Potters legend celebrates '11th birthday' of his new life
SHORTLY before 9.30pm on December 15, 1997, Alan Hudson was admitted to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, with several life-threatening injuries.
The ex-England international had been crossing nearby Mile End Road when he was struck by a car and flung against a roadside oak tree.
Medical records show that during the next two months Alan's family and friends were advised on several occasions that his extensive injuries could prove fatal.
And experts added that, even if he were to survive, it was doubtful whether he would ever be able to walk again.
But the 57-year-old, who lives in Hartshill, this week described his determination to come through his ordeal and how it inspired him to celebrate this day every year.
He said: "I died a couple of times. I know because I have been told by my dad and my best mate and I know that I was taken and came back.
"In the early days I asked myself 'Am I going to accept this or am I going to try to get back to the lifestyle?'.
"I have seen a lot of people in hospital over the years who feel sorry for themselves, but I just couldn't be that way.
"I wanted to get back."
Upon first arriving at the hospital, Alan was stabilised before X-rays detected injuries including:
A fractured skull.
Several fractures to the face.
Chest injuries, including a broken sternum and ribs.
Ruptured kidney and pelvic haemotoma.
Multiple pelvic fractures and lacerated bladder.
For doctors, the most immediate concern was the difficult task of stemming heavy bleeding from the pelvic injury.
But by a remarkable coincidence, three days earlier Alan's consultant surgeon David Goodier had been shown a special newly-manufactured clamp designed to combat blood loss in exactly that sort of fracture.
The price of the device – even a cheap version cost £3,500 – and the fact it would be used less than three times a year had dissuaded hospital chiefs from investing.
But the following day, Mr Goodier realised Alan's blood was no longer clotting properly and took the decision to use the demonstration clamp, despite the fact it was marked 'sample only'.
Mr Goodier and his team were able to stop the bleeding and maintain pressure without pouring in further blood.
The footballer, who also had a blood clot removed from his brain, was admitted to intensive care the day after the accident, where deep vein thrombosis had set in and the decision was taken to slit the upper thigh and both sides of the calf of both legs to allow muscles to swell.
The following day, family were told he could die if sepsis was contracted or multiple organs failed.
Experts weighed up whether to perform a colostomy operation – which was likely to be fatal – or do nothing, which almost guaranteed further sepsis and was also likely to result in his death.
By January 5, 1998, the patient had stabilised but still had to have an operation on his throat performed in intensive care as he was too ill to transfer to theatre.
In early February he woke up and began speaking and on February 12, after 59 days in intensive care, he was transferred to a normal ward. In total he spent a year in hospital.
Alan thanks the people of Stoke-on–Trent for their support during his ordeal.
He added of the moment he woke up: "I was on really heavy drugs and all I can remember is bright lights and that my room was covered in cards.
"The majority of those cards were from people in Stoke-on-Trent, and that speaks volumes."
Over the years, Alan has had health problems linked to the major surgery, but said: "I am nearly 60 but I still feel that, despite the last 10 years of my life, I have still got a long way to go. This has given me a new challenge and a new life."
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