Andrew Fifita reveals frightening details of throat injury and spending five days in a coma

Cronulla star Andrew Fifita has revealed terrifying details of being trapped in the induced coma that saved his life. HEAR THE AUDIO HERE

Andrew Fifita woke from an induced coma and instantly his eyes began darting across the ICU ward of the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

“Where’s my wife (Nikki)?’’ the Sharks NRL star asked the doctors leaning over him.

“It’s been an hour and she said she was only five minutes away.’’

The doctor placed a gentle hand on Fifita’s shoulder and said: “You know it’s Friday?”

“You’ve been in hospital in a coma for five days.’’

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Eight days after suffering a fractured larynx – and three days after emerging from his coma – an emotional Fifita has spoken to The Daily Telegraph about the “toughest fight of his life”.

It is the former Australian and Tongan Test prop’s first interview since being rushed to hospital, unable to breathe from a hit to the throat he suffered during the Sharks’ loss to Newcastle at Redcliffe on Sunday, August 15.

“I’ve been through a lot of trauma,’’ Fifita says through tears.

“I’ve felt scared. I’ve been an athlete at the highest level, but now I have to rebuild myself.

“I have learned how to talk again, walk again, but I can only walk 20 metres down the hallway because they’re (nurses) worried I’ll collapse.

Medical staff tend to Andrew Fifita after Cronulla’s game against Newcastle. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

“It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, to place this stress and pressure on Nikki and the kids, I feel like I’m a failure.

“I only brought the kids here (hospital) for the first time on Sunday because I don’t want them to see me like this. It’s too scary for them.

ABOVE: LISTEN TO FIFITA’S EMOTIONAL RECOUNT OF BEING IN A COMA

“They were here and I sat on a chair and just cried, telling them, “It’s okay guys, it’s Dad, I’m okay.’’

“I know I’m improving every day and that’s what I need to be mindful of.’’

Induced coma

The decision by doctors to place Fifita in an induced coma was life-saving.

It was made to take the stress and pressure off his body as he panicked to breathe and gulped for air.

The hit to his throat had begun to close his airways. He was moments from becoming critical.

From arriving at Royal Brisbane hospital by ambulance on Sunday until last Friday, the 32-year-old remained sedated in a coma to provide time for the swelling to subside.

An emotional Andrew Fifita discusses his recovery.

The stray elbow, which Fifita claims came “unintentionally” from Knights forward David Klemmer, resulted in a major fracture to his larynx that required a delicate two-hour surgery.

At the moment, Fifita can only speak with the assistance of a tracheostomy tube.

He only learned how to talk again on Sunday.

He pushes a button on the tube that releases air to pass through his vocal chords. He hopes the tube can be removed over the next fortnight.

He will also have an apparatus re-attached to his nose in the coming days to also help his recovery.

Renowned for his bellowing laugh and boisterous voice among his teammates, only time will tell if the sound of Fifita’s voice has changed.

A huge man, the NSW State of Origin and Australian forward has lost around 8kg because he hasn’t eaten any food or drank a sip of water since the morning of playing the Knights.

There are moments during our chat that Fifita’s big-kid character comes to life as he jokes that the nurses were concerned his pigeon-toed walk was an after-effect of the surgery.

“The nurses didn’t know I’ve been getting bagged about how I walk since I was a kid,’’ Fifita smiled.

Andrew Fifita with Alexa Leary and her family. Picture: Instagram

But Fifita can’t find the words, breaking down repeatedly, as he explains the surreal and out-of-body experience of enduring five days in a coma.

“The doctor said, ‘Andrew it’s time to wake up’... but I felt like I’d been screaming inside the whole time,’’ Fifita said.

“I just kept trying to reach Nikki and Moons (Sharks football manager Darren Mooney)... but in my mind they wouldn’t let me grab them.

“I felt like I was kicking. I could see them above me, but I couldn’t physically feel them.

“It was the longest five days ever.’’

Fifita’s inspiration

Fifita has progressed enough to move out of ICU and into his own room. It will be at least two weeks before doctors consider discharging him.

“I’m just pushing and pushing to get out,’’ Fifita said.

In the meantime, Fifita says he has found his inspiration.

“On my first night out of ICU the nurse took me for a walk,’’ Fifita said.

“There was a window at the end of the hallway that I wanted to get too. That was my goal.

“So I did it again the next morning and then I went again in the afternoon and that’s when I met Lex.’’

A talented triathlete, Alexa Leary has been hospitalised for over a month after a life-threatening bike crash in July.

“It was her birthday the other day and her room was beautiful with flowers and pictures,’’ Fifita said.

“Despite our injuries, we connected and I told her I would come back when her parents were there.

“Her dad was a massive Sharks fan and she gave me a big hug and I told them I would get people to help donate to her cause.

“She is only tiny, but she is just so strong. She has lifted my spirits and helped me push on.’’

Support network

With Nikki by his side, Fifita tried to watch the Sharks big win over the Wests Tigers last Saturday.

“I turned it off a few minutes into the game and I cried - I just couldn’t watch it,’’ Fifita said.

He feels indebted to his club, the love and support of Nikki and his family, but so too the Sharks and the incredible outpouring from the entire rugby league community.

“Nikki is everything, she is just so strong,’’ Fifita said.

Andrew Fifita pictured with his children after coming out of intensive care.

“But along with all the hospital staff, the entire Sharks club has just been the best.

“From our leaders, Moons to all the players and staff, looking after our kids, to helping ease the pressure on Nikki and in particular, Shelly Ramien (partner of Sharks centre Jesse Ramien) and Nikki’s cousin Stasia, they’ve been amazing.

“And the entire NRL, the players, Andrew Abdo (NRL CEO), it’s been so nice.’’

Will he play again

It’s 50 minutes into the interview before the mere mention of Fifita playing rugby league again surfaces.

The topic - as obvious as it is - doesn’t rate on the scale of immediate focus areas for the Sharks premiership hero.

Yes, other players have come back from injuries like Fifita’s before.

Andrew Fifita isn’t thinking about his playing future. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

But there’s no denying the serious risk of another hit, if he runs out for Cronulla again next year.

“I’ve always been told, you’ll know when you know,’’ Fifita said.

“I don’t know that yet. I told Woolfy (Tongan coach Kristian Woolf) I’m not ready to retire.

“Fitzy (incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon) text message me too, which was so nice.

“Ultimately, I will know in the pre-season (January next year) where I sit with it all.

“I just want to get better so I can be with my family.’’

Originally published as Andrew Fifita reveals frightening details of throat injury and spending five days in a coma