Thursday 30 September 2010

I'm back, and I am going to be stronger than ever.

What we do, defines us.

I've been away for a couple of months, I'm sure you've all missed my pearls of wisdom. Or not, whatever.
So, here is the story:

Roughly 8 weeks ago and while playing cricket, I was struck with the ball during my batting innings. It was quite a big impact and the ball proceeded to travel across the boundary rope for four runs after connecting with the right side of my noggin.
The following day, i was due to fly to Barcelona which I did and while there was greeted with the most painful, intense of all headaches upon landing. I continued without a thought as I always do with medical issues that do not prevent me from moving. I worked all of Sunday and fell into a well deserved sleep Sunday evening.
Monday morning, I woke and was greeted to the continued headache and a bleeding inner ear. I had a shower, collapsed in the shower and woke a few minutes later. At this point I became increasingly concerned, I completed my work in Barcelona and flew home with a matter of urgency to see my Doctor.

I arrived at my Doctors surgery and he referred me to a specialist immediately, after a few scans and some poking and prodding I was told "Remain in hospital and we'll monitor the severity of your condition before taking action." I should say that at this point I had not been informed of any possible condition or injury.

I was going insane, I left the hospital shortly afterwards and while signing large quantities of disclaimers decided that I had to help myself if I was going to get any answers.

I did just that, I researched possible conditions, experts in their field and made my way to the neuro centre of my private health company and insisted to put in contact with Dr x who I was sure would be of assistance. He was, I owe him my life and large proportion of my sanity. Dr x is a leading consultant within neurosurgery and informed me after more scans, tests and examinations that I had a Subdural Heamotoma.

A subdural hematoma or subdural haematoma (British English), also known as a subdural hemorrhage (SDH), is a type of hematoma, a form of traumatic brain injury in which blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater enveloping the brain. Usually resulting from tears in veins that cross the subdural space, subdural hemorrhages may cause an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP), which can cause compression of and damage to delicate brain tissue. Subdural hematomas are often life-threatening when acute, but chronic subdural hematomas are usually not deadly if treated.

I was subsequently operated upon two weeks ago. Due to British regulations, we were unable to obtain a license to have my favored procedure done in the UK as it is not accredited here. I therefore travelled to Switzerland where I met two surgeons from an institute in America who performed the surgery. I use the term favored procedure as my options were as follows:
  1. Regular drainage for the remainder of life to ensure pressures never build to high. (Permanent plugged hole in head and life affecting ramifications)
  2. Open brain surgery, removal and cauterisation of Heamotoma. (12 weeks in intensive care following operation and risk of irreversible damage to my shape and facial recognition processing capabilities)
  3. A new, innovative, non invasive, rapid recovery and 100% success rate from survivors. (Little known about long term affects and three from fifty six people have died during surgery)
I chose option three, it has been a success, an expensive success but I've finally been given the green light to begin training again.

I'm excited.