My Sob Story

[Steeno]

This is my sob story, but it is true in every detail.

1984 Australian Scholastic Titles at North Narrabeen Sydney.

NSW Kneelo members Simon Farrer, Craig Ashdown and myself. I had been so excited to make the NSW Team for the Australian Titles that I had forgotten to look after myself. Here I was staying at Barton Lynch's and Mick Mocks house in Manly Sydney, that NSW Surfing had setup for us. An awesome place to stay for a kneelo grommet looking at Barton's ASP trophies. Anyway what a great time I was having, surfing with likes of Luke Egan, Nicky Wood, Mark Sainsbury and the list goes on. Three days in to the competition and I had not been eating properly and my blood sugar count was way down (well I know that now) My second round of the comp was coming up so I went out for a warm up surf. Whilst in the surf I got very dizzy and started to see stars, mind you the surf was all of 2ft and utter dribble. I had passed out before from needles at the docs, so this feeling i was holding was very familiar. I knew I was going to pass out. I looked around and started to climb across my board so I would not go under water and also yelled out for help. Next I knew I was in Hospital with tubes hanging out of me everywhere and my parents where there who had driven for two hours after Mick Mock had called them. Apparently a young girl from the Victorian team was next to me when I passed out, she heard me yell and turned to see me slide of my board and go under water, she thought I was joking. It was no joke, she realised and called for more help. I had drowned and was clinically dead for just under a minute before being revived on the beach, picked up in a helicopter and flown to the Royal North Shore Hospital. I was unconscious for three and a half hours. The next day all the State Surfing Teams came and visited me in hospital, with signed apparel from the whole team. How stoked was I, I felt fine, get these stupid pipes out of me. I was out of the hospital in 48 Hours. This was at this time of year, just before Christmas. For three weeks after this I was having pains in my chest that where getting worse and worse. I had met a girl at this time called Sylvia (phew.... gorgeous) and had organised to met her at a club that night (underage of course-i was) I went there and gave her a kiss and had to leave because i was in to much pain. That night I hit the wall, I could not breath without screaming-straight back to hospital. A week had passed and after every test under the sun no-one new what was wrong with me, it was like they put me in the "to hard basket". My mum was all over it ringing lung specialists all over Australia. A legend lung guy from Sydney came down to see me and put a camera down into my lungs, and within an hour of doing that I was of to Sydney in an ambulance and straight into the operating theatre. What had happened was and infection from drowing and swallowing polluted water had caused a abcise (spelling) on my lung that was septic and was about to burst and poison my whole system and kill me, again. I awoke from surgery a day later with 5 broken ribs, 36 stitches and a hose hanging out of my side that was running puss (gross thought still) into a sealed bucket. I was like that for 2 months, and then had a month of slowly pulling the tube out of my side and cutting it of an inch every week. Still makes me cringe, the damaged that had been caused by the first hospital not knowing what was going on, it meant I had lost 95% use of a lung. This all went on in my final year of highschool, so that was out the door. To day I still only have 5% use of that lung, I did exercises for years to expand my good lung to have more capacity. The day I got out of hosipital i wanted to do something so I washed my old mans car for him, swiped my hand over the broken aerial and got 7 stitches in my hand. Stoked, not. 6 months after it happened I got back in the water, I get a little worried surfing by myself nowdays, in case I black out. But I dont let it stop me. A few years later I smashed my knee to pieces and had a 25cm plate and 8 screws inserted into my knee and couldn't walk for another 6 months.

thanks if you read this babble, its the first I have spoken of it for a long time and it made me feel better about it. cheers

[hart]

Steen,

You are still here, but some you mention aren't. Must be something to learn from this.

Stay stoked, mate..and all that read your story can stay the same.

Glad to know what you've shared.

Regards again, from around the corner..

Bruce.

[scoop]

great read streeno....main thing is your better for it....
now get back out there and make sure all your customers have their blinds and curtains up by christmas.....gee they expect alot

tony

[willli]

steen, got chills from that read just remembering the after effects of rib spreaders and JP's. know what you mean about surfing alone. funny how we bury our bad experiences. you're a warrior in the truest sense.
Will

[DavidW]

Steen, I remember you telling us that story in New Zealand, I believe you were chain smoking at the time. We were blown away when you told us you only had one lung.
One lung and chain smoking and you still won your division. That was a great trip.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
Dave.

[DarcyM]

Steeno -
what a terrible run of nasty luck! Glad you survived it -- too many close calls! You must have nine lives or something. Gives you a great appreciation for the life you have been given. Thanks for sharing and reminding us too.

PS: that's a great woman to stand by you through all of that - keep her close!

[Jack Beresford]

Steen,

You're a class act - this was especially timely reading during the holidays! Keep charging!

Jack

[doc]

This is my sob story, but it is true in every detail.

<thoracotomy > To day I still only have 5% use of that lung, I did exercises for years to expand my good lung to have more capacity. The day I got out of hosipital i wanted to do something so I washed my old mans car for him, swiped my hand over the broken aerial and got 7 stitches in my hand. Stoked, not. 6 months after it happened I got back in the water, I get a little worried surfing by myself nowdays, in case I black out. But I dont let it stop me. A few years later I smashed my knee to pieces and had a 25cm plate and 8 screws inserted into my knee and couldn't walk for another 6 months.

The girl I met Sylvia, the darling she is, is still with me 18 years down the road, god I love her and this life I have been given, and thats the truth.

So, in other words it kinda worked out even...... die, chest cracked, sliced, smashed ...and Sylvia. Good for you.

Y'know, between you and Willi, I have to figure I'm just fleeing from the law of averages.

doc......

[Steeno]

Thankyou, all you guys......... I love your comraderie and positive comments. it makes me smile and wanna be there with you all.

Willi-I read your story as well. Mate, love your work, the sun gets brighter everyday...........as you come out of the tube

cheers

[MWROBERTSON]

Steen,

What an inspirational story! I'm glad you kept fighting for it. This time of year I always reflect on what happened over the past 365 days, what I did better and where I can improve. That goes for ALL areas in my life. This story makes me greatful that I have K-Bing and friends like you to keep pushing me forward no mater what has transpired.

Have a good holiday and keep ripping!

[jonny]

Steen,

Jeez son, if there is truely such a thing as karma you sure were owed a bucket full after that run of incidents.....
maybe thats why you've ended up with a great woman and a content life ?.... its gone full circle !!.. lol

good on you for pushing thru and goin as hard as eva...!

jonny.

[Steeno]

Thanks Jonny

[DK]

Steeno,
I cant believe youve only got limited use of one lung- It definatly hasnt stopped you charging big waves at Sandon and Shitties thats for sure, keep charging mate you were an inspiration before I read the story even more so now.

[Steeno]

gees Dave..........

you have to play the cards you are dealt, no point sitting back and thinking......if only.......

thanks for the boost

[quadfin]

I just thought I had battle scars from being an old roughneck Steeno. Great inspiration for staying with surfing after your experience. Keep charging mate.