Almost half a year after a cycling crash left Nelson woman Angela Herbert with devastating pelvic fractures, her recovery has been dealt another crushing blow.
Just as the 51-year-old was beginning to show signs of improvement, she suffered a perforated bowel on 17 June, caused by the pain medication she had been taking for her injuries.
“I was rushed into emergency surgery and given a 50 percent chance of survival,” she says.
The operation saved her life, but Angela now faces living permanently with a stoma, an opening surgically created in the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body and collect in an external bag.
She has also developed pleurisy – inflammation of the lining around the lungs, causing painful breathing.
Angela has now spent more than five months in Nelson Hospital since she was struck by a van while cycling through the Vanguard St/Hardy St roundabout on 8 February.
The van failed to give way at the roundabout, knocking her from her bike and leaving her with six pelvic fractures.
Her orthopaedic specialist described the injuries as some of the worst he had ever seen, and surgery was ruled out because the damage was too extensive.
She also developed functional neurological disorder, leaving her unable to move her left arm, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and hearing loss in her left ear.
Angela says her original injuries have made living with a stoma difficult. Her left hand is not functioning, she cannot stand on her own and she remains in hospital, with no certainty about when she will be able to leave.
“It’s really unknown. All I am able to do is lie here and try and heal.”
Before the crash, Angela worked remotely as a kaitiaki for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, supporting tauira (students) in te reo Māori and tikanga Māori across the top of the South Island and the West Coast. The former police officer was also a medical herbalist, a member of the Tribal Nations Motorcycle Club and loved to run.
Now, she's been told she’ll likely never run again.
Recovering without a partner has been one of the hardest parts, she says, but the support of neighbours, friends and the wider community has helped keep her going.
One of the highlights of her time in hospital was a visit from her cat, Chippy. Originally her neighbour’s cat, Chippy had adopted Angela before the crash. But after months without her at home, he has returned to live with his original owner.
As Angela remains in hospital, she says the bills have continued to pile up.
Her close friend Adrienne Matthews has been by her side throughout her recovery and set up a Givealittle page following the crash. She is now appealing to community again to contribute as Angela faces a long recovery.
Donations can be made at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-help-angela-herbert-the-one-whos-always
