Wife sits by husband’s side praying he will recognise her again

A freak accident which has left a man paralysed for 35 days has made the bond between husband and wife stronger as his dedicated partner sits by his side every day wishing, praying he will come back and recognise her again.

Cid Betteridge is staying by her husband John's side while he recovers from a freak incident which almost killed him. Picture: Contributed

He was her person, and she his – a husband and wife whose love made others nauseous even after 12 years of marriage.

Now, he may never recognise her again after a freak accident snapped his femur, collapsed his lungs, shattered his elbow and traumatised his brain.

Cid Betteridge for 35 days has not left her husband John’s side as he slowly recuperates in a Townsville Hospital, her hope never waning he will come back to her.

John had been helping a mate lop trees at an Alligator Creek property south of Mackay on May 5 when he was either thrown out or jumped from a cherry picker as it became unbalanced and toppled.

He narrowly missed cattle grids and steel steps in the fall but the impact of the landing very nearly killed him.

Cid Betteridge is staying by her husband John's side while he recovers from a freak incident which almost killed him. Picture: Contributed

“He had blood everywhere, he was just unrecognisable,” Cid said.

“When I saw him I was just in shock, I didn’t have a thought, it was just heartbreaking.”

John was in a coma and was flown to Townsville where he spent weeks in ICU.

He was essentially trapped inside his body, unable to move a muscle.

“He has a brain damage called diffuse axonal injury,” Cid said. It is an injury resulting from a severe trauma that literally shifts or rotates the brain.

“It can heal, he’s had brain scans where they’ve seen that there’s no new blood or anything so that’s been all good and positive,” she said.

“Because John is a fighter, he’s a hard worker, he’s a healer.

“But it’s very slow.

“35 days later, he’s still got no idea who we are but he’s awake from the coma.”

Cid and John Betteridge, pictured with daughter Elina. Picture: Contributed

In a few short weeks, John has had various “awful” medical treatments including tubes inserted into his lungs to drain out fluid and inflate them; a hole cut into his throat so he could breathe and cough up mucus; a hole drilled into his skull so doctors could measure swelling; a “giant nail” to pin together his broken femur; and debris cleaned from his crushed elbow, and a plate to connect those fragments of bone.

Cid said John had since regained control of one hand but suffered from gas build-up as his brain could not communicate with his muscles.

John Betteridge is unable to move most of his muscles and suffers from gas buildup after a tragic accident almost killed him. Picture: Contributed

“His brain has to heal first to be able to swallow or mend bones, tendons, nerves and all sorts of things,” she said, adding her husband was constantly in discomfort.

But Cid stayed by his side, wiping sweat from his brow as his body expelled toxins, and tenderly washed his hair while the nurses bathed him.

Mackay grandfather John Betteridge is unable to move most of his body after he either fell or jumped from a toppling cherry picker in a freak accident. Picture: Contributed

Cid said people told her that John knew she was there.

But “most of the time, he’s just staring off into space”, she said.

“He might be looking in your direction but he’s not there.”

Cid and John Betteridge in happier times, before a freak accident that forever changed their lives. Picture: Contributed

She said it was overwhelming and it broke her heart she could not do more for him.

“I just do lots of crying because it’s just sad.

“He and I are very lovey-dovey and very intimate and close and stuff and this strong man is now – you know, everyday we’re just grateful that he didn’t die.

“He’s not strong anymore. He’s all skinny and gaunt and it’s just sad.

“We’re just wishing and praying and waiting for the day that he comes back.

“I’m confident that he will, I just don’t know when.”

Cid said John has only recognised her once while in hospital, the day he was taken outside among nature.

“He would pucker up and kiss me,” she said.

“We were crying and laughing, it was just an emotional day, and then he went downhill … we’re just trying to get back to that day.”

This was the day John Betteridge remembered who his wife was. Picture: Contributed

The mum and nanny said it is lonely not having her best friend remembering who shewas but found comfort in blogging his recovery journey for family and friends.

Their daughter and grandchildren also travelled from Mackay up to Townsville to visit, with the youngest grandchild, Louie, somehow sensing she needed his long, encouraging cuddles.

Rob Betteridge chats to his John every day even though his son does not remember their times together. Picture: Contributed

John’s mum and dad Barb and Rob, were by his bedside each day, chatting to their son and helping with tasks from foot massages to “telling ma jokes”.

“We get a funny response from him, you can tell he’s laughing on the inside,” Cid said.

John’s four sons have also been there for their dad.

“There’s some fear John’s memories won’t return,” Cid said.

“But then I just snap myself out of it and go, ‘Of course they will.’

“I’m just so grateful for everyone’s support, because you know, even though I’ve got people up here (in Townsville), you still feel so alone because he’s my person.

“We’ve always been together … and he’s not there.”

A GoFundMe set up to support the family has already raised more than $25,000. You can also follow John’s journey here.