Monday, September 23, 2013

Last-minute change of plans

Bear with me while I explain. This morning DH told me he had an appointment at 11 to see the doctor (he contacted the surgery by fax yesterday and they rang first thing this morning) because he's suddenly lost co-ordination in his left hand. He's a self-taught, but very fast and accurate typist and a couple of days ago he found himself constantly making errors with his left hand.

He came back from his appointment before 12 to say that he is being referred urgently to hospital for a CT scan after a suspected TIA. His blood pressure is high, he isn't supposed to drive and he's sitting downstairs having had a quick lunch, watching TV and waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

We've already faxed the hospital to cancel my operation tomorrow, as there's no way I can even get there, let alone be expected to be very careful and not drive afterwards. The doctor said that the best-case scenario for today is that he will be allowed home tonight, but I've packed a bag just in case and everything will now be up in the air until we know much better what the situation is.

Nevertheless I’m immensely grateful for all your good wishes and will put them away carefully until they are needed.

Bedtime update: DH is now safely in hospital. where he is being well cared-for and I am so grateful for all your kindness and concern.

66 comments:

  1. Prayers for the very best outcome for you both Perpetua.

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    1. Thanks, Ray. He's now on his way to hospital and all we can do now is wait and pray. My op is so very much secondary at the moment.

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  2. Oh dear - so sorry to hear this Perpetua - hope all will soon be well with DH. Better to be safe than sorry though. Thinking of you both. Axxx

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    1. Thanks, Annie. He feels well in himself, but the hand co-ordination is not back to normal, so it really does need to be investigated.

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  3. I am so shocked and upset for you Perpetua - do hope that everything is well with DH after his checks today - both of you take care - I know now why they say it never rains but it pours.

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    1. Thanks, Rosemary,. It was a shock for me this morning when he first told me (typically he'd said nothing until then) but I've now moved into dealing with things mode, once we know what we're dealing with.

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  4. Oh dear I am so sorry Perpetua. At least your husband is getting urgent attention and I sincerely hope that it isn't serious. Will be thinking of you both. Lots of Love xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ayak. Yes, I'm glad our super young German GP acted so swiftly, giving him aspirin at once and organising an ambulance. My cataract op can wait. This couldn't.

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  5. Oh dear Perpetua - I clearly shouldn't have even mentioned in my earlier comment, the possibility of your op being further postponed. With best wishes & prayers for both of you at this difficult time.

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    1. Dion't worry, Ricky. Postponement was always a possibility, from the hospital's side, if not from ours. As I've said above, my op is needed but not urgent, whereas DH's tests are very much both. My op will happen when it happens.

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  6. Things do have a way of coming suddenly from left field don't they. Just when you feel you've got everything covered for your op. Do take care of yourself too.

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    1. Thanks, Rosie. This came completely out of the blue for me, as DH hadn't said anything about it until the phone rang this morning. He's in the best place now and I'm taking deep breaths and trying to be quiet.

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  7. I'm so sorry - but glad that all things could be accommodated. May DH get what he needs, and quickly, and I sure hope you get rescheduled for as soon as possible for your own operation. You've been waiting a long time, but obviously DH needs to be sorted out first. Still, I'm heaving a big sigh for you both.

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    1. Thanks, Penny. The NHS isn't perfect, but it has certainly swung into action today and DH is now in hospital. To be honest, waiting longer for my operation is the least of my worries, and I won't think twice about it if everything else goes well.

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  8. Hari OM
    Lawks, what timing - Blessings and prayers for the optimum outcome for DH - ...I find myself wondering if he is a tad more concerned about your own op and perhaps some stress effect has added to things? Not that it matters - the thing is quick action and priorities sorted, as you have said. Anyway, I am sure that storing up all the prayers and wishes for yourself is like that apricot jam - only better for the maturing!! Please know you BOTH are being thought of warmly here in Mumbai. YAM xx

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    1. Thanks, Yam. Yes, the timing couldn't have been worse, but I'm so glad that the underlying high blood pressure has now been identified and is being treated urgently. He's in hospital at least overnight and we'll take it from there. My cataract op is incidental when it comes down to it.

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  9. Oh crikey. How awful for you both.
    It's bad enough that your operation has had to be cancelled when you had psyched yourself up for it, but even worse because of the reason why.
    It's incredible how often this happens in our lives - one problem after the other to deal with, as if to test our strength of character.
    I do hope everything is well with your DH and that life gets back on track soon.

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    1. I know, Jean, it just came out of nowhere. To be honest, the cataract op is now so far on the back burner that I've lost sight of it. I'm just glad that this minor incident has given us the chance to deal with the real problem. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

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  10. Praying for a good outcome for DH and also for your health and strength.

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    1. Thanks, Linda, much appreciated. He's in the best place for the moment and i'm in need of an early night.

