My story ...

[Mystery]

I met someone who I thought was wonderful!!! Had a very happy nine months then... I didn't know he was an alcoholic, they hide it, believe or not, on 23 rd jan 2010 I went to bed at 12pm after finishing a knitted hat for my grand daughter, he said he would leave after finishing a drink, half past three am I heard a noise , went down to find him still there, I questioned this, he said he was going and I returned to bed, two minutes later he arrived in my bedroom, ranting and raving, about what I don't know, I didn't know he had been drinking for 3 hours since I said goodnight, I stood up and said 'what is wrong' the next minute I was pushed backwards and fell onto a wooden bedpost, I was in terrible pain and shouted to him to help, no reply, I managed to get to the house phone and dialled 999, I also called my sons as I realised there was no help from him, the paramedic arrived and said I had winded myself, two paracetamol and go to bed, my sons had asked him to leave so I went to bed, I got up at 7.30 and just managed to get dressed, I walked to the garden gate and realised I couldn't get any further, I rang a friend who came and took me to my pet shop, I felt terrible, I was determined to get to 3pm, shut the shop and then go to hospital, by 11.00 am I wanted to die!! My son took me to hospital, I woke 4 weeks later in Icu, I had suffered two broken ribs which punctured my lung, this caused an abscess in my lung and empyema, pneumonia set in as did sepsis, I went into respiratory failure and was ventilated, my sons were told I would not survive, somehow I recovered enough for surgery and had a thoracotomy at Leicester glen field, I also contracted mrsa, very seriously!! I spent 5 weeks in Icu in total, it took over two years to recover, I lost three stone in weight, I have recovered physically, mentally a long hard road, the final conclusion takes place next week when the person responsible finally gets sentenced .... After many events since ...

[Adi999]

This is an incredible account of a time in your life, where you clearly experienced something dreadful. I hope that you and your family have received some support during that time ? I am truly amazed by your strength, especially as this is still casting a shadow over your life. I wish you and your family all the best for the future.

[Mystery]

Thank you for reading and commenting, no, there has been no support, my sons dealt with it all on their own as I have been divorced from their father for over 20 years and he has no contact with them through his choice, they are very close and did remarkably well, in fact amazing, ! They have never talked about the experience, I think they have ' blotted it out' I have had no support , maybe because I haven't asked , I just try to get on, I feel embarrassed to have put my sons through the experience ! Thank you for your kind comment, this site is great and is helping me and I hope other people find the same comforts from it when feeling quite alone as I do ...

[Hidden]

My goodness what an incredible lady, you have been so strong and i wish you well. I work in intensive care and it never ceases to amaze me what patients go through and they survive and come through. As a support group ICUsteps patients and relatives have worked so hard to raise the profile and need for support after intesive care. We realise that it can be a very lonely road and it is important to share experiences and have information. Thank you for writing your post you should be very proud of your recovery but I am sure that this has not been without a huge struggle.

[Mystery]

Thank you for your kind comments, yes, was and still is a long and emotional road, I do however feel very lucky and privileged to have made a complete recovery physically, a thoracotomy is a huge operation as I sure many of you are aware, I was admitted to Icu through domestic violence, many people are admitted through illness , they must have to deal with that on an ongoing basis, I wish everyone could make the physical recovery I have and wish everyone all the very best for the future. I am also very grateful , goes without saying, to the wonderful staff in the Icu units, they are amazing as is this site !!