Injured Cronulla star Andrew Fifita has revealed the emotional toll of being in an induced coma for five days in a Brisbane hospital after the Cronulla prop left the field during his game against Newcastle, having copped a hit to his throat.<\/p>\n
Fifita was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma over a week ago, before doctors performed an operation to repair a fractured larynx following the incident.<\/p>\n
The Cronulla forward remained in the coma until Friday.<\/p>\n
The former Origin prop opened up about the ordeal, revealing the moment he woke from the coma.<\/p>\n
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"I heard the doc say 'Andrew it's time to wake up'," Fifita told News Corp.<\/p>\n
By then I'm f***ing screaming… he squeezed my hand… then I woke up. I thought it was an hour (had passed by), I didn't know it was five days.<\/p>\n
"I said 'Where's my footy shorts'… and I go 'Where's my missus? It's been an hour', like she's five minutes up the road.<\/p>\n
"He goes 'You know it's Friday?' and I said 'What? Bulls–t, it's been an hour', and he goes 'No you've been here for five days in hospital'."<\/p>\n
Fifita couldn't help but shed tears during the interview and remains in hospital speaking with the assistance of a tracheostomy tube.<\/p>\n
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The 32-year-old said he's still recovering at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital following successful laryngeal surgery and is expected to make a full recovery and play rugby league again.<\/p>\n
"I was with the surgeons when they gave the news to Nikki (Fifita's wife) and there's no reason why he won't make a full recovery to play rugby league again," said Cronulla football manager Darren Mooney told 2GB.<\/p>\n
"He's going well and is overwhelmed by the support from everyone in the rugby league community, as is his wife Nikki.<\/p>\n
"The operation was a real success and the surgeons expect him to make a full recovery. Hopefully [Fifita] is out of hospital as soon as he can after that."<\/p>\n
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