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  11. Oh I really feel for you Perpetua and pray that DH has a good outcome from his scan. Take care and hope all is well with you.
    Hugs.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. It's been quite a day! DH is still in hospital and I'm about to have something to eat and then slump in front of the TV for a bit before bedtime.....

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  12. Oh no! I have just looked up TIA on Wikipedia and it looks horrifying. Thoughts and prayers for both of you from me too

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    1. Thanks, Molly. A TIA is a mini-stroke and that's why taking immediate action is so important, which is exactly what is happening now, thank goodness.

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  13. I hope you are able to get the very best medical attention for your husband, and that it turns out to not be anything serious. There is no good time for this to have happened, but given you were to have your eye surgery tomorrow it seems especially bad.

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    1. Thanks, Kristie. Yes, the timing couldn't have been worse, but he's in a good hospital and being given all the recommended treatment for his condition. The cataract surgery will get done one day, but just not yet.

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  14. Just catching up now. Was going to put a message on with good thoughts for your surgery but am really shocked to read your latest news. Sending good thoughts to you and DH and also soothing ones for you both. It is a very alarming situation to be in for both of you but I'm so glad fairly speedy action was taken. Typical that DH didn't SAY anything earlier!!! Honestly what can you do with them???!! But on the plus side, now the high blood pressure has been identified hopefully it can soon be brought down and maintained with drugs. I know a couple of friends who have had TIAs and though frightening for all concerned both are now well and living life to the full again.

    Hope you both get some sleep tonight....

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    1. Thanks, Sian. I can't speak for DH, but I'm absolutely shattered and ready for bed and I imagine he'll be already asleep after a very tiring and stressful day.

      I gather that it often takes people a couple of days after a TIA to realise something is wrong and at least he's now getting the treatment he needs and will have a scan tomorrow. Thanks for the encouraging feedback on life after a TIA. That's just what we're hoping for too and will achieve if I have anything to do with it.

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  15. I have been thinking of you all day, but haven't gotten to reading blogs until now, and then to read of your DH's difficulty. So surprised. I hope you will soon be sure of what you are facing. Thoughts and prayers, and hugs headed your way.

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    1. Thanks, Bonnie. It was a great shock this morning, but thankfully the health professionals have done their job and he is now receiving treatment.and we will hopefully know a lot more before very long. Off to bed now, as I can't keep my eyes open.....

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  16. What a dreadful shock for you both...and thank goodness for your efficient GP.
    Where would we a be without the NHS when something like this hits us.
    Perhaps as well he is kept in overnight to be monitored...

    Our thoughts and best wishes are with you both...

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    1. Oh Perpetua! What a to-do. My thoughts are with both you and your husband and trust that all will be resolved quickly.

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    2. Thanks, Helen. It was indeed a shock and our young German GP is a treasure. The NHS did its stuff again. DH will be having a scan today and presumably other tests and may well not be home for a little while. I'll know more when I can ring at a more civilised time of day.

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    3. Thanks, Shirley. I'm very thankful that this problem came to light and can now be treated. We honestly hadn't a clue until all this happened.

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  17. We just never know what is coming around the corner toward us, do we? Hope your husband's situation is dealt with quickly and successfully and that your eye operation can be rescheduled soon. Maybe we should pray that someone will have to reschedule and thus open up a slot that you can take. Stranger things have happened.

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    1. You never said a truer word, Vic. This was totally unexpected, but a blessing in disguise, as otherwise we had no idea that he has high blood pressure, which can now be treated. I'm sure I'll be given another date for my eye operation, but I'm in no hurry until DH is home and things are back to normal.

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  18. You and DH are in my thoughts and prayers, Perpetua. It's quite sobering how much our lives and our priorities can change in an instant. I hope his problem turns out to be minor and quickly resolved, but it does sound worrisome. Please keep us all posted.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. You're absolutely right how things can change utterly in a moment. I should have been having breakfast now, prior to setting off for the hospital, and instead we have a completely new situation to deal with. I will indeed keep you posted when i know more.

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  19. Just catching up on blogs, and I am so sorry to learn what has happened, Perpetua. Never rains but in pours, as the old saying goes. Of course, the priority is to treat your husband and hold off your surgery to a later date - not too long I hope. In September 2012 I went to hospital with a suspected TIA, and when the symptoms settled I was surprised I was not allowed home for a full 3 days, during which many, many tests were done. It was in fact a good way to have my exact state of health checked out and documented; I was also put on aspirin immediately. Sometimes a little warning is the best thing to happen, and allows us to treat it and avoid the bigger event. One year on, I have lost a lot of weight and am feeling really good. Thoughts and prayers for the best outcome for the both of you, too

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    1. Patricia, this is so very helpful and encouraging. Thanks so much. I'm not expecting DH to be allowed home until his BP is stabilised and all the tests are done, but had no idea how long this might take. I'll be ringing the hospital later in the day and hopefully will know more then. I agree entirely that a TIA can be a blessing in disguise if it allows us to do something proactive to prevent something worse. I think DH and I will be losing weight and taking more exercise once he's home which will be a good thing for us both. Thanks again.

