Edith was walking down a narrow country lane when she was hit from behind by a car. She explains what happened, pays thanks to the DSAA team who attended that day and highlights the special relationship she has built with our Patient and Family Liaison Nurse, Kirsty.

A Normal Day Turned Tragic

It was back in November that I was walking home along Tulse Hill after buying some eggs at the village shop, so I could do some Christmas baking over the weekend. It had been a fine day, so I had been in the garden beforehand, doing some tidying up. Tulse Hill is a narrow country lane, with no pavements or street lights. I was out in daylight hours, as I never walk down this lane in the dark, as I don’t feel particularly safe for the reasons above.

I heard a vehicle coming up behind me, so I stepped onto the grass verge to allow it to pass. The next thing I knew was an almighty thud to my body and I was lying on the ground facing the way I had been walking from. There was no sign of the vehicle that had hit me.

I called out for help and thankfully a young couple who had been walking nearby came to my rescue and called 999. Various neighbours came out gradually to assist, one of whom cradled my head and told me not to move, but stay awake, when I said I could not feel my legs or my feet. As I lay on the ground, someone provided a pillow for my head and another brought a blanket as it was extremely cold. I asked a lady that I knew, if she could ring my brother who lived in Bath so my family were aware I had been involved in an accident. Fortunately I was still awake and coherent enough to be able to give her my brother’s phone number as I had no mobile phone with me or any means of identification.

Air Ambulance to the Rescue

I don’t remember very much after that, or the arrival of the people that came to treat me; I just remember being asked if I minded having my clothes cut off. I was told that I would feel a small prick in my arm and that is it, I know no more. I think this is because I was given a strong painkilling drug called Ketamine, which also made me sleepy. The next thing I knew I was waking up the next morning on the Orthopaedic Ward at Yeovil District Hospital. I have no recollection of getting there or the journey by land ambulance.

I was in Yeovil District Hospital for 11 days after sustaining a badly fractured left femur, for which I had surgery; the femur was pinned and plated. My brother and sister-in- law collected me from hospital and once home, I was in the tender loving care of my sister, who stayed with me for five weeks. She was wonderful and I could not have managed without her. The rest of my family were wonderfully caring too and my local friends rallied around to help. I am so fortunate to have such a close and caring family.

I needed several visits back to hospital for X-rays and to the fracture clinic and I still have more to come. I had the misfortune to need a return to hospital, to have a screw taken out of the plate near my knee, which had become loose and was causing considerable pain. I also had visits from the district nurses who gave me anti-embolism injections and a physiotherapist who visited me at home to help with exercises to regain my strength and mobility in my legs. Various adaptions were fitted at home to enable me to get about safely as I live alone, plus I received help with housework and gardening.

Not everything post-op has been plain sailing, but I am pretty much now back to independence and looking after myself again. It’s been a struggle over several months, but I do finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, I am driving again, which enables me to really spread my wings!

Recovery and Support from a Special Friend

I have nothing but the highest praise for my Patient and Family Liaison Nurse, Kirsty. The first day I met her was in hospital when she came to visit me. It was a real highlight for me, as up until then, I had been in a pretty dark place. She was so kind and caring and had the utmost patience and empathy. I was just so glad to be able to have the help of a person who understood what I had been through and still going through and someone that really felt for me. It’s so hard to put in to words, but that care was so badly needed and finally available.

Kirsty has been so kind to me. She’s encouraged me to regain my ‘get up and go and joie de vivre’. Without her valued help and friendship, I would not have made the progress I have. She has been invaluable, kept me cheerful and positive and I feel immensely fortunate to have had her in my life at such a traumatic time.

A Memorable Reunion with the Team

Kirsty asked if I would like to meet the special people who looked after me that day. I now feel that the pieces of the jigsaw that were missing have been filled in. This is so, because I had the great pleasure of meeting Phil, the doctor who helped me in my hour of need. Such a delightful man and I couldn’t have been in better hands. Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet up with Critical Care Practitioner Steve, but I hope our paths might cross, so I can thank him personally too.

It was an amazing visit and I learnt so much. I realise now how little I knew about the work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, who don’t just attend incidents by helicopter, they also arrive by car. Also, that the charity is funded by donations and fundraising events. I mainly just knew of its existence and had little idea of how it keeps going, shame on me!

You always think it will be others who require the air ambulance, but little did I realise that on this occasion it was going to be me. Such a wonderful service that the public could not do without. I, for one, will be supporting and helping in any way I can and will be eternally grateful that it was there when I needed it.

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