May 2020
-Nicholas Pelland
10
8-inch hunting knife from his waistband and stabbed me three times. Two times in my right shoulder and one in the back. The stab wound in my back almost severed my spinal cord. He tried to pull the knife out of my back to stab me again but it was wedged in my spinal cord. Then my cousins broke the fight up.
I knew right away something was really wrong because I couldn't move anything from my chest down. I was airlifted to Scottsdale Osborn Trauma Hospital. I had a 1% chance of survival. The knife also punctured one of my lungs and collapsed the other. It took the surgeon seven hours to remove the knife from my back. They then put me in an induced coma for a week. I stayed in the ICU for 1 month and then was transferred to Banner Good Samaritan which is now Banner University to recover and rehabilitate. I was there for two months.
Some challenges I was faced with being newly injured was being able to propel my wheelchair correctly, transferring, and self-cathing. I developed Heterotophic Ossification which was where bone grows over my hip joints. My right leg swelled really bad. I spent my 31st birthday in rehab. Other challenges I faced where, learning wheelchair skills, learning to do my own bowl regimen, and showering. Getting up and being forced to do physical and occupational therapy were very challenging because I was so depressed and all I wanted was my pain medications and to sleep.
Life changed post injury for me because first and foremost, I couldn't walk. I was just learning a new trade in low voltage electricity at the time of my injury where I am unable to climb a ladder. I was and am unable to use the restroom th way able-body people are able to. Having to self-cath and use a suppository and digital stimulation is probably the hardest part of my injury and still is.
My advice to someone with a new injury is to get a good mentor. Seek a good mental health professional because these injuries really mess with your mind. Also, take rehab SERIOUS! Give it your 200% and stick with rehab during inpatient rehab and outpatient. Be and stay active in the spinal cord injury community for support because you'll need the support!
If you are interested in being featured in the "Consumer Corner" segment, please contact Allison via email at [email protected]