About the Book
This book tells a live drama of a 33 years super active jolly good fellow, who had a happy relationship, good job, nice apartment, a dream car and wonderful circle of friends. However, with the turn of event his life went down the hill when he was struck down with meningococcal bacterial meningitis and septicemia in late 2011. Ever since then, his life took a nose dive for the worst. He was in comma for 6 weeks and hospitalised for 9 months. Secondary to the above health condition, I suffered bilateral sensorineural deafness, myosotis, rhabdomyelitis, acute kidney failure, ischemic contracture of the limbs, dry and wet feet gangrene, pericarditis, osteomyelitis, vascularitis, vestibular hypo function, oscillopsia and a host of other conditions. As a result of the above conditions, I underwent series of amputations and debridements, weeks of maggot therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, speech therapy, bilateral cochlear implantation operation, pericardiocentes, operation, feet reconstructive plastic operation and 6 weeks of intensive rehabilitation. Today I have survived the brutal attacks of bacteria meningitis and septicemia but have paid and continue to pay dearly for it. My relationship broke down, I lost my employment, house, a couple of friends and a lonely sad life. Three years down the line, I still attend out patient appointments with these departments; Ent/ audiology, plastic surgery, neuroscience, mental health, balance therapy, pain management, physiotherapy and psychotherapy. Though my experience has informed me more, challenged me, exposed me, inspired me and tested me to the limit. I have come back fighting. I have richer experience, better judgement about life, stronger personality, realistic about life expectations, disposed and better prepared for life eventualities, optimistic, appreciative and motivated even all the more. But I would admit asking myself sometimes "what's interesting about me any more?" The Diary of a Broken Man is a comprehensive and well written insight into the life of a meningitis survivor who had seen it all. Ever since my recovery, I have seen many meningitis survivors who are battling with numerous after-effects both knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously, genuinely or deliberately. I will admit that there is no one-size manual for the diagnosis and recovery of Meningitis illness, but this book by far shade powerful light into the battles going on in the lives of sufferers, more especially the kids and those who find it very hard to explain what they are actually going through inside, the invisible wars tearing them apart inside and the frustrations caused by the challenges of activities of daily living for the meningitis victims and survivors. Follow me through my journey to the land of eternal pain and misery, loneliness, deafness, depression, and all sorts of emotions, recovery, rejuvenation, appreciation and ultimate come back to good health.
About the Author :
One is that I am not Chinese, so you can be sure that I write my first name first and my last name last. Another is that "Vascodaga" or "Vasco Dagama" is a screen name, it's not my name. My name is Vincent Ifeanyi Duru. Quick bio - I was born in IMO State, Nigeria and grew up in in the Village. I studied my first degree in Philosophy at Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri and graduated from the IMO State University and Pontifical Urban University, Rome, I progressed to doing my Theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu and obtained HND in Mass Communication from Enugu State University (ESUT) with distinctions. I later withdrew from seminary after some years in Theology a couple of months to Ordination to Catholic Priesthood when I discovered that I was not carved out for the life. I left the country for further studies in the UK, after my attempts to find work and subsist in Nigeria. I took a conversion studies in Business Administration and was later employed as Human Resources Manager for a company based in South East London. Sadly, my ambitions and life's dreams were shattered in October 2011 after a long fight with Bacterial Meningitis and Septicemia which rendered me disabled in many ways, ranging from Bilateral Profound Deafness, vestibular dysfunction to reduced mobility. It has not been an easy ride all through life but my optimism has taken me to places and turn my challenges into weapon of self actualization and testimonies. My philosophy of life is simple: Always look on the brighter side of life. My aim is to inspire those in real life moments, challenges and all forms of vicissitudes. I want to share my life with you. My blog revolves around health awareness, self actualization and tapping of the strengths within to make a difference around you. I have been part of different Organizations like Meningitis now UK, Healthunlock UK etc, to raise awareness of the Meningococcal diesases. Other articles by me have appeared in Health and Philosophical journals, magazines, and newspapers. I have also been known to be a talking head at different health organizations and forums. I am enormously proud of my work. My Vasgaboom.com blog stated in September 2015 as a means of sharing my life with the world especially, my life before and after bacterial meningitis. I will promise you one thing upfront... You will not be bored reading my blog.
