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Infection puts former Spruce King in a coma |
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Written by TED CLARKE, Citizen staff
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Monday, 14 July 2008 |
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HOCKEY LEAGUEPRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS
By the time doctors discovered the infection that had settled in his spine, former Prince George Spruce Kings goalie Patrick Sullivan was an hour away from being paralyzed.
Fortunately for Sullivan, the operation to remove one of his vertebra and treat a staphylococcus (staph) infection was a success, but the infection spread to his lungs, causing him to stop breathing and he lapsed into a week-long coma. When he finally woke up, June 4, he had no memory of his treatment at Kelowna General Hospital.
“I thought it was just an injury and I’d just battle through it, but it kept getting worse and worse,” said Sullivan. “I went to a chiropractor to see if I had a slipped disc and he cracked my back, but later that night (May 28) I was crying with the pain. So I went to the hospital that night and from that I really don’t remember anything until the next Wednesday.”
Sullivan had three X-rays, two CT scans and an MRI, and it was the last test that revealed he had an abscess on his spinal chord that required surgery, right away.
“They said, ‘We either do the surgery now, or you’re going to be paralyzed,’” he said. “During the operation, fluid poured into my lungs and I wasn’t breathing and I went into a coma and didn’t wake up until the next Wednesday. It was pretty bad. I know how severe it was, but I don’t, in a way, because it was like I wasn’t really there.
“They took a piece of the vertebra out to get at the staph infection out that pooled there and relieve the pressure. My doctor said there’s a once in million chance of that happening.”
Sullivan was left with a 30-staple incision in his back and still has to use a brace. But now, six weeks after the operation, he’s walking normally and is off antibiotics. He’ll find out this week what the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery thinks about his longterm prognosis.
Sullivan is now recovering at his home in Kelowna. He doesn’t know for sure when or if he’ll be ready to play his final season of junior hockey, but plans on returning to the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, either with Oakville, Georgetown or Port Hope. Sullivan played last season in the OJPHL for the Hamilton Red Wings. In 14 games he compiled a 7-4-0 record with a 3.52 goals against average and .994 save percentage.
Sullivan joined the Kings in 2006 as a 17-year-old rookie, after leading the Thompson Blazers to the Pacific region major midget title. He became the Kings’ starter late that season when Brad Thiessen was traded to Merritt. Sullivan was released by the Kings early in the 2006-07 season and ended up with the Olds Grizzlies. He was traded last season from the Calgary Canucks to Hamilton.
Since his ordeal, the six-foot native of Chase has shed 15 pounds off his 193-pound playing weight.
“I’m getting a lot better but my back’s still sore,” he said. “I’m just waiting around to see what happens. Because I’m going into my 20-year-old season, I’ve been training really hard, doing two-a-day workouts from when I got home in March until May, and I felt great, in the best condition of my life.
“The doctor said that’s the main reason why I’m getting better.”
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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