Family's Joy As Teen Awakes From Coma
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 4th November 2004.
A teenager who has been battling for his life for almost four weeks has spoken his first words and eaten his first meal this week, after spending 17 days in a coma.
Relieved mother Alison Smith can finally believe her son Lewis is starting on the long road to recovery, after a 'nightmare' vigil at his bedside.
Lewis, 19, was injured in a hit-and-run accident on the A143 near Barnadiston on Sunday, October 10, which left him with serious head injuries and badly shattered legs. He was in an induced coma to reduce pressure on his brain and had to have metal rods put into his shins while he was still in the intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
His condition started to improve, but then received a major setback when he suffered from respitatory problems and pneumonia. He has now been moved to a ward and is starting a recovery which could take 18 months to two years.
Mrs Smith, of Minerva Close, Haverhill, her husband, Shayne and daughter Becky, 22, were thrilled on Monday when Lewis said his first words, having previously only been able to communicate with them by squeezing their hands or giving a 'thumbs up' sign.
"At last we know he is on the mend. We have kept our spirits up, but it has been a nightmare. One minute he was doing well and then he was right back down again. We just sat there feeling absolutely helpless and praying a lot. All we could do was be there for him." Mrs Smith said.
"When he first came round he was quite lucid, but a bit confused. The first thing he asked about was his dog, DeNiro. He has no recollection at all of the inciden, the last thing he remembers was coming back from a holiday to the Caribbean with his friends, so he has lost a full week of memory.
He has had a CAT scan which did not show any abnormalities. He still has a lot of problems, especially with his legs, but we are just happy that he is still here.
The people of Haverhill, his friends and the pubs he uses have been absolutely marvellous. We have been gobsmacked by the support he has received," she said.
Relieved mother Alison Smith can finally believe her son Lewis is starting on the long road to recovery, after a 'nightmare' vigil at his bedside.
Lewis, 19, was injured in a hit-and-run accident on the A143 near Barnadiston on Sunday, October 10, which left him with serious head injuries and badly shattered legs. He was in an induced coma to reduce pressure on his brain and had to have metal rods put into his shins while he was still in the intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
His condition started to improve, but then received a major setback when he suffered from respitatory problems and pneumonia. He has now been moved to a ward and is starting a recovery which could take 18 months to two years.
Mrs Smith, of Minerva Close, Haverhill, her husband, Shayne and daughter Becky, 22, were thrilled on Monday when Lewis said his first words, having previously only been able to communicate with them by squeezing their hands or giving a 'thumbs up' sign.
"At last we know he is on the mend. We have kept our spirits up, but it has been a nightmare. One minute he was doing well and then he was right back down again. We just sat there feeling absolutely helpless and praying a lot. All we could do was be there for him." Mrs Smith said.
"When he first came round he was quite lucid, but a bit confused. The first thing he asked about was his dog, DeNiro. He has no recollection at all of the inciden, the last thing he remembers was coming back from a holiday to the Caribbean with his friends, so he has lost a full week of memory.
He has had a CAT scan which did not show any abnormalities. He still has a lot of problems, especially with his legs, but we are just happy that he is still here.
The people of Haverhill, his friends and the pubs he uses have been absolutely marvellous. We have been gobsmacked by the support he has received," she said.
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