Debbie Murray has faced enormous adversity but is determined to overcome all setbacks after back surgery left her partially paralysed from the waist down.
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Ms Murray, a long time and well known member of the Deniliquin community, has since had 14 surgeries and is learning to walk with the help of friends, family and rehabilitation.
Her friends and family are organising a High Tea in April to fundraise and help pay for mounting medical expenses and alterations which would accommodate her to stay at home.
Ms Murray was initially being treated for severe arthritis and had seven doctors, at different stages, for seven parts of her body.
‘‘I had suffered arthritis all my life which continuously got worse; I was advised that if I had surgery it would fix the issues with pain,’’ she said.
‘‘Everything changed for me on June 24, 2018, when the surgery didn’t go to plan.
‘‘I had complications after the surgery, a lamenectomy, and when I came out of the operation the medical staff informed me I had something like a mini-stroke in the spine.’’
Ms Murray spent the next six months at the Epworth Private Hospital fighting complications and for her mobility.
‘‘It was pretty awful waking up right after the surgery. I didn’t know what was happening because they put me in intensive care. When I woke up in the ICU I saw my brother and thought, ‘oh I must be dying’.
“He came from Queensland so I thought things must be a bit serious.’’
Ms Murray had 14 surgeries, due to complications and infections, which led to further complications.
‘‘I had one every day for a while but then towards the end, a plastic surgeon took over because I had an infection in my wound and it wouldn’t heal. I got blood poisoning, infections and everything.
‘‘I went into intensive care quite a few times and then they would ship me up to a ward, but because I couldn’t walk I was hoisted in and out of bed, or had to get around in an electric wheelchair.
‘‘I went home for Christmas on December 20; I told them I wasn’t staying there (over Christmas), right or wrong, I needed to go home.
‘‘It helped to come home but then I got pneumonia and had to go back to hospital in Melbourne for four weeks on February 1,’’ Ms Murray said.
A close friend, Barb Hussey, said Ms Murray had ‘‘been strong in her recovery’’.
‘‘She worked at Navorina, the Deniliquin Hospital and Orana and has always looked after other people.
‘‘Deb would always give you the shirt off her back. She just cares and she’s always been the life of the party, so the least we can do is be there for her.
‘‘We try to take meals out to Deb and Boz (Deb’s partner Neil Boswell), often to take a bit of pressure off both of them and do what we can,’’ she said.
Ms Murray said the hardest part of the surgery was losing her total independence.
‘‘It has impacted on me terribly; I don’t like it at all but I have to put up with it. I’ve always been independent and I hate relying on people, but it is okay because I will get better.
‘‘They took my licence off me which I’m really upset about, but at least I lost it because I couldn’t physically drive any more.
‘‘It’s been a pretty long haul for the family and financially and everything but I’ve had lots of support from everybody, so that’s been good.
‘‘I have made lots of friends in different places; you meet them along your journey,’’ she said.
Ms Murray is back home in Deniliquin and working hard towards walking without assistance again. In the past two weeks she has progressed from needing her wheelchair to being able to use a walker.
‘‘Monday to Friday I am busy because I go to the gym and I can stay at home now on my own.
‘‘I go out and I’m being social with my friends, thanks to their assistance; this hasn’t stopped me from doing any of that.
‘‘I will go to exercises in the morning, have lunch, go home to have a rest and my friends come out and spend time with me. I have a bit of a roster for people to take me places.
‘‘I’m trying to get things back to normal, or as normal as possible, but it’s pretty hard to make that happen.
‘‘I’m currently borrowing my wheelchair from a friend but previously hired an electric one, which I didn’t need because we live on a few acres and there is too much stuff around. I use my walker mostly and the wheelchair when I have to.’’
Each of Ms Murray’s surgeries has required anaesthesia which has affected her response times and thought process.
‘‘I don’t think I was like this before all of the surgeries; I really have to think about things now.
‘‘It (anaesthesia) was used with all of my operations. It dulls the brain which can take months to go back to normal, as well as all of the strong pain killers I need to take.
‘‘I have been doing really well with rehab but it tires me out because you have to use the brain.
‘‘It is still worth keeping on because you can’t do much more if you don’t keep going. It is what it is, and I’m going to keep going. I won’t give up and my friends won’t let me give up.’’
Ms Murray said her long-term partner Boz has been her biggest supporter, sticking with her along this hard journey.
‘‘Boz was a bit sad when it all first happened but he has been my pillow and rock. He has adapted really well and he says we will just keep going and has always been there.
‘‘He was there all the time at hospital. He would come home for a day or two and then go back.
‘‘(My daughter) Lisa would come on her days off and bring the grandkids. I always wanted to see my grandchildren. They came to see me and it was always nice to see them; it cheered me up.
‘‘I’m getting up and I also have some crutches at home which I can use with help from Boz. He takes me for a walk and does some exercises with me.
‘‘I think we do pretty well, we just have to keep going I think and one day hopefully I will walk, if a can. It’s a mindset thing sometimes, but I’m just so grateful to everyone and their help.’’
Mr Boswell said he is inspired by his partner of more than 30 years, and how hard she works to get better.
‘‘It’s been pretty busy, backwards and forwards to Melbourne; a lot of ups and downs with her condition and a lot of setbacks.
‘‘The rehab team at the Epworth were fantastic, as has been Deni’s Barb Anderson and Deniliquin Hospital in Deb’s rehab since returning home.
‘‘Once she got into rehab it was pretty good and everything was sort of onwards and upwards from there.
‘‘Deb inspires me. She’s pretty stoic in it all and has taken everything in her stride. She’s had so many setbacks that she has been able to overcome but keeps moving forward.
Ms Murray said she is determined to walk, which has become her long term goal.
‘‘I’m very determined to get back to normal. My end goal is to walk without help, to be able to walk and get feeling back in my legs, and to maybe get my licence back,’’ she said.
‘‘I would like to thank everyone for the calls, visits, cards, gifts, help and messages of support, and for the continued support.’’
The High Tea is being organised to raise money for medical expenses and house renovations to accommodate Ms Murray’s requirements.
It will be held on Sunday, April 7 at the The Timbercutter restaurant on Picnic Point Rd, Mathoura.
Patrons will receive a glass of bubbly upon arrival and go into the lucky door prize. There will be a continuous raffle with a lot of great prizes.
Tickets are $55 each and can be purchased at www.stickytickets.com.au, or by phoning 58843287.
A mini bus will run to Mathoura, and there’s only eight seats left. Call Mr Boswell on 0439837216 to secure a seat.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made at Deni Car Care in End St, Deniliquin.