scrubbedexpat094

Well that's how I'm feeling right now. My nephew was involved in an accident on Thursday evening (BST), which we found out about on Saturday morning. He's currently in an induced coma at the QMC, Nottingham. He's broken so many bones in his body & is having surgery on his spine today. Thankfully his spinal cord looks okay on scan, so that is one blessing.

We are all completely devastated. I just wish I could be there to hold his hand, hug my brother & my sil. His mum is so very scared, we can only hope that he hasn't suffered any brain damage. I feel so bloody useless being here but I can't afford to go back. I've just come back from a month there, 3 weeks ago.

It made the local paperhttp://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Ma...ail/story.html .
I feel sorry for the other people involved, thankfully it looks like they aren't too badly hurt. All we know is that the car driver made a U-turn & my nephew hit the car on his motorbike. I don't know whose fault it was & I don't care at this point. I just want my nephew fit & well again.

Sorry to off-load, just need to share. I keep bursting into tears thinking about him.

Sally Redux

So sorry to hear about this, the nightmare for expats. All best wishes for his speedy recovery.

MrsFychan

hugs Vital, know exactly how you feel as my son was involved in a motor bike accident last year.
Not a lot you can really do with him being in a coma but the long lonely nights there will be our day time here so you could skype, fb chat with your brother and sil and nephew when he is able.

My son was very grateful that I was around during his night time when he was able to chat and his father and other people had gone home.

wishing the best for your nephew and an easy speedy recovery. keep us updated.

LauraNotts

Thinking of you it sucks when those we love are ill and we are far away. My Mum has been pretty poorly while I've been here and I know exactly how it feels to be 'stuck' and just want to be there for them. Fingers crossed for you and your nephew. One thing I did was send treats to Mum by ordering from a UK site and having them arrive for her. It made me feel like I was closer and it cheered her up. I know that right now your nephew can't do that but hopefully things will improve to the point you could.

BEVS

Crike! Not by halves then.

Horrible feeling & situation to be in, as MrsF and some other nameless souls know only too well . Really wretched , rotten feeling .

As MrsF suggest. Keep the communication lines open with all your family there. The balance with that is not to clog them either. Nightmare !

Coma induced is no bad thing these days. Look on it as helping his brain. A bit like a cast.

Also get to grips with that this is a long haul. I know from personal experience, as you know.

Finally, there is no such thing as not being able to make a flight. I know you have other serious worries at this moment in time but if you or your immediate family need you there then you go. You just go. The money means nothing. Trust me on that too.

Much and many hugs.

I do hope to read encouraging news love. Have a cyber hug.

Pom_Chch

Bugger me VS. I do hope your nephew gets better soon. I have my fingers and toes crossed for a speedy recovery All the best to you and yours x

RobDon

+1 Big Hugs. x

Sparkleydiva

((( Hugs ))) from me too. It is so hard when things happen back home. Take care, and hope all turns out ok.

Bo-Jangles

It's utterly horrible being so far away at times like this; I hope things improve and you get some better news soon, Vital.

cappuccino

Horrible news! Sorry to hear about your nephew and I send my thoughts and prayers for a fast recovery. As some of us have said and experienced, it's horrible being so far away from relatives when they are sick/injured or just need you. Take care {{{hugs}}}

dannigirl

Oh VS sending you big hugs. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Just go if you need to. Don't make yourself ill with worry, get there if you need to.

Take care of yourself xxx

bourbon-biscuit

Very tough, massive hugs for you X

sazzle1979

THis is really sad, I am sorry to hear that. Our thoughts are with you and your family x

scrubbedexpat094

Thank you all for your warm & caring replies. They have meant so much to me. This seemed to have happened ages ago but it is just over a week. Liam (nephew) has had a few set-backs with a lung infection, collapsed lung, chest drains needing to be moved etc. All the usual stuff in this sort of injury I guess. He finally went for surgery last thursday to have his spine re-aligned & pinned. Lots of other fractures to deal with as yet.

But fantastic news, his spinal cord is fine & he has reacted to pin-prick tests on his feet & hands. So no paralysis
Some swelling on his brain but the neuro-surgeon is not too concerned but will continue to monitor.
Had a message from my sil today & he's woken up & said "Hi Mum". He can remember the accident & has been talking lucidly. What a huge relief this is for us all.

Still a long journey ahead but he is a fighter. We've just found out that his girlfriend is pregnant (early days) but that gives even more incentive to get better as quickly as he can. Plus he'll need a car instead of a bloomin' motorbike

If my family need me I will definitely go but have decided to offer them financial assistance for hotels/petrol etc. in the meantime. They will probably be moving Liam to HDU tomorrow so I will be able to take up your idea Laura. What a great idea.

Totally understand about keeping communication channels open but not clogging them, so have been text messaging mainly & keeping up with a few things on FB.

Sorry I haven't been in touch since my first message but am also dealing with bad news from OH & job plus the black dog is paying me an unwelcome visit!
Many, many thanks again xxx

Sally Redux

That's great news about him waking up and that his spine and brain are going to be OK. Congratulations on the baby news too!

Sorry to hear things are so tough at the moment, take care.