"cardiac issues and care while an inpatient"

One Sunday in September, I had strange sensations while tidying garden, had to give up and sit down. Breathing with difficulty and tight chest. Had them before but these were different. Felt no better on Monday, tried to contact GP surgery several times for next three days. Always engaged.

Finally got to speak to receptionist, Wed p.m. – couldn’t speak to doctor – not offering face to face appointments, only a phone call later from duty doctor.

Doctor rang my mobile in the evening and I explained  that I felt quite poorly; they told me to go to A&E – I questioned about Louth hospital, they said Grimsby. Advised them I live next to Louth hospital and lack of transport to Grimsby – didn’t want to drive and no bus service by then.

Getting dressed and putting shoes on felt wave of adrenalin and lack of breathing. Wife phoned for taxi and went to Louth. Allowed into Urgent Treatment centre and assessed by nurses and the Dr; ECG reading taken and doctor said I should go to Lincoln by ambulance. Given steroids and monitored.

Three hours later ambulance arrived, loaded on board and then assessed by the paramedic. Informed I wasn’t sick enough to go to Lincoln and they would take me to Grimsby. I told them the doctor said Lincoln and that’s where I wanted to go. Further monitoring and ECG test carried out on journey; delivered to A&E at Lincoln hospital. Sat around for ages, temperature, pressure and bloods taken; further ECG test done. Saw doctor and further monitoring carried out.

03:00 a.m. Thursday morning I was told to go home. No public transport, taxis not answering their phone and couldn’t get hold of family members. Started walking to Louth. 05:00 a .m. call to my mobile from Lincoln hospital; doctor insisting that I return to A&E. Told him I was tired, sweaty and needing a shower, so would continue on journey home. He informed me that I shouldn’t have been released, someone had failed to read the original ECG printout from Louth and they were very worried that I would have a heart attack and they would be in trouble. Told him that after I’d showered and sorted some things out, I would go back to A&E; he asked could I be there by ten o’clock and report to the ECG cardiac nurse. This I did; only no one at Lincoln knew what I was there for!!

Eventually taken to see a nurse who did further test, gave me a sandwich and cup of coffee (most welcome, not eaten since lunch on Wednesday). Advised that they were admitting me to Johnson Ward and NO! I couldn’t go home to fetch any kit. Delivered to ward – CSSU (not Johnson). On trip to ward I was given my notes to hold, noticed that my details were mostly wrong (about 15 years out of date) gave up-date to lady pushing chair, she wrote them in the forms.

Got to ward and bed and advised staff that I had no toiletries or night cloths; informed that wasn’t a problem as they could give me all of the things needed – never happened; it took me asking three different ward staff members just to get a toothbrush.

Moved to a bed in a 4 man room. Water jug left empty. (On the Friday a towel appeared at the foot of my bed?). It was now Thursday evening, instructed to complete menu for Friday and told they would sort me out a meal now. Didn’t happen? Offered and accepted two rounds of toast and a coffee.

Further test and told I’d need to carry out a starvation diet before undergoing a procedure on Friday morning, so just water until lunchtime. Procedure (camera to swallow) was late – staff claimed not to know (I knew) and no prep had been done. Advised that my lunch would be kept for me as couldn’t eat too soon after the procedure. When I was told I could ‘now’ eat something, I was offered a sandwich; informed staff that a meal was put back for me. Informed there wasn’t as no food kept on ward. Declined more sandwich or toast – bunged up with bread - and would wait for dinner (it was now 3:00 p.m.)

Finally had some cottage pie with veg at 5:00 p.m. - the first “meal” in 56 hours?? My throat was very sensitive and I asked for some paracetamol – took for ever and seemed to be a problem to provide simple medication.

Numerous times with several different staff members I informed them, on being asked, that I was taking ‘Losartan 50 mg at night’ - this prove to be a problem (not something I carry around) some staff said they had some, others didn’t know or couldn’t find any, even insisting that I took it in the mornings. I also informed staff that I am a bleeder, have Thrombocytopaenia (an element of haemophilia) and bleed easily; didn’t stop blood going everywhere – comment, “oh! So you are”.

Saturday, saw doctor and advised that I’d had a heart attack and was lucky that no damage had been caused. All well would be given medication and I could go home.

Informed staff that wife would be coming over to drive me home (car in hospital park) she would be brought over by our son taking time off work). So needed to know when to tell her, they couldn’t say just wait for doctor to get around to visiting the ward. Three hours later, still no word or even acknowledgement by staff – seemed too embarrassed and stayed away from patients. Had enough and chose to leave and go home. Saturday, 4:00 p.m. a cuppa at home. Yesssss.

Last experience of being an in-patient, 1957 – appendix removed – all starch and rules. Uuuumm!!??