General Chat

I have had an up and down roller coaster of a week. I will just fill you in with a little background.


My Mum had another mild stroke in January this year; she recovered well and remained independent. She was constantly complaining of not feeling well but asked what was wrong couldn’t put her finger on it. I advised her to go to her GP and I have done a lot on my FH, I can see that there is a history of heart problems in her family. Many times she has telephone one of my sisters or I, and told us how ill she felt that morning and how she went dizzy and then was violently sick afterwards. My sister took her to the GP who advised mum see a heart specialist. Before she got to see the consultant, she had to have a series of tests done. One she had to wear a BP monitor at home for 24 hrs, after 24 hours the monitor is then returned to the hospital and readings passed to the consultant, she had to have a heart scan, I went with her whilst she had this done and watched, my medical knowledge is about nil, but even I saw when the 4 bits of the heart was scanned that one wasn’t right, the rhythm was different, and the radiography seemed interested in this one chamber, she told me it was leaking but at mums age (78) this was normal. I wasn’t convinced but as you know they don’t call me the Empress of drama for nothing. The last test was last Thursday and she had to wear a heart monitor for 24hours, when my sister went the following day to mums house to return the monitor she found my mum who was very poorly, now normally this sister is come day go day, but she was concerned after contacting the doctors who advised as there was no doctors there to take mum to A & E she did, on the way there Mum told her she was feeling much better and this was a wasted journey, she failed to tell anyone of the chest pains she was having, ( not to make a fuss), once at A & E they took mum straight through and mum then told them how she had been ill through the night fell out of bed and the pains in her chest, my sister tried to tell them about the monitor and they didn’t seem interested.

This is when I got a phone call “ don’t panic but”, my sisters and I rushed to the hospital and found mum attached to a heart monitor chatting happily even so one of my sisters went home, about 10 mins after I got there Mum started to feel ill, I was watching the monitor and saw her heart rate falling like a brick from the sky, I shouted my sister and jumped up, now normally when people look like there about to die, you normally try to do compression’s on the heart or the kiss of life, ME I decided to tickle her feet, so for future reference please don’t have heart failure in my company OK unless you like having your feet tickled which mum hates. My sister screamed I ran to hug my sister the life had just drained out of mums face her heart had stopped, we were surrounded by nurses and the crash team within about 5 seconds flat, which felt like 5 hours. She came back to life and was rushed off to resuss with the crash team. My sister and I stood like a pair of baby monkey’s hugging in the middle of A & E with everyone starring at us. A nurse came and took us to the family room, which by the way is a lovely room comfy chairs kettle cups for hot drinks and many bad vibes. There we advised by a doctor that it seems mum had a heart attack in the night and heart now was feeling the strain that’s why she had crashed again, as I was the calmest I went on to explain about the tests and the monitor she would have been wearing at the time will this not tell them anything? I was praying that mum had removed it before she went to bed. The doctor knew nothing of the monitor although my sister had explained 2 hours earlier and since returned it to the proper department, he left the room in a hurry.

20 mins later the same doctor returned and said they had checked the monitor and it appears that mums heart had stopped 4 times in the last 24 hours for 15 seconds at a time, me “ is this serious “ doctor “ ermm yes next time it may not start” Mum needs a pace maker but have to go on a waiting list. WHAT! They let us in to see mum and we sat with her; I was very concern about the waiting list, what if they send her home? I spoke with the nurse, she told me that mum wouldn’t be going home till one was fitted, I told mum not to worry we would buy her one if it came to it, I was then informed that they cost 10s of thousands, I turned to mum and said “ sod that, that’s at least a few good holidays” I was joking of course.

Mum was sent to intensive care , and settle in we left with very heavy hearts. The following day I went to visit and she looked very well she wasn’t confused she knew what had happened and what was needed. I left her and said I’ll see you tomorrow.



Saturday Morning I got a call, Mum had taken a turn for the worse, I again rushed to the hospital my sisters where hysterical even thou I was the youngest I was the calmest so the doctor choose me to speak too, as I was stood near the relatives room, deep in discussion with the doctor an alarm went off, the doctor excused himself and rushed off followed by the crash team, I remained there quiet not to add to the hysterical chimps who were stood behind me still unaware of this. He returned and said now they were very concerned; they were trying to get mum to another hospital so they do the procedure, meaning while they will put a temporary wire in through her neck. They let me see her and I left the hysterical chimps to their wailing.


