The week started off fine with our usual Parkinson Walk on Monday followed by caffeine fix at a nearby cafe. Tuesday was a busy day as our Toyota Spade had to go in for a service and Warrant early. This meant two trips to other side of town, just over 6 kms away. In the afternoon it was back to town for our podiatry appointments.
Luckily, the rest of the week was free of appointments.
Everything changed on Wednesday morning. We had finished breakfast and were sitting reading the papers and starting the crossword just before 9 a.m. when I looked up and Doug had "switched off". I asked if he was o.k. and got no response then asked if he could talk. Next step was dial 111 for an ambulance as I assumed he was having a stroke. It seemed like forever but must have been just 20 minutes before the ambulance arrived. In the meantime he tried to write so we knew he could neither speak nor write.
I went with him in the ambulance and the lovely ladies radioed ahead to the Stroke team who were waiting for us. Doug was whisked off for a scan, given some drugs and then taken for an x-ray. Luckily, someone was about to be discharged from the Stroke ward so we had a short wait before he was taken up.
He was actually in the ward before midday so a mere 3 hours and the team commented on that at we went up in the lift.
His eldest daughter and grand-daughter had arrived while he was still in A. & E. and then his youngest daughter and grand-daughter. As there were now 5 of us around his bed I left with his eldest daughter who lives close to us and went home. His grand-daughter who works in A. & E. but was off duty phoned later to update me. It appears that a mixture of his irregular heartbeat and being put on stronger medication for high blood pressure is the likely cause.
In the afternoon he was given speech therapy as he was still unable to talk and had visits from his two grandsons. When his eldest daughter and I went in next morning in time for morning rounds we were surprised when he spoke to us and his speech has just improved since then. He was allowed to come home with extra and altered meds. His speedy recovery is down to quick treatment and the fact that he is so fit, something the Stroke team commented on.
He is unable to drive for a month but, yesterday, came with me to do a couple of errands.
A very stressful couple of days.
My goodness, what a shock for you. But well done for getting him into A & E so quickly. Good to hear he's making progress. Do send my best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Have done. He is resting as the new meds are making him tired.
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DeleteI think that's what most meds do. The important thing is that they do what's asked of them. Best wishes.
DeleteVery frightening, I'm so relived he is improving, we do need to keep kit and healthy so when things happen we have a fighting chance.
ReplyDeleteThe consultant and doctor kept saying how fit he is. I am sure it made a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you got him to the hospital quickly and smoothly. It's nice to have family gathering at these times, for you and for him. You need the support. Wishing him a speedy recovery
ReplyDeleteThank you. He is doing remarkably well.
DeleteSue, how life can change in an instant, I'm so thankful the hospital care was so speedy and Doug is home in such a very short time.Now to adjust to the new medication, and for you to care for yourself too. XXXX
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. One minute everything was fine the next it wasn't. I am amazed, and pleased, at how quickly he is recovering.
DeleteWhat a frightening experience for you both, but I am happy that Doug has recovered so quickly and is home again. Take care xx
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteMy very best wishes to you both.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThat must have been so frightening for you both, Sue. I'm so glad Doug got treatment so quickly and is making such good progress. If you're interested, I've just started blogging again at https://staying-put.blogspot.com/ (Perpetua as was...)
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