Posted on 06/03/2007 9:52:33 AM PDT by Renfield
A Polish man has woken up from a 19-year coma to find the Communist party no longer in power and food no longer rationed, Polish TV reports. Railway worker Jan Grzebski, 65, fell into a coma after he was hit by a train in 1988.
"Now I see people on the streets with mobile phones and there are so many goods in the shops it makes my head spin," he told Polish television.
He credits his survival to his wife, Gertruda, who cared for him.
Doctors gave him only two or three years to live after the accident.
A comatose patient is in a profound state of unconsciousness which renders them unaware of both self and the world around them, and from which they cannot be roused.
Although those in a coma do not respond to stimuli in a meaningful way, contrary to popular belief they do not always lie quiet and still - in some cases they can move, open their eyes and even talk.
Fall of communists
"It was Gertruda that saved me, and I'll never forget it," Mr Grzebski told news channel TVN24 of his recovery.
Mrs Grzebski is reported to have moved her husband every hour to prevent bed sores.
"I cried a lot, and I prayed a lot," Mrs Grzebski said on Polsat television.
"Those who came to see us kept asking: 'When is he going to die?' But he's not dead."
When Mr Grzebski had his accident Poland was still ruled by its last communist leader, Wojciech Jaruzelski.
"When I went into a coma there was only tea and vinegar in the shops, meat was rationed and huge petrol queues were everywhere," Mr Grzebski said.
The following year's elections ushered in eastern Europe's first post-communist government.
Poland joined the Nato alliance in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.
"What amazes me today is all these people who walk around with their mobile phones and never stop moaning," said Mr Grzebski.
"I've got nothing to complain about."
Goodby Lenin.
For real this time.
Kind of like a time capsule of how life was under the Soviets. Unfortunately, people that come out of comas after a long period of time have a tragic tendency to go back into them in a relatively short period of time. Prayers that doesn’t happen this time...
It certainly sounds miraculous. This guy appears to be really talking.
Most of these coma “miracles” turn out to be bitterly disappointing on closer examination.
'Never' is a long time; and sometimes not so long at all.
That said; an amazing, true-to-life 'Rip VanWinkle' story. . .and one that should give the medical community pause.
And now he has also learned that it is illegal everywhere to tell Polish jokes.
Amazing that he has 'power of speech' not having spoken for nineteen years. Did he dream? Does he have any recollection of 'things' going on; did he hear voices at all; ever. . .during this time. Does he feel he has 'been' ANYwhere for nineteen years; besides in his bed? Was there any level of awareness? Could he be hypnotized to recall what/where his mind was during this time? Is he ambulatory. .. his legs work etc. or is he in a 'wheelchair'. . .(he has muscles that work? How long or was it 'right away' upon awakening?)
Enquiring minds want to know. . .more of this story. . .
“What amazes me today is all these people who walk around with their mobile phones and never stop moaning,”
There is a lesson there for our country too!
Reminds me of a (somewhat related) joke I read in National Lampoon back in, Oh, about 1973.
A man goes into a coma in 1958, and comes out of it in 1973. The first thing he does, when he regains consciousness, is to ask a nearby hospital orderly, “How’s Eisenhower doing?”
“Eisenhower’s dead” replies the orderly.
“Balls o’ fire!!” the man exclaims. “That means that bastard Nixon’s president!!”
Well, it was funny in 1973.
Excellent questions — it would take a book to answer a portion of these unknowns... but some answers about the mysteries of the human mind will never be revealed during our lifetimes as mortals. We are all in the dark as much as this man ever was.
I chuckled
That said; yes, there is so much more to learn - and later. . .
As we plod ahead toward reforming our medical system, let's not forget the "beauty" of socialism (communism). Under socialism, prices are incredibly low, and the shelves are ALWAYS bare.
During his coma, he was Kevin Finnerty.
God is merciful.
Just after he wake up he could not speak properly but quickly improved. He says that he recall some family gatherings, knows names of his grandchildren. However don’t know how long period he was more or less aware what is going on. He will walk, need just some trainings. His wife did good job to keep his muscles alive.
There’s a great movie in this, starring Tom Hanks.
Thank you so much for responding to my questions. . .and filling in some of what is otherwise a mystery. Perhaps, if convenient, you can post more details of interest as time once again; moves along for this man who existed it seems, 'where time stands still'. . .
And kudos to his wife, as well; and for sure.
Thank you again. . .
What’s “Rip Van Winkle” translated into Polish?
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