This is just a quick post of explanation because some have wondered why I wasn't responding to comments in my last post (which I have now done).
On Saturday evening as I was getting into bed my chest tightened up and I got pains and was having difficulty breathing. At this point it becomes hard to decide whether one is having a heart attack or that the body has gone into panic mode unnecessarily.
I'm not, by nature, a pannicker so I concluded that the rational explanation was heart related. I had had a heart attack many years ago before Blogland existed (I blogged about it here) and I had an 'incident' some years ago which was pronounced a 'false alarm'.
I decided to call an emergency ambulance. It was then that I discovered that my house phone wasn't working. Heaven knows how long that had been the case because I only keep it for emergencies (ironically). Anyway I had my cellphone (which is, I discovered, registered with the emergency services because I've used it before in an emergency).
The outcome was a couple of nights in the High Dependency Unit of the local hospital. We are so fortunate in having a hospital with brilliant care (and no 10 hour queues in A & E).
I was then discharged fit and well again.
However I have to confess that for a while I was a more than a little apprehensive.
I'm sorry to read that you had such an unpleasant and frightening experience. You are indeed fortunate to have a good local hospital. Do you know what caused the upset?
ReplyDeleteJanice, I had had a perfectly ordinary day and was quite busy but hadn't done anything strenuous out in the bitterly cold weather (which were the conditions when I had my heart attack).
DeleteOh dear, So sorry to read that Graham. I admit that I was beginning to worry about you when I didn't see any responses to comments on your last post.
ReplyDeleteI hope that whatever caused the problem has been identified and resolved now and that you have no further episodes like that one.
JayCee, noone, including me, could offer an explanation medical or non-medical for the incident but I no have an 'angina spray' for use if it happens again.
DeleteSo sorry to learn the reason for your absence but so glad you have returned to us more or less unscathed. Long may you wave, 15 or 20 more years at least.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob. I just hope that my mind and body keep working together.
DeleteI am glad you got through this worrying episode but happy that you are now back to fight another day, another month, another year. Healthwise, you have come through more than most Graham.
ReplyDeleteYP given that I had a potentially life-ending disease at the age of 16 I owe one helluvalot to the medics then and on many many occasions since.
DeleteIt must be quite scary, and even more so when you're on your own and there is nobody there as a calming presence and to call an ambulance for you. A big THANK YOU goes to the emergency service and hospital staff that have looked after you, and of course thank you for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. Meike. I spent the day after I got home writing thank you notes to all the people involved in my care. It's quite amazing from the paramedics to the Consultant on the ward, how many people are involved.
DeleteEven when not a "pannicker by nature" that must still be a rather scary experience, Graham. I'm glad that at least you had one phone working and was able to get help - and glad to know that you're now declared fit and well again! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica. It's good to be back in circulation and working order.
DeleteGood to hear that the panic is over. It's always best to be on the safe side!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cro. It's certainly more reassuring/
DeleteI'm so glad you got quick service and were taken care of at the hospital. Hope you stay well and don't have any more of these episodes. Maybe sign up for one of those Medical Alert buttons, Graham?
ReplyDeleteEllen, because I've lived alone for so many years, when I got into my dotage I got a medical alert button. I would recommend one for any vulnerable person. I've been fortunate and never needed to use mine. However twice when I would have used it I fell in my garden when my neighbour was within hailing distance.
DeleteNoooo. And terrible time to find the emergency phone doesn’t work. So glad you are back home- and got treated quickly….
ReplyDeleteThanks Fi. I've not managed an opportunity to contact LB yet but she is still in my mind.
DeleteOh no. I'm sorry to read this. Glad that it all came right in the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby.
DeleteBravo and thank you for making that call!
ReplyDeleteThe decision to call or not is one of the scariest things to go through.
Prayers for your health
Anonymous ? Thank you for your thoughts.
DeleteSo glad that you are much better and home again! Thankful for those who took care of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay.
DeleteSomeone else covered my thoughts about an alarm or someone to check on your well being each day. Glad to know you are ok.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, as you now know I do wear an alarm. I'm fortunate in that I also have lots of daily contact with people.
DeleteSome of these incidents put a lot of stress in one's life. Good that you're good to go.
ReplyDeleteRed, it's only now that I've become an octogenarian that I realise that they are harder to cope with.
DeleteWell done for calling the emergency services - never an easy decision, we had very similar situation with our son, same panic thoughts, so difficult to breathe, his turned out to be COPD problem (previously undiagnosed) now being treated. Wonderful response by ambulance crew. So glad you're over another episode and that your mobile phone worked when needed. Elaine down south
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elaine. Good to hear that you, to had a positive outcome in the emergency situation.
DeleteSo glad you have dodged another bullet. You must have quite an arsenal by now. We residents in the village of the aged and bewildered have been reminded recently of the importance of an emergency alarm - and using it in an emergency. They are more reliable than a phone apparently, especially if worn around the neck. End of lecture.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were so well looked after in your local hospital and sent home again fit and well.
Pauline, I have worn an emergency alarm for quite a few years. As it happens it used to work via the phone line so if that was faulty there was no alarm. Last year my phone ceased to be off a 'phoneline' and now works through the internet which means no internet then no house phone. So the emergency alarm was set up using a different radio mast and is now a stand alone unit. The emergency alarm responders simply phone a responder (two of my close neighbours) who come and check on me. That would simply have got someone out of bed to phone for an ambulance which I could do for myself. As it happens I've now had an ambulance in the middle of the night (usually for sepsis) enough times for the ambulance service to have my front door keycode!
DeleteI'm so sorry to read this, Graham. What a worrying time for you.
ReplyDeleteYou must be glad to be at home again. X
Thank you, Jules. having the chest pains was new but I'm so used to hospitals now that, once I'm in there, I just chill and let the medics take over. It's usually sepsis related so having sudden chest pains was, I admit, a bit scary.
DeleteOh! Graham...I am so glad to hear you're okay. You must have gotten a hell of a fright. You're a good man, and one who is important to us all here who are participants in your blog.
ReplyDeleteKeep taking very good care, my dear...all the very best to you.
Lee, thank you for your lovely comment. I keep getting told, by local friends, to stop acting like a 70 year old and remember that I'm an octogenarian and take things a bit easier. Occasionally I think that my friends might be correct!
DeleteHow disturbing. I am very glad you got the help you needed and hope that the district nurses (or whatever they are called these days ) are keeping an eye on you. But the house phone was a real liability. Will you be getting rid of it, perhaps?
ReplyDelete