<div> LIFE UPDATE ALERT 
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<div>2025's bingo card has had some surprise numbers that I absolutely did not pick‍ So I figured I would share the wildest one thus far
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<div>As of Sunday the 22nd of June I am completely paralysed from my hips down with absolutely no sensation of feeling internally or externally
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<div>How the heck?
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<div>Sunday night I was out watching a Cabaret show with my work friends, we had a little dance off on stage (you already know I won), and then we were off to the casino to party it up
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<div>As I get out of the car at the train station, my legs feel incredibly jelly. Naturally - I presume I am drunk (6 drinks in is a bit of a poor effort but anything is possible). So off to get some water I go, hydration is key after all
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<div>Finished my water and even more of my strength in my legs goes. So up against the train station bin I am - nothing but class from me I drink a second bottle of water and mid bottle, I collapse. Luckily, the incredible ladies I am with noticed and caught me before I hit the ground - I can not thank you ladies enough for this From the car to the collapse was a 10 minute turn around. It happened incredibly fast with absolutely no warning signs
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<div>We call my boyfriend in the assumption I am still just drunk and need to go to bed. Unfortunately, although I was locked in ready for bed, my boyfriend recognised this was not a drunken Drue based on my level of awareness and clear thought processes. So off to the ER I go despite my protests
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<div>And in the ER I stayed from 9pm-4:30am until a doctor came and saw me. As I sat in the waiting room I slowly felt the sensation of my lower body fade. My partner was poking and squeezing and I was feeling less and less. I lost all function, control, and feeling. I still can't comprehend that these hours, would be the last time I feel my lower body. I was so sure I would bounce back like I always do‍♂️
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<div>Fast forward to week 2.5 in hospital after undergoing every test and scan under the sun. The neurologists found an answer. They rushed to tell me when they found out which I appreciated however, I do wish it was when I had someone with me. Something stopped blood flow to my spinal cord, and it stopped blood flow for so long that part of my spinal cord and the nervous systems within my back have now died.
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<div>In a matter of minutes I went from a chance of recovery to unlikely of recovering the feeling in my legs. Not impossible though!! Just super duper incredibly unlikely
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<div>What followed were some of the hardest phone calls and conversations I have ever had to have. Saying the words "I most likely won't walk ever again. I most likely won't feel from my hips down ever again" and watching or hearing these sentences sink in to my partner, family, and friends was absolutely soul shattering 
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<div>The reassurance and comfort offered from my partner, family, and friends kept me in a really positive headspace however, coming to terms with the fact I am not bouncing back from this is an absolute roller coaster of emotions
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<div>What now?
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<div>✅️Neurologists are unable to work out the cause at this stage. They have some theories and are running more tests to find the cause.
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<div>✅️To return home I need to adapt to life as a paraplegic. Day to day tasks are a lot harder and a lot more strenuous on my upper body needing to adapt to the changes. So I am going to be in pretty intense rehabilitation and physio. The home Locklen and I built will need to be modified to be accessibility friendly. And I will need to invest in a wheel chair, shower chair, and a car that I can drive.
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<div>What if?
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<div>❌️What if I was seen sooner in the ER? This was happening well before I got to the ER. By the time I had jelly legs - it was too late. The spinal chord was dead. The feeling and sensation I had while waiting, was the nervous systems dying 1 by 1.
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<div>❌️What if you just stayed home? Neurologists confirmed I could have been at home playing my video games, singing my songs, having a nap, watching my tik toks - this would have been happening and I wouldn't have realised.
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<div>✅️This in perspective - I am so incredibly lucky to have the peace of mind that I couldn't prevent it. I have seen so many people on social media that have become paralysed from skate boarding, snow boarding, motor biking etc. accidents and I empathise for them as they likely have the what if I stayed home thought tucked in their minds somewhere. I hope these people are able to make peace with what happened to them 
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<div>How long until you're home?
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<div>I need to transfer from neurology to spinal injury. Unfortunately, the wait is months and months and months. In the interim, members of the spinal injury team are administering their rehabilitation program to me in nuerology ward. 
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<div>Current prediction of release is 3 more months‍
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<div>How are you doing mentally?
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<div>This is quite literally life changing for the worse. Despite this, I have been able to remain positive and happy as normal. I don't have it the worst, my life isn't the worst, I am going to be okay. Life will be drastically different, but crying over it isn't going to achieve anything.
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<div>Fact is I couldn't prevent it, I can't fix it, I just need to keep it on moving forward
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<div>This mentality is definitely thanks in large part to my incredible support system. I have had so much family, I have had my partner, and I have had so many friends around me through this and I can not thank you all enough
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<div>Also, recovery is unlikely - not impossible! I am not delusional, I don't expect to walk again or feel my lower body again. However, I will absolutely keep trying. Maybe one day it'll come back
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<div>So yeah this is the surprise number 2025's bingo card spat at me. Not ideal but now, I really am just rolling with it‍‍‍‍‍‍
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<div>A BIT ABOUT ME..
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<div>I have recently joined the Coles work family in the online department as department manager, nothing was to much of a challenge I love my colleagues. I have settled into the Riverlink Coles team really well and hit the ground running. I have brought some knowledge from my previous role in Woolies from the online department also.
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<div>I could always be found but I could be heard. 
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<div>On behalf of my current work family we would love it if any one would like to donate towards Drue’s recovery and future modifications needed.  Very much appreciated. 
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Kelvin Reid

Lachlan Comerford

Gabriel Smith-Kelly

Melinda Baird

Rachel Lyon

Anonymous

Karyn Easton

Holly Auld

Nicola Johnson

Sandrea Siow

Bethany Emery

Amanda Beran

Kym Johnson

Alyssa Nolan

Nathan McKenzie

Melodie Glenn

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