timsmalley.co.uk
I was a full-time photographer, but got hit badly by #sepsis in 2024. 7 wks in ICU, 4 in a coma, multiple organ failure. Now re-learning how to walk so I can get back into the woods again.
👉 Free woodland photography tips: https://www.timsmalley.co.uk
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Hi Ali, you're on the wrong side of history here. Your brain is cooked.
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happy new year Christoph. All the best for the new year!
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happy new year Armand. All the best for 2025.
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Thanks Dave and same to you. Hope sepsis didn’t hit you too hard - I’m lucky to have not lost any organs/limbs.
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Beautiful image :)
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A beauty :)
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wonderful Mali :)
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thansk a lot, Cathy!
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thanks Armand 😊
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thanks 🤩
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thanks very much :)
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Thanks a lot Rumyana :)
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Much appreciated, Clay!
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thanks Liam :)
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thanks Darryn!
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Magical, Darryn!
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Frithsden Beeches is a beautiful, and under-visited part of the estate. So many big, old trees there!
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Beautiful Christoph :)
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Nice shot, awesome atmosphere. 👍
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Beautiful work, Jo.
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that's lovely, Gerald.
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If you enjoyed this thread and found it inspiring or useful for your own journey through difficult times, please share the first post (below) to help others.
bsky.app/profile/tims...
Thanks ❤️
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What's the lesson here?
Sepsis can hit anyone, at any time. 1 in 1000 of all infections become septic. Of those, around 1 in 100 lead to septic shock, where the body starts to shut down.
Be grateful for everything. Don't expect anything from anyone. And don't take anything for granted. 🧵/end
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And then maybe, by Spring, I can get back out into the woods again - a year after being admitted to hospital.
Just in time for the beautiful bluebells, which I last saw in May 2023. 🧵/7
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When I left the hospital, I was still in a wheelchair. I then progressed to using a walking frame and then in August, I moved on to crutches. Before sepsis hit me like a train, I would walk 20 miles a week in the woods.
Perhaps, before too long, I will be able to walk without crutches again. 🧵/6
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I do believe that this & my positive mindset helped me pull through. All of my organs are working as normal today - the ones I was born with.
I swam 64 lengths in total this week.
For some, that might seem a lot; for others, it might seem insignificant. But for me, it is a big milestone. 🧵/5
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And the doctors had to keep putting me into an induced coma & onto a ventilator. My sats, with a CPAP mask, were down in the low 60s on four different occasions.
Luckily, my heart was strong even if everything else was shutting down around it. 🧵/4
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Back in April, a simple throat infection led to a 7.5-week stay in ICU, with repeated & multiple organ failures. I almost lost my right leg.
It was touch & go whether I would even make it through for about 6 weeks. My lungs kept failing. My kidneys were gone & my liver had problems, too. 🧵/3
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I managed to go swimming for the 1st time on Monday. And then again on Wednesday & this morning.
It was very daunting, which may seem weird, but sepsis started with a throat infection. Swimming in a public pool made me nervous.
But I was greeted by a rainbow as I arrived for my 1st visit. 🧵/2
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Thanks Darryn!
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Much appreciated ❤️
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Thank you, that's very kind. Hope you have a wonderful day ❤️
[sorry for the delay, still getting used to the way notifications work here!]
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Thanks Alice. Keep exploring and keep being kind to yourself. You will find your path ❤️
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Ah bless you, Nick. It can be a rough old ride - I miss the people, but not the work!
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Thanks very much, Neil!
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Thanks for your kind words. It has definitely played its part in my journey ❤️
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Thanks Lisa. It can be a very spiritual endeavour. It is a sensory overload for me, but a beautifully calming one.