A Paisley man who sustained critical leg accidents in a biking accident has thanked NHS employees for the care he has obtained as he works his approach again to well being.
Tom Walsh was out biking within the city in November final yr when the accident occurred.
He suffered a number of fractures of his proper decrease leg and was rushed to close by Royal Alexandra Hospital.
“I’d suffered one of many worst fractures you may have within the decrease a part of the knee,” mentioned Tom,
“Once I arrived in hospital I used to be in a fairly dangerous approach. They took me into the resuscitation space and I used to be given a number of X-rays and scans of my head and neck.
“I used to be in hospital for 4 days because the surgeons waited to function on my leg, however the swelling was so dangerous that it was greater than every week earlier than they might carry out the reconstruction surgical procedure."
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Retired healthcare supervisor and nurse Tom, 59, has at all times been match and wholesome, and earlier than the accident he cycled 4 or 5 instances every week in addition to taking common walks along with his spouse Ruth.
Nevertheless, from the second the extent of the accidents turned obvious in hospital it was made clear to him that he had suffered a life-changing damage.
“Their evaluation was constructive, however sensible, and I’m actually glad for that. No one talked a few full restoration again to the way in which I used to be earlier than – however they mentioned that with loads of work and willpower I might be energetic once more,” mentioned Tom. “Their honesty and professionalism is one thing I’ll at all times bear in mind.”
Actually Tom has nothing however good issues to say about all of the RAH employees who took care of him in these early days, and who've labored so laborious with him on his rehabilitation.
“I don’t know everyone’s title,” he mentioned, “however I want to say thanks to all of them. There was no facet of my care I might fault – and that’s with my expertise as a nurse. My spouse is a nurse too, and he or she feels the identical.”
He did, nonetheless, need to make two particular mentions.
“Mr Juned Ansari, the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on my leg – I credit score him for the actual fact I'm the place I'm in the present day. It was a really complicated fracture, and he and his crew used steel plates and screws to place my fractures collectively once more. I'll at all times be grateful.
“And the senior cost nurse and all the employees on the fracture clinic. They've been so skilled, useful and pleasant throughout greater than a dozen visits – an absolute credit score and the right instance of what you'll need the NHS to be.
“My earlier health has undoubtedly stood me in good stead, and I’m working to get higher, however the encouragement of the groups has been essential to that.”
Tom’s care is ongoing, and he nonetheless has common physiotherapy periods with the Musculoskeletal (MSK) crew. He is aware of he’ll not have the ability to cycle once more, and he’s not fairly as fast round the home, or when he’s out for a stroll along with his spouse, as he was.
However he’s working at it, and he’s decided to remain match and train.
“I’ve taken up kayaking once more,” he mentioned. “I used to do it after I was youthful, so it’s nice to be again on the water. I’ve additionally purchased a bit boat on Loch Awe, which is beautiful.”
Wanting again on what has occurred to him over the previous 5 months, and considering forward to the longer term, Tom has a easy message.
“While you endure an damage like this, it’s an enormous quantity to soak up. In the future I’m biking 100 miles every week and the following I've to study to stroll once more and discover new sports activities. It does have a big impact in your life.
“However I’ll preserve working laborious and preserve enhancing, and I’ll preserve trying ahead. With out the improbable care I’ve obtained from the groups on the RAH, I’m unsure the place I'd have been.
“All I can say to all of them is thanks. I’ll always remember what you’ve accomplished for me.”