Eric Laughton - From Coma to Competition

Update: Please be sure to check out Erics updates pictures at the end of this story!

Natural Bodybuilder Eric Laughton was preparing for a bodybuilding competition when his journey was inturrupted by a medical condition which nearly claimed his life. What follows is an account of his illness and recovery. After his near death experience, Eric has resumed training for an upcoming event.

• On February 5^th I was admitted to a hospital in Schenectady with extreme cramping in my abdomen.  The doctors could not figure what the cause of the cramping was – but the pain was not bearable yet they were at a loss on how to control it.

• At the time, I had been training for a bodybuilding contest and was in peak condition at a weight of 170 with a body fat estimated at 6 percent

• On February 9^th, a surgeon announced that my intestines had perforated and I needed emergency surgery. By this time, I was in intense pain (likely shock) and have no recollection of the going into surgery

• During surgery, they were able to repair the intestines but the perforation poisoned my body (called sepsis or septic shock) and all life systems began shutting down including: heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. To complicate matters, I incurred ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome), a syndrome by itself is quite deadly. I slipped into a coma and was placed on life support. The doctor announced I was not doing well and it was wise to have friends and family in to say final goodbyes; I was not expected to make it through the night. I was later told I had no detectable blood pressure for quite some time.

• On 2/10/10, the doctor told Sabrina (my g/f) it was a miracle I was still alive. I was still in a coma, on life support – and being fed through a feeding tube.

• I slowly began to regain the use of my organs. The doctor credited my superior conditioning as a reason I had a fighting chance to survive. It was made clear, the chances were far superior that I could not make it.

• On 2/21/10, the life support was removed and I gained consciousness for the first time since 2/9/10 (13 days).

• My muscles had atrophied severely and I had lost 42 pounds. I had lost the ability to walk or talk. I was, as they stated, “completely de-conditioned.” The doctors stated I was fortunate to be alive but that the recovery would be grueling and full healing would likely not happen for about 1 year (or longer).  I thought I had nerve damage because I could not even text. The doctor stated that was because I had no muscle left.

• Exceeding expectations (and by my demanding), I was released on 3/4/10. I was transported home where nurses and a physical therapist were assigned.

• Two weeks later, I dismissed the PT and decided to rehab myself.

• On 3/20/10, I returned to the gym for the first time. It was grueling as predicted. Sabrina drove me. However, I had no strength and began by lifting the “pink” (girly) 2-5 pound weights, and could barely press them.

• Slowly I put on weight (thanks to a well thought out diet by Sabrina) and gained strength. By March 27^th, my weight increased to 148, which was up 20 pounds from surgery (but down 22 pounds from pre-surgery).  (See picture)

• I returned to work April 4^th, but still very weak. Workouts continued. I then decided I needed to compete; I needed a “goal” to hasten my recovery. My goal was met with excessive skepticism (understandably so). I contacted my trainer (Bert Harrop) who agreed to train me again.

• In July, with the support of Bert and my g/f Sabrina, I increased my weight to 175 and began a diet to compete. My metabolism, still weak condition, and ripped lower abs (due to surgery) became my strongest challenges

• Currently I weigh 168, with a competition weight goal of 163. My contest is October 23^rd.

IMPORTANT FACTS:

• I thank the following factors for saving my life:

• Thank God – my first priority, enough said
• Bodybuilding/healthy life style: I thought I was training for a contest in February. I found out I was training for the biggest fight of my life, which was my life. If not in the shape I was, the doctor’s agreed I would not have made it. To this day, one of the doctor’s at the hospital (who happened to be a friend) stated there is no medical reason I am alive today.
• WNBF Pro Bert Harrop: without his expertise and friendship, which began in July 2009, I would have never been in the shape I was entering surgery.
• Sabrina Sterling: without her undying love and dedication, I would have not been able to survive. Further, she is the master cook. Without her expertise in preparing and measuring every meal I eat, I would be lost. I remain madly in love with her (and our new son born 7/29/10).
• Click Here to hear an interview with Eric Laughton on Natural Muscle Radio

Update: As if to solidify his recovery, Eric recently competed in a bodybuilding competition on Oct-23-2010 where he placed as follows.



