Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton star Shane Duffy says ‘I’m just glad to be alive’
EVERTON defender Shane Duffy was discharged from Dublin's Mater Hospital yesterday - and admitted he's happy to be alive after last week's freak injury.A routine challenge with Irish amateur goalkeeper Adrian Walsh during a Republic of Ireland training match in Malahide resulted in a lacerated liver which saw the 18-year-old left fighting for his life.And Duffy admitted: 'This time last week, I thought I wouldn't be here, so I have to realise I am here and I have to look at the bigger picture.'I am just here to thank all the medical staff who saved my life. Gerry McEntee (surgeon), (Ireland team doctor) Alan Byrne and (Ireland team surgeon, Professor) John O'Byrne saved my life. I just want to thank everyone in this hospital for everything they have done. They saved my life.'This time last week, I was in there having an operation and it was a scary time. I just have to thank everyone. It's been a crazy time, a crazy week.'Duffy lost 3.6 litres of blood - around two-thirds of his supply - and underwent emergency surgery after suffering a sudden and potentially fatal drop in blood pressure in casualty.Dr Byrne said: 'Shane was very frightened. He thought he as going to die.'There was 3.6 litres of blood in his abdomen that has leaked from this artery, and he had received over 20 units of blood.'You are pouring it in one way and it is leaking out the other way.'All you can do at that stage is put as much fluid in as you can because you are trying to keep the circulation going to the brain and to the heart.'FAI surgeon Professor John O'Byrne rang me a couple of times from the ambulance and he thought he was going to die because you cannot replace the loss of this fluid and blood.'He had lines going in everywhere in A&E to try to maintain his blood pressure.'Dr Byrne revealed he knew within seconds of running on to the pitch at Malahide United's Gannon Park home that he was dealing with a serious injury.He said: 'I made my mind up probably 30 seconds into it. I just knew this was odd.'I wasn't quite sure of the nature of it. He was in so much pain and I needed to know where that pain was.