There is still a long road to recovery for Michael Nel from Secunda
Michael (Doby) Nel remains at the Arwyp Medical Centre surgical ICU in Kempton Park since his motorcycle accident in Secunda on September 4.
Although out of a coma, doctors had Michael (Doby) Nel, for most parts, sedated due to seizures he had been experiencing, among other complications.
It has been two and a half months since Nel’s motorcycle accident with a bakkie that happened in PDP Kruger Street on September 4. He remains in Arwyp Medical Center surgical ICU in Kempton Park.
In an update interview with his sister, Emmerentia Granger, she said Nel has faced medical complications since coming out of a coma.
“There have been both declines and improvements in his medical condition. He was diagnosed with sepsis and bad inflammation in his body,” said Granger.
She said Nel had undergone surgery for a tracheotomy in September.
“Doctors are treating what they see as they go. He is now on epilepsy medication for the severe seizures he has been experiencing,” said Granger.
She explained when he regained consciousness, there were a few days where he was awake for a few seconds and went back into a deep sleep.
Days after he regained consciousness, he began having severe seizures, one after the other. Doctors had to sedate him again and put him on seizure medication and neurological fever, followed by a CT scan.
“He underwent a craniotomy procedure where his skull was cut open and all fluids and old blood cleaned out,” said Granger.
She said to give his brain a rest due to the severity of his injuries and to help with his recovery, doctors had kept him highly sedated. Within a week after his brain surgery, he was slowly taken out of sedation.
Nel also had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) put in place. This is a type of feeding tube inserted through the skin of the abdomen into the stomach. A PEG is done if food, drink, and medicines cannot reach his stomach.
“He was moved to a C-Pap setting on a ventilator on November 13 to wean him from the ventilator. He did well and was moved to T-Vent through the trachea and is communicating by mouthing words.”
Nel has been given a chart with words such as hungry or thirsty to which he points out. He is also undergoing occupational therapy. He also received several blood transfusions due to anaemia.
Doctors have picked up that his right leg is weaker than the other and communication to his right foot is impaired. Nel, who also sustained a broken neck in the accident, recently underwent another MRI.
The latest results show he has a pinched nerve and a calcifying vertebrae. They also ordered neurotransmitter testing and another CT scan and will discuss other options with the family.
Nel’s mother Emmerentia Nel has to this day not left his side and still stays at the hospital and sometimes with family members.
His mother came across his accident scene when she was on her way to get a flat tyre repaired. She had immediately stopped when she recognized his motorcycle.
“Our mother has asked him if he can recall the accident. Sometimes it is a yes and others it is a no. He is suffering from short-term amnesia. Only once he can properly speak we should be able to find out what he knows and if he can remember,” she said.
Granger said it has been a roller coaster of emotions for the family with every day being different with his current condition.
Doctors’ bills have been streaming in, with recent bills already being over R108 000 for his tracheotomy and recent MRI, which is not covered by medical aid.
The family is also thinking ahead to what changes will need to be made to Nel’s lifestyle and living arrangements when he is eventually released from the hospital, regarding his mobility and being able to get around.
Nel’s place of work has assured his family that his work is secure for his return. He works as an automotive mechanic in Bethal.
Nel’s family express their gratitude to all individuals for their care, support, and prayers and are humbled by the incredible community of people.
The family is appealing to the public for help with the costs that are accumulating every day. The proof will be provided, on request, of where the money is going.
Banking details are:
Bank name: Capitec Bank
Branch name: Secunda
Branch code: 470010
Account holder: EH Granger
Account number 176 865 022 3 (savings). State your name and surname as the reference.