• Novice - Overall Winner
• Novice - 1st place
• Masters over 40 - 2nd place
• Open Middleweight - 5th place

 

Eric was also awarded "The Heart Trophy" by event promoter Jerry Marsala of Natural Muscle.com. This was a custom trophy in honor of Erics remarkable recovery and was accompanied by a speach which left many in the audience in tears.

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·         On February 5^th I was admitted to a hospital in Schenectady with extreme cramping in my abdomen.  The doctors could not figure what the cause of the cramping was – but the pain was not bearable yet they were at a loss on how to control it.

 

·         At the time, I had been training for a bodybuilding contest and was in peak condition at a weight of 170 with a body fat estimated at 6 percent

 

·         On February 9^th, a surgeon announced that my intestines had perforated and I needed emergency surgery. By this time, I was in intense pain (likely shock) and have no recollection of the going into surgery

 

·         During surgery, they were able to repair the intestines but the perforation poisoned my body (called sepsis or septic shock) and all life systems began shutting down including: heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. To complicate matters, I incurred ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome), a syndrome by itself is quite deadly. I slipped into a coma and was placed on life support. The doctor announced I was not doing well and it was wise to have friends and family in to say final goodbyes; I was not expected to make it through the night. I was later told I had no detectable blood pressure for quite some time.

 

·         On 2/10/10, the doctor told Sabrina (my g/f) it was a miracle I was still alive. I was still in a coma, on life support – and being fed through a feeding tube.

 

·         I slowly began to regain the use of my organs. The doctor credited my superior conditioning as a reason I had a fighting chance to survive. It was made clear, the chances were far superior that I could not make it.

 

·         On 2/21/10, the life support was removed and I gained consciousness for the first time since 2/9/10 (13 days).

 

·         My muscles had atrophied severely and I had lost 42 pounds. I had lost the ability to walk or talk. I was, as they stated, “completely de-conditioned.” The doctors stated I was fortunate to be alive but that the recovery would be grueling and full healing would likely not happen for about 1 year (or longer).  I thought I had nerve damage because I could not even text. The doctor stated that was because I had no muscle left.

 

·         Exceeding expectations (and by my demanding), I was released on 3/4/10. I was transported home where nurses and a physical therapist were assigned. 

 

·         Two weeks later, I dismissed the PT and decided to rehab myself.

 

·         On 3/20/10, I returned to the gym for the first time. It was grueling as predicted. Sabrina drove me. However, I had no strength and began by lifting the “pink” (girly) 2-5 pound weights, and could barely press them.

 

·         Slowly I put on weight (thanks to a well thought out diet by Sabrina) and gained strength. By March 27^th, my weight increased to 148, which was up 20 pounds from surgery (but down 22 pounds from pre-surgery).  (See picture)  

 

·         I returned to work April 4^th, but still very weak. Workouts continued. I then decided I needed to compete; I needed a “goal” to hasten my recovery. My goal was met with excessive skepticism (understandably so). I contacted my trainer (Bert Harrop) who agreed to train me again.

 

·         In July, with the support of Bert and my g/f Sabrina, I increased my weight to 175 and began a diet to compete. My metabolism, still weak condition, and ripped lower abs (due to surgery) became my strongest challenges

 

·         Currently I weigh 168, with a competition weight goal of 163. My contest is October 23^rd.

 

IMPORTANT FACTS:

1.      I thank the following factors for saving my life:

·         Thank God – my first priority, enough said

·         Bodybuilding/healthy life style: I thought I was training for a contest in February. I found out I was training for the biggest fight of my life, which was my life. If not in the shape I was, the doctor’s agreed I would not have made it. To this day, one of the doctor’s at the hospital (who happened to be a friend) stated there is no medical reason I am alive today.

·         WNBF Pro Bert Harrop: without his expertise and friendship, which began in July 2009, I would have never been in the shape I was entering surgery.

·         Sabrina Sterling: without her undying love and dedication, I would have not been able to survive. Further, she is the master cook. Without her expertise in preparing and measuring every meal I eat, I would be lost. I remain madly in love with her (and our new son born 7/29/10).