Irish celebrity chef Dylan McGrath has opened up about a chronic back condition that left him bedridden in hospital for months, paralysed in the arm and unable to taste food.
The restaurant owner told the Irish Sun that he was in agony everyday, yet doctors couldn’t diagnose the problem. The pain was so bad that Dylan thought that this was how his life was going to end.
“The worst thing was the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me. I was screaming at the top of my voice with back pain I was feeling and that was on a daily basis.
“My whole arm was numb. I couldn’t feel one whole side of my body. I was on 12-14 tablets that I had to take as the day went on. It was pure hell.”
“The pain was excruciating. I thought my life was over. When you’re faced with something like this, all sorts of things go through your head. It affects you so much, it just robs you of your spirit.
“But I am a resilient person. I fought this tooth and nail and I will continue to keep fighting,” he said.
Months later Dylan was diagnosed with a disease called Complex Regional Back Syndrome, and has been told by doctors that he may have it for the rest of his life. However, since coming off some of his medication he is feeling more normal and is doing the best that he can for the moment.
“The doctors told me I could have this for the rest of my life. It was all shrouded in mystery. I felt so broken. I was listening to them unable to get out of bed.
“I couldn’t eat anything. I was thinking ‘this is it; my life is over’. I could never lead my team again, that I wouldn’t heal from this. When you’re faced with something like that, all sorts of things go through your head. People who were less strong might have felt suicidal.
“But I guess perseverance is part of the human spirit. If you have been through dark periods before, you know you can come out the other side.
“I feel more human now. I want to put myself back together. I will and I am doing that. I have to get through this. I am not there yet — but I will be.”
We wish him all the best with his recovery.