Hi Dave,

Congratulations on your website, it's very easy to navigate and i'm sure it will be of use to lots of people.  I began a blog just after my accident, but, only ever managed one entry!  I think it must have been the drugs, I couldnt even concentrate on reading a book at the time.

I have been Lizzy free for just over a month now, and, compared to many others, have had a relatively easy journey.  I am a 31 year old female and this is My Story.....

I used to work for a care agency which involved travelling to various schemes providing assistance for people with learning difficulties. On May 11th, whilst travelling home from work, I was driving down a busy but rural road, there was a line of oncoming traffic and a car pulled out to overtake, I began slowing down as I could not see a gap in the traffic for him to pull into and he was heading straight at me, he kept coming, I was doing about fifty so I braked more firmly, believing that he was going to hit me head on. I swerved to avoid him, and in doing so I hit the verge on the side of the road, and, I'm told, hit my head, knocking me out.  After half an hour (I am informed) I awoke, disoriantated, in a now convertible car (the roof had been removed by the rescue services) I was surrounded by paramedics and firemen. Although it was only around 2.30pm, the sky was dark as it was about to rain, I felt like I was drunk, and, not remembering what had happened to me, began insisting that I had not had a drink! (thats morphine for you) although I have never drunk driven. Apparently I said that I'd be fine and that I could walk from here, telling the boys they could go home!  I was trapped in the car by my legs and had to wait for cutting equipment to get me out. I am told I was trapped for a couple of hours, and when the ambulance crew came to see me in hospital afterwards, they told me that they thought that when I was released from the wreckage of the car, I would go into cardiac arrest as a result of my injuries. I am obviously as hard as nails and survived! One of the firemen said afterwards that if I had been a man I would have been crying like a baby, I think that I was trying not to draw too much attention to myself, believing that I was drunk!
I was air lifted to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, where it was ascertained that I had suffered: A fractured left femur, multiple fractures to my right femur, a severely fractured left ankle, fractured right wrist, and fractured ribs resulting in a collapsed lung. Proper job!

That night I went into surgery where they fixed my left femur with a plate & screws, my right femur had an IM rod, and my wrist with a plate and screws. My ankle went in plaster and I slipped in and out of conciousness untill Sunday after noon, after another surgery when I awoke, to my absolute horror, to see my ankle encased in a Lizzy!

I was kept in hospital for 2 and a half weeks (the worst thing, I found, just to be graphic, was being constipated for a week, as a result of the morphine)  My stay was prolonged because I was 5 weeks pregnant at the time of the accident. I had a miscarriage, the Docs cant be sure if this would have happened anyway, but, I have my own suspicions, after such a shock.  Due to the femur fractures, I was not able to weight bear at all for 2 months, then progressed to a zimmer frame, much to my disgust! For two months I had dreamed of getting my independance back, and could picture myself on cruches, with a rucksack on, heading to the seafront to read a book, to be allowed out on my own seemed so liberating!
I finally got my cruches but it was a bit of an anti climax, when out on my own I felt vulnerable.  It was easier to wear skirts with the lizzy for obvious reasons, and I got a sort of perverse pleasure from frightening old people and children!

I had the Lizzy removed on 03/09 and now am on only one crutch. I dont have to see my physio until the end of October and just have to excercise as much as possible, and swimming is a great help.  When I was out and about with my lizzy on, people would see it and get out of my way, now, with my crutch, they seem to ignore it so I am constantly having to weave around people.  I have a very pronounced limp & don't know if this will stay with me for ever.  I managed to finish the degree that I was doing and graduated in my wheelchair in June.  Although I am ready to go back to work, I am not fit enough to return to my old job so am looking for alternative employment at the moment, an office based job. 

My story is a lucky one, I am lucky to be alive, lucky to have a great network of friends and family, and a very supportive partner.  I didnt suffer any infections and have amazed the medical staff with my quick progress. I put this down to having a positive mental attitude, either that or being to dumb to realise how seriously I had been hurt (When I was in hospital, I thought that I would still be able to go to Glastonbury at the end of June)!

I was back behind the wheel the day after the lizzy came off which was a bit scary and I still dont know the exact circumstances of the accident, I still managed to hit the man who was coming towards me. I should recieve a copy of the collision report from the police within the next month, which should be an eye opener. 

I just wanted to share this story with you, I know I get a lot out of reading about other peoples experiences.
You seem to be a positive, proactive person and I am sure there will be a good outcome eventually for you, as there was for me.  Good luck on your journey, and thank god for the internet! (It kept me amused over those long months when I was stuck at home)

Regards,
Kerry.