Central Coast dad thriving with prosthetics after limb amputation caused by sepsis
When a bout of flu gave a Central Coast father the shakes, he laid down for a rest — when he “awoke” three weeks later it was to the worst news of his life.
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When a bout of flu gave Adam Smith the shakes, he laid down for a rest — when he “awoke” three weeks later it was to the worst news of his life.
The Central Coast dad had been put into an induced coma after a secondary infection caused life-threatening sepsis, with medical professionals working around the clock to keep him alive.
They saved his life, but not his limbs, and now the quadruple amputee is learning to live again using prosthetics — and his own ingenuity.
This week he met with one of the doctors who saved his life 18 months ago, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital executive clinical director Professor Paul Torzillo — where he was able to learn more about what happened during those missing weeks.
“All I remember was laying down on the lounge, and then being gradually brought out of the induced coma weeks later,” he said.
“In the coma, I’d been in a wild dream state — I knew I was sick, I knew I had tubes all through me, but I thought I was in a hospital overseas and just had to get back to Sydney.
“When I slowly came out of the coma, I thought I’d finally made it home and all would be well — I certainly didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.”
The 51-year-old had been kept alive on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — or ECMO — a form of life support for people with life-threatening illness or injury that affects the function of their heart or lungs. A patient’s blood is pumped outside of the body to a machine that removes carbon dioxide and sends oxygen-rich blood back to the body.
Yet sepsis, a silent killer, had already cut off the circulation in his arms and legs so drastically there was no coming back.
For an agonising three months he had to await the line of demarcation — of healthy skin from necrotic skin — to see how much of his arms and legs he’d be able to keep.
Ultimately both Mr Smith’s legs were amputated below the knee; one arm was amputated halfway up his forearm, the other just below his elbow.
“The dying process had started by the time I awoke — yet when I had the conversation with doctors about amputation I thought it might be a couple of toes,” he said.
“When I realised the extent of it — that it was pretty catastrophic — my biggest concern was how I was going to tell my loved ones, and be able to reassure them that this wasn’t the end of my life, that I would adapt.”
That can-do attitude has helped the father-of-two as he navigates life — first in a wheelchair and now with prosthetic legs, and soon arms.
“I guess my brain is wired to find out what I can do — it was devastating of course and I’ve had dark moments, but I’m just looking forward to what I can get back,” Mr Smith said this week.
“I had to relearn how to do everything — everything is a lot more awkward — from having a shower, to getting dressed. If I drop something on the floor it can take 10 minutes to pick it up.
“But I’m adapting — and finding ways to do things — and technology is getting better all the time. I’m currently waiting for prosthetic arms that run off sensors in your muscles to do certain things, like pick items up.
“Nothing is built the way the human body is — but there’s technology to help me with everything from plugging in my mobile phone charger to operating my camera.”
Mr Smith is getting on with what he loves — getting outside exploring nature, amateur photography and spending time with family and friends.
“I’m fortunate to have a lot of caring people in my life which makes recovery easier, and I had several months in hospital being cared for by the most amazing team which really humanised my experience,” he said.
One of those was Professor Torzillo, a senior intensive care physician, who said it was great this week to see Mr Smith coping so well with the hand he’d been dealt.
“It’s fantastic to see him,” he said, “And it’s a testament to the incredible team of people involved.
“You can spend your whole life being a doctor and looking after sick people, but you can really learn from patients like Adam who can share details about when they’re sick in hospital and it makes you more alert to the little moments of care that can make a big difference.”
Mr Smith paid thanks to those who had helped him on his journey, and is looking forward to get back to his job as a youth worker.
In the meantime he’s been sharing his experience with high school students at speaking engagements.
“I’m taking it a day at a time and I’m not saying no to anything,” he said. “If my experience can help others, that’s fantastic.”
Originally published as Central Coast dad thriving with prosthetics after limb amputation caused by sepsis
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