I will tell you now that I was shocked when I saw Mum and scared, she looked so ill she looked lie she was dying. I was then sent out again and returned to wailing camp that had by now noticed I wasn’t there. I explained the situation and we waited, we were at the hospital about 5 hours and saw mum for all of 15 mins, she was very brave and it took 3 hours to place the wire and she was wake and very patient.

The next day mum was finally transferred to another hospital; she looked miles better but was very confused. She had, had a tooth out last week and thought this was making her ill, then she blamed the butter on the toast she had eaten the morning before. I told her the truth it wasn’t. Weeks before all this I notice mum was wearing a cheap ring, I said it looked cheap and if she wanted a diamond ring I would buy her one. That day whilst visiting Mum I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she reminded me I had promised her a diamond ring. This was a good sign.



When leaving I went to the nurses station to give instructions how to care for my mum , we noticed all the monitors giving the patients heart readings, my son pointed out that nana was winning as hers was the fastest, I asked the sister why my mums heart was going so fast, they said they were happy as it was, all of a sudden mums heart rate when to about 110/120 and the alarm beeped, my son then pointed out the male handsome nurse I had pointed out earlier and mentioned bed bath was stood at the door talking to her, Another good sign, by now mum had the nurse running round in circles…saying at the other hospital they made her cups of tea, they asked would you like a cup of tea? Ohh yes if you’re making one nurse she replied. She did the same with her horlicks.



She has had the pace maker fitted and now looks 100% better and hopefully will be returning home to my care for a couple of days. So fingers crossed thank you for reading.

Hi Hayley,
I am so sorry to hear that your Mother has been so poorly but Pleased that she is now feeling better. It must have been a terrible experience for you all. I hope that she continues to make a full recovery. xxxx

Awwwww Hayley..............I don't know what to say except, well done you for tickling her feet!!

Clearly that was the turning point for her:))

I am really pleased that she is better now, what a horrendous time for all of you:(

My very best wishes and love to all of you for the future.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you Posh and Kitty can I just point out in my defence, that when I had my babies I am sure they advised that if you think your baby isnt breathing just ticklle their feet :-)))

thinking of you all hun
xxx

Awwww hunny ...... you have all been thru the mill abit huh?

Obviously i knew something was up from FB, but i am so sorry to hear what's been happening. Thank goodness you were all on the ball enough to insist she get checked out.

I hope she goes from strength to strength ...... (((hugs))) for you all xxx

blimey Hayley, you've been through the mill this week!

I had a very similar situation with my mum where she didn't want to go to hospital and certainly didn't want an ambulance. I drove her and she was having a heart attack and I didn't know! I was told in no uncertain terms NEVER to take her myself again and to ALWAYS get an ambulance in future, no matter what mum said. Scared the wotsit out of me I can tell you!

Glad she has all of you to keep the nurses and docs on their toes, cos they do need kicking sometimes! Keep making a nuisance of yourselves and you will get much more information.

Don't forget to make sure you eat and sleep properly yourself or you'll be no good to mum when she does come out!

((hugs)) to all of you
Maz. xxxxxxxxx

Glad your mum got the pacemaker fitted Hayley and will be soon at home with you. Must have been very scary for you all.
Take Care
Claire x

Thank you everyone the hosiptal has just phone they are keeping there for a couple more days....thanks again for your support xxx

Sorry to jear your mum has been so poorly but glad she is on the mend.

Hayley, I hope your Mum get better soon bless her what a time for you and family, but its a good sign when she wants her cuppa and has time for the eye candy, just leave her feet alone and let her concentrate all these these young men around her, i recon your just jealous Mum has them all to herself when family is not around.

Best wishes to all the family.xxxxxx

Helen.

You've certainly been through the wringer, Hayley. Hopefully all is good now with your Mum.

Take care
Ali

Sorry to hear about your mum Hayley .
what a worry for you and your family Glad shes on the mend now and her her pace maker fitted .
(((huggs to you all )
Rosex

Blimey Hayley.................well done to you and the " wailing chimps " for being on the ball !!

Your Mum sounds like she is made of tough stuff , bless her .

I hope she makes a speedy recovery , which I'm sure she will with you and your sisters dancing attendance to her .

It must have knocked you all sideways.

Amanda xx

Thank you... I forgot to say as well, that if mum hadnt had the monitor on they told us in resuss that they would of put her heart stopping down to a falty monitor on A & E...

What a worrying time for you Hayley, I am pleased to hear that your Mum now has the pacemaker fitted and hope she now goes from strength to strength as I am sure she will with you looking after her.

Ann
Glos