised, I wanted to share, what I had learned from going through the experience of my accident 13 days ago. After falling just over 10 feet, although totally sideways, from scaffolding on to the pavement below, on Friday night of July 28th. Yes, alcohol was involved and it was irresponsible of me. Nevertheless, it happened.

The Fall

Hitting the ground I knew immediately I had screwed up badly. I'm probably a little bit rough with myself generally, so I'm used to bangs and scrapes quite a bit in my life. This was a little different. The pain was intense. I'm sure there were some extreme profanities as I rolled onto my side in agony. A girl immediately came to my aid and tried to calm me. Telling me not to move as I reeled in pain on the ground. She told me to breathe. Her voice was calm and soothing. I was scared. The pain was beyond intense. I noticed with her holding me gently and speaking to me that somehow I had begun some form of patterned breathing. Trying to reduce the pain. I saw other people stepping over me as they walked home from their night out. She asked did I want an ambulance. "Yes" was my immediate answer. This wasn't a case of standing up and shrugging it off, like so many times before. I noticed through the waves of pain, she seemed to be having difficulty with 999. There was a to and fro of communication, where she seemed to be trying to convince them of the seriousness of the situation. Her stress levels were increasing. She was getting bothered with them. I noticed my body had begun to feel super cold. Now, to add to the pain, the lower half shaking vigorously. I was able to feel the ice cold touch of the pavement beneath me. Whilst, this angel continued to sell the scenario to the other people on the end of the phone, a head peered down from above into my frame of view. "Do you want some drink, man?",  a strangers face proclaimed. Bizarrily, through this madness, I saw the humour in it. A can appeared, towards my face. I responded, "No, thank you." She noticed this and told the guy everything was okay. As he walked away, she looked down at me. Her face stressed with worry, as I called out in pain. "I don't think they believe me." I realised it wasn't an Irish accent I was hearing. "Very strange Emergency services. I thought I'd called the wrong number". Within, a moment I noticed the blue flashing light in my periphery vision. Her hands again back touching me, soothing me. Within seconds the ambulance crew were around me. Speaking to her about what had happened. Joking about the scaffolding climbing. They leaned down and spoke to me. Asking where was the pain. Talking to me directly the whole time. Explaining exactly what they were going to do. They mentioned something, I had put to the back of my mind. They wanted to brace me to ensure there was no damage to the spine. I had already been conscious of this, as I noticed lying there, feeling cold, how I had been moving my toes. Within minutes they had blocks on either side of my head and a board slid under my back. The pain was so intense I don't remember clearly how they did this with such ease. I do remember, as they asked did she want to ride in the ambulance, and she explained she had come across me walking home, how I might never see her again to thank her. She had made me feel so good by being there. It's people like that, that deserve the biggest thanks. So, through some form of universal energy. I send out the biggest thanks and best wishes to that amazing lady for being so incredible on that night. As the guys placed me on to the trolley and into the ambulance, I was able to feel every jolt through my body. They explained that the journey will probably be quite sore. Although only a couple of mins.

Like some form of surreal experience, we have all watched on our TV screens, my vision was now of the hospital ceiling lights racing past. Doors being swung open. New sounds around me. A new crew of people to greet me. The handover. I remember so clearly the voices that night. The lovely sound of the ambulance crew. That same calm soothing sound. With a hint of humour. They were explaining the scenario to the A & E Crew. "Sure we've all done it. A couple of drinks and we think we're Superman." Referring to forgetting my keys and climbing the scaffolding. New kind and caring faces appeared into my vision. Asking me about the pain. I think the ambulance driver asked jovially, "What's the pain level, Sam, with the few drinks on you?" I responded, "Nine". The next 30 mins there was a lot of activity. Drips being inserted into my arms. The moving me from the board onto the bed. The waves of pain were overwhelming. Now, with the ambulance drivers gone, new faces, asking me, "Do you mind if we cut your jacket off?" The reminder that, oh yeah, have I really screwed up this time? Is there a chance I may not walk again. Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. "Do whatever you need to do." I responded. Hearing the scissors cutting through the jacket. Finally removing enough of it as they placed monitors on my body. Then, it all began to get quieter. And darker. And the pain started to go away. I slipped into a welcome sleep.

A couple hours I awoke. Still those soothing, calming, caring voices around me. Asking me questions. The guys from X-ray were busy upstairs so it will be a couple of hours before I was to be seen. I was obviously on some pretty strong painkillers, as the pain was very bearable. Still sore although no comparison. The doctor assigned to me was more matter of fact although still lovely. She told me the pain was going to be really bad, although ribs heal by themselves. There is nothing more they can do, than give me pain killers and send me home. Shortly afterwards, I was rolled into be x-rayed by the radiographers. More lovely people. Gentle caring voices. This was the bit I was really waiting for. They X-rayed my spine, my neck, my chest, my pelvis from different angels. I asked, "Is everything okay?" She responded, "3 broken ribs, everything else is okay". That felt good to hear, I can tell you. After being rolled back into the bay and A & E, I was told I was going to be given some Morphine and then allowed to go home about 8 am, an hour or so later. Seemed rather fast! Asking for my phone, it was time to call out for some help. Didn't think a taxi was a good idea and those stairs! Was told by my doc that there was a chance my lung can get damaged, so I needed to return on Monday for an X-ray. Were there to be any problems breathing, to come back in straight away. After some toast and tea, I was placed in a wheelchair and sat waiting for my friends Declan and Maio to collect me at the A & E doors. Morphine was nice. Still very sore.

