Thames Valley rugby prop Hayden Anderson feels lucky to be alive after he broke his leg during a game and suffered fat embolism syndrome which has a 8 per cent chance of survival. Credit: Mike Scott
Heartland rugby player Hayden Anderson has opened up about his brush with death after a series of rare medical events left him clinging to life and doctors giving him just an 8 per cent chance of survival.
The 21-year-old Thames Valley recruit broke his leg just minutes into a Heartland Championship clash after colliding with another player on September 16.
After undergoing surgery at Waikato Hospital for his broken tibia and fibula, Anderson developed the rare Fat Embolism Syndrome, where fat leaks into the bloodstream and can cause serious problems for the internal organs.
To complicate matters, Anderson developed a lung infection. His condition dramatically worsened and after surgery he was put on life support and given just an 8 per cent chance of survival.
After miraculously pulling through, Anderson said his father had to explain to him what had happened - he was unaware that he'd been in intensive care for a week.
"My dad told me how serious it was and that's when it really hit me, and a lot of my memories came back. I couldn't remember the game for some time. I knew my leg was broken, I just couldn't remember what I'd done," Anderson told the Herald on Sunday from his hospital bed.
"When dad told me how serious it was, it was a huge eye opener. When I was told I had an 8 per cent chance of survival I thought 'shoot, I've really dodged a bullet. I'm really lucky here.'"
Recalling the tackle that led to his hospitalisation, Anderson - father to a 3-month-old son - said the ensuing few weeks had been "a dream".
"[The break] wasn't actually that painful. I was in that much shock I didn't actually feel pain, and then I've been on drugs up until this point," he said.
"When I was on life support it was just a dream, and I thought they were solid memories. I've been talking to family about that, and they said none of it had happened. I dreamed my brother-in-law was visiting me, but he hasn't been here at all."
Hayden Anderson feels lucky to be alive after he broke his leg during a game. Photo / Mike Scott
Anderson will spend the next week in hospital to clear out any niggling lung issues, and will return home to Mt Maunganui on crutches.
Doctors will do further tests to confirm whether his leg has suffered nerve damage. If so, he'll need more surgery.
For the next year at least, Anderson will be off the field, but that doesn't bother him too much.
"I love the game but I've been through hell so I'm not thinking about it really. Obviously I'll be stoked to get out on the field again but the main step right now is just to walk again.
"I've learned just to take things day by day and just to be more grateful for simple things like walking and doing things for yourself. I've been a child while I've been in here," he said.
"It bugs me. I like doing things my way, and don't like to ask for help. Having to change that is a bit different. [But] the support has been good."
In the past week he had managed to get up and walk around the ward, and was gaining strength. He'd lost more than 10kg - "I'm not looking like a prop that's for sure" - but hospital staff were giving him extra food.
Barry Anderson flew from Perth to be with his son, and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation was helping with accommodation and travel expenses.
"He's doing well. It's good to see him getting stronger and stronger. He's making good progress [but] it will take a while for him to recover. The lungs have taken a hammering and there's still things he's not sure about in terms of the damage to his leg."
He "couldn't get over" the kindness of the Waikato Hospital staff.
"It's been great. Especially in [intensive care]. There's always two people by his side and the staff just went out of their way to make us welcome and to keep us informed. It's really, really good."
