The torpor of morphine and gabapentin, which is keeping the gnawing hyaena and white lightning at bay, make just typing this piece a marathon in itself.
Last Saturday whilst running I was hit from the right by a largish motorcycle and sustained a mild head injury, a fractured pelvis, a fractured cervical spine and multiple soft tissue contusions and abrasions.
My pelvis has been fixated and my C-spine decompressed and stabilised. My contusions and abrasions are recovering slowly. I have cervical radiculopathy from damage to the nerve roots leaving the spine. The pain associated with the nerve damage is quite unbearable at times; it feels is like my arm is being gnawed by a hyaena with superimposed lightning shocks under the gnawing pain. As a result, I am on continuous morphine and hence can’t function.
Being on an opioid for pain is not pleasant; visual and auditory hallucinations, torpor, confusion, forgetfulness and depression. A dystopian mental prison.
Once the pain settles I will be able to start the long physical rehabilitation process.
Looking on the upside I am alive, I didn’t have a major head injury, I am not paraplegic or quadriplegic, I have had no other systemic complications and the motorcyclist is okay.
I have had an outpouring of support and get well messages which have lifted my spirits. Thank you.
Thank you so much for continuing to support our Barts-MS Coronavirus antibody study. There is little doubt that since the accident there has been a surge in donations, we need to get this study done.
Too tired to type and too painful. I will try and keep you updated.
Get better Prof G.. We can’t do without you x
Happy to hear from you ProfG! Get well soon. Have rest and return back with full recovery. Thinking of you, sending love and prayers…
All of us from the Gilenya Facebook Group are wishing you a speedy recovery and pain free days ahead. Thank you for all you do for MS patients. You are very much appreciated and our group of 7000 will be sending healing thoughts to you.
ProfG there aren’t really words to add to everything said in reply to your post.
However I want to add my voice so that the evidence of how important you are to us is added to.
We know there’s scientific evidence of the power of prayer/being prayed for (stringent, reliable science: I don’t know😆) But whether best wishes or an expression of faith, there’s no doubt there’s one massive heap of good vibes coming your way!
Sending love and healing 🙏 from Sydney 💫💫💫💫
Prof G please take the time you need to heal yourself. Be a good patient and be patient. Positive vibes coming your way.
Get well soon!
Wishing you a speedy, less painful recovery in the days ahead, from Canada.
That sounds simply awful. I’m so sorry you have to go through all of this. I hope the recovery continues and you can get off of the opioids ASAP. A lot of people are pulling for you to get through this, myself included!
I was shocked and saddened to hear about your accident. Hope that your recovery goes well.
I don’t think that anyone expects you to blog at the moment – so please only do so if you want to and feel well enough. With very best wishes to you and your family.
Get better soon, Prof G.
My very best wishes to you for a quick and full a recovery as possible, Prof G. Pain and discomfort is rotten.
Ouch! Sending healing thoughts and very best wishes. Hope you get the best possible medical care 🌈🌈🌈
Prog G
Hopefully a speedy and good recovery.
You had just started running again, for MS research and I feel for you, it must feel like a smack in the face.
Best wishes x
Brazilian neuroimmunologists are praying for you.
Strength my friend
Dear professor,
You are in our prayers! Hope you get well soon!
All the best wishes from
Brazilian Neurologists
Blimey. Sounds horrendous. Hope they manage to get the pain under control soon. Wishing you the quickest recovery possible.
Dear Gavin,
I’m so sorry. I wish you a speed and complete recovery. I’m glad you are keeping spirits high
All the best
Augusto
Dear Gavin. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. A virtual hug may do it. Just be patient with yourself. Binge watch The Crown. Watch the US antics on CNN. Rest rest rest. Much love. June Halper
My gosh Professor G, I’m shocked this happened to you but so glad you made it through okay. I know it is probably a long road ahead but am wishing you all the best in your healing and recovery. Get lots of rest and take good care!
Just heard about your accident. So sorry and please recover fast! Work doesn t seem to leave you alone 😉
So sorry to hear about this! Wishing you a full recovery! Please take care of yourself!!
Hannah x