Hometime - Day 1 Recovery

Climbing the stairs to the apartment was really really tough. First, ten steps were torture. And very slow. Using the patterned breathing really helps. Finally achieved them after around 5 to 10 mins. Was nearly ready to pass out. Sitting in the kitchen chair was an insane pain. Every movement of that nature was causing spikes of Level 10 pain. Really quite something else. After the guys went off to get my prescription filled and to pick me up some food, I remember many times nearly passing out.
Obviously a mix of pain and the drug and probably tiredness. The next 24 hours were tough. After taking meds, the pain was reduced quite considerably. Unfortunately, any form of movement initially is atrocious. Sitting, standing, using your arms to pick up stuff. Going for a piss. You forget how often we use our arms. It's just insane how many things become impossible to do. You learn to adapt quickly. Suddenly, those toes that we forget about become very useful. I also started using a stick. The handle for a mop. For the first week, when the break is severe,  you need someone around you to help you with things. Thankfully, I had a number of friends, who came to my aid.

My friend Phelim did the first evening shift. Once, I was sitting on the couch, the pain was mild-moderate. We spent a bit of time working out a better way to support my seating position. My recommendation is to find a good solid although softish chair. Big soft couches are a no. Especially when they are low down. Disaster. Even with Phelims ingenious construction of books and boxes to make the seating more solid. Make sure you eat. Make sure you find a way of sleeping. Get the pain down to a minimum as fast as possible. Loads of water. Keep hydrated. Do as little as possible. Some walking is probably okay, although just a little.

Day 2 Recovery

My friend Phelim called over with breakfast. Got around 3 hours sleep, sitting up. Very uncomfortable. Then the spasms began. Now, let me explain what I mean my spasms. I began to notice a large twisted muscle feeling had been building in my spine. Like the muscles trying to protect against further damage. This had increased and was at a pain level of 5/6 constantly. Suddenly, I get these electrics jolts where my whole body will shoot into a physical spasm. Really appalling. Pain Level 10 every single time. I was able to feel the ribs clicking against each other inside my body. Patterned breathing to reduce pain and to try and relax. These began early Sunday morning. We sat and played Scrabble in the kitchen straight back chair for a few hours. Spasms definitely reduced from 3/4 an hour to maybe 1 an hour, if not less. These things were just disgusting. It was like feeling the fall all over again, every single time. My mates Dec and Mario called in after Phelim went to watch a movie. Sitting back on the couch. Spasms reduced to maybe 2 every hour. The screams of pain, I'm sure is a lovely thing to hear when trying to watch a movie.

The night was terrible. The newly constructed seating on the couch was definitely more solid. The spasms threw me into a position where my body was arching fully. The pain was like nothing I have ever experienced. Slept for around 2 hours. At 6 am gave up trying to sleep. It was medicine time. Please God, let these things work. Stop this insanity of pain. A problem, I was not able to reach my pills, a foot in front of me. Every time I tried, the body will spasm. 2 hours later I finally got them. Using my toes and feet to manoeuvre the packet within reach. Then, I dropped my mobile. on the floor. I just let it be for a bit. Tried over the next 2 hours of torture, trying to reach to it. In between I'd give up and allow myself to sleep. The pills obviously kicked in as I finally slept.

Day 3 Recovery

Awoke an hour later. I needed to stand and get out of that bloody couch. Best feeling in the world getting up. It was sore, although nothing worse than like being a fish out of water squirming in agony. I showered. Heaven. It felt so good to wash away the smells and to feel the warmth of the water easing my body. I had brought a change of clothes in and placed at the foot of the toilet. Thankfully, the night before I noticed, due to their being a towel heater, I was able to sit on the toilet using it for support. This was my plan to get changed. It worked. I thought track suit bottoms might be the easiest. Also, a sleeveless shirt seemed the most obvious to put on. And a pair of sandals. Looking at myself in the mirror I felt proud of achieving the goal of getting changed. It's the simple things. I was being picked up by the amazing Dec and Mario to go back in for an X-ray in the Mater Hospital. Amazingly, the stairs were not too bad going down. Getting into the car was pretty rough. The doctor had told me to go straight back into A & E and the X-ray had been organised. It took a little bit of convincing and being pushy and finally I was sitting outside the X-ray. To be honest, I was feeling pretty dire. I felt tired. A bit out of breath and wishing the meds were a bit stronger. After getting the X-ray the girl said, "Yeah, it's a nasty break of 4 ribs alright." Ah, thought it was three. Sure 4 what's the difference. Was told to sit in a waiting room for someone. A lovely kind faced guy approached me after 10 mins asked me to follow him. "It appears you have pierced your lung", he said as we walked slowly back into the A & E bays.

To Be Continued - Day 3 to Day 6 - from Ketamine to Returning Home 

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