SNN_August 2020 Issue FA_low res

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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 16 autonomic dysreflexia and I am on my way to having a heart attack. I need to get home to my emergency medication. Now”. He looks stunned. I go blind. (Silver lining: He listened. He took us home) Blurs, flashing lights, panicked voices. I’m lost in the dark and can’t get enough of a mental foothold to come back. Shit is this it? It can’t be. I didn’t even kiss and hug Willie goodbye. Or Brad. Or Anna. Or Nick, Toots or Leigh. No way. This is NOT it. I get enough of a foothold to focus on my breathing. Deeper, slower. After a minute, I can talk again. “Sharon. Pain killers. On fridge. GTN spray. On bedside table. Get them. Quick”. She runs. She’s crying. Leuila Is running up the driveway… I’m so glad it’s changeover of shift time. Four hands are better than two. I’m gone again. No warning. Then I’m back, confused. Trying to make sense of everything through the headache. “Get me on the bed, quick. Check my bladder and bowel. Emergency catheter change. Now”. Shit even I sound a bit panicked now. I can hear it reflected in their voices. In the sound of them dropping medical supplies and their hurried breaths. “Guys. You’re doing great. Deep breaths K. We got this”. They’re crying. But I feel their energy change. Refocus. This time I do make a smile for them. “Leuila. Emergency catheter change. Sharon. Call an ambulance”. I’m gone. I’m back. This headache, I hate it. Why can’t I see? I’m sweating. I hear Sharon panicking on the phone. “Give me the phone Shaz, it’s ok”. She holds the phone to my ear. I’m blind. Talking hurts. But I can do it. I can’t hear the operator. My heart is beating fast, and loud. I think it’s ripped itself out of my chest and someone’s shoved it back into my head. How is my heartbeat so loud? “Ambulance please”. I talk to the man on the other end of the line. He doesn’t understand the urgency. I’m calm, I explain. Slowly. Words are hard. My lungs. They want to rest. My head is ready to explode. I see white....and the pain stops for a second. The pain, its rallying its forces for the next attack. I relax....I start planning for the worst. “Sharon. I don’t have a will. It all goes to Brad for Willie K?”. “Yes T”. I’m gone again... I slip away quietly this time. One loud, painful heartbeat overwhelms me. A dam bursts in my head...and I’m carried away on the flood as the light fades. They’re crying again. I quietly join in. I know Brad will be fair and give my family anything they need. I’m gone again... I slip away quietly this time. One loud, painful heartbeat overwhelms me. A dam bursts in my head...and I’m carried away on the flood as the light fades. I’m yanked back roughly. I’m in the ambulance. Beeping machines. A kind face. Her lips are moving but I can’t hear her. I smile. The headache is so much quieter. I can breathe again. I fill my lungs. YES! I see the blood pressure monitor. 220/177. Shit. (Silver lining: I’m still here) I blink heavily...I’m gone again. I don’t think I’m coming back this time guys. Sorry. So many regrets. But they float away with me. We disappear. I remember the sound of rushing water, and everything fading to black… Including me. It’s silent, and dark… I feel like I’m waiting, but I don’t know what for. Stubble on my cheek. I feel it. I feel it? I open my heavy eyelids. Brad. Hugging me gently. Sammy behind him, smiling with teary eyes. I’m in the hospital. Wait...I’m waking up? I feel.... I can actually focus my eyes. My mind too. Headache’s smaller. It’s more like the neighbour’s bass playing on a Friday night now, instead of The Prodigy playing at the base of my skull. Whoa that feels good. I feel lighter. Pain easing. Blood pressure settling. Inhale...lungs filling. YES! Eyes close…exhale and smile. I’m not going anywhere tonight.
SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 17 NZ Spinal Trust & Melrose Wheelchairs Motor Racing Experience AT HigHlANdS MoToRSpoRT pARk Calling all adrenalin junkies! Here’s your chance to experience the thrill of driving a Mustang at the Highlands Motorsport Park in beautiful Cromwell. On Saturday 10th October there will be an opportunity to race a Mustang on the international racing track at Highlands Motorsport Park. The Highlands Mustang has “Push-Pull” hand controls, a racing seat with harness and a HANS neck brace and helmet. Your time on the track will be spent with an experienced racing car driver, who will take you around part of the circuit and show you the ropes. The team at Melrose Wheelchairs and Highlands Motorsport Park are keen for everyone to experience this opportunity. Contact Brett Ladbrook at the New Zealand Spinal Trust for bookings and more information, please note there are limited spaces available so get in quick. Phone: 03 387 1305 or email: brett.ladbrook@nzspinaltrust.org.nz Just like the racing Mustang, our Scorpion has gone on a diet to remove weight resulting in a frame and upholstery package that weighs less than 4.00 kg. Contact Melrose Wheelchairs to trial the new Scorpion.
Page 1 and 2: August 2020 Volume 23 / Issue 2 SNN
Page 3 and 4: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 3 “I Can’t
Page 5 and 6: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 5 Supporting Po
Page 7 and 8: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 7 Back in Tune
Page 9 and 10: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 9 Nick Cornish
Page 11 and 12: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 11 NZ Spinal Co
Page 13 and 14: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 13 support serv
Page 15: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 15 Telling It L
Page 19 and 20: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 19 right?’…
Page 21 and 22: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 21 Kathy: We ha
Page 23 and 24: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 23 really good
Page 25 and 26: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 25 The Attitude
Page 27 and 28: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 27 University o
Page 29 and 30: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 29 Driving and
Page 31 and 32: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 31 SpeediCath
Page 33 and 34: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 33 “Throwing
Page 35 and 36: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 35 Thank you to

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