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  20. Sorry to hear of this change in events, and most sorry to hear of DH, wishing him well with prayers and good thoughts coming your way. Thank goodness this happened before you had your surgery. Stay strong and rested, dear one.

    I had something similar happen right before my second cataract surgery. Tom had an eye bleed (inner) related to diabetes. We have the same ophthamologist, who was surprised to see both of us the day before my surgery and, well, he said he wouldn't do my eye until Tom was taken care of, which Tom and I had been "discussing" all the way to the docs. So it was. We do what we need to do. Now, here is hoping you have had as good a rest as possible, that DH is soon on the mend. Blessings to you both.

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    1. Thank goodness indeed, Penny. Life would have been very difficult if this had happened just after my operation. As it is, I'm content to wait as long as necessary.

      I'm sorry you had a similar occurrence before your surgery. We soon learn what really matters when something like this happens. Cataract surgery may be necessary, but can't be called urgent, so cancellation was the obvious decision to make. I do hope Tom's eye made a full recovery. As for being rested, I fell asleep very quickly after going to bed, but woke at 4, knowing that was it for this night, so here I am, doing blogs at the crack of dawn. :-)

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  21. Wishing you both well. Hope things turn out fine for DH

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    1. Thanks, Susan. He's being very well cared-for, which is what matters.

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  22. Sending you big MM hugs. My speciality.

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    1. Hugs gratefully received, MM. They really help.

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  23. Thinking of you both and sending wishes for a speedy recovery.

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    1. Thanks, BtoB. One positive thought, at least we haven't had to drive to the hospital in thick fog this morning - the one thing we hadn't thought of.

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  24. Hoping that all is well and that you both recovery quickly.

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    1. Thanks, Kerry. I'll find out later how DH is and at least my need for recovery has been postponed for the time being.

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  25. Best wishes to you both. I hope all turns out for the best. xx

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, so do I. I think it's going to be a few days before he's home again and life will have to change after that.

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  26. What an unpleasant curve ball [only just seen your post].

    I hope everything is proceeding smoothly at the hospital and very best wishes to you both! x

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    1. Thanks, Antoinette. Yes, it came totally out of the void. I've just rung the hospital and the nurse said he's waiting for the doctor to see him and for scan and tests. He's not going to be home for a little while, I think.

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  27. What a horrible turn of events. I do hope your husband is soon on the mend and that your op can be rescheduled without too long a wait. Hugs x

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    1. Thanks, Annie. No, yesterday wasn't the best day of our lives. I'm content for DH's tests and treatment to take as long as necessary before he comes home and my op can just wait. It will happen one day.

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  28. What a stonking pain in the proverbial for you both. Sending you virtual hugs and blessings.

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    1. Thanks a lot, Anny. I couldn't have put it better myself. :-) Hopefully he will start to improve more quickly as the medication kicks in.

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  29. What a difficult time you are having. Prayers for you both.

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    1. Thanks, Nancy. It's been a very difficult 24 hours and I don't find waiting for results easy either.

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  30. Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog post. You were in my thoughts a lot last night. This sounds a bit daft but two lines from the words from the hymn 'Fight the Good Fight' were going round in my head - and still are - 'Faint not or fear, His arms are near
    'He faileth not and thou art dear' .... and I just felt that they were for you and your DH. Praying for a good outcome and a speedy recovery xx

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    1. You're welcome, Molly. I've caught up with all my backlog of blog reading in an effort to distract myself. :-) Thanks so much for the hymn lines. I'm a firm believer in the power of words to strengthen and encourage us, so it doesn't sound daft at all. So many people praying is wonderful.

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  31. Oh my goodness, how very stressful and frightening for you both. Thank heavens that your DH was sensible enough to get in touch with his doctor so promptly. May I extend my original good wishes for your op to him as well, and wish him good medical care and a speedy recovery. I shall say a wee prayer for you both.

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    1. Thanks, DB. It's been a very hectic and tiring couple of days, but DH is much better, thank goodness.

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  32. Oh, Perpetua, I'm in shock for DH and for you, too! What a turn of events -- always when we least expect it... My thoughts and prayers are with you -- but as as already been commented it is a blessing that this happened before your surgery. God bless you both...

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    1. Thanks, Broad. It was indeed a shock and a huge wake-up call to make changes where necessary to prevent something worse. My surgery is very much at the back of my mind now as the forefront is rather fully occupied.

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