What's the worst injury/illness you have ever had at Christmas?

[OneUmberJoker]

Only Flu for myself

@Liftedmeup your short post must be the hardest to bear. I’m sending you my thoughts and care.

1972 was the Christmas illness gift that kept on giving. My birthday is 2½ weeks before Christmas and two days after my eighth birthday, which was that year, l came down with flu - the first time I ever had it. I was clinging to the radiators one minute then shivering the next. My poor father came down with it on Christmas Day and couldn't face his Christmas dinner. We always spent the Christmas period with my maternal grandparents, my Mum's sister and brother-in-law and their two children, who are very close in age to my brother and I. I also have a younger sister. On Boxing Day, my brother came down with chickenpox - a fairly mild version of it. Of course, in early January, 1973, my sister, two cousins and I caught it and we were all had it far worse than my brother. I was worst affected of all and away from school for a month. I can remember the doctor coming to the house and checking that it was chickenpox and not smallpox. I can only think l had it so badly because my immune system was compromised by the flu. Even that was not the end of it because later in the year, I began suffering from the chronic ear infections that eventually led to major surgery and lifelong deafness. I think this was all linked to the original flu. If I can give any advice from this long ago experience, it would be to make sure that modern children are vaccinated against flu and chickenpox if offered. Most cases are mild and short-lived but, occasionally, there are permanent repercussions.

Food poisoning on Christmas day about 10 years ago, ate chicken enchilladas on Christmas Eve, never touched them since. However this year I had emergency bowel surgery and a laparotomy in November, in hospital for 3 weeks. Meant I had to cancel all my Christmas plans in December ( meals out, Christmas light shows) all shopping on line. I love the build up to Christmas so struggled. Still recovering now.

A serious chest infection, I was really groggy and spaced out. Had to go to A&E to be diagnosed but I was sent home with 2 lots of antibiotics. I thought I was dying when I had difficulty breathing.

Otherwise I've had flu, cough etc

Epiglottitis, nearly died

Breast cancer this year - lumpectomy a week before Christmas Day.
Not one of the best!

Not me, DSI and I think I have mentioned this here before. The DSs were in their early twenties and DH and I had gone on a Christmas ski trip, heartlessly leaving them to get by on their own.

All good news whenever we rang home until we were sitting at the airport about to return.

We were then told that DS1 had spent Christmas in hospital. Friends were all at our house on Christmas Eve and there was an arm wrestling competition.

When DS1 was versus DS2, neither would concede.. Girlfriend heard a loud bang and thought it was the leg of our sturdy kitchen table breaking but It was DS1’s upper arm, (humerus).

Apparently the ambulance came very quickly and there was a festive atmosphere at the hospital.

It was set but needed re-setting for some reason, he spent a week in hospital.

We were worried that this might stop DS1 participating in the family ski trip in early Feb. But all was well.